Barrel actuators convert air, fluid pressure or electrical energy into mechanical motion, used to move, lift, lower or grasp objects. They come in air, hydraulic and electric motor driven variants, with different advantages. Actuator cylinders have a piston moved by air or oil pressure, and are available in rotary or linear motion. Electric actuators are the most precise, hydraulic the most powerful, and pneumatic the most affordable. They are used in construction, automotive, hobby and home applications, with a wide range of sizes and power capacities.
The term barrel actuator is a broad description applied to a family of devices that convert air and fluid pressure or electrical energy into useful mechanical motion. This movement, or work as it is technically referred to, can be linear or rotary in nature and is used to move, lift, lower or grasp objects via a connecting arrangement. The most common types of cylinder actuators are air, hydraulic and electric motor driven variants. Air and oil operated actuators generally use a piston arrangement to initiate movement while electric examples use a worm or worm gear with each type having its specific advantages. The cylinder actuator is found in many industrial, automotive, hobby and home applications and is available in a wide range of sizes and power capacities.
The basic working principle of pneumatic and hydraulic actuator cylinders is a piston in a closed cylinder moved by air or oil pressure. In both cases the cylinder is sealed at both ends with the actuator stem passing through a set of seals in an end cap. This creates a closed chamber above and below the piston. Pressurized fluid, typically hydraulic grade oil, or air, is introduced into one of two chambers to move the piston forward or backward which, in turn, moves the actuator rod. An arrangement of valves allows oil or air to flow into the compression chamber and out of the inactive chamber based on operator input.
The actuator rod is attached by links to the object it is designed to move. Rotary cylinder actuators work the same way, except the piston component is of a different design and rotates within the cylinder rather than moving up and down. In this case, the actuator rod transfers this rotary action to a disk or platter that is attached to the work piece. In both cases, the cylinder actuator converts fluid or air pressure into useful work.
An electrically operated cylinder actuator has a motor drive that turns a nut or gear. The actuator rod in these cases has a lead screw or worm gear thread cut into its underside which engages this gear or nut. Turning the gear or nut causes the actuator to move up and down the tube in accordance with the direction the motor is turning. The actuator rod then transfers this linear motion to the workpiece in the same manner as air or oil actuators.
Each of the different types of cylinder actuators has individual characteristics which make them particularly suitable for specific applications. Pneumatic actuators are the most affordable general purpose variants offering a good balance of horsepower and cylinder size. They are also useful where electricity is not readily available. Hydraulic actuators are the most powerful of all types, delivering extreme levels of torque in any cylinder size. Electric actuators are the most precise types able to deliver their movement in very precise increments.
The cylinder actuator is a common component of construction and earthmoving machinery as well as industrial and automotive equipment and is an integral part of many hobby projects. They are also often found in the home in the form of doors, skylights and window openers. Cylinder actuator is available in a wide range of sizes and power ratings ranging from mini hob cylinders less than half an inch in diameter to giant industrial versions several feet in diameter capable of moving tens of thousands of pounds.
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