Sweepolet — Swept-Radius Branch Outlet
The Sweepolet is a forged integrally reinforced branch outlet fitting in which the transition from the run pipe surface to the branch outlet nozzle follows a large, gradual swept radius rather than the sharp angular intersection of a standard Weldolet. This sweeping curved profile distributes stress at the branch-to-run junction over a much larger area, significantly reducing the stress concentration factor (SCF) at the crotch of the branch connection compared to both standard Weldolets and set-on or set-in branch welded connections.
The lower stress concentration factor translates directly into superior fatigue life at the branch connection. In high-cycle applications — such as compressor discharge piping, pump discharge headers and pipelines subject to pressure pulsation, flow-induced vibration or thermal cycling — the Sweepolet can achieve a fatigue life several times greater than a standard Weldolet at the same operating stress level, making it the preferred branch outlet fitting wherever fatigue is a design driver.
The Sweepolet is a butt-weld end fitting only. The branch outlet bore matches the branch pipe bore exactly, with a full-penetration butt weld to the branch pipe. The base is contoured to the run pipe OD and fillet-welded in the same manner as a Weldolet. Full bore (branch same NPS as run) and reducing configurations are both available.