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Basic Machines - Intro to machines and motion theories | Next
Helical Springs |
Figure 11-7.-Types of springs.
spring-loaded. (Some components that appear to be
spring-loaded are actually under hydraulic or pneumatic
pressure or are moved by weights.)
FUNCTIONS OF SPRINGS
Springs are used for many purposes, and one spring
may serve more than one purpose. Listed below are
some of the more common of these functional purposes.
As you read them, try to think of at least one familiar
application of each.
1.
2.
3.
4.
To store energy for part of a functioning cycle.
To force a component to bear against, to
maintain contact with, to engage, to disengage,
or to remain clear of some other component.
TO counterbalance a weight or thrust (gravita-
tional, hydraulic, etc.). Such springs are usually
called equilibrator springs.
To maintain electrical continuity.
5.
6.
7.
To return a component to its original position
after displacement.
To reduce shock or impact by gradually
checking the motion of a moving weight.
To permit some freedom of movement between
aligned components without disengaging them.
These are sometimes called take-up springs.
TYPES OF SPRINGS
As you read different books, you will find that
authors do not agree on the classification of types of
springs. The names are not as important as the types of
work they do and the loads they can bear. The three basic
types are (1) flat, (2) spiral, and (3) helical.
Flat Springs
Flat springs include various forms of elliptic or leaf
springs (fig. 11-7, A [1] and [2]), made up of flat or
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