Actuator positioners adjust actuators based on real-time system requirements using inputs from sensors. They are used in various applications, such as naval gun turrets and flow control valves. These systems consist of a full-range actuator, a controller, and an interface unit that compares ideal situations with the actuator’s position and corrects any discrepancies.
An actuator positioner is a system interface that uses system inputs to adjust an actuator through a varying range of positions based on real-time system requirements. Essentially a servo system, the actuator positioner uses inputs from system sensors that provide information about the actuator’s current position. This information is compared by the positioner to a pre-programmed ideal scenario or other system input. If there is a disparity between the two sets of information, the positioner adjusts the actuator accordingly to correct for the difference. Actuator positioners are used in a wide variety of applications, such as machine tool parts, naval gun turrets, guidance systems, and flow control valves.
Actuators are devices that provide remote work by applying motion to a secondary device where it is impractical or dangerous for a human operator to intervene. In many cases, this motion is a simple linear or rotary motion of a finite and repetitive nature. There are, however, many applications where an actuator is required to produce a variety of position changes within the limits of its operating range in response to system or environmental demands. A naval turret is a good example of this type of operational situation. The actuators that rotate the turret and raise and lower the rifle barrels are constantly required to change position in relation to the location and range of a potential target.
To achieve this type of fine control, an actuator positioning system is used. This type of actuator system consists of a full-range actuator, a controller and an interface unit. The interface unit collects system inputs and operator commands or contains a set of pre-programmed data. It also collects sensor inputs which provide a real-time indication of the exact position of the actuator.
System inputs, operator commands, or program data represent an ideal or desired situation. The interface then compares this ideal situation with the position information of the actuator. If a difference is detected between these two sets of information, the interface declares an error state. It then instructs the controller to move the actuator, and consequently the system component in question, to correct the faulty state. After the fault state has been cleared, the actuator positioner will stop the actuator, thus restoring the desired parameters.
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