What component allows all dogs on a quick-acting watertight door to operate simultaneously?

The component that enables all dogs on a quick-acting watertight door to operate simultaneously is connecting rods. Connecting rods are mechanical elements that link various components together, allowing for synchronized movement. In the context of a watertight door, these rods connect the individual dogs to a central operating mechanism. When the mechanism is engaged, the rods ensure that all dogs lock or unlock at the same time, creating a watertight seal or allowing for the safe opening of the door.

This synchronization is essential for safety and efficiency, especially in marine applications where rapid access is needed in emergency situations. Other components such as linkages, pulleys, or chains may serve different purposes in mechanical systems but do not effectively provide the simultaneous operation of the dogs that connecting rods achieve.