Today we’re going to talk about actuators.
There’s probably not a day that goes by
where you don’t use or encounter an actuator
at home, or at work.
In this video, we’re going to:
Explain the purpose of an actuator.
Discuss the 2 types of actuators.
Look at the 3 typical sources of energy required for an actuator to move something.
Observe the operation of an actuator used in a very common industrial control application.
OK….let’s get started.
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In very simple terms,
an actuator is a device that makes something move or operate.
Every one of us takes advantage of at least one actuator every day.
When we go to the grocery store,
the door opens automatically for us.
An actuator makes the door open.
We can move the car seat forward or backward before we drive away in our car.
An actuator makes the seat move.
An actuator can move something in a straight line,
also referred to as “linear”.
Also, an actuator can make something move in a circular motion,
also referred to as “rotary”.
We’ve talked about the movement of an actuator,
but we haven’t discussed how, or what makes it move.
An actuator receives a source of energy
and uses it to move something.
To put it another way, the actuator converts a source of energy
into a physical-mechanical motion.
In this example, the butterfly valve is operated by turning the “Handwheel”
connected to the rotary actuator.
In industrial applications,
the “Handwheel” could be replaced by one of three typical sources of energy,
which can operate the rotary actuator:
Electric actuators use some form of electric energy to operate.
Hydraulic actuators use a variety of liquids as a source of energy.
Pneumatic actuators are operated by compressed air.
Typical actuators in the industry include:
Electric Motors
Hydraulic motors
And Pneumatic Control Valves
Let’s look at a typical “Pneumatic Actuator” in action!
The PLC analog output card produces a 4 to 20 mA current
to move the valve from fully open to fully closed.
The 4 to 20 mA current will be converted to pneumatic pressure
which becomes the source of energy to operate the actuator.
OK… Let’s review what we’ve discussed.
An actuator is a device that makes something move or operate.
An actuator can move something in a straight line, referred to as “linear”,
or in a circular motion, referred to as “rotary”.
An actuator receives a source of energy and uses it to move something.
In other words, the actuator converts the source of energy
into physical-mechanical motion.
That source of energy can be in 3 different forms:
Pneumatic, Electric, and Hydraulic.
Typical actuators in the industry include:
Pneumatic Control Valve, Electric Motor, and Hydraulic Motor.
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