single-acting

American  

[sing-guhl-ak-ting] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈæk tɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a reciprocating engine, pump, etc.) having pistons accomplishing work only in one direction.

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single-acting British  

adjective

1. (of a reciprocating engine or pump) having a piston or pistons that are pressurized on one side only Compare double-acting

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Etymology

Origin of single-acting

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

single-acting

It consists of two single-acting cylinders, r s, receiving steam alternately from the same steam-pipe through a “four-way cock,” x, and exhausting into the atmosphere.

From A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine by Robert H. Thurston

The small engine drives a single-acting air pump of the ordinary type by a crank, not shown in the drawing.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 286, June 25, 1881 by Various

Q.--Will you explain the construction and action of the single-acting engine, used for draining mines?

From A Catechism of the Steam Engine by John Bourne, C.E.

Indeed, in most modern single-acting engines, the pistons are directly connected with the crank-shaft by the piston-rod, without any intermediate connecting-rod or cross-head.

From Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants A Practice Treatise Setting Forth the Principles of Gas-Engines and Producer Design, the Selection and Installation of an Engine, Conditions of Perfect Operation, Producer-Gas Engines and Their Possibilities, the Care of Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants, with a Chapter on Volatile Hydrocarbon and Oil Engines by R. E. Mathot

This differs from the one just described chiefly in that it is single-acting, while the other is double-acting.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 799, April 25, 1891 by Various