Gas springs - the most important information

Gas springs, often also referred to as actuators or piston rods, are closed systems in which there is gas under pressure - usually nitrogen, which is responsible for the operation of the entire element. It is needed to cause the piston rod to move, while hydraulic oil is used to provide end position damping. How does it work in practice? Due to the effect of a certain force on the gas spring (for example when closing the flap), the compressed gas flows through the throttle opening in the piston and allows the desired insertion speed to be maintained.

Industrial gas springs are elements that must be extremely durable. They are exposed to high forces and can wear out very quickly. That is why it is so important that the gas cylinders are made of high-quality materials. Thanks to this, you will be able to enjoy the long life of the spring and its reliability.

Gas spring - what can its use be?

Gas springs have an extremely wide range of applications. They are used wherever we deal with activities such as pressing, pulling, lifting and many others. Depending on the application, the spring force can be different, and what is responsible for it is the compressed gas. Gas telescopes are usually made in many sizes, so you can choose them adequately to your needs. Gas cylinders are most commonly found in the industrial sector. They are used as parts of heavy agricultural and construction machinery. Interestingly, the springs in question are also used in our everyday life. Few people realize that the simplest structures of this type are found, for example, in beds, sofa beds or couches.

Gas springs are very popular when it comes to preparing the construction of forklifts. They are an important element of the doors, windows and hatches of these vehicles. What are they responsible for? They are perfect for emergency situations - gusts of wind or other random events can cause doors or windows to close very suddenly, which is a great danger for the forklift operator. Gas springs effectively dampen the acting forces and prevent undesirable effects. Moreover, actuators are also located in the forks of the vehicle. They are part of the mechanism responsible for determining the appropriate fork spacing.

Another interesting application of the gas spring can be the battery cover of electric vehicles. Thanks to the presence of a telescope, opening, holding and closing the hatch will not require any effort from the driver. Interestingly, this type of solution can be found both in electric forklifts and in normal cars.

Gas springs can also be found in private homes. The most common applications include supporting the opening of windows, smoke extraction installations or fire doors.

As can be seen, gas cylinders can work in a variety of environments. For this reason, the individual elements that make up such a spring must stand out in terms of resistance to unfavorable factors. Springs are exposed, inter alia, to to sparks and solid contaminants, moisture or high temperatures. In order to protect the gas cylinder, the piston rod can be placed in a special protective tube.

Installation of a gas spring

Installing a gas spring is a relatively simple task. Nevertheless, you should remember about a few important rules that will ensure fully correct operation of the actuator in the future.

The assembly of the gas spring requires the appropriate tools. Of course, it all depends on the type of actuator, but in most cases you will need a ring or socket wrench and a flathead screwdriver. It is best to install the spring with the piston rod pointing downwards. Why is it so important? It will provide shock absorption in the extreme position and soft braking at the end of the stroke. During assembly, make sure that the spring is in the home position. It should be fully extended with push springs, and fully retracted when it comes to pulling gas springs. It is also very important to secure moving parts, e.g. flaps or covers, in order to avoid an accident.

Loading gas springs

If the gas spring ceases to fulfill its task - it is weak and therefore useless - it is a sign that the actuator will need to be refilled with gas. Note that gas springs are a closed system that contains pressurized nitrogen. Loss of pressure over time is inevitable, mainly due to intensive use, and it is necessary to charge the gas springs with the expected force. Often, however, the pressure loss is caused by wear of the gasket inside the cylinder. In such a situation, a better solution will be to invest in a new actuator.

Service life of gas cylinders

Gas springs lose their strength after some time, which can not be avoided in any way, but only to minimize the rate of regression. The period for which the actuator will fulfill its task depends, inter alia, on on the properties of the installation, type of spring and intensity of use. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to determine the statistical service life of gas springs. However, it is often assumed that for push springs it is 40,000 full cycles, for locking springs 20,000 full cycles, and for gas pull springs it is 10,000 full cycles.

What to pay attention to when choosing gas cylinders?

The selection of a gas spring is quite a difficult task, which is why many people decide to use the services of specialists in this field. Thanks to this, you can avoid the need to perform complex calculations and minimize the risk of making a mistake. When deciding on a gas piston rod, you need to analyze many important issues that will affect the correct functioning of the element in the future. The selection of the spring should be carried out on the basis of the most important information regarding the assembly and technical parameters of the components included in the gas spring system. These include, first of all, the starting angle, opening angle, arm / flap length from the center of rotation, center of gravity of the flap or cover, number of parallel mounted springs, suggested mounting points and ambient temperature. A sketch of the application in a side view may also come in handy.

