{"id":16128,"date":"2020-04-08T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.engineernewsnetwork.com\/blog\/?p=16128"},"modified":"2020-04-07T14:52:15","modified_gmt":"2020-04-07T13:52:15","slug":"electro-hydraulic-actuators-optimise-force-density-and-shock-resistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.engineernewsnetwork.com\/blog\/electro-hydraulic-actuators-optimise-force-density-and-shock-resistance\/","title":{"rendered":"Electro-hydraulic actuators optimise force density and shock resistance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thomson Industries has introduced an electro-hydraulic actuator that has the strength of hydraulic cylinders but without their complex external assemblies or extensive fluid handling requirements.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomson Warner Linear H-Track actuators<\/a><\/strong> move loads of up to 21350N (4800 pounds) from a compact mounting envelope.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The actuators are ideal for space-constrained applications requiring high load handling and shock resistance, such as snowplough blade control, agricultural ploughs and sprayer booms, mower deck lifts, and UTV dump boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpecifying solutions for applications requiring high force in a compact space is now possible, while still realising the benefits of an electrically driven actuator,\u201d said Anders Karlsson \u2013 Product Specialist Linear Actuators for Thomson. \u201cWith our unique reservoir design and pump configuration, we have miniaturized a hydraulic system and embedded it into a package that is even smaller than a ball screw-style electromechanical system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe result is a compact, electro-hydraulic actuator rated for heavy loads and capable of withstanding large amounts of shock loading with fluid-powered actuation that cushions the actuator components.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High force density and shock resistance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydraulic cylinder-based systems require a complex assembly of hoses, pumps, valves and reservoirs. This infrastructure can be costly to install, operate and maintain, and the fluid itself requires careful handling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomson Warner Linear H-Track actuators resolve this issue with a miniaturised hydraulic pump that is powered by a DC motor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pump, cylinder and reservoir are a single unit that fits into a small housing about the size of a screw-type actuator. This hybrid actuator has a force rating of 21kN (4800lbf) and can achieve travel speeds of nearly 100 mm (4in) per second. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Users can select between motors and pumps to optimise for higher load capacity or higher speed than can typically be attained with ball screw-based designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Using hydraulic power to create linear motion also has a cushioning effect that enables the system to absorb shock load that might otherwise bend the ball screw or the extension tube, especially if the shock load occurred while the actuator was extended.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High configuration flexibility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability to configure multiple pump and cylinder sizes enables Thomson to create H-Track iterations with various levels of speed and load capacity. Its exclusive pumping and reservoir architecture minimises components and optimises the volume\/pressure differential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A patented split-tank shuttle valve with back pressure relief adds further efficiencies. Other H-Track features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n