Pneumatic cylinder

Operation diagram of a single acting cylinder. The spring (red) can also be outside the cylinder, attached to the item being moved.
Operation diagram of a double acting cylinder
3D-animated pneumatic cylinder (CAD)
Schematic symbol for pneumatic cylinder with spring return

Pneumatic cylinder, also known as air cylinder, is a mechanical device which uses the power of compressed gas to produce a force in a reciprocating linear motion.[1]: 85 

Like in a hydraulic cylinder, something forces a piston to move in the desired direction. The piston is a disc or cylinder, and the piston rod transfers the force it develops to the object to be moved.[1] : 85  Engineers sometimes prefer to use pneumatics because they are quieter, cleaner, and do not require large amounts of space for fluid storage.

Because the operating fluid is a gas, leakage from a pneumatic cylinder will not drip out and contaminate the surroundings, making pneumatics more desirable where cleanliness is a requirement. For example, in the mechanical puppets of the Disney Tiki Room, pneumatics are used to prevent fluid from dripping onto people below the puppets.

  1. ^ a b [1]Majumdar, S.R. (1995). Pneumatic System: Principles and Maintenance. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.