Proteus Engineering Inc.

Michael Hawkins

James Thomas Hawkins

A circular multi-wave composite compression spring (10) is formed from a carbon fiber (58) reinforced laminate. The circular compression spring (10) is comprised of unidirectional graphite fibers (58) encased in a polymeric resin of generally rectangular cross-section such that adjacent crests (14) and troughs (16) of the waves in adjacent turns (12) of the spring (10) contact each other along a radial line generally extending from the longitudinal axis (30) of the spring (10). The line contact provides for increased fatigue life and more stable loading of the spring (10) under compression. The carbon fiber reinforced laminate provides comparable strength characteristics similarly configured springs fabricated from conventional materials while providing significantly reduced weight. Furthermore, the composite spring (10) offers increased performance parameters such as increased linearity response over a wider spring deflection range and with insignificant hysteresis.

Composite multi-wave compression spring

A circular multi-wave composite compression spring is formed from a carbon fiber reinforced laminate. The circular compression spring is comprised of unidirectional graphite fibers encased in a polymeric resin of generally rectangular cross-section such that adjacent crests and troughs of the waves in adjacent turns of the spring contact each other along a radial line generally extending from the longitudinal axis of the spring. The line contact provides for increased fatigue life and more stable loading of the spring under compression. The carbon fiber reinforced laminate provides comparable strength characteristics similarly configured springs fabricated from conventional materials while providing significantly reduced weight. Furthermore, the composite spring offers increased performance parameters such as increased linearity response over a wider spring deflection range and with insignificant hysteresis.

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Placentia, CA, United States of America

Michael Hawkins