With Bellows Seal Patents (Class 285/299)
  • Patent number: 11846381
    Abstract: A method of restoring a tubular assembly having a plurality of coupled tubular bodies includes the steps of inserting a first tubular element and a second tubular element inside the tubular assembly, the first tubular element having a first free end facing a second free end of the second tubular element, and of pushing at least one of the first or second tubular element against the other so as to bring the first free end and the second free end into contact. Before the step of inserting, there is a step of producing a collar on at least the first free end of the first tubular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Alexey Zhuravlev
  • Patent number: 11661941
    Abstract: Systems and methods to isolate a vibration source (e.g., a compressor) externally are disclosed. The embodiments generally include preventing/reducing vibration and/or pulsation transmission from the vibration source by one or more functional/structural isolating members, and preventing/reducing sound radiated from the vibration source by one or more sound enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Pavak Mehta, William B. Rockwood, Timothy G. Garvin
  • Patent number: 11598426
    Abstract: A rotary joint for connecting a stationary body to a rotating body. The rotary joint has a rotatable wear plate connectable to the rotating body and a seal ring seated in the wear plate. A spring-biased piston engages the seal ring against the wear plate by compressed springs between an end flange and the piston. The end flange and the piston are at least partially disposed within a shroud, wherein the shroud has at least one aperture extending there through. Alignment rings are formed on the piston and viewable through the aperture in the shroud to confirm the proper distance between the end flange and the piston and the proper force applied to the piston. A seal wear indicator is connected to the piston and moves between an exposed position, wherein the seal ring is not worn, and a non-exposed position, wherein the seal ring is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kadant Johnson LLC
    Inventors: Isaac E. Romero, Alan T. Ives, Zachary S. Newland
  • Patent number: 11092062
    Abstract: A bellows having tweezers-shaped corrugated portions for increasing resistance and restoring force against torsion includes: a first flat part having a flat cylindrical shape; a second flat part having a flat cylindrical shape and disposed opposite to the first flat part; and a plurality of corrugated portions, each having a tweezers shape and disposed between the first flat part and the second flat part, wherein each of the plurality of corrugated portions is sequentially connected to each other, so as to increase resistance and restoring force against torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: UNION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Sang Cho
  • Patent number: 10584627
    Abstract: A manifold system for an internal combustion engine, having a housing, which is designed as a collecting manifold and which has two inlet openings and an outlet opening for the flow connection of two outlets of an internal combustion engine to an exhaust system and at most two connection openings provided on the housing for connecting a double-shell inner air-gap-insulated manifold. An exhaust system is developed in such a way that, at the same time, the tone of the exhaust gas noise and thus of the exhaust system is optimized over a plurality of important rotational speed ranges of the internal combustion engine by a modular assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: TENNECO GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Kauffmann, Markus Geminn, Andreas Steigert, Margit Roth
  • Patent number: 10012336
    Abstract: Connector assembly, and/or motor-vehicle connector assembly, with at least one connector and at least one media line connected to the connector. The media line is electrically heated, a heat-conducting element being arranged in the transition region between connector and media line. The heat-conducting element extends with a first heat-conducting section into the media line and with a second heat-conducting section into the connector. By means of the electric heating of the media line, the heat-conducting element is heated, and/or indirectly heated, and in particular is heated and/or indirectly heated as far as the region of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TI Automotive (Fuldabrück) GmbH
    Inventors: Andre Häckel, Gerd Fischbach, Iris Barthel, Kay Bube, Michael Weissing
  • Patent number: 9188259
    Abstract: A duct element configured to be used as a shapeable coupling element in a fluid flow line in any industrial application, for example within a rocket engine. The duct element includes a deformable tubular covering in a form of a bellows including inwardly projecting annular projections; and a protective sleeve including an end segment fastened in the tubular covering and including a free end that projects towards an inside of the tubular covering. The protective sleeve includes a plurality of other segments engaged in part one within another, each of the other segments including at a periphery of an outside surface thereof at least one attachment element fastened to the outside surface and that co-operates with at least one annular projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Michel Fiolek, Mikaël Deschamps
  • Patent number: 8998269
    Abstract: An enclosure for providing a fluid conduit and high-pressure fitting of a fluid transfer hose with a highly-insulative vacuum jacket and for providing convenient access to the fitting. The enclosure includes an interface collar mounted to an end of the transfer hose with the fluid conduit and the fitting extending therethrough, a bellows fastened at a first end to an interior of the interface collar and fastened at a second end to a pass-through collar, a tubular slide cuff mounted to the pass-through collar and extending over the bellows and the interface collar, and a connecting nut mounted to the pass-through collar. The slide cuff is axially displacable relative to the interface collar between a retracted position, wherein the connecting nut, the pass-through collar, and the bellows are refracted to expose and provide access to the fitting, and an extended position, wherein the fitting is entirely covered by the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger B. Fish, Michael D. Santorella
