How does a Gas Strut work?
- A gas strut consists of a piston rod which moves in a closed cylinder under pressure. The piston rod has a piston at the end which prevents it from sliding out of the cylinder and which guides the piston rod. The force of the gas pressure spring is calculated from the cross-section of the piston rod times the pressure in the cylinder. The higher the gas pressure, the higher the force of the cylinder. Filling the gas strut with incombustible nitrogen has the advantage that the relatively large gas molecules can be better prevented from escaping from the cylinder by the seal.
- Gas struts are most commonly used as a counterbalance for raising and lowering doors and hatches. Typical applications are vehicle tailgates and boot lids, luggage compartments, skylights and machine guards.
- The tube containes a small amount of oil to lubricate the rod and to control damping at the end of the stroke. Gas struts should always be mounted with the rod downwards to prolong their service life.