Pneumatic Actuators
Our pneumatic actuators automate valves for the most critical process control applications without compromising safety.
Our pneumatic actuators are used for fluid control in many industries around the world. Our portfolio covers a wide range of torque profiles and provides reliable valve automation across a range of applications, including extreme and hazardous environments. We offer many of our pneumatic actuators as part of a turnkey valve operating system (VOS) package, including the actuator plus fully integrated controls, all configured, engineered, tested and ready to use from a single point of contact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pneumatic Actuators
Learn the answers to some of the most common questions about pneumatic valve actuation.
Pneumatic actuators are mechanical devices used to automatically open and close valves or dampers. They convert linear motion to rotational motion to operate a valve.
A scotch yoke is a mechanism that converts linear motion of a bar sliding back and forth into a rotational motion. The sliding bar is directly coupled to a piston and to a yoke with a slot that engages a sliding block. When a force is applied to the piston, the sliding block moves in the yoke slot, causing the yoke to rotate.
Rack and pinion refers to a pair of gears which convert linear motion into rotational motion. A linear gear bar, “the rack,” engages teeth on a circular gear, "the pinion." Linear force exerted on the rack causes a rotational motion of the pinion.