Abstract: A cylinder-piston assembly includes a cylinder barrel having a first end and a second end. An end cap is coupled to the cylinder barrel at the first end having a cylindrical opening. A piston slidably disposed in the cylinder barrel has a piston rod connected to the piston. The piston rod passes through the cylindrical opening of the end cap. A spring is disposed circumferentially around the piston rod. A load cell disposed in the end cap is adapted to generate a signal indicative of the cylinder displacement based on a spring force exerted on the load cell during a movement of the piston in the cylinder barrel, wherein the load cell is pressure balanced to minimize effect of forces other than the spring force exerted on the load cell.