Although the idea of grooved technology finds its roots in the 1919 work of a British Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers Lieutenant, Ernest Tribe, collaborated another well-known engineer, Dr. Henry Selby Hele-Shaw. However, the discovery, even after its patenting, did not come to the forefront until during World War II. It was only then that grooved piping products and the technology that produced them began to receive attention in such oil and gas producers in America as Texas
Defining Grooved Technology
Grooved technology results from the combination of four major elements. These are:
- Grooved Pipe
- Gasket
- Housings
- Nuts and Bolts
The latter three comprise a grooved coupling.
In turn, there are two basic types of grooved couplings. These are:
- Flexible – only permits a minimal amount of angular movements
- Rigid – does not move at all
Each of these grooved piping products addresses a specific solution for coupling pipes in the oil and gas industries. The latter is particularly in demand where the need is for immobility in the pipe joint.
Products
However, grooved couplings are not the only type of product in this category. Others include:
- Grooved fittings
- Grooved valves – including check valves
- Grooved accessories, e.g. strainers and suction diffusers
- Grooved flange adapters
A fast glance would note their presence in a diverse number of piping installations and applications around the globe, including such oil and gas American states as Texas and in oil-rich countries the United Arab Emirate.
The Popularity of Grooved Piping Products
Grooved piping is popular for several reasons. It is now synonymous with safe, secure, efficient and easy installation. The systems are versatile, finding application in such demanding industries as primary and secondary oil production and power generation. Since their initial venture into industrial usage, grooved piping products have continued to achieve an acceptance that extends beyond the oil fields of Texas and the oil sands of Alberta, Canada.
