Coil spring

Coil spring
A compression coil spring
A tension coil spring
A selection of conical coil springs
Oxy-cut spring showing deformation due to loss of tempering in adjacent turn

A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces. They are made of an elastic material formed into the shape of a helix which returns to its natural length when unloaded.

Coil springs are a special type of torsion spring: the material of the spring acts in torsion when the spring is compressed or extended.

Metal coil springs are made by winding a wire around a shaped former - a cylinder is used to form cylindrical coil springs.

Variants

The two usual types of coil spring are:

  • Tension coil springs, designed to resist stretching. They usually have a hook or eye form at each end for attachment.
  • Compression coil springs, designed to resist being compressed. A typical use for compression coil springs is in car suspension systems.

Degradation

Many types of coil spring are wound in an annealed (soft) condition and then tempered to achieve their strength as a spring. Over time, this tempering can be lost[citation needed] and the spring will sag because it can no longer withstand the loads applied. Such springs can be re-set by annealing, returning to their original length (or deliberately setting them to a different length) and then re-tempering. Damage to springs, such as using oxy-acetylene to cut the end off a car suspension spring to lower a vehicle's ride height, can destroy the tempering in localised areas of the spring.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • coil spring — Spring Spring, n. [AS. spring a fountain, a leap. See {Spring}, v. i.] 1. A leap; a bound; a jump. [1913 Webster] The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • coil spring — coil′ spring n. mac any spring of wire coiled helically, having a cylindrical or conical outline • Etymology: 1875–80 …   From formal English to slang

  • coil spring — noun a spring in the shape of a coil • Syn: ↑volute spring • Hypernyms: ↑spring * * * noun Etymology: coil (III) : a flat spiral, volute, or helical spring …   Useful english dictionary

  • coil spring — sraigtinė spyruoklė statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. coil spring; coiled spring vok. Spiralfeder, f; Wendelfeder, f rus. винтовая пружина, f pranc. ressort à boudin, m; ressort hélicoïdal, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • coil spring — [1] A section of spring steel rod wound in a spiral pattern or shape. Widely used in both front and rear suspension systems. Like large metal bed springs, these coils cushion and absorb the shocks and bumps as the vehicle is driven. They are… …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • coil spring — any spring of wire coiled helically, having a cylindrical or conical outline. See illus. under spring. [1875 80] * * * …   Universalium

  • coil spring — /ˈkɔɪl sprɪŋ/ (say koyl spring) noun a spring coiled helically …  

  • coil spring clutch — A clutch which has a ring of coil springs which hold the pressure plate in position …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • coil spring compressor — See spring compressor …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • coil spring — a spiral winding of fine resilient wire; attached to orthodontic appliances to open or to close spaces between teeth …   Medical dictionary

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