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Expansion joint for fluid piping with rotation prevention member

  • US 5,370,427 A
  • Filed: 01/10/1994
  • Issued: 12/06/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An expansion joint for use in connecting first and second fluid-carrying pipes, said expansion joint comprising:

  • a) A first annular coupling having a first cylindrical bore and a first end operably affixable to said first fluid-carrying pipe;

    b) a second annular coupling having a cylindrical bore and a first end operably affixable to said second fluid-carrying pipe;

    c) a passage extending through said first and second couplings for providing flow communication between said first and second fluid-carrying pipes;

    d) an annular bellows extending axially between said first and second couplings for accommodating axial movement of said first and second fluid-carrying pipes relative to one another, said annular bellows having opposite ends fixedly connected to said first and second couplings, respectively, and wherein said annular bellows is disposed radially outward of said passage so as to form a primary sealing means for capturing any fluid leaking between said first and second couplings from said passage;

    e) said first coupling having a second cylindrical bore formed in a second end thereof;

    f) said second coupling including an enlarged second end having a spherical outer surface;

    g) said spherical outer surface engaging said second cylindrical bore so as to allow said second coupling to pivot about a geometric center of said enlarged second end of said second coupling and so as to allow said second coupling to slide axially relative to said first coupling, wherein said spherical outer surface and said second cylindrical bore combine with said bellows means to accommodate angular misalignment between said first and second fluid-carrying pipes and to accommodate axial movement of said first and second fluid carrying pipes relative to one another, said spherical outer surface and said second cylindrical bore also combining with one another to form a secondary sealing means of said expansion joint;

    h) a radially outwardly extending annular flange attached to said second coupling;

    i) an annular shield disposed coaxially with and fixedly attached to said first coupling, said shield being disposed radially outward of said annular bellows;

    j) wherein said radially outwardly extending flange is radially inward of and radially spaced from said shield so as to limit the pivoting of said second coupling about said geometric center of said enlarged second end;

    k) a means for preventing rotation of said second coupling relative to said first coupling about a longitudinally extending centerline of said expansion joint;

    l) said preventing means comprising at least one pin protruding radially outwardly from said outer spherical surface of said second end of said second coupling and at least one axially extending groove formed in said second end of said first coupling, said groove receiving said pin.

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