Ultra Motion B1 compact linear actuator for UAS control surfaces

Force capability reaches 500 lbf, and top speed is 20 in/s, depending on configuration; both are upper limits. The package is 50% smaller than that of the standard B2 series, which also uses a parallel-mount layout, so the B1 is the more compact of the two.

Ultra Motion attributes the use of the B1 in demanding installations to its power density. The company names control surfaces, unmanned vehicles and robotics as examples in which size and weight are critical.

Customers choose between high-performance brushed and brushless dc motors. Ultra Motion also states that the series is popular in aerospace applications and has met DO-160 requirements.

Why it matters

Ultra Motion supplies electric linear actuators to aerospace, unmanned-vehicle and robotics customers. The B1 adds a compact parallel-mount option to a range that NomyParts lists with the L-Series, the Dual Redundant L-Series and the U-Series. Details for each are on the company profile.

Control surfaces head the list of applications the company names for the B1. Actuator volume and mass are budgeted against the airframe in these installations, and a 50% size reduction relative to the B2 reduces the space the same parallel-mount arrangement requires.

DO-160 is the RTCA standard for environmental testing of airborne equipment. Integrators of large UAS and eVTOL platforms can use that stated compliance as a reference point in qualification planning. Brushed and brushless versions are both available, which leaves the choice of variant to the drive architecture of the host vehicle.

Ultra Motion also supplies Servo Cylinders, which accept CANopen and 4–20 mA controller boards, giving integrators digital and analog command options. They are covered in a separate NomyParts report.