Frequently asked questions
What is a gas strut and how does it work?
At the end of the nineteenth century the concept of gas strut was patented. A gas strut consists of a cylinder in which a piston rod can move in and out telescopically, the cylinder is filled with nitrogen and a small amount of oil which is under high pressure. The piston rod moves through a seal which ensures that the nitrogen cannot escape from the cylinder. A piston is mounted on the end of the piston rod located in the cylinder. The piston serves, among other things, as a guide and is provided with a bore that allows oil in the cylinder to move from the front to the rear of the piston. Because the piston rod is located at the front of the piston, the pressure surface on the piston is much smaller than at the rear where there is no piston rod. This ensures that the gas strut extends itself after compressing.
What is Progression?
A gas pressure strut is fully extended in a relaxed state. Because more and more rod volume decreases the free space within the cylinder when the piston rod is pressed in, the pressure of the nitrogen increases and the force that this gas exerts on the rod cross-section increases. We refer to the increase in force when the gas strut is compressed as progression. This is slightly different with gas traction struts. The gas traction strut is in a relaxed state when the piston rod is fully in the cylinder and becomes stronger as the piston rod is pulled out.
Where can I use a gas strut?
A gas strut can be used in a wide variety of applications. Gas struts can assist you for lifting, tilting or lowering, for example, heavy flaps or hatches. The gas strut is therefore purely an aid and should never function as a safety element!
What is the lifespan of a gas strut?
The lifespan of a gas strut strongly depends on whether the gas strut has been mounted correctly. It is therefore necessary to fix the gas strut in a straight line between both fixing points. If this is not the case, the piston rod will experience friction which may damage the internal gas strut seal and cause a defective gas strut. It must also be prevented that dirt, scratches and damage get on the piston rod. Gas struts must also not function as an end stop and must not be exposed to pressure or tension forces.
Can my old gas struts be refilled?
When your existing gas struts no longer have the desired pressure, it means that nitrogen has escaped from the cylinder. A worn seal in the cylinder is usually the cause of the pressure loss. The seal no longer seals the cylinder properly, so that a small amount of nitrogen can escape with every stroke the gas strut makes. Over time, the gas strut has weakened too much and it no longer works properly. Replacing the gas strut is then the only option.
Releasing nitrogen from gas struts with a valve (Valve gas strus on request / not all gas struts are fitted standard with a valve.)
• Wear face protection
• Make sure that the gas strut is always in position with the piston rod pointing downwards. The oil then drops to the guiding piece and cannot escape along the valve in the bottom piece of the gas strut and the hole in the release knob during the process .
• Make sure that the hole in the release knob never faces a person, because this is the way the nitrogen will escape from the gas strut.
• SpringMasters has special release knobs to allow the pressure to escape through the valve in a controlled manner without damaging the valve.
• In the unlikely event that you have released too much pressure, you can return the gas strut to us and it will be refilled for you.
GENERAL
• Be careful with any action you take during release of the nitrogen.
• Read the instruction carefully.
• Reports uncertainties
• SpringMasters is not liable for damage that occurs or has arisen after or during use of the release knob.
What to pay attention to when mounting?
The SpringMasters mounting proposal specifies the coordinates where the gas struts should be mounted. Coordinate R is where the gas strut must be mounted to the fixed world. The mounting point of the gas strut on the part to be moved is indicated with a K. Both coordinates are seen from the pivot point of your construction in closed position.
How to mount the gas struts?
The gas struts must be mounted with the piston rod (thin part) downwards. In this way, at the end of the stroke, an end damping will still be observable. This end damping slows down the outgoing speed of the piston rod of the gas struts at the end so that hinges will not endure heavy forces. This will benefit both the gas struts and the construction.
What to pay attention to when mounting?
Check carefully whether the connecting parts on both the piston rod and the cylinder side are properly tightened. Incorrect tightening of the connection parts can cause threads to snap off. Make sure that the gas struts are not subject to side load. Gas struts must be mounted in a straight line between the pivot points. It is also essential that gas struts can rotate well around the pivot points. The correct choice of connection parts and mounting material can facilitate correct installation. Avoid damage to the piston rod at all times. Damage can cause the seals to fail more quickly and therefore the nitrogen can escape from the gas struts. After a while, the gas struts will no longer function properly and must be replaced.
