Double-Acting Actuating Cylinder

A three-way directional control valve is normally used to control the operation of this type of cylinder. To extend the piston rod, fluid under pressure is directed through the port and into the cylinder. See figure 8-1. This pressure acts on the surface area of the blank side of the piston, and forces the piston to the right. This action, of course, extends the rod to the right, through the end of the cylinder. The actuated unit is moved in one direction. During this action, the spring is compressed between the rod side of the piston and the end of the cylinder. Within limits of the cylinder, the length of the stroke depends upon the desired movement of the actuated unit. To retract the piston rod, the directional control valve is moved to the opposite working position, which releases the pressure in the cylinder. The spring tension forces the piston to the left, retracting the piston rod and moving the actuated unit in the opposite direction. The fluid is free to flow from the cylinder through the port, and back through the control valve to return. The end of the cylinder opposite the fluid port is vented to the atmosphere. This prevents air from being trapped in this area. Any trapped air would compress during the extension stroke, creating excess pressure on the rod side of the piston. This would cause sluggish movement of the piston, and could eventually cause a complete lock, preventing the fluid pressure from moving the piston. Leakage between the cylinder wall and the piston is prevented by seals. Hydraulic components use seals or gaskets to prevent leakage between static parts (nonmoving), such as a valve body and a hydraulic line fitting. Seals also prevent leakage between dynamic (moving) parts, such as the piston and cylinder wall. The most common seal is an O-ring. Some static seals and all dynamic seals require a backup ring or rings. Double-Acting Actuating Cylinder Most piston-type actuating cylinders are double-acting, which means that fluid under pressure can be applied to either side of the piston to provide movement and apply force in the corresponding direction. One design of the double-acting, piston-type actuating cylinder is shown in view A of figure 8-2. This cylinder contains one piston and piston rod assembly. The stroke of the piston and piston rod assembly in either direction is produced by fluid pressure. The two fluid ports, one near each end of the cylinder, alternate as inlet and outlet, depending upon the “direction of flow from the directional control valve. This is referred to as an unbalanced actuating cylinder; that is, there is a difference in the effective working areas on the two sides of the piston. Refer to view A of figure 8-2. Assume that the cross-sectional area of the piston is 3 square inches and the cross-sectional area of the rod is 1 square inch. In a 2,000 psi system, pressure acting against the blank side of the piston creates a force of 6,000 pounds (2,000 x 3). When the pressure is applied to the rod side of the piston, the 2,000 psi pressure acts on 2 square inches (the cross-sectional area of the piston less the cross-sectional area of the rod) and creates a force of 4,000 pounds (2,000 x 2). For this reason, this type of cylinder is normally installed in such a manner that the blank side of the piston carries the greater load; that is, the cylinder carries the greater load during the piston rod extension stroke. A four-way directional control valve is normally used to control the operation of this type of cylinder. The valve can be positioned to direct fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder, and to allow the displaced fluid to flow from the opposite end of the cylinder through the control valve to return/exhaust. The piston of the cylinder shown in view A of figure 8-2 is equipped with an O-ring seal and backup rings to prevent internal leakage of fluid from one side of the piston to the other. Suitable seals and backup rings are also used between the hole in the end cap and the piston rod to prevent external leakage. In addition, some cylinders of this type have a felt wiper ring attached to the inside of the end cap and fitted around the piston rod to guard against the entrance of dirt and other foreign matter into the cylinder. The actuating cylinder shown in view B of figure 8-2 is a double-acting balanced type. The piston rod (A) UNBALANCED (B) BALANCED Figure 8-2.—Double-acting, piston-type actuating cylinders. 8-2