Motion Solutions for Clean Energy Applications

www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson Is the Choice forLinear Motion.
Thomson linear motion solutions set a worldwide standard for breadth,quality and customizability.
The largest linear actuator range in the market. In addition
to our extensive application and engineering expertise, Thomson
has the largest, unmatched range of electrical linear actuators,
precision linear actuators and screw jacks in the market today.
We provide positioning solutions for a vast array of uniqueapplications for dynamic loads up to 11,240 lbf. Thomson
understands the critical needs of the clean energy industry andworks diligently to provide the most cost-effective solutions
available. Our success is driven by:

Changing technologies. Manufacturers are taking a long,
hard look at the way they use motion control systems in theirequipment. Once dominated by pneumatic and hydraulic systems,
machines are now more often designed to use electric linear
actuators for the automation of many tasks. They are easier
to control, integrate with control systems and are smaller,
lighter and cleaner than hydraulic systems – all attributes thatbrighten a company’s bottom line. Electric linear actuators or
screw jacks eliminate:• Decades of application and engineering expertise• Robust and reliable products that withstand the• Hydraulic pumps, valves and hoses• Cost and bulk associated with hydraulic systems• Environmentally hazardous oil and risk of leakage• High energy consumption of hydraulic systems• Costly hydraulic reliability issues (contamination)• Cost and hassle associated with fluid maintenanceharshest environments• An extensive standard and modified product range• Custom designs for unique applications

Rugged and reliable. Thomson products suitable for applicationsin the clean energy industry are rugged and reliable, withstandharsh environments and are protected to IP67.

At Thomson, customization is standard. Thomson is theindustry leader in custom design. Our design flexibility and uniquecustomization expertise give us an advantage to quickly provide a
cost-effective design that meets exact requirements.

SOLAR ENERGYHigh energy prices have fueled double-digit growth in the solar
energy industry, with continued growth likely in coming years.1
A key factor in deployment of solar panels is the efficiency of thepanels and the amount of energy created from the given surface
area of a panel.
Solar panel tracking.
Tracking the movement of the sun will boost the efficiency andincrease output from a given panel by up to 30 percent. Accurate,
trouble-free positioning of the panels is the challenge. The system
must be highly rugged and able to withstand wind and weather.
It must function reliably and maintenance-free for many years.
Thomson linear actuators and screw jacks offer affordable,
custom-fitted solutions to these challenges.
• Solar tracking requires actuation solutions that are stiff and will

not back-drive in high wind conditions. All Thomson actuators andscrew jacks can be equipped with a holding brake that eliminates
back-driving.

• Accurate tracking often requires some form of feedback. Most

Thomson actuators and screw jack models can be equipped withencoders, resolvers or potentiometers to meet either analog ordigital feedback requirements.
• All Thomson actuators and screw jacks are available withadjustable end-of-stroke limit switches to protect the panel fromdamage due to overtravel in either direction.
• Panels can require up to 2000 lbf of force to move in windy

conditions, which both actuators and screw jacks can deliverwith ease.
• Multiple mounting options are available.
• Actuators and screw jacks require little to no maintenance, making

them ideal for solar panel applications.
1

US Energy Information Administration, Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Collector
Manufacturing Activities 2006, published October, 2007.

Customization
Thomson has a long history of building custom products.
A custom-tailored solution can be an integrated partof the structure and make assembly quick and easy.

Wind, Rain and Snow
The elements can put stress on a solar panel. Thomson
actuators and screw jacks are built to handle theseconditions with little or no service or maintenance at all.

Limit the Movement
Feedback
Thomson actuators and screw jacks are offeredwith both analog and digital feedback to allow
precise tracking of the sun.

Both actuators and screw jacks can besupplied with built-in adjustable end ofstroke limit switches which makes it easy
to set the limits of movement.

www.thomsonlinear.com

WIND ENERGY
The best wind conditions are often found in locations that are
remote or hard to reach – at sea, in the middle of a large field
and on hilltops. Harsh environments require rugged solutions.
Reliability is essential and maintenance must be minimized.
Millions of Thomson actuators operate reliably for years withoutmaintenance in the harshest environments.
Hood lifting and parking brakes.
Windmills are built with top hatches to allow maintenance oflarge components in the turbine house. These hatches are often
too heavy to operate manually. The turbine itself also must have aparking brake so that the rotor stays in position for service or when
the wind conditions require the mill to stop. Linear actuators orscrew jacks are the ideal solution in both cases.

