Power Springs are more commonly
known as clock springs simply because this
design of spring is
most commonly seen in mechanical wind up clocks as the means of
storing significant amounts of energy to power the clock for a
relatively long time.
The power spring is essentially
manufactured from a long length
of steel strip which is tightly wound and constrained within a
space. This constraint is designed in such a way as to allow the
spring to wind up further to increase the energy stored but to
also constrain the spring to preload wound condition. Allowing
the spring to unwind back to it’s constrained diameter to use
the available energy to actuate a mechanism.
The end fixings on the power spring will be completely variable
to satisfy the specific anchoring needs of the mechanism it is
designed to be used within. The power spring constraint is
usually a machined or cast metal enclosure or plastic moulding
dependant on the forces involved and the size of the springs. To
simplify transfer of the manufactured spring into the enclosure
it is not uncommon for the spring to be supplied in a “Keep “
which can be a circlip or a band strap to secure it at its
required diameter for assembly purposes.
Spiral Springs have a similar construction to a power spring by
virtue of the coiled shape but are not under force in their free
natural condition. This means they are formed in a specific
fixed free diameter ready to assemble although it is not
uncommon for some preload wind up on assembly to be a
requirement. In consequence spiral springs usually have a much
smaller width to thickness ratio than power springs.
We can help you with your spiral and power spring requirements
