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Development of high-power energy-saving linear drive devices for construction machinery

Author

Listed:
  • Wei, Xibin
  • Chen, Qihuai
  • Ren, Haoling
  • Lin, Tianliang
  • Yao, Zhaoyuan

Abstract

As construction machinery undergoes green and intelligent upgrades, its linear actuators are experiencing a significant transformation from traditional hydraulic drives to electrified and integrated solutions. Traditional hydraulic cylinders are widely used due to their high power density, but they suffer from low overall energy efficiency due to throttling losses and the inefficiency of internal combustion engines. Electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHAs) and electric mechanical actuators (EMAs) are well-known in multi-electric distributed systems, achieving energy savings and high-precision control through closed-loop pump control and direct electric drive, respectively. While, EHAs address the throttling losses of traditional hydraulic systems, they face challenges in stability due to flow matching issues in asymmetric cylinders and low frequency response. EMAs offer high energy efficiency and rapid response but struggle with driving heavy loads and have poor impact resistance, limiting their application in high-power drives for construction machinery. In response, the emerging Electro-mechanical-hydraulic actuator (EMHA) integrates the advantages of electric drives' high energy efficiency and hydraulic drives' high power density. Through electro-hydraulic collaborative driving and flexible buffering design, EMHAs balance load capacity and impact resistance while incorporating energy recovery technology, making them a key development direction for high-power, high-reliability linear drives. In this paper, an overview of the research history, current status, and future trends of high-power linear actuators is provided. The shortcomings of existing hydraulic cylinders is analyzed, The research progress, advantages, and disadvantages of EHAs and EMAs are discussed. On this basis, EMHAs is introduced. Looking ahead, the integration of multiple disciplines in intelligent, distributed electrified architectures will continue to drive the evolution of linear actuators in construction machinery towards higher efficiency and energy savings.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei, Xibin & Chen, Qihuai & Ren, Haoling & Lin, Tianliang & Yao, Zhaoyuan, 2026. "Development of high-power energy-saving linear drive devices for construction machinery," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:231:y:2026:i:c:s1364032126000262
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2026.116727
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