PN-2 CONSTRUCT A CIRCUIT WITH SINGLE-ACTING 1

CYLINDERS
1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of a single-acting cylinder is to convert the pressure and the movement of
compressed air into mechanical work. This work can only be applied in a straight line by a
cylinder.

2. CYLINDER

The main parts of the single-acting cylinder are (Fig. 1):

a) the barrel,
b) the cover with bearing,
c) the base,
d) the piston with piston rod,
e) the seal,
f) the return spring, and
g) the bearing sleeve.
 PN-2 CONSTRUCT A CIRCUIT WITH SINGLE-ACTING 2
CYLINDERS

a) Principle of Operation

When air is supplied to the cylinder through a control valve it enters the cylinder
through the inlet port (h) (see Fig. 1 and the display board). The pressure in the
cylinder starts to

build up in the chamber (I) at the back of the piston. The piston then moves outwards
until it reaches the end of its stroke. When the supply of air to the cylinder is cut off, the
inlet port is vented to atmosphere by the control valve. The return spring now pushes the
piston back until it returns to its initial position.

Single-acting cylinders can only perform work in one direction. They can be returned
either by the force of the spring or by the gravitational force caused by the load. If
gravitational force is used the cylinder must be mounted in an upright position (Fig.

2). Single-acting cylinders are used for clamping, lifting, etc.

PN-2 CONSTRUCT A CIRCUIT WITH SINGLE-ACTING 3
CYLINDERS

b) Symbol

Complex systems and components may be represented by simple easy-to-read

symbols.

You must know the symbols of all the components and be able to read a schematic
diagram in which these are used. This skill will assist you in fault finding because
possible causes can be pinpointed by reading the drawing before stripping any
component.

The symbol for a single-acting cylinder with a return spring is as shown in Fig. 3.
3. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL VALVE

The function of a directional control valve is to control the direction in which the air must
flow.
a) Naming directional control valves

Directional control valves are named according to the number of ports and the control
positions.

b) 3/2-way Valve

The valve described below has three ports P, A and R, or 1, 2 and 3, and two control
positions. It is called a 3/2-way valve.

In a position where the plunger is released completely the air is controlled and will

flow from port A to port R (Fig. 4).

In the position where the plunger is depressed the air is controlled and will flow from
port P to port A (Fig. 5).
 To identify a valve more precisely it is usual to specify if the port connected to the
supply of air is open or closed to one of the other ports in its normal position.

If the valve in Fig. 6 is in its normal position as indicated, the port (P), which is
connected to the supply of air, is not open to any of the other ports. It is therefore
called a normally closed valve.

The valve in Fig. 6 is known as a 3/2-way valve normally closed.

c) Symbols for directional control valves

Symbols are used to represent valves in circuit diagrams. These symbols specify the
functions of the valves.

Valve control positions are shown as boxes (squares) (Fig. 7a).

The number of adjacent squares shows how many control positions the valve has. It
could be two, three or four (Fig. 7b).

The connection lines (inlet and outlet ports) are shown as vertical lines drawn on the
outside of the box representing the normal control position of the valve. (Fig. 7c).
A port that is shut off is indicated by a "T" drawn in the box (Fig. 8).

The flow path and direction is indicated by an arrow drawn in the box (Fig. 9).
 Fig. 10a shows a valve in the closed position. Note that the connection lines are in
line with the "TEES" in the one square.

To obtain the other position the squares must be shifted to line the flow path up with
the connection lines (Fig. 10b).

The ports are identified by capital letters (Fig. 11).

 Working lines and lines supplying the cylinders are marked A B C. Compressed air
supply lines are marked with a P. The outlet or exhaust is marked with an R or S.
Control lines are marked ZYX.

It must however be pointed out that the ISO Standards Committees are currently
working on the standard DIN-ISO 5599, which deals with the connector designations
of pneumatic equipment. It is intended to replace the letters currently used a
connector abbreviations by numbers. Although the allocation of these numbers has
not yet been finally decided, we would like to draw your attention to the planned
change. See Fig. 12.

Old Designations New

P Compressed air inlet 1
A,B Working outlets 4,2
R,S Venting lines 5,3
X,Y Control Connectors 12,14

The outlet port on the valve is drawn as described below.

(i) If the valve has a threaded outlet port it is indicated by a line with an
attached triangle (Fig. 13a).

(ii) If the outlet port is not threaded the attached triangle is drawn onto the
square (Fig. 13b).
The method used to operate the valve is also indicated by a symbol.

(i) If the valve is returned to its normal position by a spring it is indicated

as shown in Fig.
14.

(ii) If the valve is operated by push-button control it is indicated as shown

in Fig. 15.

(iii) If the valve is operated by lever control it is indicated as shown in Fig. 16.
(iv) If the valve is kept in different positions by detent holding, it is indicated as

shown in Fig. 17.

