Lokring Technology

Last updated
Lokring Technology
Type Private
IndustryFluid System Technology (Gases & Liquids)
Founded1988
Headquarters,
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
William Lennon (Chairman and President)
ProductsFluid System Components:
Website www.lokring.com

Lokring Technology is a privately held international company headquartered in Willoughby, Ohio that serves over 30 countries worldwide. The Chairman and President of the company is William Lennon, [2] the grandson of Fred A. Lennon, founder of Swagelok. Lokring employsless then 100 workers at its headquarters. [3]

Contents

Lokring designs patented, [4] weld equivalent pipe and tube fittings such as couplings, flanges, elbows, adapters, and more. The unique technology of the patented [4] Lokring fittings utilize "Elastic Strain Preload" [5] (ESP), and possesses a metal to metal leak-free seal that compresses or swages the pipe/tube wall.

Company history

The Lokring Joint was originally invented to replace the Apollo Joint in the Apollo I: Saturn Mission in 1968. In 1988, Robert Benson, Lucien Ruby, and Chris Dietemann formed Lokring Technology. By 1989, Lokring had completed its first full year of operations successfully. By 1994, Lokring was listed in the top 500 rising companies on Inc.com. [6] Wabtec Corporation (formerly a George Westinghouse company) purchased Lokring Technology in 1998 and moved the plant to Burlington, Ontario. [7] In 2002, Lokring Technology was purchased by William Lennon, a fluid system component entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

Technology

Lokring patented connectors do not use elastomeric or rubber seals, O-rings, or gaskets. The Lokring patented connectors create their seal by shaping the pipe wall first elastically and then plastically with the connector. The connectors, based on helium testing, have a volatile organic compound emission rate that is no greater than 2.4*10-12 kilograms per hour or 4.6*10-8 pounds per year. [8]

The technology works like this: during a piping installation, the axial movement of the Lokring driver over the fitting body swages the body onto the pipe surface, compressing the pipe wall first elastically and then plastically. When the pipe wall resists this swaging action, it generates high unit compressive loads at the contact points. These contact stresses are high enough to plastically yield the pipe surface under the multiple sealing lands, forming a 360-degree circumferential, permanent, metal-to-metal seal between the pipe and fitting body. Finally, the installation process causes the Lokring driver to grow slightly in diameter — an "elastic strain" — so that it exerts an elastic, radial preload on the metallic seals. This secures the fitting for the life of the connection. [9]

LTCS-333 Corrosion Resistant Process Fitting

Several years ago, Lokring saw the opportunity to better serve the marketplace by developing a product that achieves the same integrity as welding but removes many of the challenges and long-term costs of hot work.

In January 2010, the company introduced a new LTCS-333 Process Fitting, based on its tested ESP technology. Using the same design, LTCS-333 Fittings incorporated a new material — low temp 4130 carbon steel — that provided a new scope of capabilities for users. [9] [10]

Notable Uses

The company is prominent in the Shipbuilding (e.g. General Dynamics), Submarine (Marine) (e.g. BAE Systems Submarine Solutions), Oil & Gas (Upstream and Downstream), and Nuclear Generation Industries, but also caters to other markets such as Steel (e.g. ArcelorMittal), Pharmaceutical (e.g. Merck & Co.), Medical Gas e.g. (Walter Reed Army Medical Center), Railroad (e.g. Union Pacific Railroad), and many more.

ExxonMobil identified pipe-fitting technology created by Lokring as an alternative to hot work welding during their MEV (Maintenance Efficiency Venture) initiative in 2007. At the time, Lokring was already a supplier to ExxonMobil. A USCIB Case Study described the following gains: productivity and overall cost savings of about two-thirds in many settings and much improved safety due to the departure from hot work. This expanded partnership has benefited both companies: a safer, less-expensive technology for ExxonMobil and its facilities worldwide, and enhanced comprehension of and greater accessibility to foreign markets for Lokring. [3]

