Guided expansion joint

In an expansion joint (1) for fluidically connecting in a sealed relationship adjacent ends of two conduits (2, 3) adapted for carrying fluids of varying temperatures, said expansion joint comprising telescopically arranged outer (5) and inner (4) members adapted to be connected one to each of said conduits, said outer member defining an annular packing chamber (7) opening through its inner surface (29) for containing packing rings (14) at its opposite ends and a pressurized semi-plastic packing composition (13) intermediate said packing rings, said packing rings and packing composition being arranged in a fluid sealing engagement with a highly polished outer surface (15) of said inner member, the improvement for inhibiting score producing engagement of said polished surface (15) with said inner surface (29) incident to misalignment of said outer and inner members (5, 4) while permitting telescopic movements therebetween, characterized in that said outer member (5) carries a pair of annular guide rings (11 and 12) disposed at fixed distances from said packing chamber (7) and at axially opposite ends of said outer member (5), said guide rings (11 and 12) extending radially inwardly of said inner surface (29) and being sized to maintain a radial gap (23) with said polished surface (15) up to a maximum rated operating temperature of said expansion joint (1) when said outer and inner members (5, 4) are disposed in axial alignment, and said guide rings (11 and 12) are formed of a low friction and abrasive resistant material capable of resisting substantial compressive deformation for inhibiting said score producing engagement between said polished surface (15) and said inner surface (29) while being sufficiently soft to avoid scoring of said polished surface (15) by said guide rings (11 and 12) when said outer and inner members (5, 4) are disposed out of axial alignment.