Ask the Expert - Linear Springs and Laminar Seal Rings Requirements

We are back with another Ask the Expert Blog entry. This week, our retaining ring, spring and snap ring experts answer a couple questions about Linear Springs and Laminar Seal Rings. If you have your own question please submit them on our Ask the Expert page!

My application requires a linear spring with a high spring rate and won't fatigue over time. Would this need to be a custom Linear Spring?

Depending on the size of the spring, a high spring rate can mean something different to each person’s application.  The fatigue of any spring will also vary depending on the required work height(s) and the load(s) required. Discuss your specific application and requirements with a Smalley engineer to see if a standard Linear Spring will be a good fit for your application, or if a custom design would be needed.

I’m working on a turbomachinery application and I am considering a Laminar Seal Ring to seal the shaft from debris. Will this work?

Smalley Laminar Seal Rings are designed to seal out contaminants, such as small particles and debris in lubricants.

Oil and grease, for example, will be able to pass through the labyrinth, while small particles and debris will be blocked from passage, effectively sealing the assembly
from contaminants.

Please note that Laminar Seal Rings are not designed to hold pressure across the seal.

Please contact Smalley Engineering to discuss your application in more detail.