Horizontally mounted compression spring

[Battisto]

I am working on a swinging component. The component can swing with a varying amount of forces, which I need to control. I can not use an extension spring, because the widely varying amounts of force. I am hopeful that I will be able to use a pair of compression springs, yet I would need them to be mounted horizontally. I would mount two springs; one on each side. At rest the compression springs would have no force on them. I would need the pair of springs to compress approximately 2.5 inches each at 300 lbs of force. I would need them to compress 8 inches each at 3,200 lbs of force. There would be forces in between as well. I am having trouble understanding if this would be possible and functional, and being able to find springs that fit this criterion. I would like to find them stock as well, avoiding custom. I thought progressive rate springs might be benificial for such an application? I would mount a hydraulic rod behind the swing to accommodate the oscillation. Any suggestions and/or advice would be appreciated.

 

[Lok]

I am working on a swinging component. The component can swing with a varying amount of forces, which I need to control. I can not use an extension spring, because the widely varying amounts of force. I am hopeful that I will be able to use a pair of compression springs, yet I would need them to be mounted horizontally. I would mount two springs; one on each side. At rest the compression springs would have no force on them. I would need the pair of springs to compress approximately 2.5 inches each at 300 lbs of force. I would need them to compress 8 inches each at 3,200 lbs of force. There would be forces in between as well. I am having trouble understanding if this would be possible and functional, and being able to find springs that fit this criterion. I would like to find them stock as well, avoiding custom. I thought progressive rate springs might be benificial for such an application? I would mount a hydraulic rod behind the swing to accommodate the oscillation. Any suggestions and/or advice would be appreciated.

Welcome to PF.

It is hard for me to understand the swinging component. Somethng like a car's suspension maybe? What is it that you need those springs for?

If you need springs there are many options. Google the net for a spring of your spec., the offer is very wide. Plus you can add two different springs (preferably on same shaft) to achieve needed elastic constant. You can play with both progressive rate and standard for different effects.