INTRODUCTION TO

ACTUATORS
LECTURE 3
 OUTLINE

 What is an actuator?
 Different types of Types of actuators.
 Electro-Mechanical Actuators.
 Electrical Actuators.
 Hydraulic & Pneumatic Actuation Systems.
 WHAT IS AN ACTUATOR ?
Actuator
1. A hardware device that converts a controller command signal into a change in
a physical parameter (usually mechanical change).
2. A hardware device that convert some kind of power, such as
hydraulic into linear or rotary motion (via force or torque).
An actuator is a specific type of transducer because it changes
one type of physical quantity into some alternative form.
A transducer is a device that converts energy from one form to another.
Actuator transfers energy, by air, electric current, or liquid, and converts that
into some kind of motion.
 TYPES & CLASSIFICATION OF ACTUATORS
There are two main types of actuators;-
Rotary actuators – Produce rotational motion like stepper motors and servo
motors.
Linear actuators – Translate rotary motion to linear motion e.g Electro-
Mechanical, Mechanical, Pneumatic and Hydraulic.
Classification of actuators according to their power producing
mechanism:
 Electro-mechanical actuators
 Electrical machines
 Mechanical
 Hydraulic systems
 Pneumatic actuation systems
Hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical actuators are usually used
where more force is to be delivered.
Electric and electro-mechanical actuators are used in cases where better control is
required.
 TYPES & CLASSIFICATION OF ACTUATORS CONT…
Electro-mechanical actuators
They convert electric power into either linear (output is linear displacement) or
rotational (output is angular displacement) motion. They are most common
(i.e. electric motors of various kinds, solenoids, and electromechanical relays).
Hydraulic & Pneumatic actuators
They are powered by pressurized fluids.
- Oil = hydraulic systems, Compressed air = pneumatic systems.
- They are similar in operation but different in construction due
to the differences in used fluid properties.
- Hydraulic and pneumatic actuators that provide either linear or
rotary motion are available.
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ACTUATORS

• INTRODUCTION

• SOME EXAMPLES
 ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ACTUATORS
➢ Converting electrical energy to mechanical energy is the
common thread among different electro-mechanical actuators.
➢ Overview according to their energy conversion mechanism:
 Electromagnetic
 Electrostatic
 Piezoelectric.
➢ Actuators based on Electromagnetic principles include,
amongst many others: Solenoid Type Devices ,Voice-Coil Motors (VCMs)
,Electric Motors
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ACTUATORS
 ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ACTUATORS

Easy to operate, the user has complete control over the motion.
Electromechanical actuation systems can be reconfigured and programmed without having to be shut
down, This enables the force and motion to be modified while the device is running.

Relatively cheaper than most actuators.

Considerably high efficiency, the average efficiency of around 90%.
Low maintenance, and increased up time also help to reduce operating costs
They are also environmentally friendly since they do not require hydraulic fluid.
This makes them ideal in hazardous areas.
 DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ACTUATORS

