Piston
['pɪst(ə)n] or ['pɪstən]
Definition
(noun.) mechanical device that has a plunging or thrusting motion.
(noun.) United States neoclassical composer (1894-1976).
Edited by Claudette--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A sliding piece which either is moved by, or moves against, fluid pressure. It usually consists of a short cylinder fitting within a cylindrical vessel along which it moves, back and forth. It is used in steam engines to receive motion from the steam, and in pumps to transmit motion to a fluid; also for other purposes.
Editor: Moore
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Plunger.
Editor: Segre
Definition
n. a circular plate of metal or other material used in pumps steam-engines &c. fitting and moving up and down within a tube or hollow cylinder.—n. Pis′ton-rod the rod to which the piston is fixed and which moves up and down with it.
Typist: Rachel
Examples
- A deep well with the piston in the water. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The cylinder had been badly cast, the pipe-condenser did not work properly, and there was still the old leakage of steam at the piston. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- A Frenchman named Denys Papin had built the first steam-engine with a piston. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- They are divided into two great classes, single and double acting engines, accordingly as the water is admitted to one side of the piston only, or to both sides alternately. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Prior to its adoption steam was admitted to the cylinder during the whole time the piston was making its stroke from one end of the cylinder to the other. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- By that arrangement there is attained the most direct application of the piston-rod to the crank, with the least loss of power. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- When the piston moves downward as in (3), the valve in the pipe closes by its own weight, and the air in the cylinder escapes through the valve in the plunger. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Among these, are siphon pumps, the force pump of Ctesibius, a fire-pump, having two cylinders, and two pistons, valves, and levers. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- These cylinders move over stationary pistons which have orifices that allow the liquid to pass from one side of the piston to the other. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- In this the pistons consisted of two cog wheels, their leaves intermeshing, and rotated in an elliptical shaped chamber. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- It was also found desirable to employ two engines instead of one, the pistons being made to rise and descend alternately. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- When the gun is fired, the recoil causes it to slide back, carrying the pistons, and the recoil is checked by the resistance of the glycerine traveling through an opening past the pistons. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The cylinders and pistons were enclosed within the fire box in the rear. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Within are pistons, so connected that those in the lower and upper cylinders move together. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
Editor: Yvonne