Shock absorbing apparatus

• US 20060157976A1
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Pettie Tube Products Limited Of Whiteshaw Works
• Original Assignee: Thomson Pettie Tube Products Limited Of Whiteshaw Works
• Inventors: Thomson, Terence McKenna, Paterson, John Graeme
• Application Number:
  US11/295,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20060157976A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/268
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/1811 with means permitting relative movement, e.g. compensation of thermal expansion or vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/06 with metal springs with rubber springs also F16F15/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/053 held in place by bolts passing through flanges
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/1004 introduced in exhaust pipes for hot gases

Abstract

An exhaust coupling for axially connecting a first and second pipe segment comprising: a first flange provided at the first pipe segment; a second flange provided at the second pipe segment; connection means for connecting the first and second flanges such that, in a neutral state, an axial gap exists between adjacent ends of the first and second pipe segments; and biasing means for biasing the first and second pipe segments towards the neutral state.

Claims

1. An exhaust coupling for axially connecting a first and second pipe segment comprising:

a first flange provided at the first pipe segment;

a second flange provided at the second pipe segment;

connection means for connecting the first and second flanges such that, in a neutral state, an axial gap exists between adjacent ends of the first and second pipe segments; and

biasing means for biasing the first and second pipe segments towards the neutral state.

2. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing means is adapted to bias the first and second pipe segments from both an extended and a compressed state towards the neutral state.

3. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing means also provides the connection means.

4. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of biasing means is provided circumferentially around the first and second pipe segments.

5. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 4, wherein three biasing means are provided circumferentially and equidistant around the first and second pipe segments.

6. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing means comprises a first spring interposing the first and second flange, and wherein the first spring has a neutral position such that the axial gap exists between adjacent ends of the first and second pipe segments.

7. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 6, wherein the biasing means includes a second spring interposing the first and second flanges.

8. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first spring and the second spring are co-axially mounted.

9. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first spring is a tension spring having engaging means provided at each end for engaging with a retaining portion provided at each of the first and second flanges.

10. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second spring comprises a compression spring which is provided around the tension spring.

11. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second pipe segments has a flared portion provided at the adjacent ends of the first and second pipe segments.

12. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second flanges act upon the respective flared portion of the first and second pipe segments.

13. An exhaust coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first flange is connected to the first pipe segment, and wherein the second flange is connected to the second pipe segment.

14. An apparatus for absorbing a load between a first and second body comprising:

biasing means comprising;

a first resilient member for urging the first and second bodies towards each other; and

a second resilient member for urging the first and second bodies apart,

wherein the first and second resilient members are co-axially mounted.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first resilient member comprises a tension spring.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second resilient member comprises a compression spring.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first resilient member retains the second resilient member.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second resilient member at least partially encloses the first resilient member.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first resilient member is pre-tensioned.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second resilient member is pre-compressed.