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A volute spring, also known as a conical spring, is a compression
spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a h ...
in the form of a cone (somewhat like the classical
volute A volute is a spiral, scroll-like ornament that forms the basis of the Ionic order, found in the capital of the Ionic column. It was later incorporated into Corinthian order and Composite column capitals. Four are normally to be found on an Ion ...
decorative architectural ornament). Under compression, the coils slide past each other, thus enabling the spring to be compressed to a very short length in comparison with what would be possible with a more conventional
helical spring A selection of conical coil springs The most common type of spring is the coil spring, which is made out of a long piece of metal that is wound around itself. Coil springs were in use in Roman times, evidence of this can be found in bronze Fib ...
. There are two typical types of volute spring: *The first has a shape for the initial spring steel (or other material for the wound spring) as a "V", with one end wider than the other *The second is the double volute, having two "V" shapes facing away from each other, which forms a distorted cylinder having a wider diameter at the centre than at the ends, forming symmetric attachment points Double volute springs can frequently be found as a component of garden
pruning shears Pruning shears, also called hand pruners (in American English), or secateurs (in British English), are a type of scissors for use on plants. They are strong enough to prune hard branches of trees and shrubs, sometimes up to two centimetres thic ...
. Short posts anchored in each side of the handles, and inserted into each narrow end of the spring, keep the spring in position. However, the applications of volute springs are not limited to such light-duty purposes as gardening shears. For example, volute springs are used to cushion the impact between
railway car A railroad car, railcar (American and Canadian English), railway wagon, railway carriage, railway truck, railwagon, railcarriage or railtruck (British English and UIC), also called a train car, train wagon, train carriage or train truck, is a ...
s and as a core element of the suspension system of Sherman tanks. A volute spring buffer device for railway cars was invented by John Brown in 1848. ''"The Making of Modern Yorkshire"'', J.S. Fletcher (Google Books)
Gives biographical details.
Image:Volute spring1.jpg, A double volute spring mounted in
pruning shears Pruning shears, also called hand pruners (in American English), or secateurs (in British English), are a type of scissors for use on plants. They are strong enough to prune hard branches of trees and shrubs, sometimes up to two centimetres thic ...
. Under compression, the coils slide over each other, so affording longer travel. File:0 ressort en double volute.svg, A double volute spring File:Evolutfeder.png, A single-sided conical, or volute spring File:Suspension spring - volute.jpg, A volute suspension spring (1919) File:Buffer 1 (Otto's Encyclopedia).jpg, Diagram showing volute spring within the buffer assembly of a
railway car A railroad car, railcar (American and Canadian English), railway wagon, railway carriage, railway truck, railwagon, railcarriage or railtruck (British English and UIC), also called a train car, train wagon, train carriage or train truck, is a ...
(with dotted lines showing compressed position), invented 1848 File:Stangenpuffer2-Essen Zollverein-080604-cl.jpg, Volute springs within buffer assemblies on a railway car File:Sherman chen.jpg, Volute spring suspension on an
M4 Sherman } The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4 Sherman proved to be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. It ...
tank (in service 1942–1957)


See also

*
Coil spring A selection of conical coil springs The most common type of spring is the coil spring, which is made out of a long piece of metal that is wound around itself. Coil springs were in use in Roman times, evidence of this can be found in bronze Fib ...


References

Springs (mechanical) {{tool-stub de:Feder (Technik)#Evolutfeder