Basic Classification Of Major Actuators

Posted in Uncategorised, on April 28, 2022 By Admin

Actuators are used to convert electrical energy into mechanical force. In doing so, actuators provide a way for a machine to control the movement of a component. Without actuators, machines, such as drills or even airplanes, would not be able to function. Although 2 of the most commonly used actuators are pneumatic and electric actuators, there are actually 5 different types of these devices. The basic functioning and operation of these 5 types of actuators will be discussed down below.

Hydraulic actuators are devices that use the energy in a liquid (most often water) to either push or pull objects. They consist of a cylinder with a piston inside it. As the liquid is heated, the increased pressure of the liquid creates more force on the liquid's surface. This force then displaces the liquid and pushes it into the cylinder through a small hole on one end. Once the force in the cylinder hits a certain threshold, it pushes the liquid back to the piston.

Pneumatic

Pneumatic actuators are similar to electric motors. The difference is that pneumatic actuators are powered by compressed air. This compressed air is then used to actuate cylinders, valves, and other pneumatically controlled components. These components often require an external power source because they are mechanical in nature.

Electric

An electric actuator is a motorized device that is used to create motion and torque. They are often used in robotics, automation, and other engineering fields to help with tasks that are typically more difficult to do manually. This makes electric actuators more efficient than pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. Moreover, they are also lighter in weight and require less maintenance.

Thermal

As the name suggests, thermal actuators use thermal energy to produce motion. They are mostly used in space missions as their systems are not affected by Earth's gravity. The use of thermal actuators is important because they have a wide range of applications, such as in space exploration, future power plant designs, and advanced engineering.

Magnetic

Magnetic actuators are composed of a rotor that has its own shaft. It also includes a regular magnet within this shaft, as well as external magnets on the opposite side. The external magnets create magnetic fields that are attracted to the regular magnet, resulting in mechanical motion.

Thus, these are 5 major types of actuators, although the list is not exhaustive by any means.

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