ACTUATOR

WHAT IS AN ACTUATOR?

 A mechanical device for moving or

controlling something
TYPES OF ACTUATORS
 Hydraulic actuators
 Pneumatic actuators
 Electric motors
- servomotor
- stepper motor
- direct-drive electric motor
 Shape memory metal actuator
 Magnetostrictive actuators
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACTUATING SYSTEMS

 Weight, power-to-weight ratio, operating

pressure
 Stiffness Vs Compliance

 Use of reduction gears

WEIGHT, POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO, OPERATING
PRESSURE
 Higher the voltage of a electric motor, higher
will be the power-to-weight ratio
 Pneumatic cylinders has the lowest power-
to-weight ratio
 Hydraulic systems have the highest power-
to-weight ratio
 STIFFNESS COMPLIANCE

 Stiffer the system, more  Compliant the system, the

load is needed to deform it easier it deforms under the
load
 Hydraulic systems are very  Pneumatic systems are
stiff and noncompliant compliant

 More accurate  Inaccurate

STIFFNESS VS COMPLIANCE
USE OF REDUCTION GEARS

 Hydraulic Devices – No need to use

reduction gears

 Electric Motors – Need reduction gears

HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR

 Offer High power-to-weight ratio, large forces

at low speeds (both linear and rotary
actuation)
 Tolerance of Extreme hazardous
environments
 Used in past, mostly in automobile
productions.
 Not used anymore due to leakage problems.
EXAMPLE OF HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
WHEN TO USE HYDRAULICS

Large Force, High Power applications

 High power density

 Accurate control

 Rugged environments (explosive, dusty,etc)

A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM CONSISTS OF
FOLLOWING PARTS
 Hydraulic linear or rotary cylinder and rams
 Hydraulic Pump
 Electric motor
 Cooling system
 Reservoir
 Servovalve
 Safety check valves
 Connecting hoses
 Sensors
FIGURE: SCHEMATIC OF A SPOOL VALVE IN NEUTRAL
POSITION
FIGURE: SCHEMATIC OF A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND ITS
COMPONENTS
FIGURE: SCHEMATIC OF A SIMPLE CONTROL DEVICE WITH
PROPORTIONAL FEEDBACK
FIGURE: BLOCK DIAGRAM OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
WITH PROPORTIONAL FEEDBACK CONTROL SCHEME
APPLICATIONS OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS
 Heavy Plant
– Steel press
– Large-scale precision
motion tables
 Mobile Systems
– Steering, brakes
– Propulsion and transmission
 Aerospace
– Aerolon actuation in aircraft
– Fin actuation in
missiles/rockets