Multiple variable turn wave springs, methods of pre-loading components with said springs, and methods of manufacturing said springs

A method comprising:

• coiling a flat wire onto itself to produce a wave spring that comprises:
• a first end portion;
• a second end portion opposite with respect to the first end portion;
• active turns disposed between the first and second end portions and comprising waved or non-planar turns;
• non-active turns disposed between the first and second end portions and comprising planar or non-waved turns;
• and
• an aligned portion of the active and non-active turns having at least one non-active turn disposed between at least two active turns.

A method comprising:

• applying at least one torsional load on or against a wave spring, wherein the wave spring comprises:
• an intermediate portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion opposite with respect to the first end portion;
• active turns disposed between the first and second end portions and comprising at least one wave crest, at least one wave trough, or at least one combination thereof;
• a planar or non-waved turn disposed between at least two active turns;
• and
• an aligned portion disposed at the intermediate portion, wherein the aligned portion comprises at least two active turns having wave crests, wave troughs, or at least one wave crest and at least one wave trough.