What is a single-acting hydraulic cylinder?

A hydraulic cylinder is a powerful device. They play a crucial role in many industrial applications and can assist in lifting, pushing and moving machinery. There are different types of hydraulic cylinders to meet various industrial needs. One of the main types is the single-acting hydraulic cylinder.

What is a single-acting hydraulic cylinder?

A single-acting hydraulic cylinder is a hydraulic actuating component that is driven in only one direction by hydraulic oil and is reset by an external force (such as a spring, gravity, or load). Its characteristic is that it can only move in one direction, and it can only push or pull under the action of hydraulic pressure.

The working principle of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder

The working principle of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder is to make the piston move by compressing the liquid, thereby achieving push-pull motion. When hydraulic oil enters the single-acting chamber of the hydraulic cylinder, the piston will be pushed, causing the working component with the load to start moving. When the hydraulic oil flows out of the single-acting chamber of the hydraulic cylinder, the piston will return to its original position due to the effect of the load.

The application of single-acting hydraulic cylinders

Since the single-acting hydraulic cylinder can only achieve one-way thrust or traction, its application range is relatively narrow. It is often used in economic equipment or simple lifting devices, such as the arms, buckets, rods, etc., of excavators. These components can be moved through the push-pull motion of the single-acting hydraulic cylinder.

Advantages of single-acting hydraulic cylinders

A single-acting hydraulic cylinder is usually composed of a cylinder body, a piston, seals, a check valve, an oil inlet, and an oil circuit etc. When the hydraulic oil flows out from the single-acting chamber of the hydraulic cylinder, the piston will return to its original position due to the load. Compared with a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, a single-acting hydraulic cylinder has a simpler structure, better maintainability, and a lower cost. In some relatively non-urgent and simple application scenarios, a single-acting hydraulic cylinder can meet most of the requirements.

In conclusion, the single-acting hydraulic cylinder is one of the important hydraulic components in the hydraulic system. It has a simple working principle, a compact structure, and is easy to use. It can meet the push-pull motion requirements of various mechanical equipment. When selecting it, the limitations of its output force need to be fully considered. Choosing the appropriate specification and model is the key to ensuring its normal use.