ACTUATORS

Definition:
An actuator can be defined as a mechanism that moves or controls a device such as a valve.
Actuators reduce the need for operators to go to every valve that needs repositioning and operate the valve by hand. When
actuators are used, valves can be repositioned from a central location such as a control room. This is very important in
processes where a number of valves have to be repositioned accurately and quickly.
Types of Actuators:
1. Pneumatic Actuators
2. Hydraulic Actuators
3. Electric Actuators
Pneumatic Actuators
It uses air pressure to produce motion to position a valve. They are perhaps the most common type of actuator used
in process system.
Hydraulic Actuators
Actuators that are powered by a pressurized liquid, such as hydraulic fluid are called Hydraulic Actuators. Compared
to pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators of the same size are usually more powerful.
Electric Actuators
These use electricity to produce motion. They usually fall into one or two general classifications: solenoid actuators or
motor driven actuators. A motor-driven actuator is often referred to as a motor operator.
Controllers
Valve actuators operate and position valves in response to signals from controllers. Controllers are part of the
instrumentation systems that monitor plant processes and respond to variations in the processes. A controller
receives a signal that represents the value of a process variable such as temperature, pressure, level or flow:
compares that input to a setpoint, which is the desired value for the process variable and sends a corrective signal to
regulate the valve of the process variable.
Types of Pneumatic Actuators:
1. Diaphragm Pneumatic Actuators
2. Piston Pneumatic Actuators
3. Vane Pneumatic Actuators
Diaphragm Pneumatic Actuators
One of the most common types of pneumatic actuators is a
diaphragm actuator. In a diaphragm actuator, air pressure acts
on a flexible diaphragm to position a valve.
Types of Diaphragm Pneumatic Actuators
1. Single-Acting Diaphragm Actuators
2. Double-Acting Diaphragm Actuators
Types of Single-Acting Diaphragm Actuators Single-Acting Diaphragm Actuator

Air-To-Close/Spring-To-Open Actuators
Air-To-Open/Spring-To-Close Actuators

Air-To-Close/Spring-To-Open Actuators
Air-To-Open/Spring-To-Close Actuators
Symbol
Regardless of how they operate, single-acting diaphragm actuators are usually represented on process piping
diagram by the shown symbol:

Double-Acting Diaphragm Actuators

A Double-Acting Diaphragm Actuator is called double acting because air pressure acts on both sides of a flexible
diaphragm to position a valve.

Parts of Double-Acting Diaphragm Actuators

1. Casing
2. Diaphragm
3. Upper Air Supply Port
4. Lower Air Supply Port
5. Stem
6. Valve Position Indicator

Symbol
On a piping system diagram, a double-acting diaphragm actuator can be represented by the symbol shown below. It
may also be represented by the same symbol used to represent a single-acting diaphragm actuator.
Piston Pneumatic Actuators
Some valves require relatively long stem travel or a large amount of force to be positioned. For these valves, a
piston actuator may be more suitable than other types of actuators.
Types of Piston Pneumatic Actuators

1.Single-Acting Piston Actuators

2.Double-Acting Piston Actuators
Single-Acting Piston Actuators
One type of piston actuator is a single –acting piston actuator.
When this type of actuator is used, a controller or similar
device controls the air pressure on one side of a piston.

Double-Acting Piston Actuators

The parts of double-acting piston actuator are similar to those of
a single-acting piston actuator. However, a double-acting piston
actuator may not have a spring, and it may have air supply port
on each end of the cylinder.

Symbol
Single-acting piston actuator may be represented Double-acting piston actuator may be represented on
on piping system diagrams by the following symbols: piping system diagrams by the following symbols:
Vane Actuators
A vane actuator uses air pressure acting against a paddle, or vane, to position a
valve. In general, a vane actuator is simple in design and relatively small for the
amount of force it can supply to open or close a valve.
Vane actuators are used primarily with the rotary-type valves such as ball, plug
and butterfly valves, because the vane rotates the valve disc.

Symbol
A vane actuator is usually represented on a piping system diagram by the symbol
shown below.
Types of Electric Actuators
1. Solenoid Actuators
2. Motor-Operated Actuators
Solenoid Actuators
A solenoid actuator or a simple solenoid is typically used for on/off control of a valve. Solenoids
can position a valve from fully open to fully closed quickly, so they are particularly useful for the
emergency shutoff of valves.

Limitations
There is no intermediate, or in-between, position, so a solenoid actuator cannot throttle a
valve. Since most solenoids operate this way, they are typically used with on/off valves.
Symbol
A solenoid actuator is usually represented on a piping system diagram by the
following symbol:
Motor-Operated Actuators
A motor-operated, or simply, a motor operator, may be used when a valve has to be
throttled or when a large amount of force is needed to position a valve.

Motor and a set of gears turn a valve stem to open or close a valve. Two types of
switches that are commonly connected to the gears of a motor operator are a limit
switch and a torque switch.
Symbol

Even though a motor operator consists of many different components, it is usually

represented by a single symbol on a piping system diagram. MO
Hydraulic Actuators
Hydraulic actuators generally develop more force than similar-sized air-operated actuators,
because some of the force exerted on an air-operated actuator is used up in compressing the
air in the actuator. Liquids are not compressible, for the most part, so more of the forces
exerted on the fluid in a hydraulic actuator goes directly to positioning the valve connected to
the actuator.
Types of Hydraulic Actuators
1. Single-Acting Hydraulic Actuator
2. Double-Acting Hydraulic Actuator
3. Pilot Valves