Gas springs are mechanical springs that use compressed gas for elastic deformation. It is of utmost importance to have a proper know-how of its working when choosing it for a specific application. Here in this article we will give you an idea of of gas spring components for your better understanding.
The Construction Of The Gas Spring Constitutes The Following Components:
1. Rod:
The type of rods that can be used is polished carbon, precision-ground and stainless steel. These materials are made such that the surface doesn’t wear out or contribute to corrosion resistance. The rod, usually, is smaller than the tube length and is longer than the spring.
Carbon steel, when used, is treated using chrome-plating which offers low friction and high resistance to corrosion and wear off.
2. Tube:
The tube needs to be well-suited to high pressures. To be able to cater to this, the tube is built with stainless steel or coated carbon.
The tensile strength needs to be very high and top-notch. These are crucial factors to determine the burst pressure and durability.
3. Seal Packaging:
This is a component that acts as a barrier, preventing the gas from escaping the tube and influx of any sort of foreign particles.
It is usually made from a plastic-composite or zinc. Rubber can also be used to make the seals.
4. Piston Assembly:
It is made from aluminum or plastic or zinc. The attachment of the piston to the rod is crucial. Safety factors and prevention of the rod from getting detached from the spring depend on this. It controls the flow of gas during the extension and depression of the rod.
5. End Plug:
It seals shut the end of the tube.
6. Nitrogen Gas Charged:
The gas spring consists of nitrogen gas. It is non-flammable and unreactive. The gas generates a specific amount of pressure on the piston which makes it move in the desired way.
Gas springs are manufactured to serve various purposes and their designs are dependent on the usage
- Push-type: These are used to lift or lower loads easily. These are mostly used in moving and positioning of lids and covers in various equipment.
- Pull-type: These can be mounted in any position and orientation. The piston rod, here, is retracted by the gas pressure.
- Locking-type: These are used to hold positions of a certain component. These are mostly used in mobility systems.
- Corrosion resistant-type: These are treated, say with UV coating or stainless steel, to inhibit rust, thus preventing corrosion.
The following parameters can help with proper designing of the gas springs:
- The size and weight of an object to be moved should be known to determine the force that needs to be exerted by the spring.
- Orientation: The body of the gas spring should be able to fit in the equipment without restricting its motion.
- Pivot point: It provides the necessary support and acts as the axis of movement for the attached object. It also checks if the object needs to be pushed or pulled.
- Operation angles: The starting and finishing angle needs to be measured so as to facilitate that much range.
- Force required: It elaborates on the amount of force required to move the object for different angles of movement throughout the complete motion.
- Extension force: The amount of Nitrogen to be put is determined by the load attached to it as the spring counters the load with a force equal to its weight.
- Stroke length: It clarifies upon the maximum length the load attached to the gas spring can move. This is used to check if it will be able to handle such a stroke length.
