The aerospace industry got a significant boost during the last decade. Even the smallest companies are willing to try themselves in the aerospace. It has happened because components have become more affordable. With the invention of electric linear actuators, the applications became more functional and easy-to-handle.
It is difficult to name just some examples of actuators applied in the aerospace industry. Every application, every mechanism uses something different. However, there are some features that all the linear actuators used for aircraft must comply with:
- The top safety level is one of the crucial features that cannot be compromised. That is why leading actuator manufacturers make actuators from top-quality alloys. All the products are tested rigorously. Thus, one can be sure that they can work in any conditions;
- The absence of maintenance needs matters. One cannot disagree that it is difficult to perform maintenance works during a flight. Therefore, linear actuators used in aircraft shall be either self-maintained or require the minimum of maintenance;
- Items for aerospace, including linear actuators, shall be energy-efficient. Electric actuators allow for saving energy and reducing the costs;
- High power density is crucial. The smaller the item is, the better it is for an aircraft. But the size shall not compromise its efficiency;
- All the components, including actuators, shall be as environmentally friendly as possible. Electric actuators are completely sealed. It eliminates the risks of leaks. Thus, any impact on the environment is reduced to a minimum.
What Applications in the Aerospace Industry Are Indispensable without Linear Actuators?
Actuators are used in any aircraft, in plenty of its components and systems. Whatever part of an aircraft you take, you will see plenty of actuators there.
- In cargo doors of any aircraft, special actuators are used. These actuators were made to function seamlessly under the highest pressure and withstand drastic temperature fluctuations;
- For missile system control, actuators are needed that can provide the superior precision level of movement. An ability to provide top performance during the shortest time is also a must. Add such features as resistance to very high temperatures, long service life, and you have a perfect actuator for this application;
- For actuation of fuel valve, actuators with top responsiveness are used. Low maintenance level, long service life, top reliability are the main features of these elements;
- For flaps control, actuators are applied that can provide multiple redundancy levels. They are equipped with dual leadscrews. Separate load paths ensure top functionality. The actuators are completely sealed. It guarantees the supreme protection level against water, dust, etc.;
- Actuators are a must-to-be element in landing gears. These actuators shall be lightweight and easy-to-install. They don’t need maintenance and are absolutely reliable.
You can find plenty of actuator applications in cargo aircraft vessels, in military jets, in passengers’ airliners. They are used in crucial systems of an aircraft and to increase the comfort level of people. We can safely say that without linear actuators, the airspace industry would not be the same anymore.
Choose the Correct Option
You need to know how to choose the needed actuator. When it is an element or a system that will be used for an aircraft, the requirements are very strict. The correctness of choice determines many factors, among which is the safety of passengers and the crew. Just a couple of the main features you need to check are:
- Stroke length: it is a distance at which an actuator can move. This value is indicated in the specifications of an item;
- Length in the extended and retracted position: the first value is the longest actuator dimension. The second value is the shortest actuator dimension. These values are needed to determine whether the actuator size is fine for your application;
- Speed: this value is crucial if your application has specific requirements to speed movement;
- IP: if an actuator will be used in humid, wet, dusty environments, its IP shall be higher;
- Mounting style: for a different action, a different mounting style is preferred. For example, a dual-pivot style is better if your actuator will move on a path. While for actuators that push or compress something, a stationary mounting type is better.
Your requirements might be not limited to the above mentioned only. The more important the application is, the more requirements the actuators shall comply with. The aerospace industry is one of those industries where no compromises are accepted. If even one item fails, it can have tragic consequences.
That is why the best manufacturers make actuators specifically for the aerospace industry. Choose the items for any new aerospace project or to replace worn-out elements carefully, with attention to the smallest details. And never hesitate to ask a representative of the manufacturing company if something is unclear. This is a guarantee that the items are made according to top standards and comply with the strictest requirements.