Reciprocating motion

Reciprocating motion

Reciprocating motion , also called Reciprocation, is an up and down (or back-and-forth) motion which repeats over and over again. It is seen in a wide range of reciprocating engines and pumps.

A Crank (mechanism) can be used to turn circular motion into reciprocating motion or turn reciprocating motion into circular motion. As an example, inside of an internal combustion engine an explosion within the cylinder pushes the piston down and the connecting rod pushes the crankshaft around, which in turn might drive the wheels of a car. The continuing rotation of the crankshaft drives the piston back up, ready for the next cycle. The piston is undergoing reciprocating motion but only circular motion is visible. The vibrations felt when the engine is running are a side effect of the reciprocating motion going on inside the cylinders.

In early steam engines, particularly horizontal stationary engines, and outside-cylindered steam locomotives, the reciprocating action is clearly visible as the mechanism is not usually enclosed.


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  • Reciprocating motion — Reciprocate Re*cip ro*cate (r[ e]*s[i^]p r[ o]*k[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Reciprocated} (r[ e]*s[i^]p r[ o]*k[=a] t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reciprocating}.] [L. reciprocatus, p. p. of reciprocare. See {Reciprocal}.] To move forward and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • reciprocating motion — grįžtamasis slenkamasis judėjimas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. back and forth motion; reciprocating motion vok. hin und hergehende Bewegung, f; umkehrbare Translationsbewegung, f rus. возвратно поступательное движение, n pranc.… …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • reciprocating motion — grįžtamasis slenkamasis judesys statusas T sritis automatika atitikmenys: angl. reciprocating motion vok. hinundhergehende Bewegung, f; Pendelbewegung, f rus. возвратно поступательное движение, n pranc. mouvement alternatif, m; mouvement de va et …   Automatikos terminų žodynas

  • Reciprocating engine — internal combustion piston engine. E Exhaust camshaft I Intake camshaft S Spark plug V Valves P Piston R Connecting rod C Crankshaft W Water jacket for coolant flow.] A reciprocating engine, also often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine… …   Wikipedia

  • Reciprocating saw — Example of a variable speed, reciprocating saw …   Wikipedia

  • Reciprocating — Reciprocate Re*cip ro*cate (r[ e]*s[i^]p r[ o]*k[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Reciprocated} (r[ e]*s[i^]p r[ o]*k[=a] t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reciprocating}.] [L. reciprocatus, p. p. of reciprocare. See {Reciprocal}.] To move forward and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reciprocating engine — Reciprocate Re*cip ro*cate (r[ e]*s[i^]p r[ o]*k[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Reciprocated} (r[ e]*s[i^]p r[ o]*k[=a] t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reciprocating}.] [L. reciprocatus, p. p. of reciprocare. See {Reciprocal}.] To move forward and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reciprocating compressor — A reciprocating compressor is a compressor that uses pistons driven by a crankshaft to deliver gases at high pressure. [cite book|author=Bloch, H.P. and Hoefner, J.J.|title=Reciprocating Compressors, Operation and… …   Wikipedia

  • Motion — Mo tion, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See {Move}.] 1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; opposed… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Motion block — Motion Mo tion, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See {Move}.] 1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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