Cylinder

Device, which converts the pressure energy of a medium into mechanical energy. The drive movement is normally straight.

Piston cylinder:

The mechanical force F K is created by the influence of the pressure p of the transfer medium on the piston area A K (the most common form of a cylinder):

With this approach, forces from just a few N up to 300,000 kN can be applied by a single cylinder during strokes ranging from just a few cm to 20 m.

The set-up is very easy, as shown in (Figure Z 20). Its most important properties are as follows:

• the force is generated directly, without intermediate mechanical elements,
• the force can be applied at any point of the stroke and in any size up to the nominal force,
• the usable stroke can be changed as desired within the structural limits,
• the velocity can be adjusted to different requirements by changing the flow rate
• selecting the operating pressure allows the dimensions of a cylinder to be greatly adjusted to the available installation area.

Single-acting and double-acting cylinders are used in hydraulic systems (hydraulic cylinders).

Membrane cylinder:

The mechanical force is created by the influence of the hydraulic fluid on a membrane. Only small strokes are possible here.