What does a double acting actuator do?

To properly convey the function of a double acting valve actuator, one must first cover some background material on actuators as a general category. Whether as a simple linear piston actuator or an explosion-proof, multi-turn electric motor, an actuator is a device that works in conjunction with a valve to automate the process of stroking that valve. Without such a device, all valve operation would prove a manual exercise wherein every valve would require the direct physical manipulation of a lever, handwheel, gear operator, or similar item in order to open or close the flow path each time a process required the valve to stroke.