A vacuum powered
system for moving a movable component, such as for raising and lowering a
stowage container, includes a vacuum
actuator connected between a fixed structure and a movable component. The vacuum
actuator includes one or more intake ports that are configured to connect with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to a first position, and one or more bleed valve ports for venting the vacuum
actuator to move the movable component in a second direction to a second position. The vacuum actuator may be an air
bellows, a single acting linear vacuum actuator, or a dual acting linear vacuum actuator. A guiding
system is further provided that includes elongated tracks in a stationary
stowage container housing that houses the movable component, and corresponding guide elements on the movable component that slidably engage with the elongated tracks for moving the movable component.