Proportional Control Fluid Actuator

A method of operating a proportion control fluid actuator comprising the steps of:

• positioning a fluid pressure supply switch for routing pressurized fluid to one of a first chamber and a second chamber, said first chamber and said second chamber having a piston therebetween;
• wherein a first area of pressure application is in said first chamber;
• wherein when said pressurized fluid is routed to said first chamber, said piston moves in a second direction, wherein movement of said piston is resisted by a second spring having a second spring rate;
• wherein a second area of pressure application is in said second chamber;
• wherein said first area of pressure application in said first chamber is greater than said second area of pressure application in said second chamber;
• wherein when said pressurized fluid is routed to said second chamber, said piston moves in a first direction, wherein movement of said piston is resisted by a first spring having a first spring rate.

A position proportional control fluid actuator comprising:

• a body defining a first end, a second end, a first fluid passageway, a second fluid passageway, and a bore, said bore defining an interior wall, said second end having an end wall defining an interior surface;
• a piston shaft received in said bore, said piston shaft having a first end and a second end;
• a piston member having a piston cylinder and a piston disk, said piston cylinder surrounding said piston shaft, said piston cylinder having a first end, a second end and an inside surface, said second end abutting said second step of said piston shaft, said piston disk positioned between said first fluid passageway and said second fluid passageway, said piston disk having a first side, a second side and an external circumference defining a channel;
• a fluid pressure supply switch for selectively providing fluid to said first fluid passageway and said second fluid passageway for selectively moving said piston member longitudinally within said bore of said body;
• a first spring having a first end and a second end, said second end abutting said first side of said piston disk;
• a second spring having a first end and a second end, said first end abutting said second side of said piston disk;
• wherein a first chamber is adjacent said first side of said piston disk;
• wherein said second chamber is adjacent said second side of said piston disk;
• wherein a first area of pressure application is in said first chamber;
• wherein a second area of pressure application is in said second chamber;
• wherein said first area of pressure application in said first chamber is greater than said second area of pressure application in said second chamber.