GAS SPRINGS

JOSHY.P.ELIAS
S7 MECHANICAL
ROLL NO . 23
R.I.T
Introduction
 A gas spring is an energy storage device similar in
function to mechanical springs.

 Gas springs store energy by compressing the nitrogen

gas within the gas springs.

 As a gas spring is compressed, the gas chamber volume

is reduced due to the intrusion of the shaft into the gas
spring tube; thereby causing the gas spring pressure to
rise, storing more energy.
Gas spring
Properties

 Gas springs always require some initial force to begin

compression.
 Gas springs in their “free length” require some initial
force before any movement takes place.
 This force can range from 20 to 250 pounds.
 Gas springs have a controlled rate of extension.
 Gas springs can have multiple extension rates within the
same gas spring (Typically 2: one through the majority of
the extension stroke, another at the end of the extension
stroke to provide damping).
Parts of gas spring
 Cylinder: Heavy gauge steel body.
 Piston Rod: Chromium plated, hardened steel, precision
–ground and highly polished.
 Sealing system: Triple-Lobe rubber seal, as well as
Rubber O-Ring piston seal.
 Seal Backup system: Prevents seal wear. Teflon ring is
usually used.
 Nitrogen gas charge: Nitrogen gas charged up to
2500psi.
 Glycol Fluid: Lubricant for internal components. This is
a high viscosity index synthetic oil with a pour point of -
70F.
Gas spring
 How a gas spring works
 In its simplest form: the compression of the rod/piston
into the tube/cylinder reduces the volume of the tube as
it compresses.

 When the cylinder is filled with gas, this constitutes the

spring like force or action associated with gas springs.

 The gas pressure on both sides of the piston are equal.

 However, there is the small area of the shaft where the

internal gas pressure does not exert any pressure.
Therefore, the internal pressure times shaft cross-
sectional area equals the output force exerted by the
shaft.
 Damping

 The most effective damping of gas springs is achieved

by using a restrictor type check valve piston, operating
initially through the pressurized nitrogen gas and finally
into the oil.

 Without damping, rapid extension could occur with

possible product failure, associated damage, and injury.
How damping is achieved?
Compression

Figure

During compression, the valve disc and the o-ring are forced
away from the orifice plate producing a large non-restrictive
flow path for the fluid.
Extension

Figure

A schematic of an extension damping system is shown

above. The o-ring prevents flow around the outside of the
piston. During extension, friction on the o-ring forces the
valve disc against the orifice plate and the fluid must now
pass through a small orifice, slowing down the motion.
Extension Time
 The typical extension time curve for an unloaded
gas spring is shown at right. The first portion
illustrates the rapid passage through nitrogen gas,
followed by a slowdown through the oil.

 Gas springs have

an extension
velocity ranging
from 1 to 3-inches
per second.
Crossover - Self-Rise - Self-Close

 Crossover is the point in the opening cycle where the

gas prop takes over all the lifting action (self-rise).

 At this point no further assistance is required by the

operator for the door to reach the fully open position.

 There is a corresponding crossover position for the

closing cycle where the door will fall to the closed
position with no operator assistance (self close).

 The actual angle at which these two events occur are

usually separated by a few degrees.

 The separation is due to friction in the gas spring internal

components and connectors and with the hinge.
Self rise angle

 The self-rise angle is the angle at which the gas spring

will lift the door without any assistance from the operator.

 For most systems this will take place between 10° and
30° from the full closed position.

 This angle will become greater as the temperature falls

from ambient and will be smaller as the temperature
rises.
Figure
Self-close angle

 Self-close is the angle at which the door will close

without any assistance from the operator.

 Self-close is related to self-rise.

 The only reason these two angles are not exactly the
same is due to friction.

 One of the sources of friction is friction internal to the gas

spring.

 Another source is the friction in the hinge or hinge

system.
Life of a Lift Support
 All Lift Supports lose output force over time.

