Actuator: Difference between revisions
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==Examples and applications== |
==Examples and applications== |
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Examples include: |
Examples include: |
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*Mechanics - [[plasma actuator]]s,[[pneumatic actuator]]s, [[electric actuator]]s, [[motor]]s, [[hydraulic cylinder]]s, etc. |
*Mechanics - [[plasma actuator]]s, [[pneumatic actuator]]s, [[electric actuator]]s, [[motor]]s, [[hydraulic cylinder]]s, etc. |
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*[[Human]] - Muscles |
*[[Human]] - Muscles |
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*[[Biology]] - Actuator domains found in P, F and V type ATPases |
*[[Biology]] - Actuator domains found in P, F and V type ATPases |
Revision as of 20:52, 4 March 2008
An actuator is a mechanical device for moving or controlling a mechanism or system.
Examples and applications
Examples include:
- Mechanics - plasma actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, motors, hydraulic cylinders, etc.
- Human - Muscles
- Biology - Actuator domains found in P, F and V type ATPases
- In engineering, actuators are frequently used as mechanisms to introduce motion, or to clamp an object so as to prevent motion. In electronic engineering, actuators ACTT, are a subdivision of transducers. They are devices which transform an input signal (mainly an electrical signal) into motion. Specific examples are Electrical motors, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic pistons, relays, comb drive, piezoelectric actuators, thermal bimorphs, Digital Micromirror Devices and electroactive polymers.
- Motors are mostly used when circular motions are needed, but can also be used for linear applications by transforming circular to linear motion with a bolt and screw transducer. On the other hand, some actuators are intrinsically linear, such as piezoelectric actuators.
- In virtual instrumentation actuators and sensors are the hardware complements of virtual instruments. Computer programs of virtual instruments use actuators to act upon real world objects.
See also
References