Expansion joint

An expansion joint for connection between spaced apart and aligning ends of two pipes, said expansion joint comprising:

• two end portions oriented in spaced relationship and in axial alignment with one another and connectable between two spaced and aligning pipe ends;
• a corrugated tubular member defining a series of circumferential corrugations along its length and defining two opposite ends which are each fixedly attached to a corresponding end portion of said joint;
• a first sleeve having two opposite ends and being positioned substantially within said tubular member, one end of said first sleeve being supportedly connected to one of said end portions for axial movement therewith;
• a first stop member being attached to the inner wall of said first sleeve adjacent the other of its ends;
• a second sleeve having two opposite ends and being positioned substantially within said tubular member, one end of said second sleeve being supportedly connected to the other of said cylindrical end portions for axial movement therewith, the other end of said second sleeve being positioned within the first sleeve so that said first and second sleeves collectively serve to reduce turbulence induced by high velocity flow through said expansion joint and to protect the internal surface of said corrugated tubular member from erosion;
• and
• a second stop member being attached to the outer wall of said second sleeve adjacent the other of its ends, said first and second stop members located substantially midway between said two cylindrical end portions and cooperating with one another to limit the axial extension of said joint.