View source for Engineering:Reciprocating motion

{{short description|Repetitive back-and-forth linear motion}}
{{onesource|date=May 2022}}
[[Image:Steam engine in action.gif|thumb|Double-acting [[stationary steam engine]] demonstrating conversion of reciprocating motion to rotary motion. The [[Engineering:Piston|piston]] is on the left, and the [[Engineering:Crank (mechanism)|crank]] is mounted on the flywheel axle on the right]]
[[File: Rotary to Reciprocating Motion.gif|thumb|Machine demonstrating the conversion of rotary motion to reciprocating motion using gears.  The bottom pair of gears drives the mechanism]]


A [[Engineering:Crank (mechanism)|crank]] can be used to convert into reciprocating motion, or conversely turn reciprocating motion into circular motion. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Mobley |first=Keith R |title=Plant Engineer's Handbook |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |year=2001 |isbn=0 7506 7328 1 |location=USA |pages=723-755}}</ref>

For example, inside an [[Earth:Internal combustion engine|internal combustion engine]] (a type of reciprocating engine),  the expansion of burning fuel in the [[Physics:Cylinder (engine)|cylinder]]s periodically pushes the [[Engineering:Piston|piston]] down, which, through the [[Engineering:Connecting rod|connecting rod]], turns the [[Engineering:Crankshaft|crankshaft]]. The continuing rotation of the crankshaft drives the piston back up, ready for the next cycle. The piston moves in a reciprocating motion, which is converted into the 


==See also==
*{{annotated link|Oscillation}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Stroboscope}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Reciprocating saw}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Reciprocating engine}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Rotary saw|Rotary reciprocating saw}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Agitator (device)|Agitation}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Scotch yoke}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Crank (mechanism)|Crank}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Crankshaft}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Swashplate}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Trip hammer}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Slider-crank linkage}}
*{{annotated link|Physics:Straight line mechanism}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Reciprocating compressor}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Sun and planet gear}}

==References==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mechanical engineering]]



{{Sourceattribution|Reciprocating motion}}