TPT January 2008

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Fittings, Couplings & Tubular Joints
January 2008 122 ›
Parker Instrumentation, UK, has extended
the applications potential of its ‘push-fit’
fluid connectors for high-pressure industrial
applications. Eight new variants allow the
20,000 psi (1,379 bar) rated connector to
be used on larger metric and imperial tubing
sizes of 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 25mm, ¾"
and 1".
The ‘push-fit’ fluid connector is suitable for
use in new areas such as high pressure
hydraulic systems, steam and gas services
and supply lines in factories, plants, power
stations and ships, and high performance
test equipment.
Assembled by means of a simple push-fit
operation, the Phastite connectors provide
permanent connections for high-pressure
fluid systems. For permanent connections
at these elevated pressures, system
builders would typically use either welded
or ‘cone and thread’ style fittings, which are
time consuming and expensive to install.
Compared with these products, the
company claims that Phastite connectors
can reduce installation costs by a factor of
90 per cent or greater.
Phastite employs a compression assembly
principle using a novel form of toothed
profile to make the seal. The connectors
are supplied as one-piece components. To
make a joint, all that is required is to insert
the tube, then push the collar along the
connector body until it reaches a dead stop.
This operation is performed by a simple
hydraulic tool requiring no skill to use, and
takes only a few seconds.
This assembly approach contrasts with the
requirement to perform a 360º weld around
the circumference of a tube, an operation
requiring skill, consumables, expensive
equipment, and up to 10 minutes of time. It
also avoids the coning and threading of a
tube end to prepare it for use in a special
screw-together fitting.
Phastite connectors incorporate
a sealing system based on
a collar that slides along an
angled body, in the process
compressing a number of
circular profiles into the
tubing. At the end of the short
transit is a vertical face that
provides confirmation of correct
assembly.
The multiple profiles mean that
less pressure is applied at each
sealing point than a traditional
fitting, which allows Phastite to
be used with thin wall tubing – a
further benefit when compared
with cone and thread fittings (which require
more expensive, thicker wall tubing in order
to allow for the threading and coning).
In addition to being faster and easier to
assemble, the high degree of control over
make up that the tooling imposes assures
users of right-first-time assembly. This is not
the case with welded and cone and thread
fittings, where many users expect a certain
degree of rework. When used to replace a
welded fitting, the Phastite connector also
eliminates any need for a ‘hot work permit’,
another equipment building expense faced
by many organisations.
The 20,000 psi (1,379 bar) pressure rating
of Phastite opens up a large potential
marketplace. Welded and cone-and-thread
style tube fittings are used in industrial
applications where there are pressures
above those that can be handled by ferrule
types – generally above 6,000 psi (413 bar).
Applications include high pressure
hydraulics, deepwater oil and gas drilling,
ROVs and subsea, laboratory testing, and
high pressure machinery such as water-jet
cutters.
Welded fittings are additionally used in
lower pressure applications if there is
a need for a ‘fit and forget’ permanent
connection, or where a leak could have
serious consequences.
Examples include subsea applications,
aerospace, boat building and military
equipment, and plants that are remote or
unmanned, or have safety implications.
The extended Phastite range now includes
straight union, union elbow, ‘tee’ and union
cross connector shapes in imperial sizes
from ¼" to 1", and metric sizes from 6mm
to 25mm. A range of termination connectors
provide a link between fixed, permanent
tubing and any element that needs to be
disconnected or maintained.
Parker Instrumentation – UK
Fax: +44 1271 373636
Email:
Website:
High-pressure ‘push-fit’ fluid connections
for larger bore sizes
fi Now available in sizes up to 25mm/1", Phastite assembles can be completed in seconds via a push-fit
› Phastite – Parker Instrumentation’s tube fitting for permanent and
high pressure connection applications