Batangas State University

College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts

ECE/ICE/MEXE Department

Sequence Control and PLC

ECE 457

Laboratory Experiment No. 1

Direct Control of Single Acting Cylinder

Bacay, Mary Jane

Cajudo, Zar Jerome
Garcia, Elezar
ECE 4201

December 5, 2014

I. Objective

To analyze and implement a Single Acting Cylinder with Directional

Control Valve.

II. Introduction
A single-acting

cylinder in

a reciprocating

engine is

a cylinder in

which

the working fluid acts on one side of the piston only. A single-acting cylinder relies on
the load, springs, other cylinders, or the momentum of a flywheel, to push the piston
back in the other direction. Single-acting cylinders are found in most kinds of
reciprocating

engine.

They

are

almost

universal

in internal

combustion

engines (e.g. petrol and diesel engines) and are also used in many external combustion
engines such as Stirling engines and some steam engines. They are also found in
pumps and hydraulic rams. (www.wikipedia.com)
The two way pressure valve is a two way inlet valve, that doesnt allow the air to
flow only in one direction. It requires both air to be supplied on both inlet in order for the
air to flow going to the outlet.
The simplest level of control for the single or double-acting cylinder involves
direct control signals. With this, the cylinder is actuated directly via a manually or
mechanically actuated valve, without any intermediate switching of additional directional
control valves. If the port sizes and the flow values of the valve are too large, the
operating forces required maybe too great for direct manual operation. (Croser & Ebel :
Pneumatics, Basic Level)

III. Materials

(1) Single Acting Cylinder

(2) Two Way Pressure Valve

(3) 3/2 Way Pressure Valve

Hoses

Compressor

Pneumatics Training Board

IV. Procedures
1. Analyze the given design
2. Prepare the needed materials to implement the design
3. Place the cylinder/s and valve/s to the board. Make sure that it is fitted
properly.
4. Connect the hose/s to the components according to the given design. Make
sure that it is properly connected to avoid accident.
5. Check if the compressor is turned off before plugging.
6. Push the three buttons at the same time and see if the cylinder works.

V. Data and Analysis

The group presented a truth table of Logic AND which represents the
characteristics of a two way pressure valve. The truth table has three inputs given that
the experiment diagram has three 3/2 way valve input.
Inputs

Output

The group also prepare a simulated diagram using a simulator FLUIDSIM. A

step-by-step simulated picture of the working diagram are presented below.

VI. Conclusion
The single acting cylinder can be directly controlled by a 3/2 way valve.
Two way pressure valves in the diagram manipulates the air going to the
cylinder. It gives the condition wherein the cylinder works if both the 3
button where pushed.
In basic setting of a directional valve, port 1 supplied with compressed air,
port 2 stand as the output going to the single acting cylinder and port 3 is
the exhaust where the air comes out when the spring return.