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In this video, we’re going to talk about pneumatic actuators.
We’ll look closely at the operation and application
of the most common pneumatic actuator, the spring/diaphragm linear pneumatic actuator.
First of all, let’s look at Actuators in general.
What is an Actuator?
Simply stated, an actuator is a device that makes something move or operate.
Actuators make life easier for us every day,
and they are the workhorses of the industry.
For example, your dentist uses an actuator to move the chair up and down.
There are three typical types of actuators used in industry
as defined by their energy source.
The typical actuators in the industry include:
Electric
Hydraulic,
and, Pneumatic.
Ok… Let’s move on to the focus of our video, pneumatic actuator.
A pneumatic actuator converts energy in the form of compressed air into movement.
Pneumatic actuators are categorized by their type of motion.
They are either Linear or Rotary.
A linear pneumatic actuator can move something in a straight line.
For example, a rod is moved in and out of a cylinder
in a linear motion by a pneumatic energy source.
A rotary pneumatic actuator can make something move in a circular motion.
For example, a rod in a rack and pinion drive system
is used to produce rotary motion.
Let’s look at some examples of how Rotary and Linear pneumatic actuators are operated
as there are many different types of each.
In the Rotary pneumatic actuator category,
the Vane style and the Rack and Pinion style are very common.
Vane Actuators have a cylindrical chamber
in which a movable vane is mounted on a shaft.
Pneumatic air under pressure applied on one side of the vane
causes it to rotate through its stroke.
Rack and Pinion actuators use a piston attached to rack gear.
When pneumatic pressure is applied,
the piston and rack move linearly rotating the pinion gear and driveshaft.
In the Linear pneumatic actuator category,
the spring/diaphragm style and the piston style are very common.
The piston-style pneumatic actuator utilizes a piston inside a cylinder.
The movement of the piston is caused by applying pneumatic pressure
thereby moving the piston upwards.
Removing the pneumatic pressure
causes the piston to move downward due to the pressure of the spring.
This motion is referred to as Air-to-Retract.
An Air-to-Extend motion can be also be achieved
by rearranging the spring, piston, and pneumatic supply.
The spring/diaphragm pneumatic actuator is probably the most common actuator used
to operate industrial process control valves.
So, let’s have a closer look.
The spring/diaphragm pneumatic actuator consists of a diaphragm and plate
that are connected to an actuator stem.
A flexible diaphragm is enclosed in pressure-tight housing.
Pneumatic pressure enters this housing applying pressure to the diaphragm.
As the air pressure increases to the diaphragm
the force exerted against the spring increases
causing the actuator stem to move.
Reducing the pneumatic pressure will cause the spring to retract the diaphragm.
The actuator stem will move a valve in or out of a valve body.
In an air-to-open operating condition,
the spring forces the valve closed.
The air pressure on the diaphragm creates a force
that overcomes the force of the spring and opens the valve.
By rearranging the spring pneumatic supply,
this type of actuator can fail-open or fail-closed when air pressure is lost.
Let’s look at a typical spring/diaphragm pneumatic actuator
connected to a flow control valve in action!
A typical pneumatic actuator will stroke a complete 0 to 100%
over a pneumatic pressure input range of 3 to 15 psi.
The PLC analog output card produces a 4 to 20 milliamps current
to move the valve from fully open to fully closed.
A signal conditioner called a current-to-pressure transducer
or I to P will change the 4 to 20 milliamps into 3 to 15 psi.
OK… Let’s review what we’ve discussed:
An actuator is a device that makes something move or operate.
An actuator receives a source of energy and uses it to move something.
The three typical actuator energy sources are Pneumatic, Electric, and Hydraulic.
A pneumatic actuator converts energy in the form of compressed air into motion.
A pneumatic actuator can move something in a linear motion or a rotary motion.
Linear pneumatic actuators include the spring/diaphragm style
and the piston style.
Rotary pneumatic actuators include the rotary vane style
and the Rack and Pinion style.
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