Most commonly used hydraulic and pneumatic linear actuators are the cylinders.

Both hydraulic and pneumatic versions have the same principle and form with differences purely in a matter of size as a consequence of the higher pressures used with hydraulics. the cylinder consists of a cylindrical tube along which a piston can slide. There are two basic types single-acting and double-acting cylinders. the single-acting actuator is used when the control pressure is applied to just one side of the piston. a spring often is used to provide the opposition to the movement of the piston. the other side of the piston is open to the atmosphere. on the figure below a single-acting cylinder whit spring is shown where the fluid is applied to one side of the piston at the gauge pressure p with the other side being at atmosphere pressure and so produces a force on the piston of pA,where A is the area of the piston.the actual force acting on the piston rod will be less this because of the friction occurring in the cylinder. If a single acting cylinder with solenoid is used than the valve connected switches position as the current passes through the solenoid and a pressure is applied the move the piston along the cylinder (slika..). when the current ceases , the valve returns to its initial position and the air is vented from the cylinder . a spring returns the piston back along the cylinder. The term double-acting is used when the control presures are applied to each side of the piston.