Working of a gas struts

Posted by Mack Allen on December 23rd, 2023

A gas spring, sometimes referred to as a gas strut, is a kind of spring that uses compressed gas inside of an enclosed cylinder as opposed to a typical mechanical spring, which depends on elastic deformation. In order to pneumatically store potential energy and withstand external force applied parallel to the piston shaft's direction, a sliding piston seals this cylinder. If you'd like to know more about gas struts and hardware supplies be sure to check out Ovesco.

How does a gas strut works

The working principle of a gas spring is based on the use of nitrogen gas as an elastic medium in conjunction with oil, such as turbine and transformer oil, which are used in equal amounts for lubrication, sealing, and pressure transmission. Ovesco takes all these responsibilities. The piston rod is inserted into the cylinder during the compression stroke.

As a result, the internal gas volume decreases and the pressure rises proportionately. Boyle's law serves as the foundation for this idea. As a result, the gas spring's maximum force occurs when the rod is compressed.

• Control of Damping

Oil in a gas spring not only lubricates the piston, seals and piston rod, but it also regulates the spring's velocity at the end of the extension stroke. By slowing down the spring and preventing shock loading at full extension reaching, the oil serves its purpose. This damping control aids in preventing sudden control extension that could cause harm, damage, or product failure.

Damping occurs when the oil and gas flow through the piston are adjusted. When mounted in the preferred rod down position, maximum damping is achieved at the point where the piston, when it reaches the internal column of oil near the full extension point, is most effectively dampened.

• Temperature of Operation

The operating temperature has two different effects on damping. As the temperature rises, the force within the spring increases and the oil's viscosity decreases. As a result, there is less damping achieved and the spring's extension will accelerate. 

The opposite happens at low temperatures, when the oil's viscosity rises and the extension force decreases. As a result, the spring extends more slowly and achieves high damping.

• Viscosity of Oil

Viscosity is by definition a fluid's resistance to shear and flow. Because oil has a high viscosity, the fluid's viscosity will decrease as the temperature rises. This implies that the fluid's resistance to the objects passing through it (like the gas spring's piston) will decrease and its flow rate will increase. The damping on the gas spring increases with the fluid's viscosity. 

• Oil Capacity

A large amount of oil in the gas spring will cause it to rapidly reach the oil damping zone and reduce its rate of extension. 

• Transfer Point of Oil

The pour point is the temperature at which a liquid turns semi-solid and no longer has its flow characteristics. When the pour point is reached for a gas spring, the oil essentially solidifies. As a result, damping will not happen and the gas spring cannot reach its full stroke. 

This is how gas strut works and for any doubt and confusion while buying or using one you can take help of good service providers.