When failure is not an option: How actuators prevent catastrophic failures in distribution and process lines

摘要

Actuators are a small part relative to the overall systems they live in. Many of these devices weigh in at only ten or twenty pounds. But they play a crucial role: When it's time for a valve or damper to close, for a flow to stop, or for a system to shut down, the actuator absolutely must work, to prevent catastrophe. Failure is not an option. Developing a new actuator product can easily take two years and over a million dollars. Actuators are designed and manufactured to the most exact tolerances possible, and every product must be tested and produced with the utmost care. A failure could result in a catastrophic spill, explosion, chemical release, environmental contamination, power loss, property damage, injury, or even loss of life. Actuators trigger immediate shutdown and containment in case of an incident.