CONCENTRIC SPRINGS

ME 420 Machine Design

CONCENTRIC SPRINGS
• A concentric spring consists of two helical compression springs, one inside the other,
having the same axis.
• in certain applications, concentric spring consists of three coaxial springs, namely inner,
middle and outer springs.
• Two springs have opposite hand of helices. If the outer spring has a right-hand helix, the
inner spring always has a left-hand helix and vice versa.
• Adjacent springs having opposite hands, prevent the locking of coils, in the event of axial
misalignment or buckling of springs.

Advantages:
(i) Since there are two springs, the load carrying capacity is increased and heavy load can be
transmitted in a restricted space.
(ii) In concentric spring, the operation of the mechanism continues even if one of the springs
breaks. This results in ‘fail safe’ system.
(iii) In concentric spring, the spring vibrations called ‘surge’, are eliminated.

Applications:
Concentric springs are used as valve springs in heavy duty diesel engines, aircraft engines and
railroad suspensions
A concentric spring is used as a valve spring in a heavy duty diesel engine. It consists of two helical compression springs having the
same free length and same solid length. The composite spring is subjected to a maximum force of 6000 N and the corresponding
deflection is 50 mm. The maximum torsional shear stress induced in each spring is 800 N/mm2. The spring index of each spring is
6. Assume same material for two springs and the modulus of rigidity of spring material is 81370 N/mm2. The diametral clearance
between the coils is equal to the difference between their wire diameters. Calculate: (i) the axial force transmitted by each spring;
(ii) wire and mean coil diameters of each spring; and (iii) number of active coils in each spring.
A concentric spring consists of two helical compression springs one inside the other. The free length of the outer spring is 15 mm
greater than that of the inner spring. The wire diameter and mean coil diameter of the inner spring are 5 and 30 mm
respectively. Also, the wire diameter and mean coil diameter of the outer spring are 6 and 36 mm respectively. The number of
active coils in the inner and outer springs are 8 and 10 respectively. Assume same material for two springs and the modulus of
rigidity of spring material is 81370 N/mm2. The composite spring is subjected to a maximum axial force of 1000 N. Calculate: (i)
the compression of each spring; (ii) the force transmitted by each spring; and (iii) the maximum torsional shear stress induced in
each spring