Gas springs offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional wire springs. Like wire springs, they are designed to store mechanical energy. While wire springs leverage coiled metal wire to store mechanical energy, however, gas springs leverage gas. They use nitrogen gas and oil to pressurize a sealed tube, which moves a piston.
There are different types of gas springs, one of the most common being tension. Tension gas springs use the same nitrogen gas and oil combination as other types of gas springs, but they feature a unique design that distinguishes them from the rest.
What Are Tension Gas Springs?
Tension gas springs are characterized by their ability to create a pulling force. Whether wire or gas, all springs create a pulling force or a pushing force. Extension or “tension” springs create a pulling force. They are used in applications that require a pulling force from the sides, such as furniture, medical equipment, aerospace components and various machinery.
How Tension Gas Springs Work
You can find tension gas springs in different sizes and specifications, but they generally work in the same way. They feature a pressurized tube and piston rod. Without a load, tension gas springs remain compressed. Exposure to an external load — something that pulls the spring from the side — makes them longer.
Here are the key components of a typical tension gas spring:
- Tube: cylinder-shaped tube that contains nitrogen gas and oil
- Piston rod: moves in and out of the tube in response to an external load
- Seals: ensures the tube remains pressurized
- End fittings: used to connect the spring to parts and equipment
Tension vs Compression Gas Springs
There are also compression gas springs. The main difference between compression and tension gas springs is that the former exerts a pushing force, whereas the latter exerts a pulling force. Tension gas springs are used to pull parts or objects. Compression gas springs, on the other hand, are used to push parts or objects.
Compression gas springs are more common than their tension counterparts. Most spring-related applications require a pushing force. Therefore, compression springs offer greater versatility because of their ability to create a pushing force. But there are still applications where a pulling force is required, in which case tension gas springs are the way to go.
In Conclusion
Tension gas springs provide a reliable solution for applications requiring a consistent pulling force. Their sealed design, which combines nitrogen gas and oil, offers both strength and precision in controlled environments. While compression gas springs dominate the market due to their pushing capabilities, tension gas springs fulfill a crucial role in industries like aerospace, healthcare and manufacturing.