LipLOK fitting
Bringing analytical performance to the industrial/instrumentation compression fitting
A significant improvement over the universal industrial double-ferrule fitting design, our patented LipLOK fitting brings together the analytical performance and robustness of the legacy industrial design with improved leak detection. The LipLok uses two sealing points – the first, a sealing lip, is compression-fit to the tube end, allowing for minimal loss of analytical performance. This fitting is similar to the VCR fitting but has less dead volume in its flow path. The analytical-grade seal performance is achieved between the tube end and the lip feature using a very low, almost finger-tight torque. The double ferrule design provides the second level of sealing, which resists the effects of vibration and protects against ejection of the tube from the fitting. This is achieved without transferring excessive force to the lip.
Another improvement with this design is that a surface seal has been added to the fitting nut and there is now a seal or septum in the sniffing hole, so any leak that develops inside the fitting will be forced to accumulate in the leak chamber space. The pressure builds up in the chamber until it reaches a certain value, at which point it goes through or around the septum. Inserting the needle of a sniffer or leak detection apparatus allows sensitive leak detection since the leak is concentrated in this chamber.
