Designing for Failure Prevention in Valves and Sealing Systems

Failure in valve and sealing systems doesn’t usually result from one single, or key component.  The cumulative impact of individual issues such as material degradation, loss of sealing force, and variable operating conditions, progressively increases the risk of failure, until leakage becomes inevitable. 

Pressure fluctuations, aggressive media, temperature extremes and mechanical fatigue continuously strain sealing systems, and reduce their ability to perform consistently over time. 

This is why energising springs are so vital in demanding or variable service conditions. 

Energising springs provide the load that is so vital, keeping contact between the seal and the mating surface consistent.  They compensate for wear, thermal expansion, and pressure changes, preventing leakage and maintaining system integrity throughout the life of the equipment. 

But it’s important to make sure that the energising spring is exactly the right one for the job.  The spring’s design, and the material it’s manufactured from, can have a huge impact on its effectiveness. 

When it comes to design, factors such as load consistency, deflection range, space constraints and interaction with sealing materials must all be considered.At Clifford Springs we manufacture Canted Coil, Helical, Garter, Meander, Anti Extrusion, Continuous Top Rail, PEEK springs and spring elements for Oilfield Packers.  Each spring type has distinct geometries and advantages depending upon the operating conditions and sealing requirements. 

Material choice is also key to preventing failure.Stainless steels 301, 302 and 316 are widely used, but high-performance alloys such as Hastelloy^®, Inconel^®, Elgiloy^®/Phynox^®, or even plastics such as PEEK™, can all provide distinct advantages in different operating environments.  For example, canted coil springs provide a near constant load across a wide deflection range, particularly valuable in applications exposed to large temperature or pressure changes. 

At Clifford Springs we take a collaborative approach to working with all of our clients who need energising spring solutions for demanding valve and sealing applications.  We provide technical input on spring type, material selection and manufacturing processes, to ensure we can manufacture the best spring for the job, every time. 

If you are reviewing sealing performance, or designing for challenging environments, we would love the opportunity to work with you.  

Our MD, John Clifford, will be exhibiting at IVS Bergamo in May.  Come and visit him in Hall D, Stand 44, which we will be sharing with our Lesjöfors colleagues from De Spiraal.

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