single-acting

A single-acting hydraulic cylinder extends to lift the heavy crate.

Definition

Adjective (Technical/Mechanical Engineering):
- Operating in one direction only: "single-acting" describes a device, typically a pump, cylinder, or engine, in which the working fluid (such as steam, compressed air, or hydraulic fluid) acts on only one side of the piston. The return stroke is accomplished by a spring, gravity, or another external force, rather than by the fluid itself.

Usage Examples

(The pump operates in one direction only, with the return stroke relying on an external mechanism.)
(The cylinder uses pressure on one side of the piston for extension, while the spring handles retraction.)
(The engine generated power only during the forward movement of the piston.)

Advanced Usage

"single-acting compressor": a type of compressor where the compression occurs on only one side of the piston.
- The workshop uses a single-acting compressor for small-scale air supply. (The compressor compresses air on only one stroke of the piston.)
"single-acting hydraulic system": a hydraulic system where the fluid is used to extend the piston, and the load or a spring retracts it.
- The single-acting hydraulic system is simpler and cheaper to maintain than a double-acting one. (The system uses fluid for only one direction of motion.)

Variants and Related Words

Double-acting (adj): describing a device where the working fluid acts on both sides of the piston, producing power in both directions.
- A double-acting engine uses steam on both the forward and return strokes. (The engine is more efficient than a single-acting one.)
Single-action (adj): a similar term, often used for firearms or mechanical devices that require a separate manual action to operate.
- A single-action revolver requires the hammer to be cocked manually before each shot. (The gun's trigger only releases the hammer, not cocks it.)

Synonyms

One-way: functioning in only one direction.
Unidirectional: operating or moving in a single direction (often used in general technical contexts).

Related Idioms (None applicable)

There are no common idioms directly associated with "single-acting," as it is a highly technical term.

Phrasal Verbs (None applicable)