94 Series Actuators

The Shore Western 94 Series Linear Actuator is designed for extended service in demanding applications. Typical applications include

• Tests producing high side load forces on the actuator
• Low amplitude, high frequency vibration testing
• Test applications where static support is required for heavy specimens
• Test requiring low harmonic distortion such as resonance frequency analysis

94 Series Actuators offer standard stroke lengths of 2, 4 and 6 inches (50, 100, 150 mm) and force ratings from 2.2 KIP (10 kN) to 35 KIP (160 kN). A double ended, one piece piston rod and hydrostatic bearings create an actuator able to withstand high side-load forces, eliminating wear on the rod or bearings.

Features

• Displacement transducer— All actuators have a coaxially mounted LVDT in the piston rod.

• Flow options —  Integral servo valve manifold with oversize ports and provisions for interfacing to a variety of servo valves and service manifolds. The design provides for fluid conditioning and low/high pressure control and allows the actuator to accept a number of servo-valves with flow rates ranging from 1 to 90 gpm (4 to 340 L/min).

• Hydraulic cushions — The piston and end caps are protected during full stroke or high-velocity operations.

• Hydrostatic bearings — Heavy duty hydrostatic bearing at both ends of the actuator allow it to react significant side loads without damage to the actuator rod.  Shore Western utilizes non metallic coated bearing surfaces for all bearings to provide additional safety margins. Shore Western’s proprietary seal design allows hydraulic fluid to return to the hydraulic power supply without the need for a scavenge pump.  External drain back connections between low pressure and high pressure seals assure low external leakage in high velocity operation.

• Large diameter piston rod — Large diameter, one piece piston rod of 100,000 psi yield material for infinite fatigue life, providing strength and maximum lateral stiffness. The chrome plated piston rod is micro ground and super-polished to minimize wear and friction in severe service. Large rod end attachment points to provide fatigue resistant specimen mounting.

• Polymer piston rod protection — Hydrostatic bearings include a polymer liner that protects the piston rod from a catastrophic failure if side-load forces exceed the hydrostatic bearing capacity. The piston rod will contact the polymer liner if a problem occurs saving the actuator, which can be serviced instead of replaced.

• Heavy walled actuator body — A heavy wall, rigid actuator body provides for high side-load tolerance and helps to increase the resonant frequency of the actuator. The actuator bore is micro-honed for low friction and the actuator’s modular construction allows flexibility in actuator working area and mounting configurations.

Options

• Pedestal base — Utilizing a pedestal base allows rigid attachment of the actuator to a reaction mass  for vertical vibration test applications.

• Specimen mounting table — Adding a high frequency specimen mounting table to a pedestal base mounted 94 Series Actuator allows you to create a high-performance vibration test system.

• Swivels — Either the Series 98 Rod End Swivels or Shore Western’s Ball Swivels can help reduce side loads on the actuator rod.

• Load Bias System — Pressurized nitrogen in a cavity inside the lower end cap of the actuator provides a static force to counteract the weight of heavy specimens or fixtures. A Load Bias System reduces the required actuator force and system flow requirements for improved performance as compared to a system with an unsupported payload.

• Special manifolds — A variety of servo-valves, manifolds and close-coupled accumulator options can help customize an actuator for high-velocity applications.

• Stroke lengths — Custom stroke lengths are available upon request.