  • Publication number: 20130200612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compensator for connecting a first pipe connection piece to a second pipe connection piece that is arranged at a distance from the first pipe connection piece and that can be moved toward the first pipe connection piece, comprising an inlet pipe, which is fastened coaxially to the outlet opening of the first pipe connection piece, an outlet pipe, which is arranged approximately coaxially to the inlet pipe, is arranged at a distance from the inlet pipe and is fastened coaxially to the inlet opening of the second pipe connection piece, and a woven-fabric compensator, which connects the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe to each other, wherein gas laden with dust can flow through all aforementioned pipes, said gas being directed from the first pipe connection piece to the second pipe connection piece, and wherein a hollow cylindrical inlet guide plate is fastened to the inlet pipe near the first pipe connection piece, the radius of said inlet guide plate corresponding approximately to the
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Gunther De Temple
  • Publication number: 20120104747
    Abstract: A bellows for transporting exhaust from an engine to a nozzle has a section that is axially moveable and bendable about an axis extending therethrough, a first joint for attaching the section to the engine wherein the section is movable radially relative to the axis, and a second joint for attaching the section to the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Jose E. Ruberte Sanchez, David C. Schuppert, William Blickenstaff, JR., James W. Taubler, Lon H. Preston, III
  • Patent number: 7766392
    Abstract: A connection piece for the articulate connection of a first and a second tube, in particular a first and a second tube of a hot air supply system fed from the power unit of an aircraft, with the possibility of compensating for tolerances, wherein an interval between a tube end of the first tube and a tube end of the second tube is enclosed by a sealing mechanism. The tube ends each have a support ring, wherein the support rings are connected to each other by at least two connection elements arranged outside the sealing mechanism. At least two metal bellows are preferably used as the sealing mechanism, which enable almost maintenance-free operation. Steel ropes are preferably used as connection elements. In particular, tubes with a diameter of up to 160 mm, which are intended, depending on the material used, to conduct media with temperatures of up to 8500 C and pressures of up to 20 bars, can be connected in an articulate manner to each other by means of the connection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Horst-Dieter Rohwedder
  • Patent number: 7506667
    Abstract: A flexible exhaust stack is suitable for use with a vehicle for which relative motion occurs between the cab of the vehicle and exhaust system components mounted to the vehicle frame. The exhaust stack includes a pipe mounted to the cab and having inlet and discharge ends. A collar is secured to an interior portion of the pipe between the inlet end and the discharge end. A flexible hose is at least partially disposed within the pipe, with a discharge end secured to the collar and an inlet end in fluid communication with the frame-mounted exhaust system components. The exhaust stack receives exhaust gases from the frame-mounted exhaust system components and discharges the exhaust gases from the discharge end of the pipe, while the flexible hose allows for relative motion between the cab and the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Jeremy Johnson, Chengappalli P. Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 7458440
    Abstract: In a vehicle exhaust system support structure, an upstream side exhaust pipe connected to an engine is guided to an inlet of a muffler supported on a vehicle body, and a downstream side exhaust pipe coupled to an outlet of the muffler is disposed in the interior of a rear bumper. The upstream side exhaust pipe and the inlet of the muffler are coupled to each other via a flexible tube, thus floatingly supporting the upstream side exhaust pipe in the muffler. The downstream portion of the upstream side exhaust pipe passes through the interior of the flexible tube, and is inserted into the inlet of the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Uegane
  • Patent number: 7418979
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Thermacor Process, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Keyes
  • Patent number: 7415956
    Abstract: An engine air intake system, which may include a supercharger or other air-handling device, includes a resilient coupling connecting an air intake connector, such as a throttle body, and an air inlet duct. The resilient coupling includes a bellows convolution for allowing limited motion between connected components. The coupling is molded with tuning volumes and connecting passages within the convolution with open sides to allow removal from the mold die. An associated connector closes the chambers upon assembly and forms noise reduction tuning for high frequency air pressure waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory P. Prior
  • Patent number: 7249652
    Abstract: A fluid guideline with at least two structural elements made of substantially soundproof material has at least one opening for sound damping. An impedance change (in particular in the form of an impedance discontinuity) of the flow resistance of the fluid flowing through the fluid guideline is present between two adjacent structural elements, and the at least one opening is arranged in the region of the impedance change between two adjacent structural elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: WOCO Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Wolf
