Innovative and Superior
The Smartlok™ Diagnostic Sensor combines Lokring-Coldweld™ technology with IoT-based strain monitoring to enhance performance and safety in industrial environments. It attaches to Lokring fittings and continuously monitors strain on the joint post-installation, ensuring integrity and preventing failures in critical industries like manufacturing, power plants, and oil refineries. The sensor uses an energy-harvesting photovoltaic system that eliminates the need for batteries, drawing power from ambient light or a flashlight. It wirelessly transmits data via Bluetooth to a handheld device running the Lokring app, which then uploads data to the Lokring cloud for analysis. The system also works offline, storing data locally when out of Wi-Fi range. Designed for ease of use, it integrates seamlessly into existing systems, providing real-time monitoring and contributing to lifecycle extension and safety in industrial operations.
The leak-free seal of a LOKRING® fitting is the result of LOKRING Technology LLC®‘s patented elastic strain preload™ (ESP®). During installation, the axial movement of the LOKRING®driver over the fitting body swages the body onto the pipe or tube surface, compressing the pipe/tube wall, first elastically and then plastically. Installed fitting forms a perfect 360° circumferential, permanent, metal-to-metal seal.
Lokring fittings utilize patented Elastic Strain Preload (ESP) technology to connect small diameter pipes and tubes without the need for threading or welding. Designed for field fabrication, repairs, tight spaces, and shop tie-ins, these fittings offer a simple, fast, and repeatable installation process. Using hydraulic tools, Lokring fittings create a leak-tight, metal-to-metal seal without O-rings or elastomeric seals, making them ideal for environments where welding is unsafe or impractical, such as explosive atmospheres. The installation process involves compressing the fitting body onto the pipe’s outside diameter, forming a permanent, gas-tight seal through elastic and plastic deformation.
During installation, the driver swages the fitting body onto the pipe, compressing the pipe wall elastically and plastically. This generates high compressive stresses at the contact points between the fitting and the pipe, creating a permanent 360-degree metal-to-metal seal. The driver also experiences a slight increase in diameter (elastic strain), applying a constant radial preload on the metallic seals. This ensures that the seals maintain a “spring load” throughout the life of the joint, without permanently deforming the swage rings. The elastic nature of the fitting helps maintain equilibrium among tensile, compressive, and hoop stresses, ensuring long-lasting seal integrity.
