Gas equipment case studies

Shear Bolt Tool

The Challenge
To develop a specialist tool which assisted in the safe removal of the shear bolt. This was done for various companies such as OnStream, EDF Energy and EON.

The Solution
After receiving feedback from numerous customers, engineers and meter installers, in addition to various Health & Safety issues, it was found that the removal of the shear bolt was being carried out in an unsafe manner.

Following several trials and prototypes, we finally agreed with our customers on the best type of tool to use. And subsequently mass produced the current shear bolt removal tool which has been well received in the meter exchange market.

The feedback from engineers who currently use the tool is very positive and illustrates that the Shear Bolt Removal Tool helps them to work safely and more efficiently.

Uni-Slot

The Challenge
We needed to find a new way to adapt "old style" 1 inch meter shelves to suit new ¾ inch brass meter unions.

The Solution
With many properties having in situ the 1 inch type bracket, the UniSlot removes the need to exchange the bracketry by simply fitting onto the new brass meter unions and firmly engaging into the existing 1 inch bracket.

One of the issues we were asked to look at was to develop a safer way of adapting the brackets than the previous method which was over-complicated and posed its own Health and Safety issues. This was achieved with the unique and patented design of the UniSlot.

Made from rugged nylon, the adaptor wraps around the new style meter adaptor firmly engaging into the 24mm slot. When inserted into the old style bracket with 32/28mm slot, the adaptor rigidly holds the meter union in place and can then be secured using a shear bolt.

The Shroud

The Challenge
Developing a product specifically for OnStream, that dealt with the current issues surrounding the exchange of credit meters to prepayment meters for non-NGT boxes.

The Solution
Through feedback and product development with our customers, the Continental “credit to prepayment” meter box shroud was conceived.

Continental, with their customers, looked at the problems with the current meter boxes and then produced prototypes for field trials of a box which could be retro fitted to all semi-submerged gas meter boxes. This product now provides our customers with a choice to supply their customers with a product which allows conversion from a credit gas meter to a pre-payment type gas meter.