Filton Ltd

We are a privately owned British company with extensive expertise in the field of fluid transfer engineering. We specialise in the design, development and manufacture of a wide range of precision made rotary unions, swivel joints and air breather filters used in industrial applications worldwide. Based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and originally formed in 1942 by Mr William Murray to manufacture leather oil seals for swivel and rotary joints, we have almost 70 years of experience in the design and manufacture of precision fluid transfer equipment and systems. One of our main focus areas today is the design and development of rotary seals, both standard and special bespoke models. We can successfully address a great number of complex sealing problems through our state-of-the-art designs and highly sophisticated seal face materials. Our self-contained rotary joints are self-supporting rotary seals designed to transfer fluids such as water, steam, oil, or air into and out of rotating equipment. Multi-port rotary unions are being used in many applications today. When requirements cannot be met with our standard units, we can design tailor-made multi-ports or specials specifically suited to the application. Our dedicated sales team always provide a helpful and friendly service to our customers, and if technical support is needed, The knowledgable engineers in our designs department will happily offer their expertise. Quality is of the utmost importance to us. We are certified to ISO 9001:2000. Our strict quality assurance procedures include complete pressure testing of every self-contained rotary seal before despatch to the customer. All test results are permanently recorded and can be traced to each unit's unique serial number.

Standard Swivel Joints

Swivel joints are primarily designed for use on oscillating shafts, but they also enable the leakproof transfer of fluid to and from intermittently or slowly rotating machinery. Most of our swivel joints use industrial ball bearings, so replacements are readily available anywhere.

We manufacture a comprehensive range of swivel joints in a wide variety of materials and sizes. Depending on the model, our standard swivel joints are suitable for use with air, gas, lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, vacuum and water.

All swivel joints are pressure tested and thoroughly inspected prior to despatch.

Applications for which swivel joins are suitable include connections between pipework and flexible hoses, on indexing machines and hose reels.

Special Swivel Joints

When the application requirements exceed the limitations of standard swivel joints, we can design and manufacture special swivel joints to meet specific requirements.

Sometimes a simple modification of a standard swivel joint may be all that is required, but if this is not the case, we offer a bespoke service.

We have designed multi-port swivel joints weighing up to 1.25 tonne for hydraulic service and other applications.

Other special swivel joints have included overshaft joints for fluid transfer through radial or axial ports, piggyback swivel joints and swivel joints with a bleed port between two seals to facilitate leakage detection or barrier fluid injection.

2'' REB/ST Rotary Unions

Rotary unions are self-supporting and self-contained rotary seals designed for the transfer of fluids to and from rotating machinery.

Standard rotary unions are constructed of steel and iron. Special units are available in other materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, bronze, carbon steel or nickel alloys for use in applications where chemically aggressive fluids are present or food quality materials are required.

The 2'' REB/ST rotary union has a stationary centre tube and an adaptor suitable for double flow, providing flow areas through the annulus and centre tube. A screw thread fixes the centre tube to the rotary union. Flow can enter through the centre tube and return through the annulus or vice versa.

This rotary union is suitable for use with lubricated air, gas, lubricating oil, heat transfer oil, steam, vacuum and water.

PB/ST Rotary Unions

The PB/ST rotary union has a stationary centre tube and is fitted with an elbow suitable for double flow. This allows flow areas through the annulus and centre tube, which is fixed to the rotary union end by means of a screw thread. Flow can enter through the centre tube and return through the annulus or vice versa.

For use in steam applications, the centre tube is curved in order to reach the condensate in the bottom of the cylinder. In some cases the roll neck diameter to length ratio precludes the use of a curved tube. When this happens we can provide a syphon elbow.

Rotary unions are available with a choice of ball bearings for working temperatures up to 160 degrees celsius, or with plain cylindrical carbon bearings for operating temperatures of 100 degrees celsius up to 300 degrees
celsius.

Air Breather Filters

Filton air breather filters equalise pressure and allow the flow of clean air to and from closed chambers such as hydraulic power packs, high speed bearings and gear boxes. This prevents any potentially dangerous build up of pressure or vacuum due to volume or temperature changes.

At the same time, the high quality sintered element prevents the introduction of airborne foreign particles into the chamber. The element is low maintenance, being easily cleaned with reverse flow, and never needs replacing.

Our standard range of air breather filters covers from R1/8'' to R11/4''. There are four grades of filter element available, allowing the retention of particles from 5 to 65 micrometres.

Flexible Hoses

We recommend that our rotary unions be connected by flexible hoses. Hoses designed for carrying air, gas, steam, water, low pressure oil and hot oil services are all available.

We can supply hoses in a range of lengths with a variety of ends including fixed and swivel male, fixed female, and fixed and swivel flange.

Standard flexible hose construction consists of a stainless steel convoluted tube and external reinforcing braid with mild steel end fittings. The assembly is welded and pressure tested.

Spares and Repairs

We offer a repair service that covers our entire product range. We can also provide spare parts for customers who wish to undertake their own repairs, and product maintenance sheets are available upon request.

International Distributors

We have distributors in the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany & Austria, Greece, Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Jordan / Middle East, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain,  Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.