What Is an Electric Actuator?
Electric actuators are found in processing plants of many kinds including refineries, power plants and wastewater treatment plants. Electric actuators perform very important functions within the industrial manufacturing process. They are electric devices which cause another device to be turned on and off. Electric actuators impact the work of valves, which play a key process in the automated process. Their sizes vary from a few inches long to a few meters. There are many kinds of actuators.
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Electric Actuator Designs
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Electric actuators are designed according to the specific functions that they serve within the engines in which they are installed--usually to open or close valves of different sizes. Some actuators are designed to withstand full thrust and must travel a relatively long distance to cover the diameter size of a large valve. Other valve discs, such as the globe valve, may require a shorter movement by an actuator. An example of a full-thrust actuator is the Thrust Vector Control of the Space Shuttle Rocket Booster. Short-travel actuators are the most common types of actuators in use. For instance, your house thermostat uses short-travel actuators for temperature controls and reversals.
Functions of Electric Actuators
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Due to increasing decentralization within automation technology, the functions of electric actuators have increased in many ways. This revolution was also impacted by the invention of state-of-the-art microprocessors, which has in turn influenced the position control. New electric actuators are now equipped with new process controllers with self-adaptation potential, making it easier to attain new automation standards.
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Multi-Turn Electric Actuators
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Multi-turn actuators perform unique functions within the automation process. They are used specifically for multi-turn valves. One good example of the multi-turn valve is the gate valve. Multi-turn actuators are described as actuators which transmit to the specific valve at least one full revolution. Its job is to move the valve stem mounted at the top of the gate valve from an open position to a closed position, and vice versa. Gate valves are automated thanks to the design and function of multi-turn actuators.
Part-time Actuators
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Part-time actuators perform similar functions as the multi-turn actuators; the only difference is the limited distance they cover. They are needed for the automation roles of butterfly and other valves. The part-time actuators are unable to complete one full revolution, and consequently are unable to withstand thrust. They are relatively smaller in dimension compared with the multi-turn actuators.
Linear Actuators
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As the name suggests, linear actuators are devices which apply force in linear ways, whereas other actuators apply force by rotating. Some linear actuators have the capacity to convert rotational force into linear force. Linear actuators currently have no international measurement standard like the multi-turn and part-time actuators. They are used in the automation of control valves. Examples of the linear actuators are the pneumatic diaphragm actuators. Pneumatic diaphragms are widely used in mining equipment and also in aircraft engines.
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