Abstract: To couple two pipes for hot fluids together, a sealing membrane of temperature and corrosion-resistant material is located transversely within a ring-shaped chamber or space surrounding the end portions of the pipes, the sealing membrane being welded to the adjacent wall portions defining the ring chamber, and the at least one and preferably two sealing and support cushions or pillows being placed adjacent the sealing membrane, to permit limited angular and axial movement of the pipe ends with respect to each other while, effectively, preventing substantial torsional excursion. The membrane may be corrugated or stepped, located transversely to the pipes or at an inclination with respect thereto. Two membranes may be used, inclined towards each other (FIG. 3) and multi-pipe units can be coupled by a single membrane (FIGS. 8, 9).

Abstract: A jointed connection for pipes, especially motor vehicle exhaust pipes (9, 10), features a flexible surrounding conduit element (3, 103, 117) and a support member (11, 12; 105, 116, 130, 145, 146, 157) which connects the pipes through support pads (13, 14; 109; 121, 133, 143, 144, 160) in a load-bearing but angularly flexible and elastically damped manner. An inner protective tube (7, 8; 104; 114; 127, 128; 141, 142; 156) is attached to the pipe not attached to the support member, and the support pads are radially confined between the support element and the inner protective tube. The support pads are also axially engaged with the inner protective tube and the support member, or with additional elements (107, 131) attached thereto. The result is a structure which is compact, yet provides flexibility and elastic damping while protecting from corrosion the elements responsible for the flexibility and elasticity.

Abstract: To prevent snap-over of a flexible connecting tube conducting solar-heated liquid to a mirror which follows the travel of the sun through the sky and then changes to an inverted "night" position, as shown in FIG. 1 at (a), a flexible corrugated or pleated tube or hose (6) with a braid (9) to form a multi-layered structure (6,9) is surrounded by a stiffening jacket (10) in the form of a spiral metal tube with interlocking adjacent windings. The stiffening jacket has the characteristic to dampen movement of the tube and additionally the tendency to retain the tube in straight or at least single-bend position, so that unstable double bends (FIG. 1, B, C) are avoided. This substantially increases the lifetime of the tube. A lubricant (15) may be introduced between the corrugated tube (6) or the braid (9) and the stiffening jacket (10). Preferably, the braid is a wire mesh or braid (9) surrounding the corrugated tube (6).

Abstract: A flexible tube (1) has mutually parallel ring-shaped flutes, end connectors (2) and longitudinal support cables (4, 5, 102) which hold said connectors against changes in axial spacing, and are rigidly joined to the connectors in the direction of pull and/or pressure, and against which the tube is at least indirectly braced. The longitudinal cables are held on the tube by rings (104) that ensure the radial relative position between tube (1) and cables (4, 5, 102) and hold the cables while the tube (1) is guided along these rings via the cables. The rings are formed by two ring segments, each of which has a hole (109) at the respective segment end to retain the cables therein.

Abstract: To connect two pipes which may carry high-temperature potentially corrosive fluids, for example exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, while permitting flexing of the pipes with respect to each other in torsion or twist, bending or lateral shift, while maintaining a sealed connection, a ring chamber is formed in the region of the pipe ends, by an overlapping pipe end portion of the like, an external sleeve, or overlapping flange construction, which retains therein a sealing and support pillow of ceramic or metal materials in form of fibers, filaments or the like, felted, matted, woven, knitted and compressed together; a metal sealing foil, for example of aluminum or specialty steel, crinkled or creased and preferably formed with expansion/contraction undulations, is located within the pillow.

Abstract: A flexible tube or hose, particularly to carry cables, tubes and the like between a fixed and a removable end position. The tube or hose is of rectangular cross-section, and has separate, ring-shaped links that intermesh at a joint or separating line by means of locking-and-closing elements, arranged to bend only in one direction. The tube links have the joint or separating line on the internal or external side of the bend. The axially parallel portions of the links are connected by interengagement, or by material engagement, e.g. soldering, welding or adhesion. At least every second locking-and-closing element is of such a width that, starting from extended or buckled position of the tube, it blocks the mutual movement of neighboring or adjoining tube links.

Abstract: An essentially tubular spring housing (FIGS. 5, 6) is formed with longitudinal slits (8d, 8e) into which the support spring blocking structure (1, 10) can be assembled. The support spring blocking structure, in one form (FIGS. 1, 2) is a longitudinal rail retaining a plurality of stacked blocking plates (2) therein, between abutments (3, 4) which are spaced wider than the length of the stack of plates (2) to permit engagement of a spring plate (7) between selected blocking plates, and thus lock the spring plate, and hence the spring, in selected position. In another embodiment (FIGS. 3, 4), the stacked plates (9) are slidable in a holder band or strip (10a). The holders (1a, 10a) are formed with a longitudinal, externally projecting holding hook (5, 11) to permit storing the blocking structure on the spring holder (right side, FIGS. 5, 6) in readily accessible position.

Abstract: Hydraulic shock absorbing arrangement for pipe conduit systems including a piston slidably mounted in a liquid-filled cylinder to define spaced chambers. The piston has a rod connected thereto which is slidable in a guide positioned at one end of the cylinder. The piston rod is surrounded by a sealing bellows which is secured in a liquid-tight manner at one end to the piston and at its other end to the guide. The cylinder is mounted on a stationary bearing, while the piston rod is connected to a pipe in which shocks are to be damped. A throttling valve communicates with each cylinder chamber, the latter chambers communicating with each other through an overflow path. An expandable compensation bellows communicates with the atmosphere through an air outlet opening, but is otherwise closed.