The invention relates to line elements (600) consisting of a multi-layer inner element (IE) and an outer element (AE), wherein the inner element (IE) and the outer element (AE) are in contact with each other at points, at lines, over part of the surfaces thereof, or over the full surfaces thereof. Furthermore, a frictional contact protection means extending over the component length is provided, or a frictional layer (121) is provided in the contact region of the inner element (IE) and the outer element (AE). The wear of the outer element (AE) caused by friction can thereby be minimized.

A decoupler includes a short bellows of ten or fewer convolutions, an internal liner spaced from the bellows internally and a cover spaced radially outward from the bellows providing an air gap both internally and externally of the bellows. The liner has a free-standing downstream end proximate a damper which is captured by a cover, inner damper ring and slide ring. Two decouplers are mounted in series to accommodate angular, axial and lateral displacement when operably connecting two end pipes and one central pipe.

The present invention relates to a bellows having tweezers-shaped corrugated portions for increasing resistance and restoring force against torsion, and a method for manufacturing the same, the bellows comprising: 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.

A multiple component hot gas flowing conduit has an elongated, convoluted bellows, an interlock liner, frequency dampers and elastic spacers engaging the dampers and biasing the dampers into respective bellows convolution with no contact of bellows and liner for all operating states of the conduit. Assembly pretension of the interlock liner preferably flattens out the elastic spacers permitting assembly of the liner into the bellows and upon relaxation of the liner, the spacers extend radially outwardly to engage and bias the dampers into the bellows. The bellows is convoluted throughout, or may have convoluted ends with an integral smooth-wall tube therebetween. Components are isolated from abrasion against one another.

A system and method including a non-metallic shell to prevent debris from contacting a component of an exhaust system is disclosed. The shell may be formed from silicone. The shell may also form part of an assembly including a metallic corrugated body, which may be positioned between two pipe sections of the exhaust system. The shell may be separate from an exhaust coupler and be secured separately to the two pipe sections connected to the exhaust coupler.

An exhaust connection coupler and a method for manufacturing a braid cover incorporated therein are provided. The method of manufacturing comprises the steps of providing a tubular sleeve formed of braided wire filaments and forming at least one end of the sleeve into shape using a forming die such that the at least one end of the cover includes a circumferential neck portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of a body portion of the cover. In the method, the sleeve may be pressed between male and female forming dies in order to create the cover's desired shape, which can include a shoulder extending radially outwardly from the cover's neck portion and meeting the cover's body portion at a corner.

The present invention describes a flexible conduit element with an end portion suitable for attachment to a rigid conduit element. The flexible conduit element comprises: a bellows member; an interlock member; an outer fixing member; and an connection nozzle, where, in an axial cross section at an end portion of the flexible conduit element, the outer fixing member is disposed outside of the bellows member, the bellows member is disposed outside of the interlock member, and the interlock member is disposed outside of the connection nozzle, and a gas-tight seal connects the bellows member and the connection nozzle. A method of assembly such a flexible conduit element is also disclosed.

A flexible tube system having an end section formed from an inner rigid tube and an outer shell, and the end section is joined to a central flexible portion having an inner decoupler tube, and an outer shell bridge is joined to the outer shell and the flexible central portion to define an insulation space.

A line element for compensating for expansions and/or relative movements within a line through which fluid can flow, comprising a ring-corrugation or helical-corrugation bellows 1 and a hose 3, which is arranged coaxially in the interior of the bellows 1 and is made of a dimensionally stable material, for flow-guidance purposes. The hose 3 has a number of individual, essentially dimensionally stable ring-form hose elements 4 which are plugged axially one inside the other so as to be retained such that they can be moved axially and/or angularly in relation to one another between a compressed position and an extended position. A method for producing such a line element is also provided.

A thermally insulative, flexible, durable reflective exhaust pipe sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes a knit, heat-resistant inner layer, a reflective metallic outer layer and an intermediate layer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers. The inner layer is constructed having an inner surface exposed to an inner cavity of the sleeve and the outer layer is constructed having an outer reflective surface exposed to the surrounding environment. The intermediate layer is constructed of a woven material and is sandwiched in abutment with the inner and outer layers. The outer and intermediate layers are convoluted, while the inner layer is cylindrically tubular.