{"id":2554,"date":"2024-03-06T12:02:43","date_gmt":"2024-03-06T11:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/encyclopedia\/differential-cylinder\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T10:49:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:49:25","slug":"differential-cylinder","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/","title":{"rendered":"Differential Cylinder"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2554\" class=\"elementor elementor-2554 elementor-248\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-735b55f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"735b55f8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2820cb8b\" data-id=\"2820cb8b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fb9997 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9fb9997\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different Speeds<\/h1><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different SpeedsA differential cylinder is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike synchronous cylinders, for example, a differential cylinder only has one piston surface available&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">differential cylinder<\/a> is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/synchronous-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title='Synchronous cylinders for special applicationsSynchronous cylinders, also referred to as \"synchronous-running cylinders\" or \"steering cylinders\", are hydraulic cylinders with a special technical specification: double-acting operation. A characteristic feature of the&hellip;' class=\"encyclopedia\">synchronous cylinder<\/a>s, for example, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different SpeedsA differential cylinder is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike synchronous cylinders, for example, a differential cylinder only has one piston surface available&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">differential cylinder<\/a> only has one piston surface available as an application point for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-pressure\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic Pressure ExplainedPressure is generally a force acting on a surface. Hydraulic pressure is accordingly a force transmitted through a fluid that acts on the internal walls of a hydraulic&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic pressure<\/a>. The second application point required for retraction is the rear side of the piston. However, this is reduced by the cross-section of the extending piston rod. Linear motors with extendable piston rods are therefore usually designed as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different SpeedsA differential cylinder is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike synchronous cylinders, for example, a differential cylinder only has one piston surface available&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">differential cylinder<\/a>s.     <\/p><h2>Characteristics of Differential Cylinders<\/h2><p>Because the rear side of the piston has a reduced effective area due to the piston rod, the force and speed change depending on the direction of travel, even with constant pressure. The performance of the linear motor is maximal when the cylinder extends, and it is weaker and slower when the cylinder retracts. This must be taken into account when designing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a>.  <\/p><h3>Options for Compensating Differential Loss<\/h3><p>It is usually in the designer&rsquo;s interest for the linear speeds of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-motor\/\" target=\"_self\" title='Hydraulic motor: linear and radial movementsGenerally speaking, a motor is a device that converts power into motion. In hydraulics, such a device is called a \"hydraulic motor\" in accordance with&hellip;' class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic motor<\/a> to remain constant. The faster the cylinder retracts, the sooner it can extend again. The performance and cycle time therefore depend not only on the extension speed but also significantly on the retraction speed.  <\/p><p>The designer has the following options to synchronize the retraction speed of the cylinder with the extension speed, despite the reduced effective area on the piston:<\/p><ul><li>Increase pump capacity<\/li><li>Increase volume flow through valve control<\/li><li>External load on the piston rod<\/li><li>Throttle extension speed<\/li><\/ul><p>Increasing the pump capacity would be triggered electromechanically by passing the limit switch. The problem with this solution is that it changes the volume flow and internal pressure throughout the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a>. All actuators would change speed when the cylinder retracts. This solution is therefore primarily suitable for small systems that do not operate any actuators other than the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different SpeedsA differential cylinder is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike synchronous cylinders, for example, a differential cylinder only has one piston surface available&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">differential cylinder<\/a>.   <\/p><p>Instead of changing the volume flow throughout the entire system, it is sufficient to ensure a greater inflow of hydraulic fluid only at specific points. Lines with a larger cross-section and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/throttle-valve\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Throttle ValveBy reducing the pipe cross-section, a throttle creates a local flow resistance that the flowing fluid must overcome. Before the constriction, the flowing medium builds up, so that the&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">throttle valve<\/a>s are suitable for this. <\/p><p>If the piston rod is loaded during retraction, the additional pressure can increase the retraction speed of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different SpeedsA differential cylinder is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike synchronous cylinders, for example, a differential cylinder only has one piston surface available&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">differential cylinder<\/a>. Excavators, for example, use this solution. <\/p><p>If the goal is only synchronization and not an increase in performance, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/throttle-valve\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Throttle ValveBy reducing the pipe cross-section, a throttle creates a local flow resistance that the flowing fluid must overcome. Before the constriction, the flowing medium builds up, so that the&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">throttle valve<\/a> on the extension side can be a solution. However, this reduces the system to the speed of the retracting cylinder. This solution is therefore always associated with a loss of performance.  <\/p><h3>Maintenance of Differential Cylinders<\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different SpeedsA differential cylinder is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike synchronous cylinders, for example, a differential cylinder only has one piston surface available&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">Differential cylinder<\/a>s hardly differ in design from other hydraulic cylinders. They consist of a piston rod, inlet valves, seals, and the cylinder liner. Primary wear occurs mainly on the seals. These can be easily replaced. Provided that the piston and piston rod are undamaged, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/differential-cylinder\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Differential Cylinders &ndash; Lifting and Retracting at Different SpeedsA differential cylinder is a hydraulic linear motor. Unlike synchronous cylinders, for example, a differential cylinder only has one piston surface available&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">differential cylinder<\/a> will regain full performance after repair.    <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17578f6\" data-id=\"17578f6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18d5d30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-sidebar\" data-id=\"18d5d30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"sidebar.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"display:none;\">Search<\/div><form role=\"search\" method=\"get\" class=\"encyclopedia search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/encyclopedia\/\">\n    \n    \n    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"encyclopedia-search-term\">Search<\/label>\n    <input type=\"text\" id=\"encyclopedia-search-term\" name=\"s\" class=\"search-field\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Search&hellip;\">\n    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"search-submit submit button\" id=\"encyclopedia-search-submit\">Search<\/button>\n<\/form>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/hydraulik-lexikon\/\" style=\"border-radius:0px;background-color:#005b9a\">Back to overview<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-99eb194 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"99eb194\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings='{\"stretch_section\":\"section-stretched\"}'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6df5c98\" data-id=\"6df5c98\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e10e6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"2e10e6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"2947\" class=\"elementor elementor-2947 elementor-223 elementor-223\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c017d14 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched bgKnowHowCaller elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c017d14\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings='{\"stretch_section\":\"section-stretched\"}'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-35f2767\" data-id=\"35f2767\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-deaeec8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"deaeec8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Questions, requests, placing an order?<\/h4><p>&raquo; You can submit an enquiry directly here!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a72297 contatcSectionEnd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4a72297\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-273fb42\" data-id=\"273fb42\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f43633 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"2f43633\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f2946-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"2946\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2554#wpcf7-f2946-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init wpcf7-acceptance-as-validation\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<div style=\"display: none;\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"2946\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.0.6\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f2946-o1\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formname\" class=\"inlineInputs\">Last Name*:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formname\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required form-control\" id=\"formname\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"formname\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formvorname\" class=\"inlineInputs\">First Name*:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formvorname\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required form-control\" id=\"formvorname\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"formvorname\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formemail\" class=\"inlineInputs\">Email*:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formemail\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email form-control\" id=\"formemail\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"formemail\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formtelefon\" class=\"inlineInputs\">Phone:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formtelefon\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text form-control\" id=\"formtelefon\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"formtelefon\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"mitteilung\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"10\" maxlength=\"2000\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"mitteilung\">Your message to us ...<\/textarea><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row mt-2 mb-3\">\n\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"newsletter\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-checkbox\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item first last\"><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"newsletter[]\" value=\"I would like to subscribe to the newsletter.\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">I would like to subscribe to the newsletter.<\/span><\/label><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"datenschutz\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-acceptance\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"datenschutz\" value=\"1\" aria-invalid=\"false\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Yes, I have read the <a href=\"\/datenschutzerklaerung\/\" target=\"_blank\">privacy policy<\/a> and agree that the data I have provided may be collected and stored electronically. My data will be used strictly for the purpose of processing and responding to my inquiry. By submitting the contact form, I agree to this processing.<\/span><\/label><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<p class=\"aiowps-captcha hide-when-displaying-tfa-input\"><label for=\"aiowps-captcha-answer\">Please enter an answer in digits:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"aiowps-captcha-equation hide-when-displaying-tfa-input\">\n\t\t\t<p><strong>five + 11 = <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"aiowps-captcha-string-info\" class=\"aiowps-captcha-string-info\" value=\"6fw4do3ios\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"aiowps-captcha-temp-string\" class=\"aiowps-captcha-temp-string\" value=\"1776594862\"><input type=\"text\" size=\"2\" class=\"aiowps-captcha-answer\" name=\"aiowps-captcha-answer\" value=\"\" autocomplete=\"off\"><\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"aiowps-captcha\"><\/span><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Send inquiry\">\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"author":1,"template":"elementor_header_footer","encyclopedia-tag":[],"class_list":["post-2554","encyclopedia","type-encyclopedia","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/encyclopedia"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2555,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2554\/revisions\/2555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"encyclopedia-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia-tag?post=2554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}