Double-acting cylinder

Double-acting cylinder

A double-acting cylinder in a reciprocating engine is a cylinder in which the working fluid acts alternately on both sides of the piston. This is in contrast to a single-acting cylinder, in which the working fluid acts in one direction only.

Double-acting cylinders are common in steam engines but unusual in internal combustion engines. In both types of engine, inlet and exhaust valves are required at each end. In an internal combustion engine, an ignition device and/or fuel injection device is also required at each end.

In order to connect the piston to an external mechanism, such as a crank shaft, a hole must be provided in one end fitted with a gland to prevent escape of the working fluid.

Double-acting cylinders are also found in hydraulic cylinders (in which the hydraulic fluid can actively force the piston in either direction) and also in pumps (where the pumped fluid enters and exits the cylinder on both sides of the piston).

External Links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • double acting cylinder — dvikryptis cilindras statusas T sritis automatika atitikmenys: angl. double acting cylinder vok. Doppeltwirkender Zylinder, m rus. цилиндр двойного действия, m; цилиндр двухстороннего действия, m pranc. vérin à double effet, m …   Automatikos terminų žodynas

  • Double action — may refer to: Double action, a system in firearms where the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer see trigger (firearms). Simple expansion, a system in steam engines and their accessories where a piston has the ability to both push and pull… …   Wikipedia

  • Cylinder (engine) — Illustration of an engine cylinder with a cross section view of the piston, connecting rod, valves and spark plug. A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders… …   Wikipedia

  • Cylinder (locomotive) — The motion on the left hand side of 60163 Tornado. The black casting to the left houses the cylinder, in which slides the piston; the piston rod is immediately above the wheel. The cylinders of a steam locomotive are the components that convert… …   Wikipedia

  • Oscillating cylinder steam engine — This article is about small oscillating steam engines. For marine oscillating engines, see Marine oscillating steam engine. A simple oscillating cylinder engine, part of a Mamod SE2 working steam model Also known as a Wobbler in USA and possibly… …   Wikipedia

  • vérin à double effet — dvikryptis cilindras statusas T sritis automatika atitikmenys: angl. double acting cylinder vok. Doppeltwirkender Zylinder, m rus. цилиндр двойного действия, m; цилиндр двухстороннего действия, m pranc. vérin à double effet, m …   Automatikos terminų žodynas

  • Back-acting steam engine — Steam engine Steam en gine ([e^]n j[i^]n). An engine moved by steam. [1913 Webster] Note: In its most common forms its essential parts are a piston, a cylinder, and a valve gear. The piston works in the cylinder, to which steam is admitted by the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hydraulic cylinder — A Hydraulic cylinder (also called a linear hydraulic motor) is a mechanical actuator that is used to give a linear force through a linear stroke. It has many applications, notably in engineering vehicles. Operation Hydraulic cylinders get their… …   Wikipedia

  • Pneumatic cylinder — Pneumatic cylinders (sometimes known as air cylinders) are mechanical devices which produce force, often in combination with movement, and are powered by compressed gas (typically air). To perform their function, pneumatic cylinders impart a… …   Wikipedia

  • Richard Trevithick — Infobox Scientist name = Richard Trevithick box width = image width = 150px caption = Richard Trevithick, by John Linnell (1792 1882) birth date = April 13, 1771 birth place = Cornwall death date = April 22, 1833 (aged 62) death place = Dartford …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”