REACHING TIGHT NOOKS Eddie Martens says that the THPA range is an extension to the SKF high-pressure rigid pipe line-up
Industrial manufacturing company SKF offers a wide assortment of rigid pipes suitable for high-pressure oil injection applications where limited space makes pipe connection difficult.
“Our proven THPA range, which is an extension of our high-pressure rigid pipe line-up, is ideal when there is insufficient space in the application for the usual connections with high-pressure hoses and quick connection couplings and nipples,” notes SKF MaPro product manager Eddie Martens.
“We recently added further versatility to our THPA range of rigid pipes and connection nipples, with the introduction of a straight pipe, THPA M12/D, to meet applications that require a straight connection,” explains Martens.
The smart design of the THPA rigid pipes ensures a “simple, easy and fast” installation process: The THPA rigid pipes can be connected to the application using the appropriate adapter nipple type G1/4 and G3/4, which have a maximum working pressure of 400 MPa, or 58 000 psi, and the G1/8 with 300 MPa, or 43 500 psi, maximum working pressure.
Once the adapter nipple is screwed into the application, the rigid pipe is then connected to it with a swivel collar. The other free end of the pipe is connected using a swivel collar to a high-pressure quick connection nipple and a quick connection coupling and is finally connected, through a high-pressure hose, to a high-pressure pump or oil injector.
The versatile THPA rigid pipes can be assembled in a variety of ways, making it possible to reach as many connections as possible, thus meeting a range of application requirements. They can be used with various nipples and connectors to suit individual applications.
Martens offers valuable advice to extend the life of the rigid pipes and get maximum reliability, promoting the idea of not bending pipes further than the way in which it has been supplied, as this could compromise the strength of the pipe.
“We also want to make users aware that the high-pressure pipes have a recommended maximum life, as indicated on the pipe, and that the pipes should not be used beyond their stated lifetime,” he adds.
While the quick connection couplings and nipples are not part of the THPA range, SKF “highly recommends them” to ensure a seamless, quality connection, notes Martens.
He concludes that, “our high-pressure rigid pipe solutions are available from SKF as well as our countrywide authorised distributor network”.