Internally supported flexible duct joint

• US 3,869,151 A
• Filed: 04/16/1974
• Issued: 03/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fletcher James C Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration With Respect To An Invention of, Ralph F. Kuhn Jr
• Original Assignee: Fletcher James C Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration With Respect To An Invention of, Ralph F. Kuhn Jr
• Inventors: Kuhn, Ralph F. Jr., Fletcher, James Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space (N/A)
• Primary Examiner(s): Callaghan, Thomas F.
• Application Number:
  US05/461,477
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 285/226,227,228,229,114,299,300,301,118 403/50,51 74/18,18.1
• US Class Current: 285/114
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/02 Universal joints, i.e. with mechanical connection allowing angular movement or adjustment of the axes of the parts in any direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/0857 with hinge and bellows sealing

Abstract

An internally supported, flexible duct joint for use in conducting fluids under relatively high pressures in systems where relatively large deflection angles must be accommodated. The joint includes a flexible tubular bellows and an elongated base disposed within the bellows. The base is connected through radiating struts to the bellows near mid-portion thereof and to each of the opposite end portions of the bellows through a pivotal connecting body. A motion-controlling linkage is provided for linking the connecting bodies, whereby angular displacement of the joint is controlled and uniformity in the instantaneous bend radius of the duct is achieved as deflection is imposed thereto.

Claims

1. In a lightweight, flexible duct joint of the type including a convoluted, tubular bellows having opposite end portions adapted to be connected with adjacent segments of a pressurizable duct, whereby the duct joint operatively is subjected to internal pressure and angular deflections, the improvement comprising:

means for controlling angular deflection imparted to said tubular bellows including;

A. an elongated, rigid base disposed internally of the bellows and having an end portion disposed adjacent to each of the opposite end portions of said bellows, B. means including a plurality of angularly related struts projected from said base for connecting the bellows with the base, and C. means for interconnecting the opposite end portions of said bellows with the adjacent end portions of said elongated base including a pair of annular supports, each being affixed to one end portion of said bellows in concentric relation therewith, a pair of connecting bodies, each being rigidly affixed to one of said annular supports and pivotally connected to one end portion of said elongated base, and motion control means affixed to said connecting bodies for limiting angular motion imparted to said annular supports relative to said base.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each connecting body of said pair of connecting bodies includes a plurality of angularly related struts extended radially with respect to one of said annular supports and rigidly affixed thereto, and means defining a pair of universal joints for coupling said pair of connecting bodies to said elongated base.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said motion control means includes a pair of lever arms, each being projected axially from one of said connecting bodies with the distal ends thereof being disposed in a contiguous relationship, a ball-and-socket coupling interconnecting the distal ends of said lever arms, aNd stop means including a surface of an annular configuration circumscribing the distal ends of said lever arms.

4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein the base is of a tubular configuration and said pair of lever arms are connectrically related thereto.

5. A lightweight, flexible duct joint comprising:

A. a tubular, convoluted bellows having a pair of opposite end portions;

B. an elongated base, disposed internally of said bellows and having an end portion disposed adjacent to each of the opposite end portions of the bellows;

C. means for connecting said base to said bellows including a first plurality of angularly related struts projected radially from the base;

D. a pair of annular supports, each being rigidly affixed to one end portion of said bellows in a concentric relationship therewith, a pair of elongated connecting bodies, each including a further plurality of angularly related struts extended radially therefrom and affixed to the internal surfaces of one of said annular supports;

E. means including a pair of universal joints for coupling said connecting bodies with said elongated base; and

F. motion control means including a pair of lever arms, each being projected axially from one of said connecting bodies, and a ball-and-socket joint interconnecting the distal ends of the lever arms internally of said base.

6. The duct joint of claim 5 further including a sleeve concentrically related to said base and supported by said first plurality of struts for preventing flow impingement on said bellows.

7. The duct of claim 6 wherein said means for connecting said base to said bellows further includes an annulus affixed to said sleeve in circumscribing relation therewith and affixed to the internal surface of said bellows near the mid-portion thereof.