Whether they know it or not, millions of people across the world depend on devices called actuators, which are designed to create and transfer motion in various types of machinery. Actuators have applications in every field you can imagine, from household appliances to major construction projects. They are differentiated from one another by the type of motion that is created, usually either linear (in a straight line) or rotary (in a circular direction).
At Aberdeen Dynamics, we specialize in the design and construction of these types of motion-control systems. Frequently, our clients ask for advice as to the best type of actuators to use for their own specific purposes.
Two of our most widely sold types of motion-control systems are the hydraulic rotary actuator and the hydraulic linear actuator. In the following blog post, we’ll outline the key differences between these two mechanical systems and discuss the applications each is best suited for.
Actuators: The Basics
The simplest definition of an actuator is a device that creates motion. Of course, there are many such devices, and not all of them are considered to be actuators. Actuators tend also to be designed to provide movement only along a specific, and usually somewhat narrow, path. This is what differentiates an actuator from a related, but distinct, device such as a motor. While motors provide unlimited rotational movement, actuators will usually provide it only across a preselected range.
As we mentioned, different actuators are distinguished from one another by their particular movement patterns. Linear actuators are designed to move objects back and forth in a straight line. Rotary actuators, on the other hand, are designed to turn objects around an axis.
Actuators are also differentiated by their operational mechanisms. They may be pneumatic, gaining their movement from compressed air or other gases. They may also derive their movement from hydraulic technology, utilizing non-compressible fluids to maximize their strength and power. Electric motors are also another method of providing operational mechanisms.
Specialized Technology
In the opening paragraph, we said millions of people across the world depend on some type of actuator or another. We’re not exaggerating: These humble devices are found everywhere, thanks to their ability to be specialized for specific tasks.
One example of a small—but extremely critical—type of actuator is the brake booster in a car. In advanced, modern cars with powered brakes, the brake booster is activated when you compress the pedal. It utilizes vacuum pressure to rotate a cylinder that transfers brake fluid where it needs to go to stop the vehicle.
On a much larger scale, construction cranes use actuators to allow the cranes to both rotate the cab and lift vast amounts of weight. Similar actuators are used in many other construction machinery and other massive equipment types.
Hydraulic Rotary Actuators: What They’re Used For
As we’ve outlined above, the primary difference between a hydraulic rotary actuator and a hydraulic linear actuator is in the type of movement they are designed for. A rotary actuator can apply torque to an object, causing it to turn on an axis. This means it is best suited for tasks where a twisting or turning motion is required. The power of hydraulic pressure allows the actuator to operate despite large amounts of friction, which is often present in major, large-scale mechanical systems.
Their ability to perform their work against resistance allows hydraulic rotary actuators to be utilized in situations where maximum rotational force is necessary. Common usages are on natural gas, crude oil, or refined products pipelines, where actuators are responsible for the opening and closing of valves, even under extreme pressure.
Hydraulic rotary actuators are also frequently used in the marine, aviation, and robotics industries, as they can be applied to provide the rotational motion for the most-used machinery parts. They are widely used in manufacturing equipment such as chemical agitators, which are used to produce metals and other commercial-grade compounds.
Hydraulic Linear Actuators: Where You’ll Find Them
Rather than generating torque, linear actuators are designed to produce only back-and-forth motion. On the face of it, this may seem simple, but it can actually sometimes pose a larger engineering challenge than a rotary actuator. This is because the task becomes converting the rotational movement initially generated by the device into linear movement.
Since a great many different types of machinery depend on linear motion, linear actuators are a ubiquitous technology found everywhere from the home—for example, in mechanized disk drives—to the industrial sector. Just think of any situation where pushing or pulling might be required; it’s likely a linear actuator is utilized there.
One industry where hydraulic linear actuators are rapidly becoming more common is the agricultural industry. The ability to generate linear motion has allowed many repetitive tasks in food production to be automated. One example is in agricultural irrigation systems; here, the actuators allow the flow of water to be more precisely controlled, allowing crops to be watered both more effectively and with a greater eye toward water conservation. This and other agricultural applications have greatly increased the efficiency of growing and harvesting processes, allowing more food to be produced at a larger scale.
If You Have Further Questions
If you have further questions about what types of actuators are best for the specific needs of your business, talk to our experts at Aberdeen Dynamics. We specialize in the production of these and other critical pieces of technology. The actuators we craft are widely used in the oil and gas sectors, but we’ve also provided them for nearly every other industry you can imagine. No project is too large or too small, so give our team a call to discuss your requirements.