Multi-Spring Position Control Apparatus and Methods

A pressurized, physically biased system comprising:

• a plurality of physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies of a single positioning zone;
• and
• a pressurized fluid source and pressure transfer system configured to supply pressurized fluid to said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies,
• wherein each of said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies comprises:
• a pressure cylinder able to contain an internal, fluidic pressure;
• a piston within said pressure cylinder;
• said piston configured to move by application of pressure in a first relative direction;
• a plurality of n number of springs that are each configured to exert an effective bias force that is opposite said first relative direction,
• wherein some of said n number of springs are series configured, and wherein said system further comprises at least one anti-buckling disc, established between two different of said series configured springs;
• and
• a positioner that moves in response to said piston.

A pressurized, physically biased system comprising:

• a plurality of physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies of a single positioning zone;
• a pressurized fluid source and pressure transfer system configured to supply pressurized fluid to said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies,
• wherein each of said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies comprises:
• a pressure cylinder able to contain an internal, fluidic pressure;
• a piston within said pressure cylinder;
• a pressure force acting on said piston in a first relative direction;
• a plurality of bias elements configured to exert an effective bias force that is opposite said first relative direction, wherein some of said plurality of bias elements are series configured, and
• wherein said system further comprises at least one anti-buckling disc, established between two different of said series configured springs;
• a positioner that moves with said piston.

A pressurized, physically biased system comprising:

• a plurality of physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies of a single positioning zone;
• and
• a pressurized fluid source and pressure transfer system configured to supply pressurized fluid to said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies,
• wherein each of said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies comprises:
• a pressure cylinder able to contain an internal, fluidic pressure;
• a piston within said pressure cylinder;
• said piston configured to move by application of pressure in a first relative direction;
• a plurality of n number of springs that are each configured to exert an effective bias force that is opposite said first relative direction, wherein each of said n-number of springs comprises a subset of serially configured springs;
• and
• a positioner that moves in response to said piston.

A pressurized, physically biased system comprising:

• a plurality of physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies of a single positioning zone;
• a pressurized fluid source and pressure transfer system configured to supply pressurized fluid to said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies,
• wherein each of said physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies comprises:
• a pressure cylinder able to contain an internal, fluidic pressure;
• a piston within said pressure cylinder;
• a pressure force acting on said piston in a first relative direction;
• a plurality of bias elements configured to exert an effective bias force that is opposite said first relative direction, wherein at least some of said bias elements comprise a subset of serially configured springs;
• and
• a positioner that moves with said piston.