Principles of Electric Actuators and Their Applications in Valves

 
Electric actuators have become increasingly ubiquitous in various fields as intelligent devices. Their intricate and precise working principles offer industries the possibility of precise control and efficient operation. This article delves into the working principles of electric actuators and their multifaceted applications in the valve industry, unveiling their significant role in industrial automation.
 

Working Principles of Electric Actuators

 
The core components of electric actuators include the motor, transmission mechanism, controller, and feedback device. These components collaborate to achieve precise control over equipment or systems.
 

• Motor: Serving as the power source, the motor of an electric actuator begins rotating upon receiving signals from the controller, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• Transmission Mechanism: This component transforms the rotational motion generated by the motor into the linear or angular displacement required by the actuator. Common transmission mechanisms include gears, screws, belts, and linkages.
• Controller: The controller receives external control signals and adjusts the motor's speed, direction, and force based on predefined parameters. Controllers come in various forms, ranging from simple switch-based controls to complex programmable logic controls.
• Feedback Device: Feedback devices monitor the motion status of the actuator and provide real-time information to the controller. Common feedback devices include displacement sensors, velocity sensors, and force sensors.
• Through the synergistic operation of these components, electric actuators achieve precise and reliable control over valves and other equipment, meeting diverse industrial and production requirements.

 

Applications of Electric Actuators in the Valve Industry

 
In the valve industry, electric actuators play a pivotal role, extensively utilized in controlling various types of valves. Their primary application areas include but are not limited to:
 

1. Industrial Process Control: Electric actuators are widely employed in industries such as petroleum, chemicals, steel, and power generation to regulate valves, gate valves, ball valves, and others, enabling precise adjustment of parameters like pressure, flow rate, and temperature during production processes.
2. Water Management Projects: Electric actuators are crucial in water supply, drainage, and water treatment projects, commonly used to control butterfly valves, gate valves, and other valves to achieve precise adjustment and control of water flow, thereby enhancing water quality and system stability.
3. Thermal Systems: In heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electric actuators regulate valve and stopcock positions to adjust fluid flow and temperature, meeting various environmental requirements and improving energy efficiency.
4. Gas Transmission Systems: Electric actuators find extensive applications in gas transmission systems such as natural gas and coal gas pipelines, where they control valves like ball valves and stop valves to ensure safe, stable, and efficient gas transmission.
5. Environmental Protection: In environmental sectors like exhaust gas treatment and wastewater treatment, electric actuators facilitate precise control over regulating valves, stop valves, and other valves to meet emission standards and environmental requirements.
6. Food and Pharmaceutical Industries: Electric actuators are increasingly valued in the food and pharmaceutical production processes for their precise control over sanitary valves, regulating valves, and other valves, ensuring production hygiene, safety, and stability.

 
In summary, electric actuators, with their precision, efficiency, and intelligence, play indispensable roles in the valve industry and various other fields. With continuous technological innovation and development, electric actuators are poised to unlock greater potential and value across more domains in the future.