An actuator is a mechanical device for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. The actuator is usually a physical mechanism but also refers to an artificial agent intelligent agent. Simple reflex agent Learning agent The terms agent and intelligent agent are ambiguous and have been used in two different, but related senses, which are often confused. ...

Examples and applications

Examples include:

• Mechanics - pneumatic actuators, motors, hydraulic cylinders, etc.
• Human - Arms, hands, fingers, legs
• Mail transfer agent - Update software

• In engineering, actuators are f[P]P[]equently used as mechanisms to introduce motion, or to clamp an object so as to prevent motion. In electronic engineering, actuators ACTT,are a subdivision of transducers. They are devices which transform an input signal (mainly an electrical signal) into motion. Specific examples are Electrical motors, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic pistons, relays, comb drive, piezoelectric actuators, thermal bimorphs, Digital Micromirror Devices and electroactive polymers.

• Motors are mostly used when circular motions are needed, but can also be used for linear applications by transforming circular to linear motion with a bolt and screw transducer. On the other hand, some actuators are intrinsically linear, such as piezoelectric actuators.

• In virtual instrumentation actuators and sensors are the hardware complements of virtual instruments. Computer programs of virtual instruments use actuators to act upon real world objects.

A pneumatic actuator converts energy (in the form of compressed air, typically) into motion. ... A motor is a device that converts energy into mechanical power, and is often synonymous with engine. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... This article is about modern humans. ... A mail transfer agent or MTA (also called a mail transport agent, mail server, or a mail exchanger in the context of the Domain Name System) is a computer program or software agent that transfers electronic mail messages from one computer to another. ... Engineering is the applied science of acquiring and applying knowledge to design, analysis, and/or construction of works for practical purposes. ... An actuator is the mechanism by which an agent acts upon an environment. ... A transducer is a device, usually electrical or electronic, that converts one type of energy to another. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... For other kinds of motors, see motor. ... Table of Hydraulics and Hydrostatics, from the 1728 Cyclopaedia. ... For the use of the term in optics, see piston (optics). ... Automotive style miniature relay A relay is an electrical switch that opens and closes under the control of another electrical circuit. ... Almost all comb-drives are built on the micro or nano scale and are typically manufactured using silicon. ... Piezoelectricity is the ability of some materials (notably crystals and certain ceramics) to generate an electric potential[1] in response to applied mechanical stress. ... Example of a thermal column between the ground and a cumulus This article is about the atmospheric phenomenon. ... A Digital Micromirror Device, or DMD is an optical semiconductor that is the core of DLP projection technology, and was invented by Dr. Larry Hornbeck and Dr. William E. Ed Nelson of Texas Instruments (TI) in 1987. ... Electroactive Polymers or EAPs are polymers whose shape is modified when a voltage is applied to them. ... A transducer is a device, usually electrical or electronic, that converts one type of energy to another. ... Virtual Instrumentation is the use of customizable software and modular measurement hardware to create user-defined measurement systems, called virtual instruments. ... Not to be confused with censure, censer, or censor. ...

See also

• Muscle
• Switch
• Telepresence
• Haptic
• Wax thermostatic elements