iLok™ Coupling

Product catalog summary

Introduction
The document introduces the Gates iLok™ coupling, designed to simplify, speed up, and enhance the safety of longwall mining machinery connections. It addresses the challenges faced with traditional staple-lock couplings in high-pressure environments.

Challenges with Traditional Couplings
Traditional staple-lock couplings are prone to corrosion and deformation due to high-pressure conditions (5,000 psi) and environmental factors like coal dust and moisture. This often leads to dangerous practices during equipment relocation, risking damage and accidents.

Features of iLok™ Coupling
The iLok™ coupling offers several advantages:

Simple and intuitive design for easy hand connection and disconnection.
High impulse resistance and secure, visible locking system.
Compact and smooth design to fit tight spaces and prevent abrasion.
Releases residual pressure safely away from workers.

Efficiency and Safety
iLok™ couplings significantly reduce man-hours required for longwall moves, from 167 to 17 hours, by allowing quick disconnection in 2 minutes or less. The design ensures a secure connection with a cable lock system and evenly distributes load to prevent deformation.

Durability and Specifications
The iLok™ coupling is durable, with rust-resistant plating and a design that resists damage from debris and corrosion. It meets rigorous testing standards:

Impulse tested to 133% of operating pressure at 250°F for 1 million cycles without leaks.
Exceeds SAE J518 flange specifications for 6,000 psi lines.
4:1 design factor for burst to working pressure ratio.
MSHA-approved for underground mining.

Conclusion
The Gates iLok™ coupling represents a revolutionary advancement in longwall mining equipment connections, offering enhanced safety, efficiency, and durability.

Catalog excerpts

REDUCE THE TIME, COST, AND RISK OF MOVING LONGWALL MINING MACHINERY

Open the catalog to page 2

Conditions in a longwall mine play havoc with traditional staple-lock and super-staple-lock couplings. Operating pressures of 5,000 psi in the hydraulic hoses connecting the shields on your longwall miner put 60,000 ft-lbs of force against the fittings. That’s a lot for a staple to withstand. Moreover, hoses and fittings are subjected to pressure spikes from pumping equipment, impulses from the self-advancing shields, corrosion created by coal dust and moisture, and highly emulsified hydraulic fluids. After months in this environment, staples become corroded and deformed. They fuse to the grooves...

Open the catalog to page 3

WHAT MAKES THE GATES iLOK COUPLING UNIQUE? Gates iLok coupling is designed to realize dramatic reductions in downtime when moving and re-assembling longwall mining equipment. Compared to a staple-lock coupling, it’s simpler, safer, and faster. SPEEDY CONNECT AND DISCONNECT Gates iLok coupling is a threaded design with coarse, ﬂattened threads to allow hand-tightening. It can be connected in seconds. Disengaging the connection is quick and easy too. Simply cut and remove the cable lock and turn the swivel nut counterclockwise 2-1/2 turns by hand. Slots on the swivel nut accommodate a spanner wrench...

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DAMAGE RESISTANT The iLok seal fits inside the female end, less subject to accidental damage. The sealing surface on the male end is protected within the swivel nut. The open thread design resists damage caused by debris and corrosion. SPECIFICATIONS › Impulse tested to 133% of operating pressure at 250°F › COMPACT AND SMOOTH Compared to a standard staple-lock coupling, the iLok coupling takes up less space in the tight working quarters on longwall machines. Its smooth surface prevents abrading or snagging hoses or other equipment while being moved. DURABLE Rust-resistant plating, concealed sealing...

Open the catalog to page 5