stanleykorn said:I’m looking for an information source on the energy storage density of coiled springs made of various materials. Of particular interest are steel, titanium, carbon fiber, and carbon nanotubes.
Energy storage density is the amount of energy that can be stored in a given amount of space or mass. It is typically measured in joules per cubic meter (J/m3) or joules per kilogram (J/kg).
The energy storage density of coiled springs is calculated by dividing the maximum energy stored in the spring by its volume or mass. This can be determined using the spring constant, which is a measure of the stiffness of the spring, and the maximum displacement of the spring.
The energy storage density of coiled springs is affected by several factors, including the material used to make the spring, the size and shape of the spring, and the number of coils in the spring. Generally, materials with higher strength and stiffness, such as steel, will have a higher energy storage density.
Coiled springs have a relatively high energy storage density compared to other mechanical energy storage methods, such as flywheels and compressed air. However, they have a lower energy storage density compared to chemical energy storage methods, such as batteries or fuel cells.
Coiled springs have a wide range of practical applications for energy storage, including in mechanical devices such as watches and toys, as well as in larger systems such as shock absorbers in vehicles and in renewable energy technologies like wind turbines. They can also be used in combination with other energy storage methods to improve overall energy storage efficiency.