Pipe joints or couplings – With casing – lining or protector – Insulated
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-18
2001-10-02
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3626)
Pipe joints or couplings
With casing, lining or protector
Insulated
C285S226000, C285S300000, C285S227000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296282
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention was made for the purpose of constructing a gas-tight articulated connecting element for piping elements, especially piping elements of the exhaust systems of combustion engines in vehicles. The connecting element includes at least one flexible tube element which is at least indirectly connected with the piping elements, and at least one supporting element arranged outside the tube element and in a distance to the same. The supporting element includes at least two supporting parts, each of them being at least indirectly connected with its adjacent piping element and with flexible connections between their ends facing each other.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such articulated connecting parts are installed between two piping elements of a pipe assembly which are generally in alignment with each other, for the purpose of allowing angular and also axial movements of one element with respect to another, and to obtain a counter decoupling regarding the transfer of vibrations and sounds between the piping elements. This invention is especially appropriate for application in the exhaust systems of vehicles, and the following text will in general refer to this application without restricting the field of application of the subject of this invention. Usually, the piping elements to be connected with each other, or their ends, are pipes with smooth surfaces. Connecting flanges, however, are appropriate for this application as well. The piping elements have, in general, circular cross-sectional areas which are coaxial towards the corresponding piping element, the piping element having a circular cross-sectional area as well. Cross-sectional areas of other shapes, however, are also possible, e.g. an oval cross-sectional area of the piping elements, with a cross-sectional area of the corresponding tube element being adapted to the same.
The flexible tube element can, in this special case, be a single- or multi-ply corrugated pipe, a bellows, a tightly stripwound hose or a similar part, with the material being selected according to the existing requirements. In the exhaust systems of vehicles, these parts and also the other components of the connecting element will be made of metal, unless an express note is made on the following pages that another type of metal is required. Annularly corrugated metal hoses are an especially preferable solution with respect to the tube element.
In the case of the connecting element previously mentioned, the ends of the supporting parts facing each other are equipped with metal wire cushions inserted in the radial connecting attachments formed by the supporting parts, with the connecting attachments being pressed against the metal wire cushions and thus against each other by brackets mounted from outside. This connection type provides a relatively rigid coupling of the supporting parts which results in a relatively low decoupling of vibrations and sounds. Furthermore, the degree of mobility of such a connecting element is quite low, and there is the danger that the mounted brackets will slip off, thus causing the breaking of the connection of the supporting parts with each other. Finally, the degree of mobility of the traditional version can only be adjusted to a limited extent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the instant invention is to provide a connecting element complying with the requirements mentioned in the beginning and allowing a high decoupling effect regarding the transfer of vibrations and sound. Additionally, a high degree of mobility of the connecting element facilitates the choice from a wide range of versions. Another object of the invention is the development of a design of low response to exterior influences and of high reliability in service.
The above object, along with others to become apparent as the description progresses, is attained according to the invention by the provision of a gas-tight tube element tightly connected with the piping elements. In this design, the flexible connection of the supporting parts includes at least one intermediate element made of an elastomer, the intermediate element being connected with the supporting parts in a non-positive or positive locking union.
As a consequence of the arrangement according to the invention, the supporting parts are connected by an element of high flexibility and a considerable interior damping rate. The connection between the supporting parts is thus highly movable and can also be easily adapted to the individual requirements of the arrangement by varying the Shore hardness of the elastomer.
Furthermore, the installation process of the intermediate element according to the invention allows high operating safety as the constructional details described in the following text will show.
The intermediate element according to the invention is also resistant to the high temperatures occurring particularly in the exhaust system of vehicles. The above is true without restrictions to Diesel engines because of their generally lower exhaust gas temperatures, but also to petrol engines because modern engines with their optimized consumption will emit less heat. Additionally, elastomers whose temperature resistance has also been optimized in the meantime, have a high resistance to constantly high temperatures. In this very context it is to be pointed out that the optimized temperature resistance of silicone rubber and fluoric silicone rubber has made them materials which are particularly appropriate for the intermediate element of this invention.
In a second embodiment which has been developed by modifying the initially mentioned articulated connection, the principles of the invention provide a flexible connection of the supporting parts including at least one intermediate element made of an elastomer, a non-positive and/or positive locking connection between the intermediate element and the supporting parts and a mostly gas-tight design of the assembly including supporting parts and an intermediate element, as well as an at least indirect tight connection between this assembly and the adjacent piping elements. This second embodiment makes use of the possibility, based on a combination with the first embodiment, of assigning to the assembly, the intermediate element and supporting parts, the function of gas-tight conveyance. This version does not require gas-tight tube elements, thus allowing a cheaper construction, especially a stripwound hose with an interlocked profile including a metal strip without sealing means.
In any other respect, the principles on which the first embodiment is based will also apply to the second embodiment.
It makes sense to use, in general, bell-shaped piping elements as supporting parts. These elements, with their conical necks, are at least indirectly connected with the corresponding piping element. According to the individual design, one or several intermediate elements can be inserted between the ends of these piping elements facing each other, with the possibility of distributing several unobtrusive intermediate elements equally over the whole range of the tube element.
The invention, however, also allows the use of brackets with generally bellmouthed longitudinal sections which are axially parallel to the tube element. These brackets are connected with the corresponding piping elements by an end ring with cylindrical cavity attached to the brackets. With this design, each end ring can be connected with at least two brackets distributed equally over the whole range of the tube element, with the connection formed either by insertion of a single element or by welding the parts already mentioned together. Furthermore, the brackets may either be rigid or elastic, depending on the requirements with respect to the operating properties of the connecting elements provided in the invention.
In the version described in the foregoing paragraph, the ends of the supporting parts facing each other can also have a profiled configuration which allows a good and secure connection with the intermediate element. For this purpose, the en
Burkhardt Carlo
Elsasser Fabian
Kelemen Gabor J.
Nicholson Eric K.
Venable
Witzenmann GmbH Metallschlauch-Fabrik Pforzheim
LandOfFree
Articulated connecting element for piping elements does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Articulated connecting element for piping elements, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Articulated connecting element for piping elements will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2589247