Alternative Actuator Choices?

[Lightning]

Hey All,

So I have been trying forever to find a decent actuator method that will fit in small, awkward spaces for a company project that I am working on.

So far I have looked into linear servos, stepper motors, dc motors, pneumatic cylinders/soft actuators and hydraulics and I have some Nitinol current activated "muscle wire" coming in the post for me to try.

I have had no luck so far as the company's requirements are pretty unrealistic, my question, before I label this unfeasible is:
Does anyone know of any alternative actuator types that I haven't mentioned yet?

I don't want to give up, so I want to try all possibilities before I do.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Bluejets]

What sort of forces do you expect to deliver and what space requirements.
Maybe some more detail on power input type etc.

 

[Lightning]

Thanks for your reply.

Power input is 12VDC and I need around 40nm if I use a radial motor which gives you an idea of magnitude, the mounting space changes because it needs to be fixed in different non-uniform spaces (hence why it is awkward) so I couldn't really quantify it at the moment, but power density is crucial. Any ideas for alternative actuators that might meet these needs? (Sorry this is a bit vague, I can't give too much away).

 

[shrtrnd]

I'm like Bluejets. If we have no idea what you're trying to do, I don't know how we can offer help.
Are you sure the company didn't give you this task realizing they didn't think it could be done?

 

[Lightning]

Sorry, I don't think I was coherent enough, what I am trying to do is completely arbitrary. I am just looking for suggestions for different types of actuator other than the obvious steppers, servos, hydraulic cylinders etc. that I haven't thought of yet. Sorry if I did not make that clear.

Thank you.

 

[Minder]

40N-m is around 350lb-in which is fairly considerable.
Have you ruled out a motorized linear actuator and also air over oil for simpler hydraulic useage?.
M.

 

[Alec_t]

Over what distance must the force be exerted?
How fast is the required movement?
Angular or linear movement?

 

[Colin Mitchell]

You are looking at something like a boat winch or a sail winch.

 

[Lightning]

Thanks for your replies.

"Minder" A motorized linear actuator was one of my first prototypes actually but it lacked speed so I am looking at alternatives. I have looked into air but problems occur due to the compress-ability of air and system complexity when I need to implement air pumps and valves.

"Alec_t" distance I am looking at 200mm max and must actuate the full length in a second. (I am looking into both angular and linear solutions).

"Colin Mitchell" My project has nothing to do with sailing, although I know where you are coming from

Thanks again..

 

[Colin Mitchell]

"My project has nothing to do with sailing,"
You "sailed" into Electronics Point with an enormous request, asking to lift an elephant with a 9v battery as the supply.
The only things powerful enough to do the job are either a boat winch or sail winch.
Door and gate actuators are only very small units.

 

[Lightning]

You were not explicit enough in your comment, sorry, I did not understand.

I realize it is a large request hence why I started the thread, I am only looking to get some ideas into different actuator types that I could look into using.

I will look into electric winches which I presume is what you meant as I thought you were talking about manual winches at first. My vague knowledge of boats tells me that they have 12v batteries so it might do the job as my system will work on 12v which I stated previously.

Thank you.

 

[Minder]

"Minder" . I have looked into air but problems occur due to the compress-ability of air and system complexity when I need to implement air pumps and valves.
.

This is why I mentioned air over oil, this is a way to get the advantages of Hydraulics without the expensive hydraulic pumps etc, the pressure originates with air.
For a small dia cyclinder.
M.

 

[Lightning]

Oh, that's interesting, I thought you were saying that air is preferable to oil when you mentioned "air over oil" but it is an actual method, excellent that might actually meet my requirements.

Thank you for clarifying, that could help a lot.