Abstract An expansion joint between an annular turbine shroud and an exhaust diffuser comprises telescoped inner and outer tubular sections connected to the turbine components. The outer tubular section has a pair of inwardly facing circumferential grooves, each receiving a contracting piston ring that sealingly engages the outer periphery of the inner tubular section when the joint is assembled. A thin wall sleeve is used to expand the piston rings sufficiently to permit telescoping of the inner section into the outer section during assembly. A flange integral with one end of the sleeve abuts the end of the inner section so that the sleeve is pulled clear of the piston rings to permit a sealing engagement with the inner section. The sleeve is received in a pocket formed between the inner and outer sections after the joint is assembled.
An expansion joint for sealing the connection between first and second tubular sections, said sections having equal inner diameters and being directly adjacent each other in assembled form, sAid expansion joint comprising: a sleeve surrounding said sections at the junction thereof, said sleeve having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said sections to form an annular chamber between said sections and said sleeve, one end of said sleeve being peripherally secured to one of said sections; an inwardly facing circumferential groove in said sleeve adjacent its other end; a piston-type flexible ring received in said inwardly facing groove, said piston ring having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of said other section so that the inner diameter of said piston ring sealingly engages the periphery of said other section when said sections are connected; an annular assembly ring telescoped into said sleeve at said groove for expanding said piston ring into said groove, said assembly ring having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said other section to permit said other section to be telescoped into said assembly ring; and means defining an interference clearance between the end of said inner section and said assembly ring so that when said other section is telescoped into said sleeve, said section displaces said assembly ring axially clear of said piston ring and into said annular chamber, thus permitting said piston ring to contract and sealingly engage said other section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
An expansion joint for sealing the connection between first and second tubular sections, said sections having equal inner diameters and being directly adjacent each other in assembled form, sAid expansion joint comprising: a sleeve surrounding said sections at the junction thereof, said sleeve having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said sections to form an annular chamber between said sections and said sleeve, one end of said sleeve being peripherally secured to one of said sections; an inwardly facing circumferential groove in said sleeve adjacent its other end; a piston-type flexible ring received in said inwardly facing groove, said piston ring having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of said other section so that the inner diameter of said piston ring sealingly engages the periphery of said other section when said sections are connected; an annular assembly ring telescoped into said sleeve at said groove for expanding said piston ring into said groove, said assembly ring having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said other section to permit said other section to be telescoped into said assembly ring; and means defining an interference clearance between the end of said inner section and said assembly ring so that when said other section is telescoped into said sleeve, said section displaces said assembly ring axially clear of said piston ring and into said annular chamber, thus permitting said piston ring to contract and sealingly engage said other section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An expansion joint as in claim 1 wherein said interference clearance means comprises a radial flange on said assembly ring and extending radially inward to define an interference clearance relative to the end of said other section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An expansion joint as in claim 2 wherein said assembly ring comprises a relatively thin wall sleeve integral with said flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An expansion joint as in claim 1 wherein said assembly ring comprises a relatively thin wall sleeve having an integral radially inwardly extending flange having an inner diameter great enough to permit it to be telescoped over the end of said second element and sufficiently small to form an interference clearance relative to said inner section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An expansion joint as in claim 4 wherein said outer section has a pair of circumferential grooves each receiving a piston-type ring.