The functionality and service life of the gas piston rod is strictly dependent on its correct selection. Therefore, it is extremely important to carefully analyze the above-mentioned issues and possibly consult qualified advisers.

The selection of a gas cylinder also includes the selection of the appropriate type of this element. The most popular types, which can boast of an extremely wide range of applications, include traction gas springs and lifting gas springs.

Pull gas springs

Pulling gas springs support the work of the muscles during various types of activities related to pulling and positioning, also in the damped version. These types of actuators are a functional alternative to other mechanical solutions that would require additional support, often in the form of human force.

The pulling gas springs in our offer are available in a wide range of pulling forces, so that each of you will be able to choose an actuator ideally suited to individual needs and preferences. You will find both a 100N gas spring, i.e. a force of up to 100 N, and even a 1000N gas actuator for the most advanced applications.

Lifting gas springs

Lifting gas springs are mainly used for lifting, lowering, moving and adjusting. They work best in the case of heavy elements of large structures. Thanks to the actuators, they can be easily lifted, because the weight of these elements is balanced (minimized). The operator's job is therefore greatly facilitated. Lifting gas springs are used in many machines and devices for everyday use. Their greatest advantages include easy installation, compact design, controlled extension force, controlled extension speed and damping. Our offer includes, among others 1000N gas actuator, i.e. one with a thrust force of 1000 Newtons. 500N, 200N, 150N and 100N gas spring is also available.

SUSPA - manufacturer of gas springs

The SUSPA company has been present on the market for several dozen years. It was founded in 1951 in the city of Altdorf, Germany. Currently, it is one of the most recognizable and respected manufacturers of gas springs all over the world. The brand's products also include high-quality hydraulic shock absorbers, vibration dampers, lifting columns, piston rods and innovative safety systems. SUSPA has factories in Germany, the United States, India, China and the Czech Republic, but its products reach a much wider audience. The company can boast decades of experience, which comes in handy when implementing new solutions on the market. The products that the brand offers are tailored to the individual needs and preferences of users. Each of the proposed parts and mechanisms is distinguished by great functionality, versatility and high quality of workmanship. The company's offer includes four types of gas springs, and they are:

  • 16-1 range from 50 to 420 N,
  • 16-2 range from 80 to 750 N,
  • 16-4 range from 100 to 1200 N,
  • 16-6 range from 200 to 2000 N.

Gas springs from SUSPA

Our offer includes high-quality gas springs. The store includes both pulling and lifting gas cylinders. All of them consist of a pressure cylinder and a piston rod with a piston unit, and are filled with high-pressure, non-toxic nitrogen. This pressure influences the cross-section of the piston rod, creating a tensile force. If it is greater than the counterbalance force, the piston rod extends, and if it is smaller, the piston rod retracts. The maximum pressure that can be in the actuator is approximately 300 bar. It is a lot, so under no circumstances should you open the spring or modify it.

When it comes to the service life of SUSPA spring gas cylinders, it all depends on how you use them. One of the most important factors is the method of installation. Remember to leave a slight play and to install them with the piston rod down. Weather conditions are another factor influencing the actuator's service life. Variable or extreme temperatures are not desirable - it is better to keep them constant, although for obvious reasons it will not always be possible. The presented actuators can operate in the temperature range from -20ºC to + 80ºC.

SUSPA products are tested by performing from 70,000 to 100,000 complete cycles. The basic assumption is that during the entire testing period, the pressure drop should not exceed 5%.

Marking of gas cylinders

In our store we have a wide range of products with various parameters. It includes, among others:

Each manufacturer has its own designation system, but in the case of gas springs the most important parameter is the force given in Newtons [N].

gas spring force calculation

FAQ

    • How to read gas spring markings?

      Each manufacturer of gas springs uses its own labeling system for its products. The universal parameter is the force given in Newtons - [N]. When talking to our technical advisor, try to read the sequence of numbers in front of this symbol from the old actuator.
    • What to consider when selecting a gas spring?

      During assembly and operation of gas springs, special attention should be paid to avoid any mechanical damage, especially to the piston rod. Each, even seemingly small, scratch can lead to a leak in the system.