Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
An expansion joint for accommodating relative movements between a plurality of elements through which a fluid flows, the joint comprising: (a) a flexible fabric portion defining an enclosed passage through which fluid may flow; (b) first means for attaching said fabric portion to one of the elements through which the fluid flows; (c) second means for attaching said fabric portion to another of the elements through which the fluid flows; (d) said fabric portion extending between said first and second attaching means, said fabric portion including: (1) a first layer of high temperature resistant material; (2) a second layer of high temperature resistant material; (3) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material; (4) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil, due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (5) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each having a thickness greater than 0.0005 inches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
An expansion joint for accommodating relative movements between a plurality of elements through which a fluid flows, the joint comprising: (a) a flexible fabric portion defining an enclosed passage through which fluid may flow; (b) first means for attaching said fabric portion to one of the elements through which the fluid flows; (c) second means for attaching said fabric portion to another of the elements through which the fluid flows; (d) said fabric portion extending between said first and second attaching means, said fabric portion including: (1) a first layer of high temperature resistant material; (2) a second layer of high temperature resistant material; (3) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material; (4) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil, due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (5) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each having a thickness greater than 0.0005 inches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 1 wherein said first foil-fabric composite is so disposed that said first metallic foil faces inwardly with respect to said passage defined by said fabric portion and said second foil-fabric composite is so disposed that said second metallic foil faces outwardly with respect to said passage defined by said fabric portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second metallic foils are affixed, respectively, to said first and second high temperature resistant materials by an adhesive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 1 wherein said high temperature resistant material of said first and second layers is a woven fiberglass cloth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 4 wherein said first and second metallic foils are affixed, respectively, to said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material by whiskers punched into the foil and extending through the interstices of said woven fiberglass cloth comprising the temperature resistant material of each layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 1 including an additional layer of material disposed outwardly of said second metallic foil of said second foil-fabric composite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second metallic foils each has a thickness falling in the range of 0.001 to 0.003 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 1 wherein said first, second and inner metallic foils comprise a super alloy metal having more than approximately 50% nickel and including chromium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second metallic foils both are of a hardness in the range of 15-25 on the Rockwell C scale.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
259 words
An expansion joint for accommodating relative movements between a plurality of elements through which a fluid flows, the joint comprising: (a) a flexible fabric portion defining an enclosed passage through which fluid may flow: (b) first means for attaching said fabric portion to one of the elements through which the fluid flows; (c) second means for attaching said fabric portion to another of the elements through which the fluid flows; (d) said fabric portion extending between said first and second attaching means, said fabric portion including: (1) a first layer of high temperature resistant material; (2) a second layer of high temperature resistant material; (3) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material; (4) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (5) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each being of a hardness in the range of 15-20 on the Rockwell C scale.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
259 words
An expansion joint for accommodating relative movements between a plurality of elements through which a fluid flows, the joint comprising: (a) a flexible fabric portion defining an enclosed passage through which fluid may flow: (b) first means for attaching said fabric portion to one of the elements through which the fluid flows; (c) second means for attaching said fabric portion to another of the elements through which the fluid flows; (d) said fabric portion extending between said first and second attaching means, said fabric portion including: (1) a first layer of high temperature resistant material; (2) a second layer of high temperature resistant material; (3) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material; (4) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (5) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each being of a hardness in the range of 15-20 on the Rockwell C scale.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 10 wherein said first foil-fabric composite is so disposed that said first metallic foil faces inwardly with respect to said passage defined by said fabric portion and said second foil-fabric composite is so disposed that said second metallic foil faces outwardly with respect to said passage defined by said fabric portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 10 wherein said high temperature resistant material of said first and second layers is a woven fiberglass cloth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 10 wherein said first and second metallic foils both have thicknesses greater than 0.0005 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 13 wherein said first and second metallic foils each has a thickness falling in the range of 0.001 to 0.003 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 10 wherein said first, second, and inner metallic foils comprise a super alloy metal having more than approximately 50% nickel and including chromium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
219 words
