Actuators An actuator is used to convert the energy of the fluid back into mechanical power.

The amount of power developed depends upon the flow rate, the pressure drop across the actuator and its overall efficiency There are three types of hydraulic actuators Linear ----hydraulic cylinder Rotary (continuous rotation) hydraulic motor Rotary (limited angle of movement) semi-rotary actuator Linear Actuators: Provide motion in straight line The total movement is a finite amount determined by the construction of the unit They are usually referred to as cylinders, rams, or jacks

Rotary actuators: Generally known as hydraulic motors They are similar to hydraulic pumps but whereas a pump shaft is rotated to generate flow, a motor shaft is caused to rotate by fluid being forced into the driving chambers The driving chambers may be generated form or a series of pistons They may have a fixed or a variable displacement Semi rotary angular movement These are capable of a limited angular movement which can be several complete revolutions but 3600 or less is more usual. Hydraulic cylinders: Linear actuators may be divided into three main groups Displacement Single acting Double acting

Displacement cylinders
It consists of a rod which is displaced from inside a tube by pumping hydraulic fluid into the tube. The volume of the rod leaving is equal to the volume of fluid entering the tube, hence the name displacement cylinder Description The rod of the displacement cylinder is guided by bearings in the nose or neck of the cylinder body. A collar on the end of the rod prevents it being ejected and limits the stroke of the cylinder. Elastomer seals in the neck prevent any leakage of fluid along the outside of the rod. This design is a single acting push or extension cylinder The retraction is by gravity, a spring or some external force. The manufacturing cost is low as compared to other type of cylinders

Maximum thrust = pressure x rod area = P x d2/4 where d diameter of the rod The extend speed of the rod is given by Flow rate of the fluid entering cylinder Rod speed = Area of cylinder rod

Telescopic cylinders These are used when a long stroke is required and length available for installation is limited They consist of nest of tubes as shown below. They operate on displacement principle The tubes are supported by bearing rings The innermost bearing rings have grooves to allow flow of fluid Stop rings limit the movement of each section preventing separation When the cylinder extends, all the sections move together until the outer section is prevented from further extension by its stop ring. The remaining sections continue out-stroking until the second outermost section reaches the limit of its stroke and so on until all sections are extended, the innermost one being last of all For a given input flow rate, the speed of operation will increase in steps as each successive section reaches the end of its stroke The load lifting capacity reduces for each successive section for a specific pressure

Telescopic cylinder

Single acting cylinders These can be powered in one direction only by hydraulic forces The return movement is brought about by either a spring built into cylinder or an external force Cylinder barrel is machined to high quality surface finish Elastomer seals or metal rings fitted to the piston The face of the piston not acted on by the fluid pressure must be drained to tank to prevent a build up of fluid which has leaked across the piston seal If the drain is blocked, the gradual leakage of fluid may reduce the length of the cylinder stroke

Double acting cylinder These are hydraulically powered in both the directions by applying fluid pressure to the appropriate side of the piston The cylinder consists of a honed barrel or tube with end caps which may be welded or screwed to the tube At least one end cap will contain a bearing, seal and wiper ring to suit the piston rod.

Load deceleration -Cylinder cushioning Cushions are fitted to cylinders when the KE of the load has to be absorbed within the component The spike on the piston or a sleeve on the rod cuts off the main flow path of the fluid leaving the cylinder This makes the fluid to find an alternative path through a restrictor, which meters out the flow during the final part of the stroke A check valve is incorporated to bypass the cushion restrictor for the return stroke

Load deceleration cylinder cushioning (contd) During deceleration extremely high pressure may develop within the cylinder cushion The action of cushioning device is to set up a back pressure to decelerate the load Ideally the back pressure will be constant over the entire cushioning length to give a progressive load deceleration In practice the cushion pressure is highest when the piston rod has just entered the cushion

Pressure distribution in cushion

Double acting cylinder design

Cylinder mountings These permit in anchoring cylinders The rod ends are usually threaded for direct attachment of loads, clevis, yoke or some other device

Cylinder mountings (contd)

Typical mechanical linkages that can be combined with hydraulic cylinders

Various mechanical linkages may be used in cylinder applications These linkages can transform a linear motion into either an oscillating or rotary motion. Linkages are also employed to increase or decrease the effective leverage and stroke of a cylinder

Use of first-class lever to drive a load

Use of second-class lever to drive a load

Use of third-class lever to drive a load