ACTUATORS

POWER CYLINDERS
 General Principle of operation.
As shown in fig. Power Cylinder
comprises of flexible brass bellow, Control
spring, and pilot valve which is connected to
bellow by a wire link. The control pressure
signal is applied to bellow which moves against
control spring. The other end of spring is
positioned by power cylinder through cam and
bell crank
 The unit operates on force balance
principle. The control signal output pressure is
converted into force by bellow. This force is
balanced by spring force which is acted by
cylinder position. When these two forces are
equal, pilot valve remains in null position i.e.
both the ports to cylinder are blocked. But with
change in signal pressure bellow expands or
contracts resulting in movement of pilot valve.
 For example if the control signal increases
bellow will expand and will press pilot valve
down ward. Air at 7 Kg/Cm2 entering the
pilot valve as indicated and is fed to upper end
of power cylinder through a lower valve port
and connecting pipe. At the same time lower
end of power cylinder is connected to
atmosphere via upper port of pilot valve.
Cylinder piston moves down ward.
 This movement is transmitted to
control spring via cam and bell crank.
Piston movement continues till force
exerted by the spring exactly balances the
force exerted by bellow and bring back
pilot valve to null position
 Similarly when control pressure reduces,
bellow contract and will pull pilot valve
upwards. Inlet air of pilot valve is diverted
to lower end of power cylinder through
upper port and connecting pipe. At the same
time upper end of power cylinder is
connected to atmosphere via upper port of
pilot valve and connecting pipe. Cylinder
piston will move upward.
This movement will be transmitted to
spring via cam and bell crank. Spring
will come downwards (released) and
bring the pilot to null position.
 For the remote indication of regulating
unit electrical transmitter is provided.
Basically it is a slide wire potentiometer.
Sliding contact is connected to bell crank
spindle.
A stabilized supply is connected across
slide wire and variable voltage is give for
remote indication
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