US3878868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expansion joint
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-12-14
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-12-14
Abstract
Abstract An elongated expansion joint interconnecting a pair of pipe sections comprising a number of discrete bellows groups and a plurality of fixed and ''''floating'''' ring members. Radial limit stops on cylindrical liners affixed to selected ring members control axial deflection whereas the radial proximity of the liners to the surrounding bellows groups and ring members control lateral deflection.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric B Wheeler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L51/00; F16L51/02; F16L51/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A bellows expansion joint for connecting a pair of pipe sections comprising: a pair of end rings, one at the end of each pipe section; a center ring axially positioned between the end rings; a pair of intermediate rings, one between the center ring and each end ring; a pair of axially outer bellows, one connecting each end ring with an adjacent intermediate ring; a pair of axially inner bellows, one connecting each intermediate ring with the center ring; a pair of end ring liners, each attached at one end to its respective end ring and having the other end free and directed toward the center ring; each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially outer limit stops; a center ring liner, attached at a point between its ends to the center ring and having oppositely directed free ends, each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially inner limit stops; and, stop means depending radially inward from each intermediate ring and cooperating with the outer and inner limit stops for limiting the axial deflection of each bellows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A bellows expansion joint for connecting a pair of pipe sections comprising: a pair of end rings, one at the end of each pipe section; a center ring axially positioned between the end rings; a pair of intermediate rings, one between the center ring and each end ring; a pair of axially outer bellows, one connecting each end ring with an adjacent intermediate ring; a pair of axially inner bellows, one connecting each intermediate ring with the center ring; a pair of end ring liners, each attached at one end to its respective end ring and having the other end free and directed toward the center ring; each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially outer limit stops; a center ring liner, attached at a point between its ends to the center ring and having oppositely directed free ends, each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially inner limit stops; and, stop means depending radially inward from each intermediate ring and cooperating with the outer and inner limit stops for limiting the axial deflection of each bellows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
191 words
A bellows expansion joint for connecting a pair of pipe sections comprising: a pair of end rings, one at the end of each pipe section; a center ring axially positioned between the end rings; a pair of intermediate rings, one between the center ring and each end ring; a pair of axially outer bellows, one connecting each end ring with an adjacent intermediate ring; a pair of axially inner bellows, one connecting each intermediate ring with the center ring; a pair of end ring liners, each attached at one end to its respective end ring and having the other end free and directed toward the center ring; each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially outer limit stops; a center ring liner, attached at a point between its ends to the center ring and having oppositely directed free ends, each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially inner limit stops; and, stop means depending radially inward from each intermediate ring and cooperating with the outer and inner limit stops for limiting the axial deflection of each bellows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 words
A bellows expansion joint for connecting a pair of pipe sections comprising: a pair of end rings, one at the end of each pipe section; a center ring axially positioned between the end rings; a pair of intermediate rings, one between the center ring and each end ring; a pair of axially outer bellows, one connecting each end ring with an adjacent intermediate ring; a pair of axially inner bellows, one connecting each intermediate ring with the center ring; a pair of end ring liners, each attached at one end to its respective end ring and having the other end free and directed toward the center ring; each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially outer limit stops; a center ring liner, attached at a point between its ends to the center ring and having oppositely directed free ends, each free end terminating in a radially outward circumferential lip defining a pair of axially inner limit stops; and, stop means depending radially inward from each intermediate ring and cooperating with the outer and inner limit stops for limiting the axial deflection of each bellows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bellows expansion joint recited in claim 1 wherein the stop means includes a flange formed on each intermediate ring which depends radially inward between a respective outer and inner limit stop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bellows expansion joint recited in claim 1 wherein the stop means includes a flange formed at each end of an intermediate ring which depends radially inwardly to overlap radially a respective inner and outer limit stop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The bellows expansion joint recited in claim 1 wherein the stop means include: a flange formed on each intermediate ring equidistant from its ends and depending radially inward between a respective outer and inner limit stop; and, a flange formed at each end of an intermediate ring which depends radially inwardly to overlap radially the respective inner and outer limit stop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
The bellows expansion joint recited in claim 1 further including means for preventing steam leakage radially between the center liner and each end liner comprising: a first cylinder attached to the free end of the upstream end liner and extending downstream beyond the upstream free end of the center liner; and, a second cylinder attached to the downstream free end of the center liner and extending downstream beyond the free end of the downstream end liner, the first and second cylinders axially overlapping a portion of the center liner and downstream end liner respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bellows expansion joint recited in claim 1 wherein close radial clearances between the limit stops and respective intermediate rings allow only limited radial deflection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bellows expansion joint recited in claim 1 wherein each bellows has at least four convolutions and the entire expansion joint has at least sixteen convolutions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bellows expansion joint recited in claim 1 wherein the end rings are fixed and the center ring and intermediate rings are floating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |