In-line pressure balanced universal expansion joint
AssigneeHyspan Precision Products, Inc.
InventorDonald R. Heye
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An in-line, pressure balanced universal expansion joint for a piping system has a central bellows and opposite first and second end bellows secured to the opposite first and second ends of the central bellows. A first gimbal assembly pivotally links the outer end of the first end bellows to the second end of the central bellows. A second gimbal assembly links the outer end of the second end bellows to the first end of the central bellows. Each gimbal assembly has a gimbal ring pivotally linked to the outer end of the respective end bellows via a first linkage and to the respective end of the central bellows via a second linkage for pivotal movement about two perpendicular pivot axes.
Claims6
An expansion joint for a piping system, comprising:
- a central bellows having opposite first and second ends;
- a first end bellows connected in line with the central bellows at the first end of the central bellows;
- a second end bellows connected in line with the central bellows at the second end of the central bellows;
- each end bellows having an outer end adapted for connection to a section of piping in the piping system;
- a first gimbal assembly pivotally linking the outer end of the first end bellows to the second end of the central bellows;
- a second gimbal assembly pivotally linking the outer end of the second end bellows to the first end of the central bellows;
- and
- each gimbal assembly comprising a gimbal ring surrounding the respective first and second end bellows, a first linkage means pivotally linking the gimbal ring to the outer end of the respective first and second end bellows, and a second linkage means pivotally linking the gimbal ring to the respective second and first end of the central bellows, the first and second linkage means having pivot axes perpendicular to each other.
An expansion joint for a piping system, comprising:
- a central expandable tubular member having opposite first and second ends;
- a first expandable tubular end member connected to the first end of the central member, the first end member having an outer end adapted for connection to a pipe;
- a second expandable tubular end member connected to the second end of the central member, the second end member having an outer end adapted for connection to a pipe;
- first gimbal means for pivotally linking the outer end of the first end member to the second end of the central member, the first gimbal means having two pivot axes perpendicular to each other;
- and
- second gimbal means for pivotally linking the outer end of the second gimbal member to the first end of the central member, the second gimbal means having two pivot axes perpendicular to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.