Gas springs can be used to lift heavy objects. While they’re most often found in various configurations of door hardware there are many other uses. Gas springs can be found in vehicles, supporting adjustable chairs, tables, on easy-open panels, and in small electronic devices.
These springs use pressurized gases, along with an oil-based grease, to support or resist a range of external forces. The compressed gas allows for controlled storage and release of energy. This is done via a smooth, cushioned movement that is transferred via a sliding rod and piston. Let’s start by taking a closer look at gas springs.
How Do Gas Springs Work?
Different types of gas dampers and struts come in different configurations. Each spring’s mechanics will depend on its intended use. While gas springs in vehicle compartments are likely to be set up differently from those on doors, chairs, or industrial platforms, there are some common elements.
You can visualize a normal bicycle tire pump to understand the gas struts. Gas springs or dampers are similar to manual hand pumps. They feature a piston/rod mechanism moving back and forth in a tube. However, unlike a pump’s open-ended tube, the gas spring’s cylinder is sealed so that the gas volume inside remains constant.
Gas struts allow a piston to move around and through the gas. It maintains an internal pressure of about 1.0 bar while creating pockets with different volumes. The manufacturer can control the amount of gas flowing through the piston by limiting its movement in one direction. This is how gas struts for commercial use can be suited to supporting, accelerating, and dampening movement.
Why Are Gas Springs Used?
Gas Springs For Doors
Many door types can benefit from gas spring applications. It’s not surprising that there are so many choices for what type of strut is best suited for each scenario.
To allow them to open and close quickly under pressure and return to closed when not in use, most doors at home, school, or workplace have some kind of traction, pull-type gas spring. Contrarily, access hatches and cabinet doors often have the exact opposite function. This allows for a considerable weight to be lifted and remains fully open until it can be manually closed.
A locking spring could be used in both cases. It allows the door’s position to remain open or closed halfway. For doors with folding mechanisms, a variable speed gas strut may be required for smoothen operation.
Gas Springs For Cars
There will be multiple gas springs used in different hoods, panels, and compartments. But the most popular use of these gas springs is in boot-lifting mechanisms. Nearly all hatchbacks, estate cars, and most sedans will have gas struts attached to the rear assembly. These gas struts help to lift, support, and lower their heavy tailgates easily and quickly.
The action of most car-fitted gasoline springs is so subtle that many drivers don’t realize they’re lifting the tailgate. When these gas springs wear down, it’s easy for drivers to see how much lifting they do. Particularly with estate-type rear doors, which can feel very heavy if their gas struts need to be replaced.
Gas Springs For Chairs
Most office chairs have gas springs that are more “damping”. This is because the chair’s resistance decreases with elevation and increases with lowering. This helps cushion the seat’s downward movement when you are seated in it but allows it to return to its initial position without any manual force when empty.
Nearly all office chair gas springs are lockable in one or more ways. It is worth noting, however, that sometimes the spring’s locking mechanism can be completely detached from the spring. These struts are not designed with locking mechanisms in mind. Instead, the lockable part acts as a quick-release clamp around the sliding central column.
