Comparison Canted Coil Springs and Other Types of Sealing Springs
Posted by handaspring
Canted coil springs and other types of sealing springs, such as helical springs and cantilever springs, are integral components in various mechanical and electromechanical devices. Each type of spring has unique design characteristics and serves different purposes, making them suitable for specific applications. Below is a detailed comparison focusing on their design, performance, and applications.
Canted Coil Springs: These springs feature an elliptical or oval cross-section, resulting from the wire being coiled at an angle. Key design elements include wire diameter, coil height, coil width, coil spacing, and coil angle, which can be precisely adjusted to influence force, electrical contact resistance, and other properties. The orientation of the coils relative to the center-line determines whether the spring is axial or radial, affecting the direction of the compression force.
Helical Springs: Made from a flat ribbon metal with a round cross-section, typically using stainless steel or other alloy materials. The load is distributed along the individual bands, allowing for a relatively high spring load with a smaller deflection range. This design is suitable for static sealing applications under medium to high loads.
Cantilever Springs: Designed with a V-shaped pattern, providing equal linear spring load over a large deflection range. The V-shape design stretches the seal jacket during the sealing operation, aiding in creating a tight seal. Cantilever springs are commonly used for reciprocating radial and face sealing with medium pressure environments.
Performance and Applications
Canted Coil Springs: Known for their use as energizing elements in fluid seals, canted coil springs possess mechanical and electrical properties that enable them to mate parts, manage current, and protect electronics from electromagnetic interference (EMI). They are particularly useful in friction-sensitive applications under rotary moderate speed operations.
Helical Springs: Commonly used for spring energizing purposes, EMI shielding functions, and electrical conductivity purposes. They are suitable for medium to high load applications under static sealing conditions.
Cantilever Springs: Preferred for spring energized seals, especially in reciprocating mechanisms where they offer stability and adaptability to small deviations in groove size. Suitable for medium pressure environments and capable of reaching sealing speeds up to 8 m/s.
Unique Functions of Canted Coil Springs
Canted coil springs stand out for their ability to perform complex mechanical fastening applications, including locking, latching, and holding. This versatility arises from their unique mechanical capabilities, which can be customized based on the required spring force and application. Unlike other spring types, canted coil springs offer a solution for securing two components together indefinitely without breaking or damaging the parts, temporarily securing them for multiple removal and insertion cycles, or clamping and aligning components together through controlled spring force.
Conclusion
Each type of spring—canted coil, helical, and cantilever—has its unique design and performance characteristics, making them suitable for different applications. Canted coil springs, with their elliptical cross-section and ability to perform complex mechanical functions, offer advantages in applications requiring high performance, precision, and reliability. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each type is crucial for selecting the most appropriate spring for specific engineering challenges.
