suction pump
Quick Summary
A suction pump is a common type of pump that uses atmospheric pressure to move liquid. It works by creating a partial vacuum under a retreating piston. As the piston moves up, atmospheric pressure outside pushes the liquid into the cylinder through a valve. When the piston moves down, a check valve prevents the liquid from flowing back, allowing it to be raised to a higher level. This type of pump was developed during the Middle Ages for mining operations.12
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