  • Patent number: 7032621
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Thermacor Process, LP
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Keyes
  • Patent number: 6929034
    Abstract: A coupling system, comprising: a first bellows element; a fluid handling component; and a coupling assembly releasably connecting the first bellows element to the fluid handling component for maintaining a secure connection between the first bellows element and the fluid handling component. The coupling assembly comprises a first flange attached to the first bellows element and a second flange attached to the fluid handling component, the first and second flanges alignable with each other to form a locking space; a locking member sized to fill the locking space; and a sealing structure positioned between the first bellows element and the fluid handling component to form a seal proximate the effective diameter of the first bellows element. A kit and a method for connecting a bellows element to a fluid handling component are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventors: Richard R. Larsen, David M. Prowse
  • Patent number: 6893053
    Abstract: A flexible bellows tube connecting pipes in a system such as a vehicle exhaust system. Various embodiments are disclosed, with each including two conduit sections having mating corrugations that overlap to provide a seal while allowing the two sections to rotate in response to torsion loading. Different configurations of the interfitting corrugations and related structure are disclosed in the different embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.
    Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
  • Patent number: 6860519
    Abstract: A ball joint apparatus for a pressurized fluid line includes a bellows and a pair of opposed tube portions to accommodate limited flexure between the tube portions. The apparatus also includes an annular ball element positioned over one of the tube portions and an annular housing member mounted on the other tube portion and overlapping the ball member. As initially formed, the overlapping end of the housing member is open and of a diameter exceeding the maximum diameter of the ball member to permit ease of assembly. After the component parts are in position and welded as desired, the apparatus is placed in a hydraulic press and the open end of the housing member is necked down by a swaging process to establish bearing contact with the ball member. Alternative arrangements of the apparatus are provided for use with stainless steel tubing and with titanium tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Avica Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Berengut, Arthur Lyman Moore, Louis Rivera, Wilford R. Tate
  • Publication number: 20040135366
    Abstract: A coil spring according to the present invention is used as a coil spring in an automobile exhaust-pipe joint structure. The automobile exhaust-pipe joint structure of the invention is a coil spring using the coil spring according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Hironobu Sasada, Takashi Yanagihara, Suekichi Hangeishi
  • Publication number: 20040100096
    Abstract: An exhaust-vibration decoupling connector has an inlet tube (1) extended downstream from a decoupler inlet (2) to an inlet-tube step (22). The inlet-tube step includes a radially inward extension of the inlet tube to a damper seat (23) that includes further downstream extension of the inlet tube. An outlet tube (4) is extended upstream from a decoupler outlet (5) to an outlet-tube step (24) that includes a radially inward extension of the outlet tube to proximate an outside surface of the damper seat. A vibration damper is positioned removably in a damper fixture (3) that includes the damper seat intermediate the inlet-tube step and the outlet-tube step proximate midway between the decoupler inlet and the decoupler outlet. Surrounding the vibration damper, a decoupler bellows (7) has an upstream bellows attachment (9) proximate an outside periphery of the inlet tube and a downstream bellows attachment (10) proximate an outside periphery of the outlet tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Josif Atansoski, Italo DeBlasi
  • Publication number: 20040100095
    Abstract: A ball joint apparatus for a pressurized fluid line includes a bellows and a pair of opposed tube portions to accommodate limited flexure between the tube portions. The apparatus also includes an annular ball element positioned over one of the tube portions and an annular housing member mounted on the other tube portion and overlapping the ball member. As initially formed, the overlapping end of the housing member is open and of a diameter exceeding the maximum diameter of the ball member to permit ease of assembly. After the component parts are in position and welded as desired, the apparatus is placed in a hydraulic press and the open end of the housing member is necked down by a swaging process to establish bearing contact with the ball member. Alternative arrangements of the apparatus are provided for use with stainless steel tubing and with titanium tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: AVICA, INC., a Texas corporation
    Inventors: Vadim Berengut, Arthur Lyman Moore, Louis Rivera, Wilford R. Tate
  • Publication number: 20040100094
    Abstract: A flexible bellows tube connecting pipes in a system such as a vehicle exhaust system. Various embodiments are disclosed, with each including two conduit sections having mating corrugations that overlap to provide a seal while allowing the two sections to rotate in response to torsion loading. Different configurations of the interfitting corrugations and related structure are disclosed in the different embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.
    Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
  • Patent number: 6715799
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for joining two sections of pipe provides six degrees of freedom where the pipe coupling includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion disposed opposite the inlet portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the inlet and outlet portions for providing relative movement between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The intermediate portion has a plurality of corrugations disposed about a circumference of the pipe coupling and each corrugation includes first and second arms diverging from a common vertex toward the inlet portion and outlet portion, respectively. The arms diverge at substantially a forty-five degree angle forming a V-shape, and each arm terminates at a transition area where each arm of the corrugation blends with the inlet portion and outlet portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: David J. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6709023
    Abstract: A flexible slide joint is provided for accommodating axial, rotational and angular misalignments between two fluid conveying members. The flexible slide joint basically has first and second tube members with a sliding sealing member and a axially compressible element coupled therebetween. The sliding sealing member is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a first predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a second predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is force balanced relative to the sliding sealing member such that the second predetermined axial force is smaller than the first predetermined axial force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh N. French
  • Patent number: 6631928
    Abstract: Both ends of a bellows-type outer cylinder [31] capable of axial expansion and contraction are connected in a leakproof manner to a pair of connection passage ends [20], thereby constituting an expansion passage [30]. A cylindrical resin film [33] having no permeability to fluid is arranged in an interior of the bellows-type outer cylinder [31], and the axial ends thereof are connected in a leakproof manner to said connecting passage end regions. The cylindrical region [34] positioned in the intermediate region of the cylindrical resin film [33] covers the inner surface of said bellows-type outer cylinder [31] in a leakproof manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Beer Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzo Sakata
  • Patent number: 6623043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage structure having a fluid transfer boom for transfer of cryogenic liquids such as liquified natural gas (LNG) from a first storage structure to a vessel. The boom has two arms which are rotatably connected at their first ends via a swivel joint. In one embodiment a liquified natural gas duct is supported within the first and second arms which form a gas tight housing around the liquified natural gas duct. The transfer boom according to the present invention provides a redundant containment system wherein the LNG duct is supported by the structurally strong and self-supporting transfer boom which confines the natural gas in case of a leak in the inner LNG duct. In a further embodiment the transfer boom comprises seven swivel joints in total such that rotation in all directions is possible when the vessel is moored to the storage structure and has to cope with relative motions of roll, pitch, yaw, heave, sway and surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Pollack
  • Publication number: 20030132630
    Abstract: A flexible slide joint is provided for accommodating axial, rotational and angular misalignments between two fluid conveying members. The flexible slide joint basically has first and second tube members with a sliding sealing member and a axially compressible element coupled therebetween. The sliding sealing member is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a first predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a second predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is force balanced relative to the sliding sealing member such that the second predetermined axial force is smaller than the first predetermined axial force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: PerkinElmer,Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh N. French
  • Patent number: 6588804
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a pipeline expansion joint, in particular the conditions of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. A sensor is positioned so as to sense one or more physical characteristics of a pipeline fluid flow. A signal generated by the sensor(s) is received by a suitably configured electronic controller. The controller, in turn, is connected to a flow control valve, that is movable between at least an “off” or “no-flow” position, and a flow permitting position, connecting a source of compressible medium and the volume confined between the two (or more) balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. An accumulator may also be provided, that may be connectable via the flow control valve, to the confined volume. The controller will be operably configured to cause the valve to be moved, in response to signals received from the sensor(s) that correspond to stored numerical data in the controller that represent different potential operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Senior Flexonics, Inc.
    Inventor: David F. McGrath
  • Patent number: 6568715
    Abstract: A flexible connector apparatus for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a bellows for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an attachment construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows to at least one of the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus may include a liner tube structure having inlet and outlet liner tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Senior Investments AG
    Inventor: Scott C. Cwik
  • Patent number: 6464258
    Abstract: A decoupler for exhaust pipe of automobiles includes a bellows for absorbing bending and expansion, the bellows being airtight with respect to exhaust gas therein, and an inner, cylindrical sleeve disposed in the bellows for protecting the bellows from the exhaust gas passing through the cylindrical sleeve. A guide member is disposed at one end of the bellows outside of and around at least a portion of the bellows, and a cover member is disposed at the other end of the bellows outside of and around at least a portion of the bellows. A first mesh ring and a second mesh ring are disposed between the guide member and the cover member and form a sliding surface in contact with a body portion of the cover member and circular-arc surfaces of the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: DNV, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeoun Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 6460893
    Abstract: An expansion joint for high temperature air or other gaseous flows, of the type in which two duct ends are separated by a gap, that is bridged by overlapping inner and outer liner ducts. The inner and outer liner ducts are surrounded by at least one insulating pillow. The periphery of the expansion joint is surrounded by a flexible cover. A bellows liner structure is disposed between the inner and outer liner ducts and the at least one insulation pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Senior Investments AG
    Inventor: David F. McGrath
  • Publication number: 20020113435
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a pipeline expansion joint, in particular the conditions of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. A sensor is positioned so as to sense one or more physical characteristics of a pipeline fluid flow. A signal generated by the sensor(s) is received by a suitably configured electronic controller. The controller, in turn, is connected to a flow control valve, that is movable between at least an “off” or “no-flow” position, and a flow permitting position, connecting a source of compressible medium and the volume confined between the two (or more) balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. An accumulator may also be provided, that may be connectable via the flow control valve, to the confined volume. The controller will be operably configured to cause the valve to be moved, in response to signals received from the sensor(s) that correspond to stored numerical data in the controller that represent different potential operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: David F. McGrath
  • Patent number: 6419280
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly provided with a bellows pipe for connecting an upstream exhaust pipe and a downstream exhaust pipe is disposed so as to form a double pipe construction with a first joint pipe which is connected to the upstream exhaust pipe and a second joint pipe which is connected to the downstream exhaust pipe. A pair of ball receiving portions are disposed on a peripheral surface of the first joint pipe at a distance from each other in a circumferential direction, and a pair of ball receiving portions are disposed on a peripheral surface of the second joint pipe at a distance from each other in a circumferential direction. The ball receiving portions are disposed at an angular phase difference with each other in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Sankei Giken Kogyo Kabushiki kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Uegane, Hidekazu Akiyama, Kazunori Koinuma, Kazutoshi Takizawa, Takahiko Naitou, Hidenori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6402203
    Abstract: An expansion joint for high temperature air or other gaseous flows, of the type in which two duct ends are separated by a gap, that is bridged by a flexible fabric expansion joint cover. The flexible fabric expansion joint cover is attached to the duct ends, using two outwardly extending frame members. Each frame member incorporates one or more convolutions, that are provided to accommodate thermally inducted stresses and strains, imposed by the thermal gradient through the frame members, from positions proximate the duct ends, to outwardly disposed locations where the frame members are attached to opposing ends of the fabric cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Senior Investments AG
    Inventors: Benny Mathiesen, David F. McGrath, Michael Wayne Pollock
  • Patent number: 6390138
    Abstract: A polymeric hose assembly including a male hose inserted within a female hose connects an air cleaner to an internal combustion engine. An elastomeric seal including a plurality of bellows is bonded around the circumference of the exterior surfaces of the female hose and the male hose at bonding points. The plurality of bellows expand to allow for the expansion of the hose assembly to accommodate for engine movement and vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventor: Jeff Powell
  • Patent number: 6382682
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Tozen Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsaku Taneda
  • Publication number: 20020041095
    Abstract: The invention discloses a decoupler for exhaust pipe of automobiles including a bellows (10) made of metal and formed in cylindrical and a repeatedly corrugated shapes for absorbing bending and expansion to maintain the exhaust gas to be airtight; an inner sleeve (20) in a cylindrical shape, disposed inward the bellows (10) for protecting the bellows (10) and passing through the exhaust gas at high temperature; a guide member (40) disposed at the one end of the bellows (10) for forming circular-arc surfaces (41, 42) at both ends of a cylindrical portion (43), with respect to the motion center of the bellows (10), wrapped outward the bellows (10); a cover member (50) disposed at the other end of the bellows (10), for having inclined sections (51 and 52) symmetrically formed at the opposing ends of the body portion (53) thereof at a predetermined angle, wrapped outward the bellows (10); first mesh ring (60) and second mesh ring (61) disposed between the guide member (40) and the cover member (50), forming a sli
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Yeoun Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 6354632
    Abstract: An exhaust decoupler system for motor vehicles includes: a sleeve through which exhaust gas may pass from the engine; a couple of retainer members oppositely positioned from the exhaust pipe and engine, one member engaged with the outer side of the sleeve, at which end the rims are circumferentially bent; bellows between the rims of the inner retainer members, for absorbing the bending and expansion to maintain the exhaust gas to be airtight; outer retainer members located externally the inner retainer members, both ends engaged with the inner retainer members, inner side to be opened toward the center; a guide ring member for dividing the inner retainer members and outer retainer members to symmetrically form first pockets and second pockets, and for surrounding the bellows; and an inner buffering member and an outer buffering member in the form of loop to be filled within in the first pockets and the second pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: SJM Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Sung Jung, Dae Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20010052698
    Abstract: A ball joint apparatus for a pressurized fluid line includes a bellows and a pair of opposed tube portions to accommodate limited flexure between the tube portions. The apparatus also includes an annular ball element positioned over one of the tube portions and an annular housing member mounted on the other tube portion and overlapping the ball member. As initially formed, the overlapping end of the housing member is open and of a diameter exceeding the maximum diameter of the ball member to permit ease of assembly. After the component parts are in position and welded as desired, the apparatus is placed in a hydraulic press and the open end of the housing member is necked down by a swaging process to establish bearing contact with the ball member. Alternative arrangements of the apparatus are provided for use with stainless steel tubing and with titanium tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Vadim Berengut, Arthur Lyman Moore, Louis Rivera, Wilford R. Tate
  • Patent number: 6312023
    Abstract: An axial compensator has a corrugated compensator tube extending along an axis and having a pair of opposite ends and respective pipe sleeves fixed to the ends and movable axially toward and away from each other with axial elastic deformation of the compensator tube. An inner guide tube fixed to one of the sleeves, generally centered on the axis, and projecting axially toward the other sleeve is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting formations spaced axially from the one sleeve and defining respective radially outwardly open gaps. An outer guide tube fixed to the other of the sleeves, generally centered on the axis, and telescopingly engaging the inner guide tube is formed with radially inwardly projecting formations spaced axially from the one sleeve, defining respective radially outwardly open gaps, and aligned axially and engageable axially with the inner-tube formations. The gaps have an angular dimension at least as great as an angular dimension of the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Hans Rattay
  • Publication number: 20010032679
    Abstract: A polymeric hose assembly including a male hose inserted within a female hose connects an air cleaner to an internal combustion engine. An elastomeric seal including a plurality of bellows is bonded around the circumference of the exterior surfaces of the female hose and the male hose at bonding points. The plurality of bellows expand to allow for the expansion of the hose assembly to accommodate for engine movement and vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventor: Jeff Powell
  • Patent number: 6279961
    Abstract: A rotatable hose coupling is provided for use with a pool cleaner, particularly of the type powered by a suction or vacuum source via a flexible vacuum hose or the like connected to the suction side of conventional pool water filtration equipment, wherein the rotatable hose coupling is mounted in-line along the vacuum hose and responds to cyclic pressure differentials to index the hose through a rotational increment each time the filtration equipment is turned on and off. The rotatable hose coupling comprises a tubular plunger having one end received axially and slidably within a cam housing defining an axially opposed and spaced-apart pair of cam surfaces. At least one radially extending cam pin carried by the plunger engages the cam surfaces to rotatably index the cam housing relative to the plunger in response to axial back-and-forth displacement of the plunger within the cam housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Polaris Pools Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Wernher J. Stoltz