Indeed, ExxonMobil’s support of Lokring’s pipe-fitting technology has helped to promote the expansion of Lokring into new countries. Prior to the MEV partnership Lokring had no presence in Japan. MEV worked with Lokring in order to meet Japanese piping specifications to use the Lokring product in ExxonMobil’s local facilities. In addition, ExxonMobil’s Japanese subsidiaries drove Lokring to establish in-country distribution channels to service new customers in additional industries. As Lokring President William Lennon states, "Our ExxonMobil partnership has been a catalyst for our international expansion. There is no doubt that this partnership allowed us to enter the Japanese market years earlier — and much stronger — than we would have if entering on our own. Our global expansion has created jobs in these countries and in Ohio as well." [3]

Related Research Articles

A flange is a protruded ridge, lip or rim, either external or internal, that serves to increase strength ; for easy attachment/transfer of contact force with another object ; or for stabilizing and guiding the movements of a machine or its parts. Flanges are often attached using bolts in the pattern of a bolt circle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drum (container)</span> Cylindrical shipping container used for shipping bulk cargo

A drum is a cylindrical shipping container used for shipping bulk cargo. Drums can be made of steel, dense paperboard, or plastic, and are generally used for the transportation and storage of liquids and powders. Drums are often stackable, and have dimensions designed for efficient warehouse and logistics use. This type of packaging is frequently certified for transporting dangerous goods. Proper shipment requires the drum to comply with all applicable regulations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plastic welding</span> Welding of semi-finished plastic materials

Plastic welding is welding for semi-finished plastic materials, and is described in ISO 472 as a process of uniting softened surfaces of materials, generally with the aid of heat. Welding of thermoplastics is accomplished in three sequential stages, namely surface preparation, application of heat and pressure, and cooling. Numerous welding methods have been developed for the joining of semi-finished plastic materials. Based on the mechanism of heat generation at the welding interface, welding methods for thermoplastics can be classified as external and internal heating methods, as shown in Fig 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autofrettage</span>

Autofrettage is a work hardening process in which a pressure vessel is subjected to enormous pressure, causing internal portions of the part to yield plastically, resulting in internal compressive residual stresses once the pressure is released. The goal of autofrettage is to increase the pressure carrying capacity of the final product. Inducing residual compressive stresses into materials can also increase their resistance to stress corrosion cracking; that is, non-mechanically-assisted cracking that occurs when a material is placed in a corrosive environment in the presence of tensile stress. The technique is commonly used in manufacture of high-pressure pump cylinders, warship and gun barrels, and fuel injection systems for diesel engines. Due to work hardening process it also enhances wear life of the barrel marginally. While autofrettage will induce some work hardening, that is not the primary mechanism of strengthening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydraulic machinery</span> Type of machine that uses liquid fluid power to perform work

Hydraulic machines use liquid fluid power to perform work. Heavy construction vehicles are a common example. In this type of machine, hydraulic fluid is pumped to various hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders throughout the machine and becomes pressurized according to the resistance present. The fluid is controlled directly or automatically by control valves and distributed through hoses, tubes, or pipes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swaging</span> Metalworking process

Swaging is a forging process in which the dimensions of an item are altered using dies into which the item is forced. Swaging is usually a cold working process, but also may be hot worked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compression fitting</span>

A compression fitting is a fitting used in plumbing and electrical conduit systems to join two tubes or thin-walled pipes together. In instances where two pipes made of dissimilar materials are to be joined, the fittings will be made of one or more compatible materials appropriate for the connection. Compression fittings for attaching tubing (piping) commonly have ferrules in them, and are sometimes referred to as flareless fittings. There are also flare fittings that do not require ferrules/olives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work hardening</span> Strengthening a material through plastic deformation

In materials science, work hardening, also known as strain hardening, is the strengthening of a metal or polymer by plastic deformation. Work hardening may be desirable, undesirable, or inconsequential, depending on the context.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hose coupling</span> Connector on the end of a hose

A hose coupling is a connector on the end of a hose to connect it with another hose or with a tap or a hose appliance, such as an irrigation sprinkler. It is usually made of steel, brass, stainless steel, aluminium or plastic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipe (fluid conveyance)</span> Tubular section or hollow cylinder