• Actuators and screw jacks are clean compared to hydraulicalternatives. They do not require pumps, pipes, valves andplumbing. There is no risk of oil leakage or need for maintenance.
• Positioning is easy with end-of-stroke limit switches

readily available.
• Installation and operation is simple.
• Thomson actuators or screw jacks have a variety of mounting

options available, allowing flexible configuration.

Hood Lift
Heavy service hoods must
be powered to open even if
covered by ice, making an
actuator or screw jack ideal.

Rotor Brake
A rotor braking function can easily be done using an
actuator or a screw jack. The brake is used whenserviced and when the wind conditions are such that therotor must be parked.

At Sea, in the Desert or on the PlainsWind mills are usually placed where wind conditions areideal. Salt water, ice, sand storms, high humidity andextreme temperature changes make the environment
less than ideal for most electromechanical components.
Thomson actuators and screw jacks are available withprotection up to IP67 and are tough enough to do the job.

www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson Linear Actuators
For over 40 years, the dedicated engineers at Thomson havedesigned linear actuators to provide performance in some of themost demanding applications – vibration, shock, heat, cold, salt
spray, etc. Today Thomson offers an unmatched range of standard
and custom electrical linear actuators.

ELECTRAK PPA

ELECTRAK 10

ELECTRAK LA24

ELECTRAK CEA10• Strong and versatile
heavy-duty actuator• A variety of AC and DC
voltage models• High duty cycle• Long stroke lengths• Large range of options• Trunnion mounting• Robust, strong and reliable• Withstands very harshenvironments• Stainless steel extension tube
• Acme or ball screw models• A variety of DC voltage models• Clevis mounting• Robust, strong and reliable• Withstands very harshenvironments• Aluminium cover tube
• Acme or ball screw models• A variety of AC voltage models• Trunnion or clevis mounting• Specially designed forsolar panel applications• Capable of high loads andlong strokes• Withstands very harshenvironments• Encoder or potentiometer
feedback• Optional limit switches• Tube mounting

ELECTRAK PRO

Supply voltages

12, 24, 36 VDC and 115, 230, 400 VAC• The next generation in
actuator design• Designed for the harshest
applications• Electronic load monitoring(ELM)• Small size with minimal
retracted length• Acme or ball screw models• IP66 protection as standard• Manual override as standard• Wide range of options• Clevis mounting

Speed range

0.004 - 2 inch/sec

Dynamic load, maximum

2000 lbf

Static load, maximum

4000 lbf

Stroke length, maximum

36 inches

Protection degree, maximum

IP67

Feedback options

potentiometer or encoder

Limit switch options

external or internal adjustable / internal programmable

Mounting options

clevis, tube mounting or trunnionLifedesigned for 20 years, based on 1 cycle/day

Warranty

up to 3 years

Controlsa large range of controls are available

www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson Precision Linear Actuators
Thomson Precision Linear Actuators are our top-of-the-line actuators.
They are built to be strong, robust and reliable, yet very accurate and flexible.
They are available in five different sizes, each with many different mechanicalconfigurations, motor alternatives and mounting options. Thomson Precision
Linear Actuators have the reliability, accuracy and functional flexibility tosuit almost any application with guaranteed trouble-free operation in the
toughest environments.

ECT-SERIES

T-SERIES• Very robust, strong and reliable• Withstands harsh environments• Stainless steel extension tube
• High precision ball screw drive• 100% duty cycle• 3 phase AC motor or AC-servo motor• High repeatability• Combines durability, performance and ease-of-use• Slide guide bushings perfect for tough applications• Large selection of factory-engineered options
and accessories• Ball screw drive, hard chromed steel extension tube
• IP65 protection class and other wash down options

Motor alternatives

24VDC, 400 VAC 3 phase and AC-servo as standard (others on request)

Speed range

0.04 - 79 inch/sec.

