Pipe joints or couplings – Variable length – With bellows seal
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-11-06
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
Variable length
With bellows seal
C285S301000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312023
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to an axial compensator, in particular for piping systems conveying gaseous or liquid mediums, which is generally comprised of at least one corrugated compensator tube extending between two pipe sleeves formed as weld-connector ends and with telescoping, inner, tubular, and interfitting guides interconnecting the pipe sleeves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to compensate for axially effective pipe deformations so-called axial compensators are built into a piping system. Among the known types are the stuffing-box type which can as a result of its construction permit considerable axial displacements but which at the same time seals poorly and only reacts and adjusts in response to considerable forces sufficient to overcome friction.
Smaller axial displacements are taken care of by corrugated compensator tubes with no internal guide. Such compensators are dangerous in that they can be kinked if not guided and supported perfectly.
In addition there are corrugated compensator tubes with internal guides wherein inner overlapping tubular extensions interconnect the connector sleeves inside the corrugated compensator tube and serve as an axial guide. The considerable disadvantage of compensators with internal guiding is that the guides do not limit inward or outward movement and in particular under large pressurization and correspondingly large movements the corrugated compensator tube can be destroyed by being stretched too much. This disadvantage can only be alleviated by the use of expensive devices built onto the outside of the corrugated tube compensator.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an axial compensator that can be subjected to high pressures and substantial axial movements, which is of simple and inexpensive construction, and which in addition allows relief in the piping system of even very small axial forces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved in that the telescoping guides are each provided at an end with at least two offset flange-like spacing noses, the spacing noses extending over a shorter arc than gaps formed between the spacing noses, and that the spacing noses are set by twisting through their arc in end positions limiting a slide travel. In addition to the use of a compensator with a corrugated-tube hose the invention allows the ganging of several corrugated compensator tubes to compensate for substantial movements, the forces being transmitted by the various connections of the guides to each corrugated compensator tube. This reduces the adjustment forces such that the movements are only applied to the acting corrugated compensator tubes. This thus reduces the load on the piping system.
The particular advantage of the guiding is that axial forces are compensated for and simultaneously the guides act as travel limiters. Such guides with limiters can be used anywhere where length changes, for instance caused thermally, have to be dealt with.
Particular embodiments of the pipe or tube elements carrying the guides are thus necessary when several corrugated compensator tubes are used to compensate for substantial slide travels. In addition to the pipe sleeves which are soldered into the piping system, intermediate elements in the form of guide or tube elements must be provided that have guides on both ends and that simultaneously are formed as weld-connector ends for connection to the individual corrugated compensator tubes. The telescoping guides thus must have spacing noses that are set according to the limits of slide travel. A substantial number of outer or inner spacing noses on the guides improve the axial transmission of forces. In order to be able to set the interengaging and relatively slidable guides to transmit all of the possible compression or extension, additional abutments are provided for limiting angular movement. In addition it is possible that each corrugated compensator tube be provided with a protective casing and even with sensors. In addition it is advantageous to provide the interengaging guides with seals as for example O-rings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3469862 (1969-09-01), Conebeer
patent: 4350372 (1982-09-01), Logdson
patent: 4526409 (1985-07-01), Schaefer
patent: 5286071 (1994-02-01), Storage
patent: 5370427 (1994-12-01), Hoelle et al.
patent: 5482330 (1996-01-01), Holzhausen
patent: 6109661 (2000-08-01), Cwik et al.
patent: G 86 32 567.1 (1987-03-01), None
patent: 0 108 829 A1 (1984-05-01), None
patent: 1 531 792 (1978-11-01), None
Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Dubno Herbert
Wilford Andrew
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