Break away fittings for air line tubing

[cambot]

Hi All,

We have a situation where we have an in-house designed rotary coupling for dry solids piping that has an air purge/seal around the bearing chamber. Occaisonally, if we lose volume or pressure on the air supply we get solids contamination of the bearing that leads to premature bearing failure. When that happens, the manifolded (4) 1/4" air lines (smooth tubing) get pulled around the coupling until something along the way gives way; usually the rubber main air line that feeds them pulls apart quite dramatically.

Does anyone know of a break-away connector (similar to a "push-on" fitting) that is available for 1/4" tubing?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Using the tubing itself as an anti-rotation device for the swivel is not particularly good practice. If, instead, you used a mechanical link, you could anchor that with a spring detent and switch assembly that would stop the process and set an alarm when the failure occurred.

Failing that, delrin push-on x pipe adapters should fracture nicely when overloaded.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[cambot]

Thanks for the suggestions Mike!
We've been looking to integrate some machine control anyway and that's a good idea about adding a detent switch.

 

[moltenmetal]

Legris and MetalWorx both make push-on fittings for 1/4" polyethylene or nylon tubing. But the tube will generally fracture before these will permit the tubing to be pulled out, unless the collar is released.