
Ultra Motion is known for its high-precision electro-mechanical linear and rotary servo actuators, featuring integrated brushless DC motor control electronics and contactless absolute position feedback.
The company’s Servo Cylinder is a leading choice for UAV control surfaces and utility linear actuator applications, offering exceptional reliability and performance.
The A-Series Servo Cylinder stands out with its brushless DC motor and contactless absolute position feedback, offering superior performance by minimizing wear compared to traditional potentiometers and brushed DC solutions.
Its built-in control electronics support a range of communication interfaces, including CAN 2.0B, RS-422/485 serial, RC PWM, and 4-20 mA in/out, ensuring compatibility with various control systems.
AM Servo Cylinder
Designed for demanding environments, the Ultra Motion AM Servo Cylinder boasts IP65 dynamic and IP67 static ingress protection ratings, making it ideal for harsh shock and vibration conditions.
Military-standard D38999 receptacles ensure secure connections, while onboard sensors monitor temperature, current, voltage, and humidity for continuous health monitoring of the servo actuator.
Custom heater firmware is available, maintaining a configurable controller temperature even in environments as cold as -40°C.
The Servo Cylinder operates with a bus voltage of 8 to 36 VDC, ensuring compatibility with most UAV power systems and remaining operational even at voltages exceeding 51 VDC.
It offers impressive capabilities, including forces up to 530 lbf, strokes up to 7.75 inches, and speeds up to 14 in/s. These features support high-bandwidth control exceeding 15 Hz, even at small position amplitudes.
The helically skewed BLDC motor eliminates detent torque, allowing for smooth backdriving at low forces (~10 lbf) when unpowered or set to zero phase current. This design facilitates the elimination of bulky and costly magnetic clutch assemblies, particularly in optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) applications.
Switching from rotary to linear actuators in control surfaces leads to significant benefits such as increased power density, enhanced control authority through higher resolution position control, reduced backlash, and cost and mass savings.
Applications in Aerospace & Other Servos
Ultra Motion actuators have a proven track record in critical space missions, including:
- Serving as a flight-critical component in the launch escape system of a crewed spacecraft.
- Enabling thrust vector control for orbital transfer vehicles, upper-stage rockets, and lunar lander engines.
- Powering experimental apparatus aboard the International Space Station.
Ultra Motion’s AM and L-Series servos can be modified for vacuum use, providing reliable, off-the-shelf solutions tailored to meet the demanding requirements of the rapidly growing new-space industry.
These cost-effective, space-ready components reduce the cost of in-space missions without sacrificing performance or reliability. Additionally, the R-Series is available for applications requiring the highest power density, and fully custom actuator designs can be developed to meet specific user needs.