Although it is uncommon, electrical overheating can occur, especially when there are sharp
variations in duty cycle.
Shock loads impair the performance of the lead screw or bearing, which could have an impact
on the overall system.
 ELECTRICAL ACTUATORS
 Electric actuators are devices that are used to continuously convert electric
input into mechanical output, or vice versa. The process of translation is
known as electromechanical energy conversion. Electric machine is the
link between an electrical system and a mechanical system.
 Generator : Conversion from mechanical to electrical.
 Motor : Conversion from electrical to mechanical.
 PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS
Uses pressurized air to transmit and control power
Air is used as the fluid because:-
✓It is safe
✓It is less expensive and readily available
✓It can be inducted and exhausted directly to the atmosphere, and return line is not necessary
as with hydraulics
Pneumatic systems are similar in operation to hydraulic systems but different in construction
due to the differences in used fluid properties.
 PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS
Components of a hydraulic actuation system:
 The compressed air generation system, compressor, the cooler, possibly a dryer, the
storage tank, and the intake and output filters.
 The compressed air treatment unit (filter, pressure regulator,
 and possibly a lubrifier) which permits filtration and local
 regulation of the supply pressure to the actuator valve.
 The valve, that is, the regulator of the pneumatic power.
 The actuator, which converts the pneumatic power into mechanical power.
 The piping.
 The sensors and transducers.
 The system display, physical magnitude measurement, and control devices.
 PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS
Functions of the Pneumatic actuation system Components:
Compressors
-Used to produce compressed air.
-In volumetric compressors, the air or gas is sucked in by means of a valve in the
compression chamber where its volume is reduced to cause compression of the gas. Dynamic
compressors converts kinetic energy into pressure energy transferred to the gas
Air Treatment Unit
-After the inlet air is compressed, solid & liquid impurities, excess
moisture and heat are removed from air with an air treatment unit.
-It consists of a filter, connected to a compressed gas distribution
and generation network, a pressure regulator, and in some cases a
lubricator.
 PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS
Functions of the Pneumatic actuation system Components:
Reservoir
-Unlike hydraulic pumps, which provide positive displacement of fluid at high pressure on
demand, compressors can’t provide high volume of pressurised air responsively; therefore a
large volume of compressed air is stored in a reservoir or tank.
Pneumatic Valves and actuator
-Pneumatic valves and actuators are functionally similar to those used in hydraulic systems
but instead of returning fluid to tank, the air is simply returned to (exhausted) to atmosphere.
Other components
-Other components of the pneumatic actuation system are similar
in function and construction to hydraulic ones, though they are
built slightly lighter because of the lower working pressure.
PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS
 PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS
Advantages:
✓ Economic
✓ Reliable
✓ High operation speed
✓ Operation at constant force
✓ Resistant to overloads
Disadvantages:
ꭗ No speed control
ꭗ Poor position speed
ꭗ Noisy operation
HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
 HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
Components of a hydraulic actuation system:
• The pump, that is, the hydraulic power generation system.
• The actuator, that is, the element which converts hydraulic power into mechanical power.
• The valve, that is, the hydraulic power regulator.
• The pipes for connecting the various components of the actuation system.
• The filters, accumulators, and reservoirs
• The fluid, which transfers the power between the various circuit elements.
• The sensors and transducers.
• The system display, measurement, and control devices
 HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
Functions of the hydraulic actuation system Components:
The pump
-Transform electrical or mechanical energy into hydraulic energy.
-They constitute the fluid flow generator of the hydraulic system, as the pressure is
determined by the fluid resistance downstream from the generator.
Main types of pumps are:
-Centrifugal pumps permit high deliveries with low pressures. They do not have internal
valves but have a large clearance between the rotary part and stator part and guarantee a
sufficiently stationary flow.
-Hydrostatic or positive displacement pumps, are most commonly used, guarantee high
pressures with limited deliveries. They have elements such as valves and caps, which permit
separation of the delivery zone from the intake zone.
 HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
Functions of the hydraulic actuation system Components:
Motion Actuators
-Motion actuators convert the hydraulic energy of the liquid under pressure into mechanical
energy to do useful work.
Types of Motion Actuators:
-Rotary & Semi-Rotary Motors generate the oscillating motion either directly, by means of
the rotation of a vane connected to the output shaft, or indirectly, by coupling with a rack,
driven by a piston, with a toothed wheel connected to the output shaft. Semi-rotary vane
motors produce high instantaneous torsional torque on the output shaft.
-Linear Actuators, are commonly used type, and provide a
rectilinear movement realized by the stroke of a rod connected to a
piston sliding inside the cylinder.
 HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
Functions of the hydraulic actuation system Components:
Valves
-Carry out the task of regulating the hydraulic power sent to the
actuator.

Types of Valves:
-Directional Valves determine the passage and the flow direction of the oil current by means of the
movement of appropriate moving parts contained in them, actuated from outside. They are also known
as distributors.

-On-off valves are unidirectional valves, which permit the fluid to flow in one direction only. When the
generator stops, they prevent fluid contained in the system not to be discharged into the reservoir but to
remain in the piping.
 HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
-Pressure regulator valves, maintain a constant pressure valve downstream from them,
independently from variations in the upstream pressure. Guarantee correct operation of the
system, preventing the pressure from exceeding danger levels.
-Flow-rate regulator valves, makes it possible to control the intensity of the

flow of fluid passing through it. Functionally it operates as a simple restriction.

 HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS
Advantages:
✓ Economic
✓ Reliable
✓ Able to support heavy loads
✓ Resistant to overloads
Disadvantages:
ꭗ Low working speed
ꭗ Hydraulic group noisy in operation
ꭗ Possible oil leakage
HYDRAULICS AND PNEUMATICS ACTUATORS
END