Swivel Joint 3996 Series, Carbon Steel and Low Profile

EWFM’s Swivel Joint 3996 series low profile is a perfect solution where vertical height is limited. Its low profile design compared to that of a normal swivel results in a reduction of height in the overall articulated pipework. This Swivel is often used as part of EWFM’s loading arms where a specific minimized height is required.

The Swivel joint is constructed in Carbon Steel with butt weld ends in sizes 3? and 4?. Although it is low profile this Swivel still has 2 rows of ball bearings on hardened and ground tracks meaning it’s suitable for most conditions and standard loads. We also offer an option with Stainless Steel sealing surfaces which increases the longevity of the Swivel. Please see the Model 2004 for an even more low profile swivel in this case with one set of ball bearings.

EWFM Specialise in Swivel Joints, Loading and Unloading Arms, Couplings, Breakaway Couplings, Filling and Emptying Equipment, Hose, Agitators and Mixers, Access Systems, Storage Tank Equipment and Aircraft and Helicopter Equipment for the Oil & Gas, Food and Drink, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Power Generation and the Defensive and Aviation Industries.

Available sizes

3?, 4?

Standard design

Carbon Steel construction

Assemblies

Swivels supplied as individual swivels or fabricated with elbows and end fittings in styles 20, 30, 40, 50 60, 70, 80 & 10.

Applications

• Loading Arms
• Low profile pipework assemblies

What are Swivel Joints?

Most swivels are composed of two main parts (split flange swivels are slightly different). These parts are known as the sleeve and the body. The sleeve and the body each have a means of connecting with the fluid transfer system – such as threads or a bolted flange. The sleeve and body are locked in place by one or more ball bearing races.

The ball bearing races keep the swivel sleeve and body aligned and allow the swivel to rotate around its axis. Because the two parts of the swivel can rotate, system components connected to the two ends of the swivel can also rotate freely and independently around the swivel’s axis. Multiple swivels installed with different orientations allow multiple axes of rotation and more freedom of movement between two sides of a fluid conveyance system. Bearing races can be filled with different types of lubricants, including grease which is formulated for food applications. Bearing races can also be prepared for submerged service in a variety of fluid media.

Though the swivel’s ball bearings do most of the mechanical work, the most important part of the swivel joint is arguably the liquid-tight pressure seal that retains the pressurized working fluid. Pressure seals can be made from thermoplastics such as PTFE, and from elastomers such as FKM and nitrile rubber. The properties of these seal material options make them suitable for service with various fluids over a range of operating temperatures.

Are There Different Types of Swivels?

Yes! There are three main categories of swivel joints:

• O-Ring Swivel Joints use an O-ring for the pressure seal. These are generally more compact and rotate more freely than a V-ring swivel joint.
• V-Ring Swivel Joints use a triple V-ring packing for the pressure seal. These are robust swivel joints generally used in more severe applications. V-ring swivel joints typically handle higher moment loads than O-ring swivel joints and the seals are self-adjusting which typically allows for longer seal life.
• Split Flange Swivel Joints use a separate bearing pack design along with an H-ring with two O-rings for the pressure seal. Split flange swivels are equivalent to O-ring swivel joints in terms of required torque to turn, but have a load capacity comparable to V-ring swivel joints. Additionally, split flange swivel joints are more serviceable due to their easily accessible pressure seal and bearing packs.

Swivel joints are precision components for the connection between stationary pipes (or hoses) and rotating parts of machines. The function is the transport of gaseous, liquid or semi-solid substances (e.g. oil, steam, cooling liquids) from and to machines. They are also used in movable pipe systems, like swivelling pipe systems, or loading arms and as reduction of mechanical forces on hose and are an important construction element. Depending on the application more than one canal can be necessary for the inflow and outflow of media. The number of canals can vary from 2 up to 35, separated effectively by seals. Application examples are rotating manipulators, presses, cranes, hose reels, paper making machines, loading arms for trucks or railway carts, floating rooftop rain drain systems, etc. Combinations with electrical rotary unions are possible. Another special swivel is the rotary union. It is developed for a continuous rotating of a swivel in applications for cooling or heating or steam. By combining several programs, it is possible to quote a swivel joint for an application in almost every situation. The swivel joints can be supplied in standard and special execution, steel, stainless steel, bronze, aluminium, from 1/8? up to 30? in diameter, etc. Tell us your needs and we shall quote you a swivel joint.

Read more :

• Engineered Swivel Joints, Standard & Specialist Materials up to 72?
• Full Bore Safety Breakaway Coupling
• Swivel Joint 3443 Series, Aluminium for Loading Arms
• Marine Breakaway Couplings
• Cryogenic Breakaway Couplings

Source: www.ewfm.co.uk