End position cushioning

Circuit symbol for a double-acting cylinder with end position cushioning (fixed)

Circuit symbol for a double-acting cylinder with end position cushioning (adjustable)

End position cushioning is a way of decelerating the piston of a cylinder and thus avoiding damage to the piston or the end positions of the chambers due to rapid impact of the piston.

This is achieved by adding damping pistons with a smaller cross section in the end positions.

Working principle

Here, kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy. With constant deceleration, the law of conservation of energy applies :

${\displaystyle {\frac {1}{2}}\cdot m\cdot v^{2}=A\cdot p\cdot s}$

With

${\displaystyle T={\frac {1}{2}}\cdot m\cdot v^{2}}$      kinetic energy when moving in a straight line

${\displaystyle W=F\cdot s=A\cdot p\cdot s}$      Energy or stored work of the damping piston

See also

• List of components (fluid technology)
• Hydraulic cylinder
• Pneumatic cylinder