How Does Actuators Works?

In actuator valve engineering and design, it is essential for engineers, designers, and manufacturers to fully understand the aspects and processes of using
this particular product that would eventually help build effective engineering designs in a safe and efficient manner.
One of the most significant products of the company would be the actuators. To make this technical term simpler, an actuator is a device that transforms or
converts energy into motion. Also applied as a force, an actuator usually is a mechanical apparatus that takes energy, normally constructed by liquid, air, or
electricity, and converts that into a specific kind of motion. This motion can relate to anything from clamping, blocking, to ejecting. These actuators are
normally used in industrial applications or in manufacturing, and may also be used in different objects such as motors, switches, valves, and pumps.
From all the actuators available in the market, the most common type would be the ones that are powered by the air, also known as the air cylinder or the
pneumatic cylinder. These air cylinders are air tight, usually made out of metal, which uses the energy of compressed air in order to move a piston. In
addition, air cylinders are usually used in assembly processes and in manufacturing. On the other hand, grippers, normally used in robotics, use actuators
powered by compressed air in order to work similar to the human touch.
Electricity or hydraulics can be a source of power for actuators. Much like there are air cylinders, there are also electric cylinders and hydraulic cylinders
where the cylinder converts electricity or hydraulics into motion, and hydraulic cylinders are often used in several types of automobiles. Most of the actuators
available have more than one type of power source. For example, solenoid valves can have the ability to be powered by both electricity and air. Electricity
powers the solenoid, and the solenoid, powered by air, actuates the valve. Another option for this would be that the solenoid can be powered by both
electricity and the hydraulics.
Whether in a linear motion, a rotary motion, or in an oscillatory motion, actuators can still be used, that is if they can create the motion with only one
direction, in a circular motion, or in an opposite direction at normal intervals. Hydraulic and air cylinders can also be classified as single acting, which means
that the energy source that justifies the movement in one direction, and that a certain spring is used for the other direction. Having these interchanged,
these cylinders can act as double as an acting cylinder, which means that the energy is used in two different directions. Even if actuators are usually
explained in terms of mechanical implements, muscles are often given as an example of an actuator. Energy, which is created by eating carbohydrates, is
converted by the muscle, which in this case would be the actuator, and transform it into motion, such as playing basketball.

The above article was authored by Christel Lumabas who is part of MEA Inc. team. MEA Inc is a world leading organization that is composed of designers,
engineers and manufacturers of valves and actuator including butterfly valve, valve actuators, diverter valve, linear actuator, hydraulic check valve and
electric actuator for mechanical and electrical automation systems worldwide. For more information check out http://www.meaincorporated.com.



Actuator Diagram - photo adopted from Spirax Sarco

Actuator (topside) connected to one piece ball valve - Image adopted from Randex.

Similar to the latter image, this actuator (topside) is also connected to a one piece ball valve - Image adopted from Ferret.