Exhaust manifold attachment apparatus

A flexible connector apparatus for connecting first and second components of a fluid conduit system, comprising:

• a bellows member, having an axis, first and second ends, and at least two substantially uniform convolutions disposed substantially adjacent the first of the two ends;
• a flange member, positioned in circumferentially surrounding relationship to the bellows member, axially between the at least two substantially uniform convolutions of the bellows member,
• the flange member including at least one attachment element, operably associated with the flange member and configured for attachment of the flange member to one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system,
• the attachment element further being configured to capture one of the at least two substantially uniform convolutions axially between the flange member and the one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system, for forming, upon completed attachment of the flange member to the one of the first and second components, a substantially fluid-tight weldless seal between one of the at least two substantially uniform convolutions of the bellows and the adjacent end of the bellows member, and the one of the first and second components,
• the axially opposite end of the bellows member being operably configured for attachment at least indirectly to the other of the first and second components, for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection therewith, toward enabling the substantially fluid-tight transportation of fluid from the one of the first and second components, through the flexible connector apparatus, to the other of the first and second components;
• a liner tube structure insertably received within the bellows member:
• the liner tube structure further comprising a first liner tube member, having a radially outwardly extending annular flange at one end thereof, the first liner tube member being insertably received in the first end of the bellows member, such that at least a portion of one of the at least two substantially uniform convolutions is positioned axially between the flange member and the radially outwardly extending annular flange, such that upon capture of the convolution between the flange member and the one of the first and second components, the radially outwardly extending annular flange is also captured thereby;
• a second liner tube member, telescopically engaged with the first liner tube member and insertably received within the bellows member, and affixed, in a sealing manner, at least indirectly to a second end of the bellows member, distal to the first end of the bellows member, being operably configured for attachment at least indirectly to the other of the first and second components, toward enabling the substantially fluid-tight transportation of fluid from the one of the first and second components, through the flexible connector apparatus, to the other of the first and second components.

A flexible connector apparatus for connecting first and second components of a fluid conduit system, comprising:

• a bellows member, having an axis, first and second ends, and at least two substantially uniform convolutions disposed substantially adjacent the first of the two ends:
• a flange member, positioned in circumferentially surrounding relationship to the bellows member, axially between the at least two substantially uniform convolutions of the bellows member,
• the flange member including at least one attachment element, operably associated with the flange member and configured for attachment of the flange member to one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system,
• the attachment element further being configured to capture one of the at least two substantially uniform convolutions axially between the flange member and the one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system, for forming, upon completed attachment of the flange member to the one of the first and second components, a substantially fluid-tight weldless seal between one of the at least two substantially uniform convolutions of the bellows and the adjacent end of the bellows member, and the one of the first and second components,
• the axially opposite end of the bellows member being operably configured for attachment at least indirectly to the other of the first and second components, for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection therewith, toward enabling the substantially fluid-tight transportation of fluid from the one of the first and second components, through the flexible connector apparatus, to the other of the first and second components;
• the bellows member, having at least two corrugations, being fabricated from at least two telescopically engaged, non-coextensive tubular members, so that a first at least one of the at least two corrugations has at least two layers formed by the at least two telescopically engaged, non-coextensive members, and a second at least one of the at least two corrugations has fewer layers than the first at least one of the at least two corrugations.