Sentry®

Operation and Maintenance Instructions

Important Information

Note to Supervisor
Please share this information with your employees and make
sure they have received training on closures prior to operation
and / or maintenance.

/!\ WARNING: Do not attempt to open the closure while system is under
pressure. Failure to relieve all pressure will allow the
contents to escape forcefully and may cause severe injury
or even death. Follow these instructions.

Closure Installation Instructions are available under separate cover and

are included with each closure shipment. For a copy of these instructions,
please contact our Customer Service Department at one of the following
numbers.

Tomball, TX. U.S.A.

Phone 1-800-654-5603 or 281-351-2222
Fax (281) 351-6557
E-mail: sales@rmenergy.com

Or visit our web site: www.rmenergy.com

SCO&M September 2004 Page 1

NOTE: Prior to operating the closure, it is recommended that the following guidelines
are reviewed and that personnel become familiar with the closure
components and operation.

Lifting Eye

Lock Ring Assembly Door

Shoulder Bolt (2) Pressure Alert Valve

Hinge Assembly Safety Segment Assembly

Bearings or Washers Lock Ring Latch Assembly

Hinge Pivot Point Hub

Figure 1
Horizontal Closure
(Typical)

SCO&M September 2004 Page 2

Davit Arm
Sling

Lifting Hook Door

Lock Ring Assembly Pressure Alert Valve

Safety Segment Assembly

Bushing

Lock Ring Latch Assembly

Socket

Hub
Bearings

Figure 2
Vertical Closure
(Typical)

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 SECTION ONE: Opening Procedure for Sentry Closure

1. Relieve internal pressure from the pipeline or vessel in a safe manner and
completely drain contents.
2. After the venting and draining is complete, slowly unscrew the Pressure Alert Valve
(PAV) while observing for product or internal pressure.
3. If any product or internal pressure is detected, return PAV to closed position and
repeat step one.

Note: The PAV is only intended to warn the operator of residual pressure in
the pipeline or pressure vessel. Under no circumstances should the
PAV be used to relieve pressure from the pipeline or pressure vessel.

4. If no product or internal pressure is detected, unscrew the PAV completely.

5. Remove the PAV and Safety Segment Assembly from the hub.
6. Rotate the handle on the Lock Ring Latch Assembly counter clockwise to retract the
Lock Ring Assembly into the open position. Integral fixed stops are provided to
ensure complete travel of the mechanism. Note: The Lock Ring Assembly has a
natural spring tendency and it is recommended that a tight handgrip be maintained
on the handle of the Lock Ring Latch Assembly throughout this operation.
7. Visually verify that all locking segments are completely disengaged from hub.
8. The Door may now be swung to the open position. Caution: Do not place hands or
fingers between the Door and Hinge Assembly while opening the closure.

Socket Head
Figure 3 Cap Screw
Beveled Land
Door
Stops Pressure Alert
Valve (PAV)
Safety
Segment

Lock Ring
Latch
Assembly

Socket Head
Cap Screw

Hinge Assembly Hub

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SECTION TWO: Closing Procedure for Sentry Closure

1. Clean and inspect the Seal and Back-Up Ring, sealing surfaces, and contact
surfaces on the Lock Ring Assembly, Hub and Door.

2. Clean and inspect PAV. Replace the o-ring on the PAV if necessary.

3. Replace Seal and/or Back Up Ring if damaged. See page 9 of these instructions (or
refer to Product Bulletin P0403).

4. Apply a thin coat of grease to all seal surfaces and to the Beveled Land on the Door.

5. Slowly, swing the Door to the closed position. Caution: Do not place hands or
fingers between the Door and Hinge Assembly or between the Door and Hub while
closing the closure.

6. While applying hand force to hinge handle, rotate the Lock Ring Latch Assembly
clockwise to the closed position. Note: The Lock Ring Assembly has a natural
spring tendency and should not be allowed to snap into position. It is recommended
that a tight handgrip be maintained on the handle of the Lock Ring Latch Assembly
throughout this operation.

7. Visually verify that all Locking Segments are in the fully closed position and are fully
engaged around the circumference.

8. Install Safety Segment Assembly and PAV. Tighten PAV to approximately 50 ft. lbs.

Note: Safe and prudent procedures must be followed during pressurization of the
vessel. If any leakage is detected, the pressurization process must be stopped
immediately and the vessel must be completely vented and drained. Leakage
from the Closure indicates either a damaged Seal or contaminated Sealing
Surface. Both the Seal and mating Surface should be inspected in accordance
with Section Three – Maintenance.

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SECTION THREE: Maintenance of Sentry Closure


Sentry closures require limited maintenance that can be performed with minimal
downtime and effort. On a routine basis, the following procedures should be followed:

Lock Ring Segments:

1. With the Door in the open position rotate the Lock Ring Latch Assembly clockwise to
allow the Lock Ring Assembly to expand to the closed position. Carefully lift the
Lock Ring Assembly from the Door and rest on the Hinge Assembly (Fig. 1) or
Socket (Fig 2).

2. Clean contact surfaces (see Fig. 4) of any grease, paint and debris. Take care to
remove any debris on the inner surface of the Lock Ring Segments and Spring
Band. Accumulations and moderate surface corrosion can be removed by hand
sanding effected areas with medium grade emery paper.

