Flexible joint
AssigneeMide Technology Corporation
InventorsLuke Clovis Saindon, Noel Jared Keegan, Marthinus van Schoor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A constant volume flexible joint system includes a flexible membrane for coupling across a joint and spaced radial support ribs fitted to the membrane. Axial support structures are coupled to the spaced radial support ribs preventing axial deformation of the joint due to a differential pressure. The axial support structure preferably include pivoting sockets and blocks enabling the joint to flex and the flexible membrane to contract on the inside of a bend and expand by an equal or near equal amount on the outside of the bend resulting in a constant volume joint that requires low or no torque throughout the bending motion.
Claims28
A constant volume flexible joint system comprising:
- a flexible membrane for coupling across a joint;
- spaced radial support ribs fitted to the membrane;
- at least one axial support structure coupled to the spaced radial support ribs preventing a pressure differential from axial deformation of the joint;
- and
- the axial support structure including pivoting portions having convex faces moveably mated to pivoting portions having concave faces for preventing the flexible membrane from contracting axially and enabling the joint to flex and the flexible membrane to contract on the inside of a bend and expand on the outside of the bend resulting in a constant volume joint.
A flexible sealed joint comprising:
- a flexible bellows membrane having peaks and valleys;
- spaced support ribs disposed inside the flexible bellows membrane in the flexible membrane peaks;
- pivot socket members having concave faces, said pivot socket members coupled to the spaced support ribs;
- and
- pivot blocks having convex faces between adjacent pivot socket members, said pivot block convex faces moveably mated to the concave faces of the pivot socket members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.