VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL

UNIVERSITY
BELAGAVI, KARNATAKA -590018
Report of Mini Project

SOLENOID ENGINE
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
award of degree
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
In
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
By
MERISHA VAZ 2AB18ME009
NITEEN NAGARAJ GUDIGAR 2AB18ME017
SHARGIL SHARAD NAYAK 2AB17ME037
LOHIT SHETTY 2AB18ME008
Under the guidance of

Mr. TIPPU SULTAN

Designation

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ANJUMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY &

MANAGEMENT
(AFFILIATED TO VTU, BELAGAVI, RECOGONISED BY AICTE, NEW DELHI)

ANJUMANBAD BHATKAL – 581320

2020-2021
ABSTRACT
Electric Vehicle are becoming increasingly attractive alternative
to the car with combustion engine, considering the effect on the
environment as well as economic factors such as gradual
increasing price of fluid fossil fuels, maintenance and others. Due
to the fact that these vehicles are widely known for their zero
emission and powered by renewable energy sources. The idea of
the project is to take another alternative design of EV prime
mover to replace existing electric motor. In general, EV are driven
and controlled by the integration of electrical, electronics and
also mechanical components but the main component actually
moves these vehicles is the electric motor. Electric motor works
on the principles of the electromagnetic induction by converting
electrical energy to kinetic energy. This energy conversion is the
main purpose of an electric motor and this actuator are highly
popularized in most EV’s designs. So a solenoid will be used to
replace the electric motor as a prime mover. For this a prototype
of a solenoid is designed. The solenoid will be used as kicking
device. As earlier studies have investigated a solenoid as shooting
mechanism. In one study the solenoid is investigated as most
suitable kickind device.
CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
A solenoid is type of electromagnet when the purpose is to
generate a controlled magnetic field. If the purpose of the
solenoid is instead to impede changes in the electric current, a
solenoid can be more specifically classified as an inductor rather
than electromagnet.
In engineering the term may also refer to a variety of
transducer devices that convert energy into linear motion. The
term is also often used to refer a solenoid valve, which is an
integrated device containing an electromechanical solenoid which
actuates either a pneumatic or hydraulic valve, or a solenoid
switch, which is specific type of relay that internally uses an
electromechanical solenoid to operate an electrical switch; for
example an automobile starter solenoid or a linear solenoid,
which is an electromechanical solenoid. A type of electronic-
mechanical locking mechanism, also exist.
Solenoid is the generic term for a coil of wire used as an
electromagnet. It also refers to any device that converts electrical
energy to mechanical energy using a solenoid. The device creates
a magnetic field from electric current and uses the magnetic field
to create linear motion. Common application of solenoids is to
power switch, like the starter in the automobile, or a valve, such
as in sprinkler system.
A solenoid consists of a coil and a moving metal rod, also
known as armature or plunger. The operation of solenoid is
based on conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy,
and therefor are being considered as electromechanically
actuators.
Normally, the coil is copper wire wound a tiny pitch and
placed in a metal case also known as C-frame. The C-frame is
supporting structure that also contributes to the magnetic field
produced by the coil. Applying an electric current to a solenoid
coil generates a magnetic flux with intensity proportional to the
current. The magnetic field pulls the plunger in. The reason for
the plunger attraction is a ferromagnetic material with high
magnetic permeability, whereas air which has very low magnetic
permeability. Pulling the plunger inside closes the air gap and
insentifies the field concentration inside the solenoid.
The plunger of the solenoid can only be attracted by the
magnetic field, hence the solenoid can only generate force in one
direction. Normally when the solenoid is in the rest the plunger is
kept far coil using spring. However, solenoid has been used as
servo actuator in engine mount application.
Definition of Solenoid Engine
An engine which works with the help of solenoid is called solenoid engine.

It converts the magnetic energy produced by solenoid into mechanical energy.

The speed of the fly wheel depends on the intensity of magnetic field generated by solenoid.
Hence high voltage will result in more rpm of flywheel.

It can be constructed with simple copper wires, crank, crankshaft, flywheel and voltage source.

PRINCIPLE
An engine powering device with magnetic components that aid
in operation in the piston propelled engines by attaching the
device individually to the pistons, causing the pistons to perform
the up & down thrusts. Without the use of fuel thereby
mobilizing the engine, eliminating the necessity of fuel and
preventing pollution exhausting into the atmosphere. This
engine has magnetic shielding safety components to protect
people and other electronic devices from strong rare earth
magnents and electromagnets. A straight current carrying
conductor produces a circular magnetic field around itself at all
points along its length and that the direction of rotation of this
magnetic field depends upon the direction of current flow
through the conductor, the Left Hand Rule. The force that sets
up the magnetic field depends on No. of turns on the coil and the
magnitude of the current flowing. This force is called the Magneto
Motive Force & the unit of measurement is the Ampere.
The magnetic field does not appear instantly, it starts from
nothing nothing when the current is first turned on and as the
current increases so the magnetic field increases. When the
current is turned off the field takes a little time to decade again.
Working
The cylinder, piston and connecting rod appear similar to the
conventional Internal combustion engine or it may vary in certain
areas. The arrangement completely depends upon the
configuration used in designing the electromagnetic engine.
It has a permanent magnet, electromagnet, piston, cylinder
and connecting rod . Usually Neodymium is used as the
permanent magnet and is mounted on top of the piston.
Neodymium is either welded or stick using super glue to keep it
from coming out of the piston, while working.
The electromagnet is placed in the position of spark plug.
The electromagnet is capable of changing the polarity when the
direction of the current is changed. The permanent magnet
responds to the pull or push of the electromagnet, thereby
causing the piston to reciprocate along the length of the cylinder.
This power is taken as output from the connecting rod and the
crankshaft.
Litreature Review
I. AUTHOR : Atulkumarsingh , Prabhat Ranjan Tripathi,
TITLE : Microcontrolled Electromagnetic Engine, 2011
CONCLUSION : The paper proposes an idea of electromagnetic engine
which uses the property of an electromagnet by virtue of which it
changes the polarity of its poles whenever the direction of current
entering the windings is changed.

