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piston

Moving component of reciprocating engines that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings

EntityQ45227

Also known as automotive piston

Subclass of: Q49720
Part of: reciprocating engine

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors, hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from expanding gas in the cylinder to the crankshaft via a piston rod and/or connecting rod. In a pump, the function is reversed and force is transferred from the crankshaft to the piston for the purpose of compressing or ejecting the fluid in the cylinder. In some engines, the piston also acts as a valve by covering and uncovering ports in the cylinder.

Overview

All data

29 statements · 28% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Made from material: aluminium alloy
Members / parts: piston ring
Uses: cylinder

On other databases

25 identifiers linking piston across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

28%

externally sourced

Source last edited August 13, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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AIDB. (2026). piston (Q45227). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/piston-Q45227