3. Apply a light coating of grease to the contact surfaces.

4. Return the Lock Ring Assembly to the Door ensuring the open ends of the Lock Ring
Assembly are positioned between the stops (see Fig. 3) on the Door. Rotate the
Lock Ring Latch Assembly counter clockwise to contract the Lock Ring Assembly to
the open position.

Figure 4 Lock Ring

Segment

Contact Spring
Surfaces Band

Note: The Lock Ring Segments and Spring Band are constructed of stainless steel
material and do not require paint. The Contact Surfaces shall not be painted.

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Closure Hub:

1. Clean the closure Hub internal contact surfaces, paying particular attention to the
Lock Ring Assembly Groove and Seal Area. Carefully inspect surfaces for damage.
If necessary, hand sand affected areas with medium grade emery paper.

2. Ensure all internal contact surfaces are clean and free of any debris and apply a light
coating of grease to these surfaces.

Note: Vertical closures are supplied with three Drain Holes (see Fig 5) to prevent the
accumulation of water. During general maintenance ensure that these Drain Holes are
free of debris.

Figure 5

Lock Ring
Assembly Groove

Drain Hole

Seal Area
(Vertical
closure Hubs
contain seal
groove.)

Horizontal Closure Hub Vertical Closure Hub

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Closure Door:

1. Clean the closure Door contact surfaces, paying particular attention to the Beveled
Land and Seal Area. Carefully inspect surfaces for damage. If necessary, hand
sand affected areas with medium grade emery paper.

2. Ensure all contact surfaces are clean and free of any paint or debris. Apply a light
coating of grease to these clean surfaces.

Figure 6

Beveled Land

Seal area
(Horizontal
closure Doors
contain seal
groove.)

Horizontal Closure Door Vertical Closure Door

Pressure Alert Valve (PAV): Figure 7

1. Remove the O-Ring from the PAV and inspect

for damage. Replace if necessary.
Retaining
2. Clean and inspect the PAV threads and the Pins (2)
mating threads in the Door. Apply a light
coating of grease to the o-ring and threads.
O-Ring
Note: The PAV is constructed of stainless steel
material and does not require paint.
Threads

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Closure Seal:


Sentry closures utilize a two-piece sealing system consisting of a special rubber Seal
and a stainless steel, spiral-wound Back-Up Ring.

Each time the closure Door is opened:

Seal Groove
1. Remove the Seal and Back-Up Ring.
2. Inspect both pieces for damage and replace
either or both as necessary.
STEP 1 3. Thoroughly clean the Groove.
4. IMPORTANT: Apply a thin coat of lithium
grease to the Seal.
Seal

Back-Up Ring

1. Press the Seal into the Groove with the Seal

Surface “B” Lip pointing toward the center of the closure.
2. Beginning at the 12 O’clock position, work in
both directions around the circumference to
the 3 & 9 O’clock positions and finally to the 6
STEP 2 O’clock position. It may be helpful to apply a
Seal Lip small amount of lithium grease to your finger
or to a round tool (such as the round side of a
small Allen wrench) and work the seal into
the groove by pressing on Surface “A”.
3. After the seal is positioned in the groove,
Surface “A”
make sure the seal is firmly seated by
pressing around the circumference on
Surfaces “A” and “B”.

1. IMPORTANT: Apply lithium grease around

Mating Seal Surface
the circumference of Surface “B”.
2. Press the Back-Up Ring into position on
Surface “B”. Beginning at the 12 O’clock
position, work in both directions around the
STEP 3 circumference to the 3 & 9 O’clock positions
and finally to the 6 O’clock position. Avoid
stretching the Back-Up Ring when installing.
3. Thoroughly clean the Mating Seal Surface.
4. IMPORTANT: Apply a thin coat of lithium
grease around the circumference of the
Mating Seal Surface.
5. The Seal is now properly installed.

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SECTION FOUR: Sandblasting and Painting Precautions
1. Mask off the Lock Ring Assembly, Safety Segment and Beveled Land on the Door.

2. Avoid directing the sandblasting at the masked off area.

3. Clean thoroughly after sandblasting and apply a thin coat of grease to the Beveled
Land on the Door prior to painting.

Lock Ring Assembly

Beveled Land

Door

Safety Segment

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SECTION FIVE: Storage of Sentry Closure

Sentry closures are supplied with protection for both short and long term storage. This
protection includes:

Exterior surfaces: Painted with red oxide shop primer finish.

Locking surfaces: All machined and unpainted surfaces are protected with a
coating of grease.

Weld bevel: Protected by suitable plywood end cap or wooden skid base.

Recommended storage for Sentry Closures:

Short term

Preferred: Indoors away from fabrication activities.

Acceptable: Outdoors with suitable protection (such as plastic sheeting or

tarpaulin) from moisture or rain.

Long term

Preferred: Indoors away from fabrication activities.

SCO&M September 2004 Page 11

 R&M Energy Systems
10906 FM 2920
Tomball, Texas, U.S.A. 77375
(800) 654-5603
(281) 351-2222
Fax: (281) 351-6557

E-mail: sales@rmenergy.com

Web Site: www.rmenergy.com

SCO&M September 2004 Page 12