Loadmaster finds the perfect fit
Parker Hannifin Tube Fittings Division's soft stainless steel 37° flare fittings are solving leak problems for a new derrick that Loadmaster Derrick & Equipment constructed with traditional design 37° flare fittings.
Loadmaster found that the metal-to-metal seal of the basic 37° flare is susceptible to leakage due to scratches, nicks, and system vibration. Smaller size fittings (1/4-in. to 5/8-in.) also are prone to nose collapse due to possible over-torque when trying to establish a leak-proof seal, the company says. As the fittings increase in size (3/4- to 2-in.), the seal area of the fitting increases, heightening the chance for leaks and lowering the working pressures of the fittings. Stainless steel tubing is considered harder to flare and more prone to machining imperfections and damage.
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Loadmaster, supplier Connector Specialists Inc., and manufacturer Parker Hannifin Tube Fittings collaborated on solving the leakage problem. The group designed a soft-seal stainless steel 37° flare fitting named Triple-Lok 2, which Loadmaster pilot-tested.
"Triple-Lok 2 eliminates usable tube wall thickness limitations and prevents nose collapse while minimizing flow restrictions associated with similar designs," says Paul Richey, product engineer, Parker Hannifin Tube Fittings Division.
Interchangeable with standard 37° flare fittings, Triple-Lok 2 features an elastomeric seal design. It incorporates a replaceable seal in the nose of the flare, which is positioned so that leak-free connections are made without compromising the strength of the fitting. Parker Hannifin designed the Triple-Lok 2 shaped fittings with a straight thread stud, which provides easier assembly and further improving reliability. It also offers up to 20% higher pressure ratings than standard stainless steel 37° flare fittings, Parker Hannifin said.
Triple-Lok 2 features an O-ring groove for maximum sealing performance without weakening or compromising the fitting nose. The groove, designed to prevent O-ring overfill and pinching, uses standard O-rings in most sizes. The O-ring is positioned to properly cover the tube with standard tube flares. With improved form, fit, and function, Triple-Lok 2 is interchangeable with Triple-Lok or other standard 37° flare fittings and requires no user changes or installation adjustments, Parker Hannifin Hannifin, said.