Strain equalizer for thermally stressed pipes

A device for compensating for the thermal expansion of a pipeline fixedly disposed between components so as to minimize bearing pressures at said components, comprising:

• a. at least one linear pipeline section extending between a first and a second longitudinally spaced, fixedly disposed, stress-susceptible pipeline component;
• b. longitudinally spaced first and second linear bellows-type strain equalizers interposed in said pipeline section between and spaced inwardly from said components, the portion of said pipeline between said longitudinally spaced first and second strain equalizers being continuous and rigid;
• c. a first rigid longitudinal anchor rigidly secured at one end thereof to said pipeline section at a first point thereon between said strain equalizers and nearer the first strain equalizer, and rigidly secured at the other end thereof to said pipeline section at a second point thereon between the second strain equalizer and said second component;
• d. a second rigid longitudinal anchor rigidly secured at one end thereof to said pipeline section at a third point thereon between the first strain equalizer and said first component, and rigidly secured at the other end thereof to said pipeline section at a fourth point thereon between said strain equalizers and nearer the second strain equalizer;
• e. the distance between said second and third points being less than the sum of the distance between said first and second points plus the distance between said third and fourth points;
• and
• f. the distance between said first point and said fourth point along which distance said anchors longitudinally overlap being approximately equal to the sum of the distance between said first component and said third point plus the distance between said second component and said second point.