Compare single-acting and double-acting cylinders.

A single-acting cylinder uses less air, but its spring reduces the outstroke force and limits the stroke. A double-acting cylinder gives powered movement both ways and longer strokes.

A single-acting cylinder has a 40 mm bore and is supplied at 6 bar. Calculate the theoretical outstroke force, ignoring the spring.

The outstroke force is about 754 N. Area = π × 20² = 1257 mm², and 1257 × 0.6 N/mm² = 754 N.

A double-acting cylinder has a 50 mm bore and is supplied at 5 bar. Calculate its outstroke force.

The outstroke force is about 982 N. Area = π × 25² = 1963 mm², and 1963 × 0.5 N/mm² = 982 N.

CCEA A-Level Technology and Design 8900

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Mechanical and Pneumatic Components

Cylinders, shuttle valves, restrictors and reservoirs

3 things to know
AS 1 Paper 2

Overview

Single-acting and double-acting cylinders, force, pressure and area with worked calculations, shuttle valves, flow restrictors, reservoirs and connecting components.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

State the relationship between force, pressure and area for a cylinder.

Process

How does a single-acting cylinder work?

Process

How does a double-acting cylinder work?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How does a single-acting cylinder work?
Model answer
Compressed air pushes the piston out on the outstroke. A spring inside the cylinder returns the piston when the air is exhausted.
2
How does a double-acting cylinder work?
Model answer
Air is supplied to either side of the piston to drive it out and back. The side not being supplied is connected to exhaust.
3
Compare single-acting and double-acting cylinders.
Model answer
A single-acting cylinder uses less air, but its spring reduces the outstroke force and limits the stroke. A double-acting cylinder gives powered movement both ways and longer strokes.
4
State the relationship between force, pressure and area for a cylinder.
Model answer
Force = pressure × area. A pressure in N/mm² multiplied by an area in mm² gives a force in newtons. One bar equals 0.1 N/mm².
5
A single-acting cylinder has a 40 mm bore and is supplied at 6 bar. Calculate the theoretical outstroke force, ignoring the spring.
Model answer
The outstroke force is about 754 N. Area = π × 20² = 1257 mm², and 1257 × 0.6 N/mm² = 754 N.
6
A double-acting cylinder has a 50 mm bore and is supplied at 5 bar. Calculate its outstroke force.
Model answer
The outstroke force is about 982 N. Area = π × 25² = 1963 mm², and 1963 × 0.5 N/mm² = 982 N.

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