actuator

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An actuator is a mechanical device for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. An actuator typically is a mechanical device that takes energy, usually created by air, electricity, or liquid, and converts that into some kind of motion.

Examples and applications

Examples include:

• Mechanics - plasma actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, motors, hydraulic cylinders, linear actuators, 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 include electrical motors, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic pistons, relays, comb drive, piezoelectric actuators, thermal bimorphs, 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.

See also

• Actuator arm
• Gripper
• Switch
• Telepresence
• Haptic
• Wax thermostatic elements
• Microactuator
• End effector

References

External links

• "How Actuators Work". useactuator.com. http://useactuator.com/what_is_an_actuator.html. Retrieved 2009-11-19. 
• "What is an Actuator?". Wisegeek.com. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-actuator.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-21. 

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