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By Gnter xler
Figure.1
Basically the so called scotch yoke actuator delivers the transmission from a linear movement into a rotary action, known as part-turn action, by means of a lever arrangement (see figure 1). No gear shaft, no gear rack on the piston. This makes the machining independent
Figure.2
Figure.3
think on the cam disk in combination with the bearing pin in the piston (see figure 3). Frequently those actuators will reach a lifecycle time of millions of cycles. My experience shows an application with 50 Mio cycles within 6 months (glass bottle production line).
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The diagram shows the exact difference in effective output torque in both actuator systems. It is important to note that the scotch yoke actuator delivers a 20% higher break-away torque from the zero position where any soft seated valve requires the highest available torque
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MANUFACTURERS VOICE
(e.g. Butterfly Valves) whereas, along the rotary movement, the available torque goes down to a value 45% lower after 50% travel and increases at the end slightly to 75% of the starting torque which benefits the torque requirement of soft seated ball valves. The benefit for the user is either a smaller actuator or a higher break away torque considering the same diameter of the piston in the actuator resulting in cost benefit and space saving.
Figure.4
Figure.5
There are also, of course, limitations to the scotch-yoke system. If it is necessary to operate 3-way or 4way valves which requires a turning angle of 180 it is not possible to use a scotch yoke actuator as the lever arrangement does not allow turning > 95. However, considering all the benefits of a Scotch-Yoke actuator, it is the best choice in automating valves with a 90 turning angle such as butterfly, ball and plug valves for ON-OFF as well as for control applications.
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