Actuator

Actuators ( transducers; drive elements ), often referred to as actuators also because the English term actuator, set the electrical signals (eg, emanating from the control computer commands ) into mechanical motion or other physical quantities (such as pressure or temperature) and to access so active in the control system and / or enter desired quantities before.

The actual process of transformation is called actuators.

Areas of application

In the measurement, control and regulation technology actuators denote the signal- converter -related counterpart to form the sensors and actuators in a control loop. Put signals from a control in (mostly) mechanical work (motion control). One example is the opening and closing of a valve.

In robotics, the term effector is often used synonymously for the actuator. Effectors serve the robot, for example, for grasping and manipulating objects and thus produce an effect.

In sub-areas of mechatronics such as actuators or linear technology, finding electromechanical actuators such as Actuation their use, which are generally referred to as actuators. Also, the read / write head (stepper motor ) of a hard drive or balancing car in a stationary pendulum is referred to as an actuator. The control is generally done in an open or closed loop.

Actuation principles

• Inductive electric motors
• Bimetallic actuators
• Hydraulic or pneumatic actuators eg Integrated Power Actuator ( IPA)

• Scotch yoke actuators (actuators according to the principle of the crank loop )

From the field of new materials come actuators that respond to changes in specific environment variables with defined Aktorwirkungen. They replace electrical control systems by a single element. Actuators based on shape memory alloys and Dehnstoffelementen are temperature sensitive and are examples of temperature controllers are used. Smart hydrogels are used inter alia for chemostats, automatically regulate the pH, ion, or molecular concentrations.