A flexible fabric material comprising: (a) a first layer of flexible high temperature resistant material; (b) a second layer of flexible high temperature resistant material, said first and second layers of flexible high temperature resistant material being disposed in adjacent, parallel relationship; (c) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material, the major portion of the surface area of said inner metallic foil being unaffixed to said first and second layers of high temperature resistant materials; (d) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil, due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening at least one of said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (e) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each having a thickness greater than 0.0005 inches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
219 words
A flexible fabric material comprising: (a) a first layer of flexible high temperature resistant material; (b) a second layer of flexible high temperature resistant material, said first and second layers of flexible high temperature resistant material being disposed in adjacent, parallel relationship; (c) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material, the major portion of the surface area of said inner metallic foil being unaffixed to said first and second layers of high temperature resistant materials; (d) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil, due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening at least one of said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (e) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each having a thickness greater than 0.0005 inches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second foil-fabric composites are so disposed that said first and second metallic foils thereof face outwardly of each other in opposite directions and such that said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material are disposed between said first and second metallic foils.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 17 including an additional layer of material disposed outwardly of said second metallic foil of said second foil-fabric composite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second metallic foils are affixed, respectively, to said first and second temperature resistant materials by adhesive.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 16 wherein said high temperature resistant material of said first and second layers is a woven fiberglass cloth.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
An flexible fabric material as defined in claim 20 wherein said first and second metallic foils are affixed, respectively, to said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material by whiskers punched into the foil and extending into the interstices of the woven fiberglass cloth comprising the temperature resistant material of each layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second metallic foils each has a thickness falling in the range of 0.001 to 0.003 inches.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 16 wherein said first, second and inner metallic foils comprise a super alloy metal having more than approximately 50% nickel and including chromium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 23 wherein said first and second metallic foils both are of a hardness in the range of 15-25 on the Rockwell C scale.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
225 words
A flexible fabric material comprising: (a) a first layer of flexible high temperature resistant material; (b) a second layer of flexible high temperature resistant material, said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material being disposed in adjacent, parallel relationship; (c) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material, the major portion of the surface area of said inner metallic foil being unaffixed to said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material; (d) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil, due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening at least one of said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (e) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each being of a hardness in the range of 15-20 on the Rockwell C scale.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
225 words
A flexible fabric material comprising: (a) a first layer of flexible high temperature resistant material; (b) a second layer of flexible high temperature resistant material, said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material being disposed in adjacent, parallel relationship; (c) an inner metallic foil disposed between said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material, the major portion of the surface area of said inner metallic foil being unaffixed to said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material; (d) means for preventing creasing and rupture of said inner metallic foil, due to excessive folding and wrinkling of said fabric portion, by partially stiffening at least one of said layers of heat resistant material to such an extent that said excessive folding and wrinkling is prevented but not to such extent that relative movement between the plurality of elements is hampered; and (e) said preventing means including a first metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said first layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a first foil-fabric composite and a second metallic foil, other than said inner metallic foil, affixed to said second layer of high temperature resistant material to provide a second foil-fabric composite, said first and second metallic foils each being of a hardness in the range of 15-20 on the Rockwell C scale.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
A flexible fabric material as defined in claim 25 wherein said first and second foil-fabric composites are so disposed that said first and second metallic foils thereof face outwardly of each other in opposite directions and such that said first and second layers of high temperature resistant material are disposed between said first and second metallic foils.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 26 wherein said high temperature resistant material of said first and second layers is a woven fiberglass cloth.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 26 wherein said first and second foils both have thicknesses greater than 0.0005 inches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 28 wherein said first and second metallic foils each has a thickness falling in the range of 0.001 to 0.003 inches.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
An expansion joint as defined in claim 26 wherein said first, second and inner metallic foils comprise a super alloy metal having more than approximately 50% nickel and including chromium.