A pipe is a tubular section or hollow cylinder, usually but not necessarily of circular cross-section, used mainly to convey substances which can flow — liquids and gases (fluids), slurries, powders and masses of small solids. It can also be used for structural applications; hollow pipe is far stiffer per unit weight than solid members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piping and plumbing fitting</span> Connecting pieces in pipe systems

A fitting or adapter is used in pipe systems to connect straight sections of pipe or tube, adapt to different sizes or shapes, and for other purposes such as regulating fluid flow. These fittings are used in plumbing to manipulate the conveyance of water, gas, or liquid waste in domestic or commercial environments, within a system of pipes or tubes.

Metal bellows are elastic vessels that can be compressed when pressure is applied to the outside of the vessel, or extended under vacuum. When the pressure or vacuum is released, the bellows will return to its original shape, provided the material has not been stressed past its yield strength. They are used both for their ability to deform under pressure and to provide a hermetic seal that allows movement.

In mechanical engineering, a compression seal fitting, also known as a sealing gland, is intended to seal some type of element when the element must pass through a pressure or environmental boundary. A compression seal fitting may serve several purposes:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Push-to-pull compression fittings</span>

Push-to-pull, push-to-connect, push-in, push-fit, or instant fittings are a type of easily removed compression fitting or quick connect fitting that allows an air line to be attached, nominally without the use of tools. These fittings act similar to the way regular compression fittings work, but use a resilient O-ring for sealing, and a grip ring to hold the tube in place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ExxonMobil</span> American multinational oil, natural gas, chemicals and energy corporation

ExxonMobil Corporation is an American multinational oil and gas corporation and the largest direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil. The company, which took its present name in 1999 per the merger of Exxon and Mobil, is vertically integrated across the entire oil and gas industry, and within it is also a chemicals division which produces plastic, synthetic rubber, and other chemical products. ExxonMobil is headquartered in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas, though officially incorporated in New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metal hose</span>

A metal hose is a flexible metal line element. There are two basic types of metal hose that differ in their design and application: stripwound hoses and corrugated hoses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metal expansion joint</span>

Metal expansion joints are compensating elements for thermal expansion and relative movement in pipelines, containers and machines. They consist of one or more metal bellows, connectors at both ends, and tie rods that depend on the application. They are differentiated according to the three basic types of movement: axial, angular and lateral expansion joints. Expansion joints have usage in various sectors, like energy production, paper industry, chemical industry, water treatment, oil and gas. Expansion joints can be used wherever thermal movements or vibration occurs in pipelines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parflange F37</span>

The Parflange F37 system is a technology from the hydraulic area of Parker-Hannifin, which allows a non welded flange connection of hydraulic tubes and pipes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peening</span> Process of working a metals surface to improve material properties

In metallurgy, peening is the process of working a metal's surface to improve its material properties, usually by mechanical means, such as hammer blows, by blasting with shot, focusing light, or in recent years, with water column impacts and cavitation jets. With the notable exception of laser peening, peening is normally a cold work process tending to expand the surface of the cold metal, thus inducing compressive stresses or relieving tensile stresses already present. It can also encourage strain hardening of the surface metal.

References

  1. "Company Overview of LOKRING Technology, LLC". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  2. Meyer, Bill; Dealer, The Plain. "Swagelok estate hauled into court: Founder's grandson says executor is mismanaging the trust". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  3. 1 2 3 Matthew J. Slaughter, Dartmouth College. "Exxon Mobil's Partnership With Lokring Technology on Page 18" (PDF). United States Council of International Business. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  4. 1 2 https://patents.google.com/patent/US4482174A/en?assignee=Lokring&oq=Lokring&sort=old
  5. Elastic Strain Preload
  6. "1994 - Top 500 Rising Companies". Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  7. "History of Wabtec Corporation". St. James Press. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  8. "California Air Resources Board: Lokring Evaluation". California Air Resources Board. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Lokring: No More Hotwork". RIGZONE. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  10. "LTCS-333 Product Specifications". Lokring Technology, LLC. Retrieved 3 May 2013.