An actuating cylinder transforms energy in the form of fluid pressure into mechanical force, or action, to perform work. It is used to impart powered linear motion to some movable object or mechanism. A typical actuating cylinder consists of a cylinder housing, one or more pistons and piston rods, and some seals. The cylinder housing contains a polished bore in which the piston operates, and one or more ports through which fluid enters and leaves the bore. The piston and rod form an assembly. The piston moves forward and backward within the cylinder bore, and an attached piston rod moves into and out of the cylinder housing through an opening in one end of the cylinder housing.
Seals are used to prevent leakage between the piston and the cylinder bore and between the piston rod and the end of the cylinder. Both the cylinder housing and the piston rod have provisions for mounting and for attachment to an object or mechanism that is to be moved by the actuating cylinder.
Actuating cylinders are of two major types: single action and double action. The single-action (single port) actuating cylinder is capable of producing powered movement in one direction only. The double-action (two ports) actuating cylinder is capable of producing powered movement in two directions.
Fluid under pressure enters the port at the left and pushes against the face of the piston, forcing the piston to the right. As the piston moves, air is forced out of the spring chamber through the vent hole, compressing the spring. When pressure on the fluid is released to the point it exerts less force than is present in the compressed spring, the spring pushes the piston toward the left. As the piston moves to the left, fluid is forced out of the fluid port. At the same time, the moving piston pulls air into the spring chamber through the vent hole. A three-way control valve is normally used for controlling the operation of a single-action actuating cylinder.
Seals are used to prevent leakage between the piston and the cylinder bore and between the piston rod and the end of the cylinder. Both the cylinder housing and the piston rod have provisions for mounting and for attachment to an object or mechanism that is to be moved by the actuating cylinder.
Actuating cylinders are of two major types: single action and double action. The single-action (single port) actuating cylinder is capable of producing powered movement in one direction only. The double-action (two ports) actuating cylinder is capable of producing powered movement in two directions.
Linear Actuators
A single-action actuating cylinder is illustrated in Figure 1-A. |
| Figure 1. Linear actuator |
Fluid under pressure enters the port at the left and pushes against the face of the piston, forcing the piston to the right. As the piston moves, air is forced out of the spring chamber through the vent hole, compressing the spring. When pressure on the fluid is released to the point it exerts less force than is present in the compressed spring, the spring pushes the piston toward the left. As the piston moves to the left, fluid is forced out of the fluid port. At the same time, the moving piston pulls air into the spring chamber through the vent hole. A three-way control valve is normally used for controlling the operation of a single-action actuating cylinder.
A double-action (two ports) actuating cylinder is illustrated in Figure 1-B. The operation of a double-action actuating cylinder is usually controlled by a four-way selector valve. Figure 1 shows an actuating cylinder interconnected with a selector valve. Operation of the selector valve and actuating cylinder is discussed below.
When the selector valve is placed in the ON or EXTEND position, fluid is admitted under pressure to the left-hand chamber of the actuating cylinder. [Figure 2] This results in the piston being forced toward the right. As the piston moves toward the right, it pushes return fluid out of the right-hand chamber and through the selector valve to the reservoir. When the selector valve is placed in its RETRACT position, fluid pressure enters the right chamber, forcing the piston toward the left. As the piston moves toward the left, it pushes return fluid out of the left chamber and through the selector valve to the reservoir.
Besides having the ability to move a load into position, a double-acting cylinder also has the ability to hold a load in position. This capability exists because when the selector valve used to control operation of the actuating cylinder is placed in the off position, fluid is trapped in the chambers on both sides of the actuating cylinder piston. Internal locking actuators also are used in some applications.
Some advantages of hydraulic transmission of power over mechanical transmission of power are as follows:
RELATED POSTS
When the selector valve is placed in the ON or EXTEND position, fluid is admitted under pressure to the left-hand chamber of the actuating cylinder. [Figure 2] This results in the piston being forced toward the right. As the piston moves toward the right, it pushes return fluid out of the right-hand chamber and through the selector valve to the reservoir. When the selector valve is placed in its RETRACT position, fluid pressure enters the right chamber, forcing the piston toward the left. As the piston moves toward the left, it pushes return fluid out of the left chamber and through the selector valve to the reservoir.
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| Figure 2. Linear actuator operation |
Besides having the ability to move a load into position, a double-acting cylinder also has the ability to hold a load in position. This capability exists because when the selector valve used to control operation of the actuating cylinder is placed in the off position, fluid is trapped in the chambers on both sides of the actuating cylinder piston. Internal locking actuators also are used in some applications.
Rotary Actuators
Rotary actuators can mount right at the part without taking up the long stroke lengths required of cylinders. Rotary actuators are not limited to the 90° pivot arc typical of cylinders; they can achieve arc lengths of 180°, 360°, or even 720° or more, depending on the configuration. An often used type of rotary actuator is the rack and pinion actuator used for many nose wheel steering mechanisms. In a rack-and-pinion actuator, a long piston with one side machined into a rack engages a pinion to turn the output shaft. [Figure 3] One side of the piston receive fluid pressure while the other side is connected to the return. When the piston moves, it rotates the pinion.
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| Figure 3. Rack and pinion gear |
Hydraulic Motor
Piston-type motors are the most commonly used in hydraulic systems. [Figure 4] They are basically the same as hydraulic pumps except they are used to convert hydraulic energy into mechanical (rotary) energy. Hydraulic motors are either of the axial inline or bent-axis type. The most commonly used hydraulic motor is the fixed-displacement bent-axis type. These types of motors are used for the activation of trailing edge flaps, leading edge slats, and stabilizer trim. Some equipment uses a variable-displacement piston motor where very wide speed ranges are desired. Although some piston-type motors are controlled by directional control valves, they are often used in combination with variable-displacement pumps. This pump-motor combination is used to provide a transfer of power between a driving element and a driven element. Some applications for which hydraulic transmissions may be used are speed reducers, variable speed drives, constant speed or constant torque drives, and torque converters. |
| Figure 4. Bent axis piston motor |
Some advantages of hydraulic transmission of power over mechanical transmission of power are as follows:
- Quick, easy speed adjustment over a wide range while the power source is operating at a constant (most efficient) speed
- Rapid, smooth acceleration or deceleration
- Control over maximum torque and power
- Cushioning effect to reduce shock loads
- Smoother reversal of motion
- Hydraulic Pumps
- Hydraulic Valves
- Hydraulic Accumulators
- Heat Exchangers
- Power Transfer Unit (PTU)
- Ram Air Turbine & Hydraulic Motor-Driven Generator
- Hydraulic Seals
- Large Aircraft Hydraulic Systems