Locking pneumatic piston

A method of providing a locking pneumatic piston, the method comprising:

• providing a pneumatic piston including a piston rod;
• providing an internal lock mechanism;
• and
• providing a pneumatic lock port formed in an exterior portion of the piston rod outside of a piston chamber and communicating a pneumatic lock pressure in communication with the lock mechanism, wherein the pneumatic lock pressure substantially locks the piston rod in position with respect to the pneumatic piston.

A locking pneumatic piston (800), comprising:

• a carriage (813) connected to a piston (120) located in a piston chamber (103), with the carriage (813) positioned out of the piston chamber (103);
• one or more locking seals (124, 824) extending around and positioned at a circumferential surface (126) of the piston (120) and substantially sealing the piston (120) to an inner surface (104) of the piston chamber (103);
• and
• an internal pneumatic channel (827) extending through at least a portion of the carriage (813) and through the piston (120) to the one or more locking seals (124, 824);
• wherein when a pneumatic locking pressure is provided to the internal pneumatic channel (827), the pneumatic locking pressure extends the one or more locking seals (124, 824) at least partially outward and away from the piston (120) and presses against the inner surface (104) of the piston chamber (103), substantially locking the piston (120) in place within the piston chamber (103).