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07.17.2023

Parker Dry Technology: Don't Let Leakage Harm Your Profits

Did you know? Undetected and untreated hydraulic connection leakage can increase costs by more than $2,000 per year.

In addition, hydraulic connection leakage can create hidden costs such as:

  • Energy loss
  • Safety hazards
  • Environmental responsibilities
  • Maintenance costs
  • Lost sales
  • Warranty

To minimize hydraulic leakage and its resulting costs, Parker created the Dry Technology methodology that identifies the major causes of leakage and provides tips to prevent them. 

Below is a summary of the major causes of leakage and some tips to avoid them.

Dry Technology Leakage Chart -1

 

  1. 60% of all leakage comes from improper installation

Common installation problems include:

  • Over-tightening or under-tightening fittings.
  • Different thermal expression properties, temperature fluctuations cause intermittent leakage in tapered thread connections.
  • Removing too much material when deburring tube ends.
  • Forcing or “drawing in” tube assembly that is too short, long, or misaligned.
  • Improper routing of lines.
  • Removing protective plastic caps during installation (causes thread damage and contamination).

 

Dry Tech Tip: Most hydraulic leaks at initial startup are caused by joints that were not tightened properly and are now too buried for easy access.

 

  1. 20% of all leakage comes from poor system design

Selecting the right components to fit the application is a critical first phase in preventing leakage.

Applications that must be considered include:

  • Environment

    • Where is the system operating and how will that affect its performance?
    • Is it in an environment where it will experience excessive corrosive or mechanical abuse?

  • Pressure

    • What is the minimum + maximum pressure?
    • What is the number of times the pressure will cycle between those two pressure points?

 

Dry Tech Tip: Computer Software can greatly expedite otherwise labor-intensive calculations such as pressure drop.

 

  • Vibration

    • How severe is the vibration?
    • Will the vibration cause the components to loosen or prematurely fail?

  • Shock

    • Will the component be subjected to mechanical or hydraulic shocks that could be detrimental to its expected life?

 

Dry Tech Tip: Face seal O-rings should always be installed with an insertion tool to prevent them from twisting or popping out.

 

  • Contamination

    • Is the style and quality selected introducing contaminants into the system?

  • Fluid Velocities

    • Does the tube and fitting size allow for acceptable velocity?

  • Ambient & Fluid Temperature

    • What extreme temperatures will the machine be exposed to and how will they affect the material in the components?

 

Dry Tech Tip: While elastomer port sealing methods are typically preferred, they may have temperature limitations. For this reason, metallic port sealing may be preferred.

 

  1. 15% of all leakage comes from poor quality components

When determining which products will be best for your system's requirements, choose high quality components.

  • Fittings with elastomer seals are the most reliable but it is important to check temperature limitations.
  • A higher hardness forging is not necessarily better. Brittle failures can occur with harder materials.
  • Due to weight considerations, titanium tube is often required in aerospace/aircraft applications.
  • Thicker tubing is often used to create a more rugged system.
  • Adjustable straight threads are more reliable than pipe threads on shaped fittings.

 

  1. 5% of all leakage comes from system abuse

System abuse is often assumed to be a user-end issue that simply can’t be stopped, but it can be controlled.

Follow these important steps before putting the asset into the end-user’s hands:

  • Make available enough space (wrench clearances) to maintain equipment properly.
  • Provide key specialty tools (e.g., captive O-ring insertion tools) that the user would normally not have access.
  • Use maintenance manuals that provide not just OEM and manufacturer part numbers, but proper assembly techniques for servicing.
  • Utilize protective caps and plugs for threaded connections, and don’t remove them until the final connection with the mating tube and hose assembly is made.
  • Include routing designed to reduce the possibility of the user standing or climbing on the plumbing.

 

Dry Tech Tip: A well-designed system is one that takes ease of maintenance into consideration along with proper function and ease of installation.

 

Finally, when selecting hydraulic connectors, it is important to understand:

  • How to select the proper fitting for your system using the S.T.A.M.P method
  • Tube/hose end selection
  • Port selection
  • Selecting hydraulic tube
  • Proper tube and fitting assembly
  • Bending, routing and clamping
  • How to troubleshoot typical connection leakage problems

To learn more, download the Parker Dry Technology Guide to Leak-Free Connections by clicking the button below.

 

 

To speak with an MCE expert or to request dry technology training for your facility, click the button below.

 

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