Rigid in tension locking gas springs have oil on both sides of the piston so that the chamber between (where the rod enters the body) and the piston is always full of oil. This oil is contained by a floating piston that separates it from from the gas in the enclosed tube. Since oil is incompressible, when a tension load is applied to the locked rod the oil between the nose bearing and the piston will not compress and the rod cannot move.

When a locked, rigid in tension spring is subjected to a compression load, only the compressible gas resists the force transmitted from the piston to the floating piston. This gas will consequently compress and permit the rod to move. However, because the oil on the other side of the locked piston cannot expand the movement permitted is significantly less than experienced on a flexible locking gas spring. In addition, because the oil is always held between the piston and nose bearing (containing the main seal), a rigid in tension spring can be used in any orientation.

Applications for rigid in tension locking springs include hospital beds, aircrafts, coach and rail seat back recline control and wheel chair recline and support systems.