What type of air compressor is characterized by using one cylinder to compress air?

The type of air compressor characterized by using one cylinder to compress air is indeed the single stage air compressor. This compressor operates by drawing air into a single cylinder where it is compressed in one stage, resulting in a higher pressure in a single compression cycle. This design is straightforward and efficient for applications that require lower flow rates and pressures.

In contrast, diaphragm compressors utilize a flexible diaphragm to compress air, rather than a single cylinder. Centrifugal compressors use high-speed rotating impellers to compress air, making them suitable for high volume applications, and do not rely on a single cylinder configuration. Rotary screw compressors, on the other hand, utilize two interlocking screws to compress air continuously, which is different from the singular, one-cylinder approach of the single stage compressor. Therefore, the single stage air compressor is specifically identified by its operation in a single compression step using one cylinder.