R36

[ToughTechs151]

Does this include the use of compressed springs?

[BlacksmithWoods]

[R36] The only legal source of electrical energy for the Robot during the competition is one MK ES17-12 12VDC non-spillable lead acid battery, or one EnerSys NP 18-12 battery, as provided in the 2012 KOP. This is the only battery allowed on the Robot.

Batteries integral to and part of a COTS computing device are also permitted (i.e. laptop batteries), provided they’re only used to power the COTS computing device.

Non-electrical sources of energy used by FRC Robots, (i.e., stored at the start of a Match), shall come only from the following sources:
A. Compressed air stored in the pneumatic system, stored at a maximum pressure of 120 PSI.
B. A change in the altitude of the Robot center of gravity.
C. Storage achieved by deformation of Robot parts.

Notice how it says "Non-electrical sources of energy used by FRC Robots, (i.e., stored at the start of a Match), shall come ONLY from the following sources:" From my knowledge of the rules and from past years I don't believe that springs are allowed.

[Joe Ross]

Are you planning to use springs that aren't a part of the robot? Or were you planning to store energy in them by doing something other then deforming them? If not, then I think R36C would make them legal.

[ToughTechs151]

Does compression count as "deformation"?

[Eugene Fang]

Notice how it says "Non-electrical sources of energy used by FRC Robots, (i.e., stored at the start of a Match), shall come ONLY from the following sources:" From my knowledge of the rules and from past years I don't believe that springs are allowed.

Springs were most definitely allowed in the past. Elastic potential energy is stored in a compressed spring, and that spring counts as a deformation of a robot part.

[KrazyCarl92]

::rtm::

<R01> Energy used by FRC ROBOTS, (i.e., stored at the start of a MATCH), shall come only from
the following sources:
A. Electrical energy derived from the onboard 12V battery (see Rule <R40> for specifications
and further details).
B. Compressed air stored in the pneumatic system, stored at a maximum pressure of 120 PSI
in no more than four Clippard Instruments tanks. Extraneous lengths of pneumatic tubing
shall not be used to increase the storage capacity of the air storage system.
C. A change in the altitude of the ROBOT center of gravity.
D. Storage achieved by deformation of ROBOT parts.

Blue Box: Teams must be very careful when incorporating springs or other items to store energy on their ROBOT by means of part or material deformation. A ROBOT may be rejected at inspection if, in the judgment of the inspector, such items are unsafe

We used torsion springs to power our kicker that year. As long as you make sure the energy is safely stored and released, and can prove that, you shouldn't have a problem (Assuming FRC hasn't completely changed its mind over the past 2 years on this kind of ruling...).

[DonRotolo]

Notice how it says "Non-electrical sources of energy used by FRC Robots, (i.e., stored at the start of a Match), shall come ONLY from the following sources:" From my knowledge of the rules and from past years I don't believe that springs are allowed.
This answer is incorrect. Springs are allowed.