Dynamic load, maximum

8540 lbf

Static load, maximum

8540 lbf

Stroke length, maximum

79 inches

Protection degree, maximum

IP65

Feedback options

encoder, resolver, smart feedback device (SFD)

Limit switch options

magnetic sensors

Mounting options

clevis, trunnion or mounting feetLife

up to 20 years of use (load and speed dependent)

Warranty

up to 3 years

Controls

various alternatives available (motor dependent)Thomson Screw Jacks
The Thomson screw jack product line provides reliability andversatility in a variety of applications. Technically mature,
and with an easy-to-mount, rectangular housing, it can easily be
extended to form wide-area jack systems with the help of its wide
range of accessories.

THOMSON SCREW JACKS• Models with moving or rotating screw available• Models available that can provide thrust to operatelarge numbers of solar panels simultaneously• Can easily be synchronized with other units to drive
multiple rows of solar panels• Very stiff system to provide highly accurate positioning• Self-locking versions prevent back-driving inwindy conditions• Slow extension speeds – down to 0.0001 inch extension
per each revolution input• Very low maintenance• Optional limit switches for end-of-stroke protection• Variety of motor flange adapters to allow customerpreferred motors• Designed with high-quality components and materials
to be robust and offer long and trouble-free operation
under the toughest conditions

Supply voltages

motor and drive dependent

Dynamic load, maximum

11,240 lbf

Limit switch options

external adjustable

Mounting options

clevis or trunnion

Warranty

up to 3 years

Controls

various alternatives available (motor dependent)

www.thomsonlinear.com

USA, CANADA and MEXICO
Thomson
203A West Rock Road
Radford, VA 24141, USA
Phone: 1-540-633-3549
Fax: 1-540-633-0294
E-mail: thomson@thomsonlinear.com
Literature: literature.thomsonlinear.com
EUROPEUnited Kingdom
ThomsonFishleigh Road
Barnstaple
EX31 3UD, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1271 334 500
Fax: +44 (0)1271 334 501
E-mail: sales.uk@thomsonlinear.com
GermanyThomsonNürtinger Straße 7072649 Wolfschlugen, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 7022 504 100
Fax: +49 (0) 7022 504 405
E-Mail: sales.wolfschlugen@thomsonlinear.com
SwedenThomsonBox 9053
SE-291 09 Kristianstad, Sweden
Phone: +46 (0) 44-24 67 00
Fax: +46 (0) 44-24 40 85
E-mail: sales.scandinavia@thomsonlinear.comItaly
ThomsonLargo Brughetti
I-20030 Bovisio Masciago, Italy
Phone: +39 0362 594260
Fax: +39 0362 594263
E-mail: info@thomsonlinear.it
FranceThomsonC.P. 80018
12, Rue Antoine Becquerel – Z.I. SudF-72026 Le Mans Cedex 2, France
Phone: +33 (0) 243 50 03 30
Fax: +33 (0) 243 50 03 39
E-mail: sales.france@thomsonlinear.com

www.thomsonlinear.com
200806-01 PDF SYM 12/2010 USA
Specifications are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the product user to determine the suitability ofthis product for a specific application. All trademarks property of their respective owners. © Thomson Industries, Inc. 2011

Spain
ThomsonRbla Badal, 29-31 7th, 1st08014 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 (0) 9329 80278
Fax: +34 (0) 9329 80278
E-mail: josep.estaran@thomsonlinear.com
ASIA
China
ThomsonRoom 2205, Scitech Tower
No 22 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing100004,
China
Phone: +86 400 666 1802
Fax: +86 10 6515 2063
Email: sales.china@thomsonlinear.com
Japan
ThomsonMinami-Kaneden 2-12-23, Suita Osaka564-0044 Japan
Phone: +81-6-6386-8001
Fax: +81-6-6386-5022
E-mail: csjapan@scgap.com

Asia PacificThomson
Unit A, 16 Floor, 169 Electric Road
Manulife Tower, North Point, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2503 6581
Fax: +852 2571 8585
E-mail: richard.teo@thomsonlinear.com
Korea
ThomsonF12 Ilsong Bldg, 157-37
Samsung-dong, Kangnam-gu,Seoul, Korea (135-090)
Phone: +82 2 6917 5049
Fax: +82 2 6917 5007
E-mail:sales.korea@thomsonlinear.com

India
Thomson
Unit No 2, SDF 1
Seepz Andheri, Mumbai 400 096, India Phone:+91 22 28294058
Fax: +91 22 28394036
E-mail: richard.teo@thomsonlinear.com