Actuator Mounting Angle
The positioning of the body axis of a cable-pull actuator relative to the exit direction of the cable. The cable must not be forced to bend at the first point where it leaves the body; the exit direction and the first section of the route must be in the same line. A wrong angle causes part of the force to be spent on friction and the cable to wear at the exit.
The force produced by the actuator passes to the cable over a pulley. If the cable is deflected at a sharp angle as soon as it leaves the body, high surface pressure occurs at that first point. The consequences fall under three headings: friction increases, the wire braid wears quickly at that point, and the hysteresis between the command and the actual throttle opening grows.
When positioning, look at the following in order:
- Keep the cable exit and the first section of sheath running to the throttle lever in the same line as far as possible; spread any deviation over a wide radius up to the first guide.
- Position the body so that the cable angle does not change much either with the throttle lever fully open or fully closed.
- Choose an angle where water and mud will not collect on the body and where the cable exit faces downwards.
- Make the mounting point in the body area with the lowest vibration and away from hot surfaces.
The correct angle also lowers the current drawn by the actuator; on the GS740-3P it prevents needlessly approaching the current limit.
Context in which this term is used: Electronic speed and throttle control on diesel engines