THINJACK™

ThinJack offers a safe, non-invasive, fast and lower cost method of separating components that have become fused together due to internal friction, corrosion or rust. In addition, asset integrity is maintained and the risk of damage to flange faces during the separation process is greatly reduced.

ThinJack inserted, resulting in slight movement.

Second set of ThinJacks widens the gap

With a third set of ThinJacks the gap is opened further

WHAT IS THINJACK™?

ThinJack is a steel envelope, made of two plates of grade 316L steel which are sealed & bonded by TIG welding. A pressure insertion pipe penetrates the bonded area between the two plates. The resulting steel envelope is typically less than 3mm thick.

ThinJacks are designed and manufactured to meet all flanges in API6A specifications, i.e. all standard flanges used in the offshore oil and gas industry. Custom sizes can be engineered for particular applications. For example, to address speedhead or non-standard flanges.

Pressurised fluid is injected between the plates with the ThinFlate system, thus releasing energy from the fluid which is converted into forces perpendicular to the steel plates, forcing them apart. The forces created are much greater than those generated by hydraulic spreaders or the pulling-power of drillstrings.

For example:  A typical ThinJack energized at 600 bar (8700psi), exerts force at 600kg (1323 lbs)/sq.cm and expands to 15mm delivering a separating force of 150 tonnes or more according to design. Similarly, a ring of ThinJacks energized to 29,000 psi [2000 bar] will generate forces of approximately 800,000 lbs [350 tonnes]. ThinJacks are pressurized routinely up to 30,000 psi and safety rated up to 45,000 psi.

ThinJacks are designed for single operation use, and several ThinJacks can be used simultaneously to achieve larger separation forces. For maximum efficiency, ThinJacks are operated in conjunction with ThinShims. For more information about ThinJack applications, click here.

ThinJack technicians undertake a site visit prior to starting a project in order to check the measurements and specifications of the flanges or surfaces to be split and  evaluate the degree of difficulty likely to be encountered due to rust conditions and internal friction. At this time the design of the ThinJacks required will take into account any special flange features which may have been incorporated into the structure.

The ThinJacks can then be designed and engineered to optimally address the specific task requirements and the required number of ThinJacks delivered for the specific job.

Delivery of ThinJacks is normally within 28 days from completed design and purchase order.

A typical shipment of ThinJacks and ThinShims for a project to separate a seized flange of API6A 9”, 10k psi specification.	ThinJacks and ThinShims of greater specifications are shipped in these larger transit cases.	The transit cases also act as safe storage for any unused ThinJacks and ThinShims, keeping them ready for the next project.