(v) If the valve is controlled with a cam or by a roller, its symbol will be as shown

in Fig. 18(a) and (b) respectively.

4. SYMBOLS FOR LINES AND CONNECTIONS

The energy source which, in most cases will be a compressor, is indicated as shown in Fig.

19.

A working line is one in which the pressure energy is transmitted. It is drawn as a solid line
(Fig. 20). ___________________

FIG.20

A control line is a line which supplies air to a pneumatically operated valve. It is indicated by a
dotted line (Fig. 21).

When a line is connected by either a fitting or by welding it will be shown by means of a dot (Fig.
22).
 When lines cross over and are not connected together they are indicated as shown in Fig. 23.

A pressure connection point is a point from which air under pressure can be tapped. It is indicated by

the symbol shown in Fig. 24.

A pressure connection with a connection line is indicated by the symbol shown in Fig. 25.

5. 3/2-WAY VALVE, NORMALLY CLOSED (PLUNGER TYPE)

The valve consists of the following parts (Fig. 26):

a) the housing,
b) the plunger,
c) the valve disc, and
d) the compression spring.

a) Principle of Operation

In its normal position the supply port P is shut off. The working line from the cylinder
connected to port A is opened to the exhaust port R (Refer to Fig. 26).

When the plunger is depressed the supply port P is connected to port A and supplies air to the
cylinder. In this position the exhaust port R is blocked off (Fig. 27).
b) Application

A 3/2-way valve normally closed is used to control the flow of air to and from a single-acting
cylinder when the piston is to be moved out momentarily.

Symbol

The symbols for a 3/2-way valve, normally closed manual or lever control, spring reset, are
shown in Fig. 28.
6. 3/2-WAY VALVE, NORMALLY CLOSED (SLIDE TYPE)

The purpose, principle of operation application and the symbol for this valve are the same as those for
the 3/2-way valve, normally closed poppet type. There is only a slight difference in the design of the

valve. Instead of a plunger this valve is fitted with a slider (Fig. 29).

The slider in this valve fulfills the same purpose as the plunger in the plunger valve.
PRACTICE

a) Use a stencil and practise drawing the symbol for a 3/2-way valve, normally closed, manual
control, spring reset.

NB You must be able to draw this symbol without referring to your notes.

b) Identify a 3/2-way valve, normally closed, manual control, spring reset, on the pneumatic
trainer.

c) When you are competent in the above, connect up the circuit indicated by the schematic
diagram in Fig. 30.

SAFETY

(I) Plug in all the pneumatic connectors securely. If the connecting tubes become
disconnected when the compressed air is supplied accidents may occur.

(ii) Keep the piston rod free to travel.

 After you have connected the circuit, open the compressed air supply and operate the
control valve.

If the cylinder remains in its retracted position when the air supply is opened, and
moves outwards when the control valve is operated, your circuit is connected correctly.

Ask your instructor to check your work and, when you have achieved the required standards, to sign
on the next page before you go on to the next section.
7. 3/2-WAY VALVE, NORMALLY OPEN (POPPET TYPE)

This valve allows the air to flow to the cylinder in its normal position.

The valve consists of the following parts (Fig. 31).

a) the housing,
b) the plunger,
c) the valve disc,
d) the compression spring, and
e) the valve seat bushing.

a) Principle of Operation

In its normal position, the supply port P is connected to port A which is connected to

the cylinder. The exhaust port R is blocked off in this position (Fig. 31).
 When the plunger is depressed the supply port P is closed off. The working line from
the cylinder to port A is opened to
the exhaust port R (Fig. 32). This
allows the cylinder to retract.
b) Application

A 3/2-way valve, normally open is used to control single-acting cylinders if the piston
rod has to remain in the "travelled-out" position for a long period of time.

Symbol

The symbols for a 3/2-way valve, normally open, manual or lever control, spring
reset, are shown in Fig. 33.
PRACTICE

a) Use a stencil and practise drawing the symbol for a 3/2-way valve, normally open, lever
control, spring reset. You must not refer to the notes when doing this drawing.

b) Identify a 3/2-way valve, normally open, lever control spring reset on the trainer.

c) When you are competent in the above, connect up the circuit indicated by the schematic

diagram Fig. 34.

SAFETY

(i) Plug in all the pneumatic connectors securely. If the connecting tubes become
disconnected when the compressed air is applied, accidents can occur.

(ii) Keep the piston rod free to travel.

After you have connected the circuit, open the compressed air supply and operate the
 control valve.

If the cylinder moves outwards when the air supply is opened, and retracts to its
initial position when the control valve is operated, your circuit is connected correctly.

d) Use the magnetic symbols to construct the circuit on the board. By means of arrows indicate
the flow of the air for both positions of the control valve.

Ask your instructor to check your work and to sign you off when you have achieved the required
standards.