Actuators are devices used to produce action or motion.

Input(mainly electrical signal , air, fluids)

Electrical signal can be low power or high power.

Actuators output can be position or rate i. e.

linear displacement or velocity.

Actuation can be from few microns to few meters

 Unmodulate
Energy source

Control Power
Energy
signal amplification A Output
conversion
& modulation

Actuator
Linear actuator: solenoid, Hydraulic/Pneumatic.

Rotary actuator: motor, Hydraulic/Pneumatic.

A solenoid is a coil wound into a tightly packed helix.

In physics, the term solenoid refers to a long, thin loop

of wire, and wrapped around a metallic core.

which produces a magnetic field when an electric current

is passed through it.
Pneumatic valve.

Car door openers.

Hydraulic cylinder

Single pressure line

Hydraulic systems are used to control & transmit power.

A pump driven by prime mover (electric motor) creates flow of fluid

Linear actuator (hydraulic cylinder)-

Provides motion in straight line.
Linear displacement depends on stroke length.
Usually referred to as cylinders, rams (single acting cylinders)
or jacks.

Rotary actuators (Hydraulic motors)-

Produces continuous rotational motion.
Pump shaft is rotated to generate flow.
A motor shaft is caused to rotate by fluid being forced into the
driving chambers.
Semi rotary actuators-
Produces non-continuous rotational motion.
Limited to less than one revolution (<360°).
Used to produce oscillatory motions in mechanisms.

Hydraulic jack.

Hydraulic brake.

Hydraulic ram.

Used as sensor.
Close loop velocity controlling.
Highly precise positioning for heavy loads.
Pneumatic actuator
It convert energy formed by compressed air at high pressure
into ether linear or rotary motion.

Quickly respond in operation.

Hydraulic & pneumatic actuators: cylinders
Single acting: Double acting piston:
work can be done only in one direction
Work is done in both directions

Plunger

Piston rod on both sides

Piston

Tandem

Telescopic
Telescopic

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Non cushioned cylinders
are suitable for full stroke
working at slow speed.

Higher speeds with

external cushions.
 Rotary hydraulic actuators
Vane rotary actuator: Parallel
piston
 Limited angle in both directions. rotary
actuator
 Maximum angle always smaller than 360°
 The same torque in both directions.

Limited angle rotary Limited angle rotary

actuator actuator

Piston rotary actuator:

 With rack and gear coupling.
 Here maximum angle may be larger than 360°

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Mechanical linear actuators typically
operate by conversion of rotary
motion into linear motion.

Screw

Wheel and axle

Cam
 Electrically actuated system are very widely used in control system

Working Principle of motor

Every motor works on the principle that when a current-carrying

conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a mechanical force.

There are three types of motor used in control system

D.C. motor

A.C. motor

Stepper motor
A.C. motor

Stepper motor
A stepper motor is an electromechanical device which converts electrical pulses
into discrete mechanical movements.

Permanent magnet type

Variable reluctance type

Hybrid type
Pierre and Jacques Curie discovered the piezoelectric effect in 1880.

The application of an electric field to a piezoelectric crystal leads to a

physical deformation of the crystal.

Piezoelectric materials are: Quartz, Ceramics, PZT(lead zirconate

titanade).
Advantages
short response time.
An ability to create high forces.
A high efficiency and a high mechanical durability.
Disadvantage
Have small strains. (0.1-.2%)
High supply voltage needed.(60-1000V)
Large hysteresis.(actuator doesn’t go back to exactly
where it started).
 A piezo ceramic crystal is coated with silver on both sides.

 Glued to a brass, nickel alloy, or stainless steel disk.

Brass:
Commercial & industrial use.(not subjected to environment )

Nickel alloy:

Use where it subjected to environment.

Stainless steel:
Uses where it subjected to solvent, corrosive chemical,
Underwater .
Medical fields.
Piezoelectric Stack Actuators
Produce linear motion.
Heaters - used with temperature sensors And temperature controller
to control the temperature in automated moulding
Equipment and in soldering operation.

Lights - Lights are used on almost all machines to indicate the

machine state and provide feedback to the operator.
LED
LCD’s
Gas plasma display
CRT

Sirens/Horns - Sirens or horns can be useful for unattended or

dangerous machines to make conditions well known.