Expansion Joint
EXPANSION JOINT FOR THERMAL EXPANSION OF PIPING SYSTEMS
Title of invention/innovation:
IN-LINE PRESSURE BALANCED EXPANSION JOINT FOR PIPING AND DUCTING SYSTEMS WITH CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION AND INTERNALLY LOCATED TIE RODS
Description of innovation:
This innovation relates to an In-Line Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint for absorbing thermal dilatation of piping and ducting systems with tie-rods located inside expansion joint but without disturbing of fluid flow. Also, by this innovation friction force is completely removed.
Advantages of innovation:
Majority of existing expansion joint of this type are done by implementation of tie-rods on the outer side of expansion joint. The impracticality of such assemblies which are already relatively large in diameter because of the area required for the centre bellow are further accentuated with external tie-rods. In our design these connecting tie-rods are located inside expansion joint but in such way that fluid flow remains unrestricted. Further complication arise from the centre support or supports on the tie-rods which are used to support the weight of the centre section of the assembly which can produce large amount of friction forces that are very hard to accurately predict and take into account when calculating expansion joint stiffness. In addition it is also very difficult to deal with tie-rods buckling problem in large diameter assemblies which in the end result in often extremely cumbersome design. By this innovation friction is completely removed.
Area of use of innovation:
One of the main solution used in protecting rotating equipment such as turbine, pumps, compressors, blowers, etc. from experiencing large pressure thrust forces while compensating for thermal expansion of piping and ducting systems, is the implementation of in-line pressure balanced expansion joints. This innovation is especially interested in case where piping or ducting dimensions are already high and where any friction can increase the stiffness of expansion joint.
