| On November
7, 1899, A.W. France patented the tangent-cut packing
ring design. This single event not only ushered in a new
era of compressor sealing technology but also laid the
foundation upon which the company known today as France
Compressor Products was built.
The France tangent-cut packing ring design eliminated
a variety of piston rod sealing problems and paved the
way for the development of higher pressure compressors.
While today's compressor packing rings are offered in
a range of new sophisticated materials, this original
France design remains an industry standard.
For over 100 years, France has remained in the forefront
of sealing component technology with a variety of innovations.
During the 1940s, France followed its first revolutionary
design with the introduction of bakelite packing rings
for sour gas applications. At the same time filleted
joint packing rings were introduced to facilitate successful
compressor operation up to 50,000 psi. The 1950's witnessed
the development of a carbon filled PTFE packing, piston
and rider ring material for use in non lube service.
This material was the first in what has evolved into
the complete line of proprietary filled PTFE materials
trademarked FLUR-O-FRAN®
These developments were followed by the introduction
of the "sandwich" ring concept designed
to reduce extrusion under high suction pressure,
and the HI-FLO™ valve designed to perform well
in a wide range of operating conditions by providing
very minimal resistance to flow.
The recent introduction of the FRANLON™ line
of packing rings, piston rings, rider rings and valve
discs has expanded the scope of France Compressor Products'
list of available materials to include a complete line
of proprietary space age thermoplastics.
These innovations, coupled with a research and development
program of new materials and new component designs,
have allowed France to establish its reputation as an
industry leader in compressor sealing component technology.
To maintain this leadership, France has made a commitment
to the future. The company's ongoing investments in
state-of-the-art manufacturing methods include the acquisition
of laser cutting machine tools, thermoplastic molding
machines and an enlarged thermoplastic blending facility.
These additions have expanded the prime manufacturing
abilities of France Compressor Products while providing
total control components manufacturing-from raw material
to finished products.
Today, France Compressor Products represents the best
of over a century of experience in quality and innovation,
combined with leadership focused on the future.
^ top
|
