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).

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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

The Top 5 Hydraulic Cylinder Repair Tips

Hydraulic cylinders are an essential part of numerous types of hydraulic systems. They convert fluid energy into mechanical energy to perform work, such as lifting heavy objects.

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Hydraulic cylinders are also used to pull, push, or press objects together. For example, the brakes on your vehicle rely on hydraulic cylinders to engage the brake pads and bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Just like the other parts and components found in hydraulic systems, hydraulic cylinders require preventative and corrective maintenance.  Fortunately, repairing or replacing a hydraulic cylinder is one of the easier mechanical tasks to perform, by using these top tips on how to repair a hydraulic cylinder.

Tip #1. Do a complete inspection of the hydraulic cylinder.

You need to inspect the seals, hoses, fittings, rods, and other components that are essential for the cylinder’s operation before starting the repair process.  Sometimes the root cause of failures is not the cylinder and could be as simple as a leaking hose.

Tip #2. Make sure you have the right tools.

You will need specific tools to remove the cylinder rod from the cylinder tube  and make the necessary repairs.  Typical tools required are wrenches, circlip pliers, screwdrivers, an emery cloth, etc. The tools you need will depend on whether you need to service a wire ring cylinder or a threaded head cylinder.

You do not want to start any repairs if you lack any essential tools. Using the wrong tools could lead to metal-to-metal contact with the surface of the cylinder bore, scratching, bending, or other such problems.

Tip #3. Make sure you have the right parts and components.

Once you ascertain the root cause of the problem, you need to ensure you have all the parts and components to complete the repair.  Different types of cylinders can require additional parts.

Regardless of the repair, you will need O-rings and other types of seals because you need to do a complete rod seal replacement anytime you disassemble the cylinder housing and remove the cylinder rod.

Tip #4. Remember to install new wear bands.

Just like with different piston seals, you need to install new gland seals. The gland seals prevent oil from leaking out of the end of the cylinder and also prevent the cylinder rod from making metal-on-metal contact between the rod and the inside of the gland.

Tip #5. Pay attention to the rod assembly as you take it apart.

It can be beneficial to take pictures of the rod assembly to ensure you place piston seals, high tension springs, if used, and other such parts back into their exact location.  Installing them in the wrong places can make it difficult to reassemble and will mean that the assembly will not work as originally designed.

Furthermore, improper reassembly of the cylinder could lead to problems like corrosion since it will not be sealed properly. The last thing you want is for moisture to get inside the cylinder, as it can rust the bore, damaging the seals and causing further leakage.

Tip #6. Inspect cylinder parts and components while it is disassembled.

You want to verify the cylinder rod is not bent or scratched. If this is the case, it indicates a bigger problem that will also need to be fixed.

Take the time to also check the rod seals to see if they are misformed, as this could indicate the rod is bent. Additionally, check the inside of the cylinder bore for rust, pitting, scoring, or scratches, as these will cause leaks.

Tip #7: Determine what went wrong with the cylinder.

Simply repairing the cylinder may not resolve the underlying problems.  When repairing the cylinder, you need to determine what caused the damage in the first place. By taking the time to identify what went wrong, you can avoid having to make the repair repeatedly.

Tip #8. Keep a stock of cylinder repair parts and components on hand.

It is a good idea to have the replacement parts and components you need to repair cylinder rods, piston and gland seals, etc. This way, when something does need to be repaired or replaced, your downtime will be shorter than having to order parts and wait for them to arrive.

Tip #9. Always prepare the cylinder for repair.

Before you start disconnecting hoses and fittings and removing the cylinder, take the time to clean the area. Doing this will prevent dust, dirt, grease, and dirty oil from getting into the cylinder unit and the hydraulic system.

White House Products, Ltd. Has the Parts You Need

By using these tips on how to repair a hydraulic cylinder, the repair process will be much easier. For all your hydraulic cylinder parts, components, seal kits, replacement rods, hoses, and more, please feel free to contact White House Products, Ltd. at +44 (0) today!

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