Method for reducing seal stiction in a fluid cylinder

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for reducing seal stiction is provided. In the method, a first step provides a fluid cylinder comprising a piston displacably mounted in a housing containing pressurized fluid is provided in the first step. The housing has first and second seals in register with the piston. In a second step, the second seal is applied to maintain pressure within the housing when the piston is in a static state. In a third step, the first seal is applied to maintain pressure within the housing and the second seal relaxed prior to displacement of the piston. In a fourth step, the second seal is applied to maintain pressure within the housing and the first seal relaxed subsequent to the displacement of the piston. An apparatus is provided for applying one of the first or second seals and relaxing the other of the first or second seals, before and after displacement of the piston.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.