Abstract: A self-sealing flexible metal hose includes a band adapted for winding on conventional winding equipment. The band includes receiver and insert assemblies adapted for interlocking with adjacent windings or turns of the band. A sealing flange provides continuous contacts and is urged into sealing engagement with the band by exhaust gas pressure within the hose bore. Alternative embodiments include different configurations of the flanges and legs which form the contacts, and accommodate packing material for greater sealing performance.

Abstract: A length-controlled flexible hose includes a body formed by spiral-winding a continuous metal band with interlocked leading and trailing edges. A length control adhesive strip is applied to the flexible hose along a surface thereof and minimizes length changes of the flexible hose whereby a design or engineered length can be maintained. A method of manufacturing a length-control flexible hose includes the steps of spiral-winding a continuous metal band, interlocking leading and trailing edges thereof and applying a length control adhesive strip to a surface thereof.

Abstract: A coupling system for corrugated, flexible metal hoses includes fitting and washer assemblies. The fitting assembly comprises inner and outer fittings, the inner fitting being received on the hose and having a bore adapted to receive the washer assembly. The washer assembly includes an O-ring, a backer washer and an expandable washer. The O-ring forms a seal connection with the flexible metal hose and the fitting assembly. The expandable washer provides a stop against which the backer ring is pushed by the O-ring. The expandable washer is also clamped between the fitting assembly and a corrugation of the flexible hose to resist withdrawal of the latter. Modified embodiment hose coupling systems are also disclosed and include inner and outer gaskets, compression gaskets, termination plates mounting the outer fitting and different combinations of retainer rings, backer rings and gasket rings.

Abstract: A polygonal flexible metal hose coupling assembly for connecting first and second pipes of a vehicle exhaust system includes a polygonal coupling body. The coupling body is formed by spiral-winding a metal strip with interlocking leading and trailing edges. The polygonal configuration of the coupling body prevents the strip turns or windings from sliding with respect to each other along their interlocked seams. A pair of clamps are provided for connecting the coupling body ends to the pipe ends. Each clamp includes an annular band with a first section having a generally round cross-sectional configuration for receiving a pipe end and a second section with a polygonal cross-sectional configuration for receiving a coupling body end.

Abstract: A fuel tube assembly for gas-fired appliances includes a tube with first and second end sections and a corrugated medial section extending therebetween. The end sections are connected to components, such as a gas valve and a burner, by compression fitting subassemblies. The tube assembly can be installed to accommodate various configurations of gas flow paths between the components.

Abstract: A flexible hose section for connecting upstream and downstream exhaust pipe sections of an exhaust system includes a corrugated body with opposite ends. The ends are fastened to ends of the exhaust pipe sections to convey fluids or bulk materials through the pipe system. The corrugations or the connections between the flexible hose and pipe section ends are arranged to accommodate axial, lateral, diagonal and torsional displacement between the system components.

Abstract: A coupling system for corrugated, flexible metal hoses includes fitting and washer assemblies. The fitting assembly comprises inner and outer fittings, the inner fitting being received on the hose and having a bore adapted to receive the washer assembly. The washer assembly includes an O-ring, a backer washer and an expandable washer. The O-ring forms a seal connection with the flexible metal hose and the fitting assembly. The expandable washer provides a stop against which the backer ring is pushed by the O-ring. The expandable washer is also clamped between the fitting assembly and a corrugation of the flexible hose to resist withdrawal of the latter. Modified embodiment hose coupling systems are also disclosed and include inner and outer gaskets, compression gaskets, termination plates mounting the outer fitting and different combinations of retainer rings, backer rings and gasket rings.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for fluidically interconnecting first and second piping runs and includes a body with first and second end sections each forming a respective receiver for receiving a piping run end. A body transition section is provided for interconnecting the first and second sections. A retainer assembly includes a retainer strap which can mount annular clamps on one or both of its ends for attaching the piping runs to the adapter. The body sections include notches or crimps which facilitate effective connections between the piping ends and the body sections.

Abstract: A flexible metal piping assembly includes a body with corrugations having spiral (helical) or annular configurations. End connections are mounted on the body ends, which can be flanged or male-threaded. A layer of insulating or sealing material can be applied over the body. The end connections can be male-threaded or female-threaded. A bellows configuration is provided with annular corrugations which taper in proximity to the body ends.

Abstract: Insulated flexible metal piping is provided which includes a metal piping section having inner and outer windings comprising metal bands which are spiral-wound in overlying relation with their leading and trailing edges forming a spiral, interlocked seam. The flexible metal piping section is slidably inserted in an insulating sleeve, which can comprise a plastic material for enclosing the metal piping section. A method of forming the insulated metal piping is disclosed which includes the steps of providing inner and outer spiral windings; interlocking the leading and trailing edges thereof; and slidably inserting a flexible metal piping section formed thereby in an insulating sleeve. Further disclosed is an application of the insulated metal piping in a flue system.

Abstract: Flexible piping includes a first, spiral-wound band forming an inner winding and a second, spiral-wound band forming an outer winding in covering relationship over the inner winding. Inner and outer spiral-wound bands of insulating material are wound between the inner and outer windings and over the outer winding respectively. An insulating sleeve receives the spiral-wound inner and outer windings and the inner and outer insulating material bands. A method and a machine for forming the flexible piping are also disclosed.

Abstract: Flexible piping includes a first, spiral-wound band forming an inner winding and a second, spiral-wound band forming an outer winding in covering relationship over the inner winding. Inner and outer spiral-wound bands of insulating material are wound between the inner and outer windings and over the outer winding respectively. An insulating sleeve receives the spiral-wound inner and outer windings and the inner and outer insulating material bands. A method and a machine for forming the flexible piping are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping the ends of flexible pipe sections is adapted for mounting on a machine for winding flexible pipe from steel bands. The pipe forming machine includes multiple pairs of roller dies for profiling a flat metal band to a configuration with flanges on leading and trailing edges of the band. The profiled band is wound on a mandrel and the adjacent flanges of respective bindings interlock as the profiled band is spiral-wound on the mandrel. The crimping apparatus is mounted upstream of the mandrel and receives the profiled band. The crimping apparatus includes a pair of roller arm assemblies each mounting a roller die. The roller arm assemblies are interconnected by a toggle linkage mechanism which is connected to a linear actuator for moving the roller arm assemblies between engaged positions for compressing the flanges to non-interlocking configurations and disengaged positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for axially joining two tubular members of differing diameters in which a band of metal is passed around the adjacent ends of the members and circumferentially stressed by means of reinforcing, notched bars secured to the band, to conform with the outer surfaces of the members. The clamping device may be used to make a strong gas or sound leak-proof joint between two substantially incompressible tubular members in which event the band of metal is substantially stretched plastically so that it conforms intimately with the outer surfaces of the tubular members. The clamping device may also be used to make a joint which is not necessarily gas-leak-proof and is more easily disconnected by not stressing the band of metal to the point where it goes through a substantial amount of plastic yielding.