US 11,953,144 B2
Lifting support device and method of controlling operation
Jason Kerestes, Summerville, SC (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/528,345.
Application 17/528,345 is a division of application No. 15/138,710, filed on Apr. 26, 2016, granted, now 11,209,121.
Prior Publication US 2022/0074539 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. B66C 1/02 (2006.01); B66F 3/24 (2006.01); B66F 3/28 (2006.01); F16M 11/18 (2006.01); F16M 11/28 (2006.01); G05G 15/00 (2006.01); G05B 19/042 (2006.01)
CPC F16M 11/28 (2013.01) [B66C 1/0256 (2013.01); B66C 1/0275 (2013.01); B66F 3/247 (2013.01); B66F 3/28 (2013.01); F16M 11/18 (2013.01); G05G 15/007 (2013.01); F16M 2200/00 (2013.01); F16M 2200/047 (2013.01); G05B 19/0426 (2013.01); G05B 2219/25316 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling operation of a linear actuator, said method comprising:
maintaining the linear actuator in equilibrium when supporting a first load;
determining application of a second load on the linear actuator; and
selectively actuating the linear actuator in response to application of the second load on the linear actuator by:
causing the linear actuator to extend when the second load applied to the linear actuator is a negative load; and
causing the linear actuator to retract when the second load applied to the linear actuator is a positive load; and
varying a rate of extension and retraction of the linear actuator proportionally as a function of the value of the second load.