Electric Actuators for Launch And Recovery Systems (LARS)

Launch and Recovery Systems Basics

The ability to safely launch and recover large objects at sea is an established yet evolving technology. These systems can involve recovering sunken ships and aircraft, to launching underwater vehicles, to even deploying modular cement structures in the ocean to rebuild coral reefs. Users of such systems include the Defense Department, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, NOAA, Oceanographers, underwater submarines, environmentalists, researchers, and more.

The safe launch and recovery at sea requires a system designed to fully constrain the vehicle movement while being transferred from deck to water, and vice versa. All this while at sea, with ever changing waves, conditions, temperatures, winds, and more. These systems need to substantially limit the vehicle’s movement during over-the-side operations and be fully adaptable to the physical integration onto supporting vessels. The design and fabrication of these complete systems relies heavily on actuators, usually synchronized, to do the “heavy lifting” safely and reliably.

Electric Linear Actuators are the better design for LARS Systems

Launch and Recovery System (LARS) actuators are critical components that convert energy into mechanical motion to deploy and retrieve marine equipment like ROVs, AUVs, and towed bodies. Modern designs are transitioning from high-maintenance hydraulic cylinders to electric or electromechanical actuators for better safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. All-Electric actuators are preferred today for their high precision and reliability, often replacing hydraulic systems for controlling traditional A-frames, cranes, and winches. RACO Electric Actuators are a great solution.

ELECTRIC actuators are the proper solution for Maritime Launch and Recovery applications. Hydraulic actuator systems and their complex system design with piping and fluids, do not environmentally make for a good platform in a water based application - Oil and Water never mix well! Electric Actuators also offer a more space-saving, compact design as they are self contained. RACO has been applying electric actuators on demanding applications for decades.

Electric actuators in these LARS applications must have capabilities and sizes from the lighter load, smaller units to being able to handle very heavy loads. Additionally, stroke lengths of these actuators can vary from short to long. RACO All electric linear Actuators can be built to provide over 314,700+ lbs. (1400 kN) of thrust force and are capable of stroke lengths beyond 78” (2000+mm). Physically speaking, RACO builds some of the largest Electric Linear Actuators in the world and can handle even the lighter loads when needed.

RACO Electric Linear Actuator Facts:

• Largest installed base of linear actuators in the world – Over 60 years of experience
• Ball screw and ACME screws available as standard
• Multiple actuators easily synchronized
• Complete line of standard controls, feedback devices, and other options
• ISO 9001 Manufacturing Standard Environmentally friendly – No oils or fluids that will leak
• Energy efficient – Only using electricity when moving
• Linear motion without pneumatic or hydraulic system disadvantages
• Easily handles high frequency cycling
• Explosion Proof / Intrinsically Safe Packages available
• Power screw accuracy of 0.002 thousandths of an inch, for every 12 inches of travel
• Virtually maintenance free
• Built-in anti-rotation design
• Accommodates many input voltages
• Complete line of industry standard accessories
• Complete line of optional controls
• All metric & standard dimension ratings for world-wide unit availability
• Thrust Overload Protection with the RACO PMR
• Over travel protection with RACO EPS-06 Feedback System