TPi March 2018

products & developments Prestigious award for first nuclear reactor repair technique for submarines

The Royal Navy Submarine Mechanical Specialists team has won a prestigious industry medal for its innovative adaptation of freeze seal isolation, which has been used in a world first for a technically challenging repair of a submarine nuclear reactor. The Churchill Medal is awarded to a team or individual for outstanding achievements and contribution in engineering and technical advancement in support of military operations. A technique using liquid nitrogen to freeze and isolate sections of pipework was adapted by the team in order to meet the challenging engineering environment presented by submarines due to restrictive space and geometry. The work resulted in the first ever deployment of a triple freeze seal to repair a nuclear reactor, giving the UK Submarine Enterprise increased flexibility in its operations, with applications across the entire global nuclear industry. The Joint Professional Engineering Institutions (PEI) Churchill Medal Award ceremony and lunch was held at IET London in November. The Rt Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP, grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, presented the winners with their medal alongside Air Marshal Julian Young and Major General

Members of the Royal Navy Submarine Mechanical Specialists team with the Churchill Medal, alongside Nigel Fine, chief executive of the IET (fifth from left); Air-Marshal Julian Young (sixth from right); and Mark Organ, IET head of membership (right)

“The outstanding contribution the Royal Navy Submarine Mechanical Specialists team has made to global advancements in engineering and technology across the entire nuclear industry demonstrates technical excellence, determination and self-sacrifice. On behalf of the Joint Professional Engineering Institutions, I am delighted to see the team’s achievement awarded with the Churchill Medal.” Institution of Engineering and Technology – UK www.theiet.org had extremely tight routings and kink- free requirements. Our solution, Multi Master SD MegaFlex, exceeded their expectations. Not only does the Multi Master perform well without kinking, it also solves ergonomic issues during installation with its superior flexibility.” The hose is offered in ¾" to 6" sizes with a corrugated black cover, and has been validated with crimp and clamp couplings options. Gates Corporation – USA www.gates.com

Carew Wilks from BAE Systems, which sponsored the event. Commander Philip Parvin from the Royal Navy Submarine Mechanical Specialists team said, “We are really stunned and honoured to win this prestigious industry medal, particularly when we were up against teams who are dealing with very complex areas of engineering, such as cyber. It is testament to the hard work and efforts of the whole team.” Nigel Fine, chief executive of the Institut- ion of Engineering and Technology, said,

Gates launches multi-purpose hose Gates Corporation, a global, diversified industrial manufacturer of power transmission and fluid power solutions, has introduced a multi-purpose hose line that serves the needs of three distinct markets: fuel transfer, hydraulic return and suction lines, and 20R5 coolant applications. The Multi Master SD MegaFlex hose provides customers with a solution to a broad range of demanding applications. The nitrile tube has excellent oil and fuel resistance, and is compatible with air, water and coolant. Its corrugated chloroprene cover and steel helix reinforcement give it 1:1 flexibility and make it kink-free. The hose can be used from -40°C to +121°C in both suction and discharge applications.

The Multi Master™ SD MegaFlex ® line is claimed to be the first of its kind to simultaneously meet SAE 100R4, SAE J30R5 and SAE J20R5 requirements. It has a 1:1 bend radius, an ARPM Class A tube, and is MSHA compliant.

Tom Pitstick, SVP and chief marketing officer, explained, “Several customers challenged us with applications that

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March 2018 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL