Abstract: A compensator, having a first corrugated bellows section, a second corrugated bellows section, an intermediate pipe section positioned between the first corrugated bellows section and the second corrugated bellows section, a first attachment flange, and a second attachment flange. The first corrugated bellows section engages the first attachment flange and intermediate pipe section. The second corrugated bellows section engages the second attachment flange and intermediate pipe section. An intermediate flange is positioned between the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange and surrounds the intermediate pipe section at the outside without a a rigid connection to the intermediate pipe section. The intermediate flange is connected by first tension rods to the first attachment flange and by second tension rods to the second attachment flange.

Abstract: A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A solar heat collection tube includes a center metal tube that allows a heat medium to flow therethrough, a glass tube that covers the outer circumference of the center metal tube to form an annular void between the glass tube and the center metal tube, and an absorber configured to absorb a difference in the thermal expansion between the center metal tube and the glass tube. The absorber has a connection cylinder and metal bellows. The metallic bellows are connected in series by the connection cylinder. The bellows are arranged to overlap in the radial direction with the connection cylinder located therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a functional fluid includes an inner pliant shell disposed inside an outer pliant shell. A sealed space separates the inner and outer pliant shells and the inner pliant shell defines a variable volume for receiving the functional fluid. A filler fills the sealed space.

Abstract: In-line pressure balanced expansion joint for thermal expansion compensation of piping and ducting of circular cross section with the tie rods located inside the device consists of one large, central expansion joint and two smaller, mirror-symmetrical, side expansion joints (2a) and (2b). Three expansion joints are made of bellows (3) and (9) and of straight pipe spools and annular plates welded to each other. Tie rods (15a) and (15b) are placed on a circle at equal angular intervals which connect the sides of the expansion joints. The inner surfaces of the sides of the central expansion joint are reinforced with welded rectangular radial ribs and triangular ribs. The compactness and functionality allows expansion joints for all types of piping and ducting and is particularly suitable for making expansion joints for piping and ducting with a diameter greater than 2 meters.

Abstract: A flex joint assembly includes a damper mounted to a first scissors linkage and a second scissors linkage.

Abstract: A sound sensor, a hydrophone including the sound sensor, and a pressure balancing device for using for the hydrophone are provided. The hydrophone includes: a sensor including a sensing part and a pressure balancing part; a printed circuit board (PCB) that is electrically connected to the sensor; a case that houses the sensor and the PCB and that has an opening at one side thereof; an elastic membrane that covers the opening of the case; and a signal line that is electrically connected to the PCB to be extended to the outside of the case. The pressure balancing part includes a diaphragm of a thin film and a support that supports the diaphragm. A pressure balancing hole is formed at one side of the pressure balancing part, and at the inside of the pressure balancing part, a channel that is connected to the pressure balancing hole is formed, and a compressible gas is filled in the channel.

Abstract: A piping system comprising: a main pipe; a first pipe member connecting an equipment nozzle and the main pipe via a first bellows; a second pipe member connected to a side part of the main pipe; a third pipe member connected to the other end of the second pipe member via a second bellows; first and second tie rod support members fixed to the first and third pipe members; tie rods that interconnect the tie rod support members; and an anchor that sets a portion of the main pipe as a fixed point. Lengths of the pipe members between the tie rod support members are determined so that the first bellows contracts by thermal expansion of the equipment nozzle, the first pipe member, and the pipe member of the main pipe below the anchor, and the second bellows contracts by an amount equally to that of the first bellows.

Abstract: New expansion compensating device and manufacturing method of the same, of those used in solar power absorber tubes featuring a dual bellows design where the height of the waves of the bellows is not regular, but the second wave is greater (where it supports more load) and diminishes towards the ends. With this design improving the performance of the receiver is achieved because it shortens the length of the device and consequently there is more surface area receiving solar radiation as well as it decreases the necessary diameter of glass tube and therefore its cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for preventing disbondment in an insulated piping system that is used for conveying high temperature fluids. More specifically, an external slip wrap is shown, capable of surrounding the outer protective jacket of the insulated piping system at a location along the piping before an elbow shaped or angular change in direction. The slip wrap comprises a loosely received outer sleeve which surrounds the outer protective jacket of the piping without being bonded thereto, thereby allowing the insulated and jacketed pipe to move axially relative to the slip wrap for a selected distance once the pipe is buried in the ground.

Abstract: An flexible coupling is shown for an insulated piping system of the type used to convey steam and other high temperature fluids. The coupling uses a flexible bellows and additional insulating and joining components to couple conventional lengths of insulated pipe. The bellows arrangement compensates for any relative movement of the inner fluid conveying pipes with respect to the outer layers of insulating material and outer jacket in order to protect the integrity of the assembly and prevent the intrusion of water or other contaminants which could lead to corrosion or early failure of the piping system.

Abstract: A high temperature pre-insulated piping system is shown which can withstand conveyance temperatures in excess of 250° F. The piping system includes a first and second length of insulated and jacketed pipe. Each pipe length includes an inner metal pipe having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having an envelope of foamed insulation surrounding the inner pipe exterior surface. A special release agent is applied between the metal pipe exterior and the surrounding layer of foamed insulation. The release agent causes intentional disbondment of the foamed insulation layer from the inner metal pipes under certain conditions of environmental stress.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extendable pipe joint wherein the cylindrical pipe joint comprises first and second external cylinders disconnectably connected to each other; a first pressure-balancing cylinder is set in the first external cylinder; a second pressure-balancing cylinder is set in the second external cylinder so that it can be moved with a coupling lever in the axial direction; the first and second pressure-balancing cylinders have first and second pressure-balancing plates opposite to each other and are connected to each other with a first bellows; the second pressure-balancing cylinder and the second external cylinder are connected to each other with a second bellows; nozzles are formed on peripheral walls of the first and second pressure-balancing cylinders; and openings of the first and second pressure-balancing cylinders are connected to piping.

Abstract: A boosted charge air system which eliminates adverse effects of pressure loading on the system components incorporates a pressure compensator mounted intermediate a turbocharger compressor section outlet duct and the inlet duct of a charge air cooler. The compensator includes first and second end bellows each with a first cross sectional area, a middle bellows intermediate the first and second end bellows with an annular cross sectional area substantially equal to the first cross sectional area, first and second end flanges connecting the first and second end bellows to the outlet duct and inlet duct, respectively, and first and second annular plates connecting the middle bellows to the first and second end bellows. An internal restraining structure for the compensator includes two sets of struts interconnecting the first end flange to the second annular plate and the second end flange to the first annular plate.

Abstract: A fitting that is adapted for use between two adjacent frame members that are mechanically isolated from one another. The fitting has two flanged members one fixed to each frame member and a pressurized liquid coolant flow channel with a pair of bellows units on opposite sides of an intermediate ring that is loosely mounted on the outer surface of a spool attached to one member.

Abstract: An improved universal expansion joint having counterthrust means for controlling pressure-induced expansion. Movable bellows means in the form of one or more expansible bellows or one or more contractile fluid power cylinders are disclosed for applying counterthrust force to the expansion joint. Means responsive to the pressure within the expansion joint or the temperature of or the strain on the conduit connected to the expansion joint are disclosed for applying the desired fluid pressure to the bellows means to achieve the proper counterthrust force. Also disclosed are a method of employing the improved expansion joint and a system in which the improved expansion joint is advantageously utilized.

Abstract: An improved universal expansion joint having counterthrust means for controlling pressure-induced expansion. Movable bellows means in the form of one or more expansible bellows or one or more contractile fluid power cylinders are disclosed for applying counterthrust force to the expansion joint. Means responsive to the pressure within the expansion joint or the temperature of or the strain on the conduit connected to the expansion joint are disclosed for applying the desired fluid pressure to the bellows means to achieve the proper counterthrust force. Also disclosed are a method of employing the improved expansion joint and a system in which the improved expansion joint is advantageously utilized.

Abstract: The cardan-type pipe joint possesses elements which allow two pipe sections to execute angular deflections and, in addition, to shift longitudinally.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the construction of large fluid conduits and particularly to steam conduits used in large power plants. In some power plants, steam is transferred from the exhaust of a higher pressure turbine section into the inlet of a lower pressure turbine section through a steam conduit sometimes referred to as a cross-over which may include several bellows type joints. If the turbine rotor speed exceeds rated speed, then it is desirable to limit the maximum speed to be attained by the turbine rotor. The present invention provides a reliable and advantageous construction which will decrease the maximum speed of a turbine rotor over designs now available in the prior art.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expansion joint principally for use on pipelines carrying pressurized, hot (or cold) fluids such as steam. The joint is for use at a point in the line where a change in direction must be made by flowing fluid and/or pipeline. By the proper combination of three pipes, location of holes in these pipes and flange-like pieces, an expansion joint is created which is not only pressure-balanced and of the internal-bellows type but, requires only two bellows to be such an expansion joint.