  • Patent number: 6234542
    Abstract: An expansion joint for a fluid piping system is described. The expansion joint is formed of a corrugated cylindrical bellows constrained by a linear sheath within which the expansion joint can contract as the ends of adjacent pipes move closer together due to heat expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Dialysis Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Peterson, Richard M. Russell
  • Patent number: 6213685
    Abstract: A mechanical type boot including a vertically positioned riser in a tubular configuration with an outwardly flanged upper end and an outwardly flanged lower end. Vertical bolt holes are provided through the ends. Vertical bolt holes are provided in a lower flat end of a base flange. Vertical bolt holes are also provided in a flanged lower end of a generally cylindrical split seal cap ring. Vertically extending bolts couple the riser, seal and base flange. An inverted J-shaped tube constitutes a gas well pipe. The tube has a long vertical section located within and extending upwardly from the split seal cap ring. The next intermediate section extends outwardly. A third outboard section extends downwardly for the exhaust of gasses. The lowermost end of the gas well pipe is held in a fluid type relationship with regard to the split seal cap ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Peter W. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 6151893
    Abstract: A flexible tube for an automobile exhaust system which has a bellow assembly to absorb the first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe for the an exhaust system having a cylindrical outer cover (5) made of plate to cover the outer periphery of the bellows (3)1 the first collar (7') and the second collar (7") with the risers (7a', 7a") bent toward the inner surface (5a) of the outer cover (5); the first elongation displacement stopper member (6') and the second elongation member displacement stopper member (6") respectively formed by bending the inner side of the outer cover (5); and the first elastic stopper member (8') and the second elastic stopper member (8") provided at the risers (7a', 7a") of both collars (7', 7"). As a further modification, the second outer cover (9) may be provided inside of the outer cover (5) to form displacement stoppers (9a, 9b) by bending the both end portions of the second outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Calsonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shouji Watanabe, Hiroyuki Aihara, Tadashi Nakasuji, Eizo Suyama, Katsuyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 6109661
    Abstract: A flexible coupler apparatus for joining successive exhaust system components in an exhaust system for a vehicle. An inner liner tube is concentrically received by an outer liner tube. A substantially porous, non-sealing, vibration absorbing spacer member is arranged between the liner tubes where they overlap, to preclude direct contact between the liner tubes. The spacer member is non-sealing to preclude deterioration while minimizing interference with the reciprocation and articulation of the liner tubes. A flexible, resilient sealing member, such as a bellows, mechanically and sealingly connects the liner tubes at their distant non-overlapped ends, to prevent escape of exhaust gases. The liner tubes and the spacer member are provided with a non-circular, preferably polygonal or lobed, cross-sectional configurations, for providing protection of the bellows from torsional forces being propagated from one of the exhaust system components, toward the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Senior Engineering Investments AG
    Inventors: Scott C. Cwik, Robert C. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6047993
    Abstract: An arrangement for connecting pipe pieces, particularly pipe pieces of exhaust systems of motor vehicles, is provided with end sleeves each fastened to the ends of the pipe pieces and pointing in each case to the other pipe end. In the interior of the end sleeves, bellows are arranged, the ends of the bellows being in each case connected with a pipe piece. A stranded spring extends helically along the outer circumference walls of the end sleeve. On the exterior side, the stranded spring is at least partially covered by protection sleeves which are provided with corrugations adapted to the course of the helical line and in whose interior the stranded spring is guided. The protection sleeve is connected with the end sleeves and the ends of the stranded spring are connected with the protection sleeves or the end sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Leopold Jungbauer
  • Patent number: 5941072
    Abstract: Turbocharged combustion engine with a compressor unit (2) which is rigidly supported in a bracket bolted to the cylinder block. The outlet (10) of the exhaust manifold (8) communicates with the turbine inlet (7) to the compressor unit via a folded metal tube (14) which permits displacement of the turbine inlet and the outlet of the exhaust manifold relative to each other in a transverse and an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Jan Arnell, Magnus Dahlgren