Actuator

An actuator is a type of motor that is responsible for

moving or controlling a mechanism or system.
It is operated by a source of energy, typically electric
current, hydraulic uid pressure, or pneumatic pressure,
and converts that energy into motion. An actuator is the
mechanism by which a control system acts upon an en-
vironment. The control system can be simple (a xed
mechanical or electronic system), software-based (e.g. a
printer driver, robot control system), a human, or any
other input.

1 History
The history of the pneumatic actuation system and the
hydraulic actuation system dates to around the time of
World War II (1938). It was rst created by Xhiter Anck-
eleman (pronounced 'Ziter') who used his knowledge of
engines and brake systems to come up with a new solu-
tion to ensure that the brakes on a car exert the maximum
force, with the least possible wear and tear.

1.1 Hydraulic Pneumatic rack and pinion actuators for valve controls of water
pipes
A hydraulic actuator consists of a cylinder or uid motor
that uses hydraulic power to facilitate mechanical opera-
tion. The mechanical motion gives an output in terms of
linear, rotary or oscillatory motion. Because liquids are
nearly impossible to compress, a hydraulic actuator can ing and stopping as the power source does not need to be
exert considerable force. The drawback of this approach stored in reserve for operation.
is its limited acceleration. Pneumatic actuators enable large forces to be produced
The hydraulic cylinder consists of a hollow cylindrical from relatively small pressure changes. These forces are
tube along which a piston can slide. The term single act- often used with valves to move diaphragms to aect the
ing is used when the uid pressure is applied to just one ow of liquid through the valve. It is responsible for con-
side of the piston. The piston can move in only one di- verting pressure into force.
rection, a spring being frequently used to give the piston a
return stroke. The term double acting is used when pres-
sure is applied on each side of the piston; any dierence
in pressure between the two side of the piston moves the
piston to one side or the other.
1.3 Electric
1.2 Pneumatic
An electric actuator is powered by a motor that converts
A pneumatic actuator converts energy formed by vacuum electrical energy into mechanical torque. The electrical
or compressed air at high pressure into either linear or energy is used to actuate equipment such as multi-turn
rotary motion. Pneumatic energy is desirable for main valves. It is one of the cleanest and most readily available
engine controls because it can quickly respond in start- forms of actuator because it does not involve oil.

1
2 3 PERFORMANCE METRICS

1.4 Thermal or magnetic (shape memory commonly made via a few simple types of mechanism
alloys) including:

Actuators which can be actuated by applying thermal or Screw: Screw jack, ball screw and roller screw actu-
magnetic energy have been used in commercial applica- ators all operate on the principle of the simple ma-
tions. They tend to be compact, lightweight, econom- chine known as the screw. By rotating the actuators
ical and with high power density. These actuators use nut, the screw shaft moves in a line. By moving the
shape memory materials (SMMs), such as shape memory screw shaft, the nut rotates.
alloys (SMAs) or magnetic shape-memory alloys (MS-
MAs). Some popular manufacturers of these devices are Wheel and axle: Hoist, winch, rack and pinion,
Finnish Modti Inc. and American Dynalloy. chain drive, belt drive, rigid chain and rigid belt actu-
ators operate on the principle of the wheel and axle.
By rotating a wheel/axle (e.g. drum, gear, pulley
1.5 Mechanical or shaft) a linear member (e.g. cable, rack, chain
or belt) moves. By moving the linear member, the
A mechanical actuator functions by converting rotary wheel/axle rotates.[1]
motion into linear motion to execute movement. It in-
volves gears, rails, pulleys, chains and other devices to
operate. An example is a rack and pinion.. 2.3 Virtual instrumentation
In virtual instrumentation, actuators and sensors are the
hardware complements of virtual instruments.
2 Examples and applications
In engineering, actuators are frequently used as mecha-
nisms to introduce motion, or to clamp an object so as
3 Performance metrics
to prevent motion. In electronic engineering, actuators
are a subdivision of transducers. They are devices which Performance metrics for actuators include speed, accel-
transform an input signal (mainly an electrical signal) into eration, and force (alternatively, angular speed, angular
motion. acceleration, and torque), as well as energy eciency and
considerations such as mass, volume, operating condi-
tions, and durability, among others.
2.1 Examples of actuators
Comb drive 3.1 Force
Digital micromirror device When considering force in actuators for applications, two
Electric motor main metrics should be considered. These two are static
and dynamic loads. Static load is the force capability of
Electroactive polymer the actuator while not in motion. Conversely, the dy-
namic load of the actuator is the force capability while
Hydraulic cylinder in motion. The two aspects rarely have the same weight
Piezoelectric actuator capability and must be considered separately.

Pneumatic actuator
3.2 Speed
Servomechanism
Thermal bimorph Speed should be considered primarily at a no-load pace,
since the speed will invariably decrease as the load
Screw jack amount increases. The rate the speed will decrease will
directly correlate with the amount of force and the initial
speed.
2.2 Circular to linear conversion
Motors are mostly used when circular motions are 3.3 Operating conditions
needed, but can also be used for linear applications by
transforming circular to linear motion with a lead screw Actuators are commonly rated using the standard IP Code
or similar mechanism. On the other hand, some actua- rating system. Those that are rated for dangerous envi-
tors are intrinsically linear, such as piezoelectric actua- ronments will have a higher IP rating than those for per-
tors. Conversion between circular and linear motion is sonal or common industrial use.
 3

3.4 Durability
This will be determined by each individual manufacturer,
depending on usage and quality.

4 See also
End eector
Hard disk drive actuator

Linear actuator
Load cell

Microactuator
Nanotube nanomotor

Robot actuators
Torque motor

5 References
[1] Sclater, N., Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Source-
book, 4th Edition (2007), 25, McGraw-Hill

6 External links
Automotive Actuators
4 7 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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