Two single acting cylinders hooked to eachother - pulling ability?

[joezam]

I have a low force application for using hydraulic cylinders, really just for power transfer. You can think of it like throttle control, but like a boat throttle where there is not a spring return and the throttle must stay in the same position. Forces will be about double or triple the example...not significantly higher.

I'd like to have two single acting cylinders (of the same size) connected by a hydraulic line that is about 10 feet. One would be master, the other slave (mimicking the inputs from the master). I'd like single acting as in this application is makes it significantly easier to package.

Can two single acting cylinders with lines directly connected work in negative pressure (the pulling motion)? My big concern is will the negative pressure extract air from the hydraulic fluid and slow responsiveness at the slave cyl?

I appreciate the help!

 

[3DDave]

Probably not. Which is why the slave cylinder is typically acting against a strong return spring.

 

[hydtools]

At most, there will be 1 atm pressure to overcome seal friction to force the piston to follow the pull. Some entrained air may come out of the fluid when the slave piston sticks before it slips.

Ted

 

[jbthiel]

Not to mention you would always want a return spring in case the system fails. ISZ