Actuator controller for monitoring health and status of the actuator and/or other equipment

A device for controlling an actuator, said device comprising:

• a controller mounted within an explosion-proof housing having an outer surface, said controller being adapted for controlling one or more outputs connected to the actuator for controlling an operation of the actuator;
• a data input interface for receiving data from the actuator and/or from other equipment being acted on by said actuator;
• a memory for storing expected parameters of said actuator;
• an operator interface provided on the outer surface of the housing for accepting operator commands and/or settings for input to said controller;
• and
• a display on the outer surface of the housing for displaying an output of said controller, wherein
• said controller is adapted for comparing said data, and/or derived parameters of said data, with said expected parameters, to monitor a health and status of one or both of the actuator and the other equipment, wherein
• said controller is further adapted to indicate the health and the status to the operator utilizing said display, wherein
• said controller is also adapted for executing a pre-programmed dynamic step response test of the actuator for generating said data, and wherein the pre-programmed dynamic step response test is executed under a normal operating condition of the actuator without taking the actuator off-line, and wherein
• said controller is also adapted to indicate actuator thrusts and respective corresponding positions that occur during the pre-programmed dynamic step response test, utilizing said display.