Locking Gas Springs > Rigid in Compression Lockable Gas Springs
These are similar to the rigid in tension locking springs with oil on both sides of the piston. However, in the case of a rigid in compression spring the oil is contained in the closed end of the tube and a floating piston retains the gas in the nose bearing end chamber. When a compressive load is applied to the locked rod, the oil between the piston and the closed end of the tube will not compress and the rod cannot move. Conversely when a tensile force is applied, the gas in the nose section will compress permitting a small amount of movement but again, since the oil in the closed end cannot expand, the movement is less than that experienced with a flexible locking spring.
Standard design: Release valves are not available for standard rigid in compression gas springs. Due to their construction and the need to provide some lubrication to the rod seal, rigid in compression locking springs can only be used with the rod pointing down.
High oil fill design: A gas spring built as a flexible locking spring with a high oil fill and an oil chamber will provide a fully rigid in compression function should this be required.
Applications include operating, massage and veterinary tables, and wheelchair recline and support systems, among many others.
Flexible 10/23
Flexible 10/28
Body diameter B
23
28
Admissible P1 force (P1 is the force 5mm from full extension)
from 34 to 270 Pounds
from 34 to 270 Pounds
Maximum force required to depress the plunger (P2 is the force 5mm from full compression)
14% of force P2
14% of force P2
Calculate the shoulder length for a standard rigid in compression locking gas spring
Shoulder Length = (stroke x multiplier) + Shoulder length constant
Flexible 10/23
Flexible 10/28
Multiplier
2.8
2.8
Shoulder length constant
4.29
4.53
K factor obtained (P2/P1)
1.5
1.3
Example - Calculation of shoulder length for a standard rigid in compression locking gas spring with a 28mm body and a stroke of 120mm:
