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Definition:

Cylinder, Single Acting

A hydro mechanical device, usually a cylindrical chamber, with one closed end and a movable shaft at the other end.
When fluid flow is applied to a port in the closed end, the shaft extends until the collar or piston reaches the shaft end.
When an external weight or load is placed on the shaft, the shaft will retract into the chamber until the piston or collar reaches the closed end.
The cylinder will produce an output force at the shaft end in proportion to its internal closed end area multiplied times the pressure potential of the fluid power system.