An expansion spring stores energy through expansion and is opposite to compression springs. It stretches as it stores energy and releases it when returning to its original shape. It is used between two connected objects to slow them down until they come to a stop. Compression springs work in reverse. The term “expansion spring” can also refer to a spring that connects two electrical connections.
An expansion spring is a device that uses a coil of wire to store energy through expansion. These devices are the opposite of compression springs; they do the same thing through contraction. When the spring is placed under load, it becomes longer. The coils begin to expand away from each other, typically because one end is attached to a stationary object and the other end is attached to an energetic object. The expansion process stores energy within the coil and when it returns to its original shape, it releases that energy back into its environment.
Regardless of how springs of any type are used, they are designed to hold, store and move energy. The energy within the sources can be of any type. Electric current moves through coils of wire, usually without deforming the spring, and mechanical energy is stored within the body of the spring, usually causing a physical change.
An expansion spring is designed to stretch as the spring stores more energy. It will typically start in a tight coil with all layers stacked on top of each other. As the energy enters the spring, it will grow longer as it stores strength. If the spring returns to its original shape, it means it has imparted the energy it was storing onto something else.
In typical use, an expansion spring is placed between two connected objects of which at least one has no fixed position. As objects move away from each other, the spring expands. In this case, the spring stores some of the energy generated by the objects as they move. As the spring gets bigger, it stores more and more energy, which will slow moving objects until they come to a stop. The spring then releases its energy to pull objects towards each other until it reaches its original shape and size.
The other common spring design, a compression spring, works the same way but in reverse. As the objects get closer to each other, the spring gets shorter until it releases its energy and pushes the objects away. Unlike an expansion spring, a compression spring doesn’t need to have a permanent connection to an object in order to impart energy to it.
The term “expansion spring” is also used when referring to a spring that connects two electrical connections in lieu of a useful device. At any time, the user can remove the spring and place a component inside the area, thus expanding its functionality. This term is rare, but is used occasionally by native English speakers and in some types of electrical slang.
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