How Does a Dual Acting Air Cylinder Work?
• Dual Acting Air Cylinder Basics • A dual acting air cylinder is a type of linear actuator; it uses pressurized air to create motion in a straight line. Dual acting cylinders can create controlled motion for a certain distance in either of two opposite directions. The cylinder does this by moving a piston in and out. • Dual Acting Air Cylinder Design • A basic dual cylinder consists of a piston inside a sealed tube. This piston pokes out of one or both sides of the tube, but no air can leak out from the seal between the piston is attached to a plunger, which divides the inside of the tube to two chambers. Each chamber has a pressure release valve and a second valve that leads to an air pump. • Dual Acting Air Cylinder Operation • To push the piston out, air is pumped into the chamber behind the plunger. At the same time, air is released from the second chamber. This creates a difference in air pressure. Since the air pressure behind the plunger is greater than that in front of it, the
