Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
In an expansion joint unit for conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures to accommodate movement therein attributable to expansion and contraction; said expansion joint unit having a pair of spaced apart rigid terminal members for securing the expansion joint unit in fluid conducting relationship with opposable section ends in a fluid transmitting conduit; and said spaced-apart rigid terminal members having been connected in fluid transmitting relationship to each other through an intermediate flexible material which thereby provides a fluid channel expansion joint and permits movement in the terminal members independent of each other and thus accommodating movement in the fluid transmitting conduit sections respectively secured thereto: the improvement comprising a fluid flow deflecting baffle circumferentially surrounding the interior area of the expansion joint unit and fixed in contact to one of the said rigid terminal members which is to be located in the upstream position in fluid transmission therethrough and supported from said fixed contact in cantilever fashion; said circumferential fluid flow deflecting baffle being provided in at least three directional deflecting sections in approximate relation to the conduit in the direction of the fluid transmitting flow therethrough, the first of said sections of the circumferential baffle beginning adjacent to the portion of the baffle fixed in contact and supported by the one terminal member and converging in a direction inwardly towards the approximate axis of the conduit at an angle acute to the said conduit, the second of the said sections of the circumferential baffle directed in approximate parallel relationship to the conduit, and the third of said sections directed diverging outwardly toward the conduit and terminating at least approximately adjacent to the other rigid terminal member which is opposite the said member fixed in contact to and supporting the said circumferential baffle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
In an expansion joint unit for conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures to accommodate movement therein attributable to expansion and contraction; said expansion joint unit having a pair of spaced apart rigid terminal members for securing the expansion joint unit in fluid conducting relationship with opposable section ends in a fluid transmitting conduit; and said spaced-apart rigid terminal members having been connected in fluid transmitting relationship to each other through an intermediate flexible material which thereby provides a fluid channel expansion joint and permits movement in the terminal members independent of each other and thus accommodating movement in the fluid transmitting conduit sections respectively secured thereto: the improvement comprising a fluid flow deflecting baffle circumferentially surrounding the interior area of the expansion joint unit and fixed in contact to one of the said rigid terminal members which is to be located in the upstream position in fluid transmission therethrough and supported from said fixed contact in cantilever fashion; said circumferential fluid flow deflecting baffle being provided in at least three directional deflecting sections in approximate relation to the conduit in the direction of the fluid transmitting flow therethrough, the first of said sections of the circumferential baffle beginning adjacent to the portion of the baffle fixed in contact and supported by the one terminal member and converging in a direction inwardly towards the approximate axis of the conduit at an angle acute to the said conduit, the second of the said sections of the circumferential baffle directed in approximate parallel relationship to the conduit, and the third of said sections directed diverging outwardly toward the conduit and terminating at least approximately adjacent to the other rigid terminal member which is opposite the said member fixed in contact to and supporting the said circumferential baffle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The expansion joint unit foR conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures of claim 1 with the improved circumferential fluid deflecting baffle, wherein the said third of the sections of the circumferential fluid deflecting baffle is directed diverging outwardly toward the conduit and approaches the conduit at an acute angle in relation to the said conduit which is smaller than the acute angle of the direction of the first of the said sections in relation to the conduit in converging inwardly towards the approximate axis of the conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The expansion joint unit for conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures of claim 1 with the improved circumferential fluid deflecting baffle, wherein the said first of the sections of the circumferential fluid deflecting baffle is directed converging inwardly towards the approximate axis of conduit at an acute angle to the said conduit of less than approximately 25*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The expansion joint unit for conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures of claim 3 with the improved circumferential fluid deflecting baffle, wherein the said first of the sections of the circumferential fluid deflecting baffle is directed converging inwardly towards the approximate axis of the conduit at an acute angle to the said conduit of within the range of approximately 3* to 15*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The expansion joint unit for conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures of claim 3 with the improved circumferential fluid deflecting baffle, wherein the said last of the sections of the circumferential fluid deflecting baffle is directed diverging outwardly toward the conduit at an acute angle to the said conduit of less than approximately 20*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The expansion joint unit for conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures of claim 5 with the improved circumferential fluid deflecting baffle, wherein the said last of the sections of the circumferential fluid deflecting baffle is directed diverging outwardly toward the conduit at an acute angle to the said conduit in the range of approximately 2* to 10*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The expansion joint unit for conduits transmitting fluid at immoderate temperatures of claim 1 with the improved circumferential fluid deflecting baffle, wherein the said circumferential fluid deflecting baffle is constructed comprising a first inwardly converging section, second static intermediate section, and a third outwardly diverging section.