User:Renard~enwiki/Spring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
==Springs== st.....
'''A spring is an elastic mechanical component which, after having been deformed (deflected) by the application of a load, will revert to its original shape when that load is removed. 1
Springs are very efficient energy storage devices. The energy that is applied to deflect the spring initially will be held in storage for very long periods of time. When the load is released, the spring snaps back instantly releasing all the stored energy. 1
A good example of this is the common mouse trap. Cocking the trap stores energy which may be held for several years. When the trigger is tripped the stored energy is instantly released, killing the mouse. 1
Most springs are made from music wire. Stainless steel springs are also available but they will have slightly less load capacity. 1
Care must be taken to avoid overstressing springs. The tables list maximum recommended deflection. (Deflection stands for the amount that (a) compression springs are compressed (b) that extension springs are stretched and (c) torsion springs are twisted.) If these limits are exceeded, the springs may take a permanent "set" and the life of the spring will be reduced. The life is expressed as how many times the springs can be deflected before they break. Typically the life is expressed in millions of cycles. Although this may seem as a very long life, this requirement is not unusual in manufacturing applications such as stamping tools. 1