Ventilation of an Operating Element

Abstract

A method of actuating a piston having a first side and a second side includes the steps of generating a counter-ventilation pulse having a duration and amplitude defined to achieve a predetermined operating speed of the piston and a predetermined damping of a final position of a piston, applying an actuating pressure to the first side of the piston, and venting a second side of the piston in a defined manner using the counter-ventilation pulse so as to prevent a buildup of a maximum possible ventilation pressure.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . A method of actuating a piston having a first side and a second side, the method comprising:
 generating a counter-ventilation pulse having a duration and amplitude defined to achieve a predetermined operating speed of the piston and a predetermined damping of a final position of a piston;   applying an actuating pressure to the first side of the piston; and   venting a second side of the piston in a defined manner using the counter-ventilation pulse so as to prevent a buildup of a maximum possible ventilation pressure.   
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the piston is an operating piston of an operating element. 
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the venting increases an operating speed of the piston and reduces a mechanical load on the piston. 
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the generating of the counter-ventilation pulse is performed shortly before the applying of the actuation pressure. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the duration of the counter-ventilation pulse is such that the counter-ventilation pulse is switched off before the applying of the actuation pressure. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the duration of the counter ventilation pulse is such that the counter-ventilation pulse overlaps the applying of the actuation pressure. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the applying of the actuating pressure includes applying an fluid flow to the first side of the piston, and further comprising adjusting a time interval between a beginning of the counter-ventilation pulse and a beginning of the applying of the fluid flow as a function of the predetermined damping and operating speed. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the generating of the counter-ventilation pulse is performed shortly after a beginning of the applying of the actuation pressure. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a time interval between the beginning of the applying of the actuation pressure and the generating of the counter-ventilation pulse is set as a function of the desired damping and operating speed. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the piston moves within a cylinder and further comprising determining at least one of the duration and the amplitude based on a parameter of the cylinder. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein cylinder is a differential cylinder, and wherein at least one of the duration and the amplitude are determined based on a direction of movement of the piston. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the differential cylinder is a 3-position cylinder, wherein at least one of the duration and the amplitude are determined based on an initial position of the piston and a target position of the piston.