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Act now and get a FREE eBook of Spring design with your first RFQ. Hurry supplies are limited so act NOW!!
Click Here to Submit your FREE RFQ & Get Your FREE eBook
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Gas Springs
Definition:
Gas springs, also called gas struts, are an energy-storage device, which functions on the same principals as mechanical coil springs. Mechanical coil springs store energy by straining the material composing the spring. Gas springs store energy by compressing the nitrogen gas within the gas spring. As gas springs are compressed the gas chamber volume is reduced, which causes the gas pressure to rise, storing more energy. Output forces are the result of the differential between the pressure in the cylinder and atmospheric pressure outside the cylinder acting on the cross-section of the rod. A typical gas spring is comprised of a cylinder, a piston rod, a piston assembly, sealing system, seal backup system, temperature compensation, Nitrogen Gas Charge, and glycol fluid.
Looking to buy gas springs?
If you are looking to buy gas springs, Planetspring.com is the right place. Planetspring.com has spring suppliers that manufacture all types of industrial gas springs. At Planetspring.com you can buy a nitrogen gas spring, stainless steel gas springs, compression gas springs, adjustable gas springs, a locking gas spring or any type of gas shock. To begin the buying process, simply register as a buyer with Planetspring.com and post 1 RFQ. You RFQ will then be sent to every supplier on Planetspring.com that specializes in gas springs. This will allow you to receive multiple quotes with one RFQ. Even if you are looking to find a gas spring company Colmar PA, you can use our Find A Spring Company link or simply choose the gas spring co closest to you during the quoting process.
Applications:
Automotive gas springs are the most common application for gas springs. The role of automotive gas springs may be to move an engine cover or an access panel. Gas Springs are commonly used as gas lift springs to support the weight of vehicle doors while they are open. Gas springs can also be used for hospital beds as gas shock springs. In fact, gas springs are not limited to automotive use. Gas springs can be used in many applications where mechanical springs are applied.
Design Considerations:
1) One of the endearing parts about gas springs, is that they can come in stock sizes or be custom springs. However, despite the vast range of lengths and sizes that can be provided, there are limits to how short a fully extended gas spring can be made (in regards to the stroke). If you would like to calculate the minimum extended length, multiplying the stroke by two and then add the appropriate dimensions.
2) Many times there are performance guidelines, which rely on each other to operate correctly. For gas springs, these performance guidelines are cold closing and opening efforts, room temperature opening and closing efforts, hot closing and opening efforts, self rise and self close angle, hump, and damping. When prioritizing these guidelines the most important is the cold hold open effort. Normally, this is set to 3lbs. (at -30C for automotive). Once this priority has been met the remaining characteristics should be set.
3) The next aspect of gas spring design that is very important to consider is the expected life of your gas spring and how to ensure the longest life possible. The time it takes to lose the necessary amount of force is considered to be the life of the gas spring. So, in order to determine the expected life of a gas spring you must consider how much force the support can lose before the application becomes non-functional. One way to ensure the longest possible life for your spring is to assemble the gas spring "shaft down", this will continually lubricate the seal and shaft and reduce penetration through the seal.
4) One aspect that is often overlooked by engineers is how an assembly operator will install a gas spring. If the gas spring does not fit, or is not accessible to the operator after it is initially installed it is of no use.
5) Safety is a major element when engineering any type of spring. When gas springs are fitted and safety is a key factor, special care should be exercised with regard to fitting suitability, mounting position strength and whether a secondary locking mechanism should be employed.
6) There are a few different materials that gas springs can be constructed from. The most common type of gas spring is the stainless steel gas spring. In particular the 316 stainless steel gas spring is very prominent. Nitrogen gas springs are the most common type of gas used for shock springs. In addition to stainless steel gas springs, gas springs can also be made from carbon steel or aluminum.
Calculating spring rate:
In order to calculate the spring rate you must know that the K-Factor is the ratio of the compressed force (P2) and extended force (P1) and it is expressed as P2/P1. As governed by Boyle's Law, P2 force is always greater than P1 force. During spring compression, the volume of rod introduced into the cylinder displaces an equal volume of gas, increasing the pressure in the cylinder and therefore the force of the spring. Standard springs are manufactured to uniform K factors for each size (determined by rod diameter). The design of a gas spring can be modified to support applications requiring lower and higher K factors. Low K factors where the extended and compressed forces are almost equal are desirable on straight vertical lifts and on vertical access panels that are hinged on the top. High K factors are useful when more P2 force (compressed) is desirable in relation to the P1 force (extended). An example is a horizontal cover opening to 90 degrees where a high force is required to assist in the initial opening and little force is required to maintain the cover at the 90-degree position.
Mounting Configurations:
Gas springs should ideally be mounted vertically with the piston rod pointing downward. If it is necessary for the gas spring to be mounted at an angle then the maximum allowable angle is reliant on the volume of fluid. The mounting and activation of the gas spring should therefore be free of transverse forces. The arrangement of the standard gas spring is chosen in such away that it can be exposed to ambient temperatures ranging between -30° C and +80° C. When mounting and operating the gas spring, it is important to make sure the piston rod is protected against dirt and damage.
Temperature Applications:
Both high and low temperatures affect the way gas springs function. As the temperature within a gas spring changes, so does the pressure. This change in pressure has a direct affect on the output force. Very high or very low temperatures can negatively affect the gas spring's ability to retain its gas charge. At very high temperatures, the permeability of the seal increases and gas molecules may diffuse through the seal more quickly. Gas springs can support and perform reliably at temperatures ranging from -40°F to 300°F.
Word For Thought:
Once you have understood the basic mechanics and principals of gas springs, you will be better equipped to engineer or purchase your unique gas spring. It is important to remember that the most important part of designing a gas spring is to make sure that it will function to its maximum potential within the environment that you desire it to endure.