II. AUTHOR : J Rithula, J.Jeyashruthi & Y Anandhi,

TITLE : Electric Vehicle with Zero -fuel Electromagnetic Automobile
Engine, 2013
CONCLUSION : In this paper, we have depicted a revolutionary engine
which needs to be separately manufactured, but existing engines can be
easily modified to work this way. The proposed engine is a simple and
excellent technique to run the electric vehicle in a highly efficient
manner.

III. AUTHOR : Shirsendu Das,

TITLE : An ELECTROMAGNETIC MECHANISM WHICH WORKS
LIKE AN ENGINE, 2013
CONCLUSION : In this system, They have used 2 solenoids at Top dead
centre(TDC) & Bottom Dead Centre (BDC). Except piston the other parts
(cyilinder, connecting rod, crank shaft etc) should be made by non-
magnetic materials like alluminium alloys or forged steel.

IV. AUTHOR : Abil Joseph Eapen, AbyEshow Varughese, Arun T.P, Athul
T.N,
TITLE : Electromagnetic Engine, 2014
CONCLUSION : The prototype is an idea which uses the property of an
electromagnet by virtue of which it changes the polarity of its poles
whenever the direction of current is changed. This variation in polarity is
utilized to attract or repel the permanent magnet attached to the piston.
The usage of relay & timer will limit the output of the engine. By using
ECU in the engine instead, power can be obtained on each stroke which
will result in an increased output.

V. AUTHOR : C. Sudhakar, K.Premkumar, K.Vijith, S.Balaji,

TITLE : EMISSIONLESS ENGINE BY USING ELECTROMAGNET,
2014
 CONCLUSION : From this paper they tried to implement V-type engine
that consists of 2 permanent & electromagnet respectively that works as
per the magnetic principle which can give better output.
Components Description
VI. Solenoid operated cylinders

The cylinder developed is made of plastic, non-

magnetic which limits the magnetic field within the boundaries
of cylinder periphery. Usage of plastic material makes the
engine lighter unlike the cast-iron cylinder used in IC engine.
Each solenoid cylinder from cylinder & valves is
manufactured from top quality materials in order to deliver
outstanding performance & reliability. These small bore
solenoid cylinders feature hydraulic & pneumatic operation are
available in large and heavy duty configuration.
Our solenoid cylinder design include DC powered
electric solenoids. All of our solenoid cylinders can be modified
in a number of ways to meet your unique requirements.
VII. Magnetic Piston

Magnetic piston is the modified version of the simple

reciprocating piston in which the simple reciprocating
piston is replaced by permanent magnet and work on the
principle of magnetism.
The hallow piston casing is made up of non-magnetic
stainless steel. One end of the hollow case is fitted with a
powerful permanent magnet made of neodymiumiron-boron
(NdFeB).
Magnet is a piece of material that have equal number
of poles. Poles are the points where all the flux lines meet.
Magnet attracts when there are unlike poles(north-south)
are brought near each other repel when there like poles
(north-north) and (south-south) when they brought near
each other.
Force of attraction and repulsion between two
magnets depends on
 Shape
 Magnetization
 Orientation
 Separation of the magnets
VIII. Connecting Rod

In a reciprocating engine, the connecting rod is used to

connect piston to the crankshaft. It converts the linear
motion or reciprocating motion of the piston to the circular
motion of the crankshaft. The connecting rod used in this
engine is that of a power sprayer. The material of the
connecting rod is cast iron. As the magnetic fields are
contained inside the cylinder, the connecting rod will not be
affected much. The connecting rod is same as that of an IC
engine. No modification is required.
IX. Crank Shaft

The crankshaft, sometimes casually called the crank, is the

part of an engine which changes the up and down motion of
the piston into rotation. To convert the motion, the
crankshaft has one or more offset shafts. The pistons are
connected to the crankshaft by these shafts. When the
piston moves up and down, it pushes the offset shaft. This
in turn rotates the crankshaft. The piston cause a pulsing
affect in the rotation. A crankshaft usually connects to a
flywheel. The flywheel smooths out the rotation. Sometimes
there is a torsion or vibration damper on the other end of
the crankshaft. This helps reduce vibrations of the
crankshaft.
X. Flywheel

A flywheel is a mechanical device specifically designed to

efficiently store rotational energy. Flywheels resist changes
in rotational speed by their moment of inertia. The amount
of energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square
of its rotational speed. The way to change a flywheel’s
stored energy is by increasing or decreasing its rotational
speed applying a torque aligned with its axis of symmetry.
Scope For Future Development
The prototype is an idea which uses the property of an
electromagnet by virtue of which it changes the polarity of its
poles whenever the direction of current is changed. This variation
in polarity is utilized to attract or repel the permanent magnet
attached to the piston. By using an ECU in the engine instead,
power can be obtained on each stroke which will result in an
increased output. Also, by inserting more permanent magnets in
series on the piston will enhance the output of the engine. By
slight modification in design and by the use of better hands the
engine can be modified to generate more power, thereby
increasing its efficiency, so that it can be used in commercial
vehicles and other applications.
Conclusion
We developed the schematics of engine ensuring following
parameters:
 There is no effect on atmosphere because solenoid
engine cause no atmospheric pollution.
 It required less maintenance compared to IC engine.
 It provide alternative to the fossil fuels.
 It is lighter in weight than an IC engine.
 It provide more efficiency with lesser torque.