 :: SEAL INTEGRITY
::
- Seal Ring Material Same as Flanges
- Dynamic Thermal Loading
- Prevention of Galvanic Corrosion
- Re-Useable Seal Ring / No Shape Distortion
- Baked on Moly Coating Lubrication
- Field Repairable
WIDE AREA-TYPE METAL
SEAL
The driving premise behind the design of Taper-Lok© connectors
is the
tapered seal ring geometry. This unique design insures
a significant length
of the seal surfaces contacts both the male and female
components, constituting
an area-type seal. Area-type seals provide considerably
greater sealing
contact than the line-or-point contact seals characteristic
of conventional
ANSI, API (RTJ) and clamp-type designs.
One of the benefits of the Taper-Lok©
seal ring is the self-energizing effect.
As the bolts are tightened to the recommended pre-load,
the seal ring is
placed in hoop compression and slides into the female flange. A
restoring
force exists in the seal ring, much like that of a compRessed
spring. Thus,
this self-energizing effect aids in forming a tight seal.
The tapered seal ring employed in Taper-Lok©
components provides additional benefit due to internal pressure. As
the system is pressurized, the fully confined seal ring
is further wedged into the annulus formed by the mating
male
and female components, forming an even tighter seal.
REUSABLE SEAL
The durability of the area-type seal, combined with its
lighter bolt load requirements allows Taper-Lok© seal rings
to be reused. In contrast to
line-or-point contact seals, Taper-Lok© seal rings only
experience slight plastic defamation at the surface to
provide a high integrity seal. Taper-Lok© seals
are “seated” during installation, not crushed
like typical conventional seals.
Taper-Lok© seal rings frequently are reused 10 to 12 times,
depending on
service conditions and handling techniques.
MISALIGNMENT
The tapered design of the sealing surfaces offers several
other practical
advantages. Taper-Lok© connectors are engineered to
accept up to 2
degrees of axial pipe misalignment and still deliver a
full, high integrity seal.
There is no need to ensure flange faces are exactly parallel
prior to installing
the bolts. The frequent warpage of heavy wall pipe,
a result of high heat
generated during welding, makes this an important advantage
of Taper-Lok©.
Another installation benefit is the self-aligning nature
of the components. The tapered male and female geometry
of the mating components promotes a self-aligning action
during assembly. The Taper-Lok© design has virtually
eliminated seal ring positioning problems associated with
other metal seal designs. The female Taper-Lok© component
holds the tapered seal ring in place for easier and quicker
bolt up. In addition, the seal ring is always visible,
even when assembled, allowing inspection for proper installation.
|
