Patent ID: 6283007
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: F15B,F16H

Abstract:
A method of locating an assembly of plural pistons in at least two different positions in a housing forming part of a fluid-operated cylinder and piston unit and having (a) a plurality of chambers with ports for selective admission and evacuation of a fluid at a selected one of a plurality of different pressures within a predetermined range of pressures and (b) a plurality of stops for a first piston of the assembly, comprising the steps of:introducing pressurized fluid into one of the chambers to thus move the first piston against a first one of the plurality of stops;introducing pressurized fluid into another of the chambers to thus move the first piston against a second one of the plurality of stops;altering the pressure of fluid in at least one of the chambers to thereby move at least one other piston of the assembly into abutment with the first piston while the first piston abuts one of the first and second stops to thus determine one of said plurality of different positions; andaltering the pressure of fluid in at least one of the chambers to thereby move the at least one other piston into abutment with the first piston while the first piston abuts the other of the first and second stops to thus determine another one of said plurality of positions.