Gas springs, also called gas struts, are an energy-storage device, which functions on the same principals as mechanical coil springs. Mechanical coil springs store energy by straining the material composing the spring. Gas springs store energy by compressing the nitrogen gas within the gas spring. As gas springs are compressed the gas chamber volume is reduced, which causes the gas pressure to rise, storing more energy. Output forces are the result of the differential between the pressure in the cylinder and atmospheric pressure outside the cylinder acting on the cross-section of the rod. A typical gas spring is comprised of a cylinder, a piston rod, a piston assembly, sealing system, seal backup system, temperature compensation, Nitrogen Gas Charge, and glycol fluid.
Looking to buy gas springs?
If you are looking to buy gas springs, Planetspring.com is the right place. Planetspring.com has spring suppliers that manufacture all types of industrial gas springs. At Planetspring.com you can buy a nitrogen gas spring, stainless steel gas springs, compression gas springs, adjustable gas springs, a locking gas spring or any type of gas shock. To begin the buying process, simply register as a buyer with Planetspring.com and post 1 RFQ. You RFQ will then be sent to every supplier on Planetspring.com that specializes in gas springs. This will allow you to receive multiple quotes with one RFQ. Even if you are looking to find a gas spring company Colmar PA, you can use our Find A Spring Company link or simply choose the gas spring co closest to you during the quoting process.
Applications:
Automotive gas springs are the most common application for gas springs. The role of automotive gas springs may be to move an engine cover or an access panel. Gas Springs are commonly used as gas lift springs to support the weight of vehicle doors while they are open. Gas springs can also be used for hospital beds as gas shock springs. In fact, gas springs are not limited to automotive use. Gas springs can be used in many applications where mechanical springs are applied.
Design Considerations:
1) One of the endearing parts about gas springs, is that they can come in stock sizes or be custom springs. However, despite the vast range of lengths and sizes that can be provided, there are limits to how short a fully extended gas spring can be made (in regards to the stroke). If you would like to calculate the minimum extended length, multiplying the stroke by two and then add the appropriate dimensions.
2) Many times there are performance guidelines, which rely on each other to operate correctly. For gas springs, these performance guidelines are cold closing and opening efforts, room temperature opening and closing efforts, hot closing and opening efforts, self rise and self close angle, hump, and damping. When prioritizing these guidelines the most important is the cold hold open effort. Normally, this is set to 3lbs. (at -30C for automotive). Once this priority has been met the remaining characteristics should be set.
3) The next aspect of gas spring design that is very important to consider is the expected life of your gas spring and how to ensure the longest life possible. The time it takes to lose the necessary amount of force is considered to be the life of the gas spring. So, in order to determine the expected life of a gas spring you must consider how much force the support can lose before the application becomes non-functional. One way to ensure the longest possible life for your spring is to assemble the gas spring "shaft down", this will continually lubricate the seal and shaft and reduce penetration through the seal.
4) One aspect that is often overlooked by engineers is how an assembly operator will install a gas spring. If the gas spring does not fit, or is not accessible to the operator after it is initially installed it is of no use.
5) Safety is a major element when engineering any type of spring. When gas springs are fitted and safety is a key factor, special care should be exercised with regard to fitting suitability, mounting position strength and whether a secondary locking mechanism should be employed.
6) There are a few different materials that gas springs can be constructed from. The most common type of gas spring is the stainless steel gas spring. In particular the 316 stainless steel gas spring is very prominent. Nitrogen gas springs are the most common type of gas used for shock springs. In addition to stainless steel gas springs, gas springs can also be made from carbon steel or aluminum.
Calculating spring rate:
In order to calculate the spring rate you must know that the K-Factor is the ratio of the compressed force (P2) and extended force (P1) and it is expressed as P2/P1. As governed by Boyle's Law, P2 force is always greater than P1 force. During spring compression, the volume of rod introduced into the cylinder displaces an equal volume of gas, increasing the pressure in the cylinder and therefore the force of the spring. Standard springs are manufactured to uniform K factors for each size (determined by rod diameter). The design of a gas spring can be modified to support applications requiring lower and higher K factors. Low K factors where the extended and compressed forces are almost equal are desirable on straight vertical lifts and on vertical access panels that are hinged on the top. High K factors are useful when more P2 force (compressed) is desirable in relation to the P1 force (extended). An example is a horizontal cover opening to 90 degrees where a high force is required to assist in the initial opening and little force is required to maintain the cover at the 90-degree position.
Mounting Configurations:
Gas springs should ideally be mounted vertically with the piston rod pointing downward. If it is necessary for the gas spring to be mounted at an angle then the maximum allowable angle is reliant on the volume of fluid. The mounting and activation of the gas spring should therefore be free of transverse forces. The arrangement of the standard gas spring is chosen in such away that it can be exposed to ambient temperatures ranging between -30° C and +80° C. When mounting and operating the gas spring, it is important to make sure the piston rod is protected against dirt and damage.
Temperature Applications:
Both high and low temperatures affect the way gas springs function. As the temperature within a gas spring changes, so does the pressure. This change in pressure has a direct affect on the output force. Very high or very low temperatures can negatively affect the gas spring's ability to retain its gas charge. At very high temperatures, the permeability of the seal increases and gas molecules may diffuse through the seal more quickly. Gas springs can support and perform reliably at temperatures ranging from -40°F to 300°F.
Word For Thought:
Once you have understood the basic mechanics and principals of gas springs, you will be better equipped to engineer or purchase your unique gas spring. It is important to remember that the most important part of designing a gas spring is to make sure that it will function to its maximum potential within the environment that you desire it to endure.