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mechanical spring
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mechanical spring

engineering
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Quick Summary

A mechanical spring is an elastic component in machinery designed to deform under a load and return to its original shape when the load is removed. This stored energy can be used to arrest motion or as a power source.1

Common types include:
* Helical springs: Coiled wire springs used for carrying, pulling, or pushing loads, found in vehicle suspensions and engine valves.1
* Leaf springs: Stacks of curved metal plates, primarily used in vehicle suspensions.1
* Spiral springs: Flat strips or wires coiled to provide compact energy, used in clocks, watches, and parking meters.1
* Torsion-bar springs: Used in some vehicle suspensions, they twist to provide resistance.1
* Air springs: Confined air within a flexible container that maintains a constant vehicle height.1
* Hydraulic springs: Cylinders using fluid compression and wall deformation to create a spring effect, suitable for high loads.1

Springs are often made from spring steel, which is processed for its elastic properties and yield strength.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. spring
  2. spring steel

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