US3574358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible pipe coupling
Assignee: TORCA PRODUCTS Inc
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Filing: 1968-10-30
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1988-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A flexible pipe coupling particularly adaptable to an exhaust system for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a vehicle frame. The flexible coupling may be disposed generally midway of the exhaust system, at which point a first pipe, such as the exhaust pipe leading from the engine manifold, coaxially receives, or terminates adjacent the end of, a portion of a second pipe, such as the tailpipe extending rearwardly of the vehicle. An intermediate pipe is received about the ends of the exhaust pipe and the tailpipe, and is coaxial therewith. The intermediate pipe defines an annular chamber with the tailpipe, the chamber being in communication with the exhaust pipe. A first resilient seal is disposed between one end of the intermediate pipe and the exhaust pipe and a second resilient seal is disposed between one end of the intermediate pipe and the tailpipe. Heat insulating means are disposed between the resilient seals and the exhaust and tailpipes respectively, to limit heat transfer from hot exhaust gasses to the resilient seals and the intermediate pipe. The resilient seals and the dimensional parameters in the coupling permit angular movement of the exhaust pipe and tailpipe relative to each other, and the intermediate pipe may be formed so as to limit axial movement of the pipes relative to each other under operating conditions of the vehicle. The annular chamber between the intermediate pipe and the tailpipe is dimensioned so that the coupling acts as a sound-attenuating device, attenuating sounds in a particular range of frequencies emanating from the engine and passing with the exhaust gasses.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R Cassel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L27/00; F16L27/10; F16L27/1004; F01; F01N; F01N13/00; F01N13/08; F01N13/10; F01N13/102; F01N13/18; F01N13/1805; F01N13/1811; F01N13/1827; F01N13/1838; F01N13/1844; F01N13/1855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A flexible pipe coupling comprising: a first pipe having a first annular heat-insulating collar on a portion thereof; a second pipe spaced from said first pipe and extending generally axially therefrom said second pipe having a second annular heatinsulating collar on a portion thereof; an intermediate pipe received over said portion of said first pipe and said portion of said second pipe, said intermediate pipe and said second pipe forming an elongated annular chamber therebetween communicating with the space between said first pipe and said second pipe; first resilient O-ring sealing means disposed between said first collar and said intermediate pipe; and second resilient O-ring sealing means disposed between said second collar and said intermediate pipe; said first and second resilient sealing means having a cross-sectional thickness in the radial direction which is small relative to the diameter of said pipes, said first and second resilient sealing means being compressed between the respective pipes to an extent great enough to provide continuous sealing engagement between the inner and outer periphery thereof and the respective pipes whereby said sealing means permits limited movement of said pipes relative to each other and defines terminations of said annular chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A flexible pipe coupling comprising: a first pipe having a first annular heat-insulating collar on a portion thereof; a second pipe spaced from said first pipe and extending generally axially therefrom said second pipe having a second annular heatinsulating collar on a portion thereof; an intermediate pipe received over said portion of said first pipe and said portion of said second pipe, said intermediate pipe and said second pipe forming an elongated annular chamber therebetween communicating with the space between said first pipe and said second pipe; first resilient O-ring sealing means disposed between said first collar and said intermediate pipe; and second resilient O-ring sealing means disposed between said second collar and said intermediate pipe; said first and second resilient sealing means having a cross-sectional thickness in the radial direction which is small relative to the diameter of said pipes, said first and second resilient sealing means being compressed between the respective pipes to an extent great enough to provide continuous sealing engagement between the inner and outer periphery thereof and the respective pipes whereby said sealing means permits limited movement of said pipes relative to each other and defines terminations of said annular chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The pipe coupling set forth in claim 1 and further including first and second means adjacent the respective ends of said intermediate pipe and adapted to engage the first and second collars, respectively, for limiting axial movement of said intermediate pipe relative to said first or said second pipes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pipe coupling set forth in claim 1 wherein said second pipe is coaxially received in said first pipe and annularly spaced therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The pipe coupling set forth in claim 3 and further including resilient bumper means disposed on one of said pipes and adjacent the end of the other of said pipes and engageable thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The pipe coupling set forth in claim 3 and further including resilient bumper means disposed on one of said pipes and adjacent the end of the other of said pipes and engageable thereby, and means on said intermediate pipe for limiting axial movement of said intermediate pipe relative to said first or said second pipes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
264 words
For use in automotive exhaust systems, a flexible pipe coupling adapted to maintain first and second pipes sealed against leakage of hot exhaust gasses throughout a limited movement of the pipes, said pIpe coupling comprising first and second pipes and an intermediate pipe, the first pipe and the intermediate pipe being disposed in a first telescoping relationship with an annular space therebetween throughout an overlap region, a first collar of heat-insulating material mounted on the first pipe, first resilient sealing means of annular configuration disposed between the first collar and the intermediate pipe intermediate the ends of the overlap region, the second pipe and the intermediate pipe being disposed in a second telescoping relationship with an annular space therebetween throughout an overlap region, a second collar of heat-insulating material mounted on the second pipe, second resilient sealing means of annular configuration disposed between the second collar and the intermediate pipe intermediate the ends of the overlap region, each of said first and second sealing means being substantially circular in cross section in its undeformed condition and having a cross-sectional diameter which is small relative to the diameter of said pipes, said sealing means being radially compressed between the respective pipes to an extent great enough to prevent leakage of said gasses but small enough so that the sealing means engages the pipes over a line contact which is narrow relative to the cross-sectional diameter of the sealing means, whereby the coupling accommodates relative angular and linear motion of the pipes without disruption of the seal therebetween by maintaining said line contact throughout said motion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
264 words
For use in automotive exhaust systems, a flexible pipe coupling adapted to maintain first and second pipes sealed against leakage of hot exhaust gasses throughout a limited movement of the pipes, said pIpe coupling comprising first and second pipes and an intermediate pipe, the first pipe and the intermediate pipe being disposed in a first telescoping relationship with an annular space therebetween throughout an overlap region, a first collar of heat-insulating material mounted on the first pipe, first resilient sealing means of annular configuration disposed between the first collar and the intermediate pipe intermediate the ends of the overlap region, the second pipe and the intermediate pipe being disposed in a second telescoping relationship with an annular space therebetween throughout an overlap region, a second collar of heat-insulating material mounted on the second pipe, second resilient sealing means of annular configuration disposed between the second collar and the intermediate pipe intermediate the ends of the overlap region, each of said first and second sealing means being substantially circular in cross section in its undeformed condition and having a cross-sectional diameter which is small relative to the diameter of said pipes, said sealing means being radially compressed between the respective pipes to an extent great enough to prevent leakage of said gasses but small enough so that the sealing means engages the pipes over a line contact which is narrow relative to the cross-sectional diameter of the sealing means, whereby the coupling accommodates relative angular and linear motion of the pipes without disruption of the seal therebetween by maintaining said line contact throughout said motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein the collars have a greater radial thickness at its ends than at its intermediate portion and said sealing means is seated at the intermediate portion thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |