CHOOSE LANGUAGE:

Change Language Deutsch English Español Français Italiano Nederland Norsk Português 中文

• Print Page
• Bookmark Page

Absolute reliability is needed from hydraulic cylinders that lift the Thames Barrier's massive gates to protect London against surge tides or flooding.
 
"For over 20 years, the same 16 sets of James Walker hydraulic seals have worked perfectly, in the heat of summer and freezing winter conditions, to open and close the Barrier's four main 3300 tonne gates", reported Murray Crozier, James Walker's regional sales executive. "These seals are now being replaced as part of the cylinder refurbishment project.”
 
Each cylinder uses a Solosele® G single element seal with a block ring, and  a Twinset packing set, all of 1.1m OD,  plus a Chevron® multi-lip packing set of 431mm OD.
 
Used seals from the Barrier have been examined by James Walker Technology Centre to determine their condition. All were found to be within the customer's original tolerance limits, and in good working order. There was little evidence of wear or damage to the seals, apart from slight scoring on the lip of a Solosele® G and some minute specks of metal imprinted on its circumference.
 
James Walker's business development manager for heavy duty hydraulics, Andy Parkinson, explained that only top quality sealing products could have survived for over 20 years on the Thames Barrier.
 
"These are the worst possible working conditions for hydraulic seals", he said. "They sit in the same position during long periods of inactivity — then must work faultlessly when needed."
 
The seals have probably operated only 500 or 600 times and almost any of those operations could have saved 125km² of London from a tidal surge affecting 1.25 million people, homes, offices and vital infrastructure.
 
“Under such conditions, only the best and most proven seals can be used. Lesser quality products cannot be tolerated,” said Andy Parkinson.