TFC Talks Smalley: Part 1 on Crest-to-Crest® Design Specifications

~Justin Lawrence discusses performance of gap type wave springs and options for large diameters~

Welcome back to the Ask the Expert blog, this blog is designed to help educate you on all things ring and wave springs. This week, application engineer Justin Lawrence answers design questions about the performance of gap type wave springs and also looks at the options for very large diameter crest to crest wave springs.

When compressing a single turn gap type wave spring to solid, would there be permanent deformation and/or loss in spring load?

Smalley wave springs are designed to be compressed to a specific working height. Any given spring can be compressed to its working height(s) without any detrimental effect on performance. In the case of highly stressed springs we may include pre-sets to ensure optimal performance characteristics. If the spring is compressed below the working height, however, it is possible that the material may yield and the spring takes a permanent set.

When deformed like this, springs can exhibit losses in both free height and spring force. If you are concerned about the load of a spring or compressing a spring to solid, contact a TFC Engineer today. Using bespoke software our engineers will check the design requirements and thereby ensure that the spring will meet all your application requirements.

What is the biggest overall diameter you can design for a crest-to-crest wave spring?

Here in the UK the largest diameter spring we have designed and supplied is about 1m for a subsea application, however Smalley can and have manufactured springs up to 3m (120 inches) in diameter. Large wave springs can be impractical, so location and guidance of the spring are critical elements. In these situations it is always best to contact a TFC Engineer early in the project to discuss your design needs and learn if large diameter springs are right for you.