Piston

<p>A piston is a component of <a href="/facts/Reciprocating_engine/ItLAxmW3">reciprocating engines</a>, reciprocating <a href="/facts/Pump/UtMn3Btt">pumps</a>, <a href="/facts/Gas_compressor/I0vV0Tx2">gas compressors</a>, <a href="/facts/Hydraulic_cylinder/IxeMnFCy">hydraulic cylinders</a> and <a href="/facts/Pneumatic_cylinder/hexATR6N">pneumatic cylinders</a>, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a <a href="/facts/Cylinder_(engine)/XlMRcfFl">cylinder</a> and is made gas-tight by <a href="/facts/Piston_ring/HoDeR55T">piston rings</a>. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from expanding gas in the cylinder to the <a href="/facts/Crankshaft/oYCe9nB3">crankshaft</a> via a <a href="/facts/Piston_rod/yDX8UhRb">piston rod</a> and/or <a href="/facts/Connecting_rod/AXp1gPdh">connecting rod</a>. In a pump, the function is reversed and force is transferred from the crankshaft to the piston for the purpose of compressing or ejecting the <a href="/facts/Fluid/tMQ46Tmz">fluid</a> in the cylinder. In some engines, the piston also acts as a <a href="/facts/Valve/EwgqAwlJ">valve</a> by covering and uncovering <a href="/facts/Porting_(engine)/KwcgKmmb">ports</a> in the cylinder.
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Piston open-in-new

Piston