Linear Actuator Driver

• Driver Controller Board stand-alone options available for different servo motor applications

• Nominal Motor Supplies up to 25A

• 16-32V Supply Voltage Range

• -40°C to + 55°C Operating Temperature Range

• Communication protocols RS-422/RS485

• Servo Actuator Control Unit

• Landing Gear Control System

• Wing Flaps Control System

• Nose Wheels Control System

• Tail Flaps Control System

• Aircraft Motion Surfaces

• PMSM / BLDCM Control with Vector Control Algorithm

• 14 Bit Resolution Precision Position Control

• 3-phase Inverter Construction

• Low and high voltage protection and reverse voltage and reverse current protection are available in the driver

Interfaces

• RS-422/RS-485 Communication Interface

• SSI/BISS Encoder Interface

• 4-bit Physical Address Pins

• Proximity Switch Interface

Electrical and Mechanical

• Power: 16VDC - 32VDC

• Nominal Supply Voltage: 28VDC

Environmental

• Operating Temperature: -40°C to +55°C

• Operating Altitude: 45,000ft

• RTCA/DO-254

• RTCA/DO-160G

• MIL-STD-704F

• MIL-STD-810G

• MIL-STD-461F

Current Status

TRL 9/9

What is the LAD - Linear Servo Actuator Control System?

The LAD (Linear Servo Actuator Control System) is a type of control system used to manage and regulate the operation of linear servo actuators in various mechanical and aerospace applications. These actuators are designed to convert electrical signals into linear motion, and the LAD system is responsible for controlling their movement precisely. The system is typically employed in situations where accurate positioning, force, and speed are critical, such as in aviation, spacecraft, and industrial automation.

What does LAD - Linear Servo Actuator Control System do?

1. Position Control:

• The LAD system ensures the precise positioning of the linear actuator along its travel path. It continuously monitors the actuator's position using feedback devices (e.g., encoders, resolvers) and adjusts the actuator's movement to reach and maintain the desired position accurately.

2. Speed and Velocity Control:

• The system regulates the speed and velocity of the actuator’s motion. It can accelerate, decelerate, and maintain a constant speed, adjusting for changes in load or resistance to ensure smooth and consistent motion.

3. Force Control:

• The LAD system can also manage the force output of the actuator, ensuring that the force applied by the actuator is within the desired limits. This is especially important in applications where precision and controlled force are required to avoid damage to components or ensure safety.

4. Closed-Loop Feedback:

• The system uses a closed-loop feedback mechanism where sensors constantly report the actuator's position and performance back to the control system. The controller uses this information to make real-time adjustments to the actuator's motion, ensuring accuracy and precision. Common feedback devices include encoders, potentiometers, and resolvers.

5. Motion Profile Generation:

• The LAD system generates motion profiles that determine how the actuator moves over time, including the acceleration, deceleration, and speed at each stage of its movement. This allows for smooth, controlled motion without sudden jumps or jerks, which is crucial for applications requiring fine control.

6. Safety and Error Handling:

• The system incorporates safety features that protect the actuator and its surroundings. For example, it can monitor for overcurrent, overheating, or mechanical faults, and will automatically stop or adjust the actuator's movement if necessary to prevent damage or injury.
• It can also provide error detection and fault diagnostics to alert operators if something goes wrong with the actuator or control system.

7. Integration with Other Systems:

• The LAD system can be integrated into larger control networks or automation systems, allowing for coordinated movement with other actuators or components. It may also interact with other control systems, such as flight control systems, robotic systems, or industrial machines, depending on the application.

What different type of LAD - Linear Servo Actuator Control System ?
 

1. Open-Loop Control System

• Description: An open-loop LAD system does not use feedback to adjust or correct the actuator’s motion. It operates on predefined commands and executes the motion based on the input signals, with no real-time monitoring of position, speed, or force.
• Key Features:
  • Simple design with minimal components.
  • Lower cost compared to closed-loop systems.
  • Typically used in applications where precision is less critical or where external feedback mechanisms are not necessary.

2. Closed-Loop Control System

• Description: In a closed-loop LAD system, the actuator’s performance is constantly monitored via feedback devices (e.g., encoders, resolvers). The system adjusts its output based on the feedback to ensure precise control over position, speed, and force.
• Key Features:
  • Provides real-time corrections to the actuator's motion.
  • Uses feedback devices to monitor and adjust position, speed, and force continuously.
  • Offers high precision and accuracy, making it suitable for demanding applications.
• Applications: Aerospace, robotics, high-precision manufacturing, and any system requiring tight control over linear motion.

3. Digital Control System

• Description: A digital control LAD system uses microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), or programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to process control signals. The control algorithms are implemented in software and offer more flexibility than analog systems.
• Key Features:
  • Software-based control, allowing for customization and reprogramming.
  • More flexible and scalable than analog systems.
  • Can handle more complex motion profiles and advanced feedback algorithms.
• Applications: Advanced robotic systems, aerospace, automotive testing, and other applications requiring complex motion profiles and high adaptability.

4. Analog Control System

• Description: Analog control systems use analog electronics (such as operational amplifiers and PWM signals) to control the linear servo actuator. These systems tend to be simpler in design and are commonly used in less demanding applications where exact digital control is not necessary.
• Key Features:
  • Simple electronics and easier to implement.
  • Less flexible compared to digital systems but often more cost-effective.
  • Lower precision than digital systems.
• Applications: Basic industrial machinery, simple automation systems, and lower-cost solutions.

5. PID-Controlled System (Proportional-Integral-Derivative)

• Description: A PID-controlled LAD system uses a PID controller to ensure precise control of the actuator’s position, speed, and force by adjusting the output based on error measurements. The PID controller uses three parameters (proportional, integral, and derivative) to minimize error and optimize the system’s response.
• Key Features:
  • Accurate and smooth control by adjusting for dynamic changes.
  • Can manage both positioning and velocity control.
  • Used in systems that require optimal response to changing conditions.
• Applications: Robotics, aerospace, and applications that require precise movement control and adjustment for disturbances (e.g., load changes or speed variations).

6. Force-Controlled System

• Description: A force-controlled LAD system prioritizes maintaining a specific force output rather than just position or speed. It continuously adjusts the actuator’s movement to apply a constant or variable force, making it ideal for applications where the actuator must interact with varying loads or maintain constant pressure.
• Key Features:
  • Focus on force rather than exact position or speed.
  • Requires precise force feedback mechanisms (e.g., load cells or force sensors).
  • Often integrates with position control to ensure the force is applied correctly during motion.

7. Adaptive Control System

• Description: An adaptive control system adjusts its control parameters dynamically based on the actuator’s behavior or changes in its operating environment. These systems are designed to automatically adjust to variations in the actuator's performance due to wear, load changes, or other external factors.
• Key Features:
  • Self-adjusting in real-time to maintain optimal performance.
  • Uses feedback and algorithms to adapt to changing conditions.
  • Improves reliability and performance over time as the system learns from past behavior.
• Applications: Aerospace, robotic systems, and industrial applications requiring robust performance despite environmental or operational changes.

8. Servo-Controlled Actuator System

• Description: A servo-controlled LAD system is a type of closed-loop control system where the actuator is controlled by a servo motor. The servo motor’s position and velocity are adjusted based on feedback, ensuring precise and continuous control of linear motion.
• Key Features:
  • Incorporates servo motors to achieve fine control over motion.
  • High precision and responsiveness.
  • Often includes motion profiling, allowing for sophisticated movement sequences.
• Applications: Aerospace actuators, robotics that require high-precision linear motion.