Flexible coupler apparatus

A flexible coupler apparatus for connecting adjacent ends of successive pipes to direct fluid flow from one of said two pipes to the other of said two pipes, while precluding transmission of vibration between said two pipes, said flexible coupler apparatus comprising:

• an inner sleeve member having an end operably affixable to one of said two pipes, and a free end;
• an outer sleeve member having an end operably affixable to the other of said two pipes, and a free end;
• said inner and outer sleeve members separated by an annular space to permit angular displacement therebetween,
• said free end of said outer sleeve member operably arranged to slidingly receive said free end of said inner sleeve member, a portion of said outer sleeve member thereby concentrically overlapping a portion of said inner sleeve member, said outer and inner sleeve members further operably arranged for axial and angular movement relative to each other to, in turn, accommodate axial and angular movement of said two pipes relative to each other;
• a substantially porous, vibration absorbing spacer member positioned between said inner and outer sleeve members, within said annular space, for maintaining said inner sleeve member and said outer sleeve member in spaced relation to each other along said overlapping portions of said outer and inner sleeve members, and for precluding transmission of vibrations from said inner and outer sleeve members to each other;
• and
• a resilient sealing member affixed to said outer sleeve member and said inner sleeve member for maintaining said two pipes in flexibly joined relation to each other to accommodate and enable substantial compressive and extensive axial movement as well as angular movement of the outer and inner sleeve members relative to each other, preclude transmission of vibrations of said outer and inner sleeve members to each other and preclude escape of fluid from said flexible coupler apparatus.