Pneumatic valve actuator is a device that creates either linear or rotary motion from a power source under the direction of a control source. These components have vital uses in a variety of industrial applications, such as factories, oil, gas, and petrochemical refineries, mining, construction and wastewater treatment plants. Pneumatic valve actuators use pressurized gas to affect a particular kind of motion and are less expensive, more reliable, cleaner, and safer than electric valve actuators or electric motors. A Pneumatic actuator mainly consists of a piston, a cylinder, and valves or ports. The piston is covered by a diaphragm, or seal, which keeps the air in the upper portion of the cylinder, allowing air pressure to force the diaphragm downward, moving the piston underneath, which in turn moves the valve stem, which is linked to the internal parts of the actuator. Pneumatic actuators may only have one spot for a signal input, top or bottom, depending on action required. Valves require little pressure to operate and usually double or triple the input force. The larger the size of the piston, the larger the output pressure can be. Having a larger piston can also be good if air supply is low, allowing the same forces with less input. These pressures are large enough to crush object in the pipe. On 100 kPa input, you could lift a small car (upwards 1, 000 lbs) easily, and this is only a basic, small pneumatic valve. However, the resulting forces required of the stem would be too great and cause the valve stem to fail. A-Force (Scotch-Yoke) Pneumatic Actuator A-Force Pneumatic Actuator uses Scotch-Yoke technology, which industry professionals often choose for valve and damper operations because of its high torque output. It includes many features for applicability, safety, and ease of use. It has an attachable rotary type valve that can operate at temperatures from -20 degrees to 80 degrees Centigrade, or -40 to 200 degrees Centigrade. Its center stopper bolt can adjust for open and closed positions at 90º + 5º or -10º to -30º. With a double square drive shaft, it also has a double acting spring return which is pre-compressed for safety. The cylinder is made of hard-anodized aluminum and contains a NAMUR drive shaft. R-Force (Rack and Pinion) Pneumatic Actuator R-Force Pneumatic Actuator uses the very reliable rack and pinion technology. It has a life cycle of more than 1, 000, 000 operations with long-lasting lubrication of all of its moving parts. Its maximum working pressure is 10 Bar (143 Psi), and has a wide temperature range of -20º to 150º Centigrade. The R-Force Pneumatic Actuator also has a double square drive shaft, spring return that is pre-compressed for safety, a cylinder made of hard-anodized aluminum, and a NAMUR drive shaft. H-Force (Heavy-Duty) Pneumatic Actuator H-Force Pneumatic Actuator is named as such because of its heavy-duty capacities and high torque actuation of a maximum of 200, 000 N. M. It boasts a maximum working pressure of 10 Bar (143 Psi), and has a temperature range of -20º to 150º Centigrade. Like the A-Force Pneumatic Actuator, this model also utilizes Scotch-Yoke technology. It has a double acting spring return (strong, medium, weak), and an attachable rotary-type valve. Source: goarticles
Source:
http://goarticles.com/article/Pneumatic-Actuators-for-Linear-or-Rotary-Motion/6945310/