PARKER Instrumentation is launching a radical new design of tube connector that can deliver huge cost savings to builders of industrial equipment involving fluids.
Assembled by simple push-fit operation, the new connectors provide permanent connections for fluid systems operating at up to 1379 bar.
For permanent connections, and these elevated pressures, system builders would typically use either welded or cone and thread style fittings, which are time consuming and expensive to install. Parker Instrumentation estimates that its new Phastite connectors could reduce installation costs by a factor of 90 percent or more.
There has been little significant change in industrial tube fitting design for 50 years, says Parker Instrumentations Steve Mullen. By starting with a blank sheet, and re-thinking the sealing principle, we have devised a connector that radically changes the economics of fluid system building providing the prospect of major cost savings for millions of industrial companies worldwide.
Phastite employs a compression assembly principle using a novel form of toothed profile, which makes the seal. The connectors are supplied as one-piece components. To make a joint, all thats required is to insert the tube, and then push the collar along the connector body until it reaches a dead stop. This operation is performed by a simple handheld hydraulic tool, and takes a few seconds.
Inside Phastite connectors is a unique sealing system, based on a collar which slides along an angled body, in the process compressing a number of circular profiles into the tubing. At the end of the short travel is a vertical face which provides confirmation of correct assembly.
Phastite is much faster to assemble than welded and cone and thread fittings, but also deskills the process, removing a major element of industrial system building cost. The very high degree control over make up that the tooling automatically imposes also assures users of right-first-time assembly.
The 1379 bar pressure rating of Phastite opens up an extremely 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 which is broadly speaking above 413 bar. Applications include high pressure hydraulics, deepwater oil and gas drilling, 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 the peace of mind that comes from a permanent connection, or where a leak could have serious consequences.
The Phastite range includes straight union, union elbow, tee and union cross connector shapes in imperial and metric sizes from 1/4 to 1/2 inch or 6 to 12 mm. There is also a range of termination connectors that provide a link between the equipments fixed, permanent tubing, and any element that needs to be disconnected or maintained.