 When estimating the life of a Lift Support, one must first

determine how much force the support can lose before
the application becomes unacceptable.

 The time it takes to lose this amount of force is

considered to be the life of the support.

Factors that affect the rate of force loss are:

Size of the support
Orientation
Amount of cycles
Ambient temperature
Operating Conditions
 TEMPERATURE -40°C (-40°F) TO +80°C (176°F)

 ALTITUDE VACUUM TO PRESSURIZED CHAMBER

 HUMIDITY 0 TO 100%

 CORROSION AS PER TESTS

(SALT SPRAY) BODY PASSES 240-480 HOURS
PASSIVATED 96 HOURS

 DUST & DIRT PASSES FORD ES TEST WITH FINE COAT

OF ARIZONA ROAD DUST APPLIED TO
CYCLING SHAFT EVERY 1500 CYCLES (4-8
CPM)

 ULTRAVIOLET A 10% LOSS OF GLOSS OCCURRED WHEN

TESTED TO GM SPECIFICATION

 VIBRATION 0-100 HERTZ RANGE ONLY IF NO HEAT

BUILDUP OCCURS

 CYCLE FREQUENCY NOSE TEMPERATURE NOT TO EXCEED 25°F

ABOVE AMBIENT DURING RAPID CYCLING
Safety

Buckling

 Buckling of a gas spring will not occur if the stroke meets

the recommended length requirements of the chart shown.

 It is based on the EULER equation for long slender rods,

and the design limitations of overall spring length, for
smaller shaft diameters.
 The pressure in a gas
spring is determined by:
pressure = output
force/shaft area. The shaft
areas are as follows:

 6 mm shaft is .0491 sq.in

8 mm shaft is .0779 sq.in
10 mm shaft is .1217 sq.in
 Burst Pressures
 Burst pressures of gas springs are
recommended to be a minimum of 5 times
the charge pressure to meet design
requirements.
Side Loading
Side loading is tested as shown in Figure. The gas
spring should withstand the loads as shown in the table
below for a given shaft diameter.

0 - 10
Shaft inc 10 - 20 20 - 30 30 - 40
Diam he inc inc inc
eter s hes hes hes
6 mm 40 lbs 20 lbs n/a n/a

8 mm 79 lbs 40 lbs 27 lbs 20 lbs

10 mm 154 lbs 77 lbs 52 lbs 39 lbs

Different types of gas springs
1)Micro Gas Springs
 Micro compression gas springs offer users many
advantages due their small size and low force.
 The table below shows standard sizes.
 Micro springs are also available in 316 stainless steel and
in custom strokes and lengths.
Locking Gas Springs

 A locking gas spring incorporates a mechanism to

enable the rod to be locked at any point in its travel.

 This locking mechanism operates when the plunger rod

is depressed by opening a valve in the piston.

 When the plunger rod is released the valve closes and

the passage of oil or gas is prevented, locking the piston
in that position.
 Tension gas springs

Tension gas springs are also referred to as traction

springs.

They retract rather than extend.

Examples include doors and access panels hinged

horizontally at the bottom and any type of cover or lid that
must be pulled open or pulled shut.

Tension gas springs also find many uses as tensioners on

mechanical assemblies and belt drives.
Applications
1.Passenger vehicles Rear doors, engine hoods

2.Agricultural Trailers
machinery
3.Commercial Windows, hatches, doors for tractor
vehicles cabs
4.Sun protection Awnings, sunshades
5.Manufacturing Compressors, hoods, all kind of
industry machinery

6.Houses, buildings Windows, doors, sky lights,

manhole covers
7.Ships, boats Hoods, containers, hatches, bunks
8.Medical technology Hospital beds, stretchers,
centrifuges
Applications
CONCLUSION

The goal is the same with either type of spring; to

move or resist the movement of some object.

Gas springs in fact can be used in many applications

where mechanical springs are applied because of their
compact size and accurate adjustment.
THANK
YOU…..