A coupling assembly, to be flowed through by fluid, for coupling two components has a coupling element and a ball joint assembly with a female ball joint element, a male ball joint element, and a securing element. The female and male ball joint elements form a ball joint by form fit. The male ball joint element has a ball segment and the female ball joint element has an expandable ball segment. The ball segment of the male ball joint element engages the expandable ball segment so that the female ball joint element at least partially encloses the male ball joint element. The securing element contacts externally an outer contour of the female ball joint element. The coupling element forms one of the female and male ball joint elements. One of the two components forms the other one of the female and male ball joint elements.

A compensator arrangement comprising a first fixing unit, a second fixing unit, and an intermediate flexible member removably arranged between the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit and comprising a main body, a first radial end flange and a second radial end flange, wherein the first fixing unit comprises a first connecting member having a first connecting body and a first fixing flange having a plurality of through-holes, a first counter ring, a first clamping ring and a first clamping device for releasably clamping the first radial end flange.

A method for aligning different portions of a conduit includes adjustably holding a first portion of a conduit in a first position, adjustably holding a second portion of a conduit in a second position relative to the first position of the first portion of the conduit, and inserting a bellows installation tool between the first portion of the conduit and the second portion of the conduit.

A flexible attachment assembly is described having a bellows capable of absorbing torsion having a first end; a second end opposite to the first end; and a plurality of tubes, each of which is hollow and wound around a longitudinal axis while extending from the first end to the second end, where the plurality of tubes are communicated with each other all along the longitudinal length of the bellows so as to form a bore between the first end and the second end. Also provided is a bellows assembly having at least two sections, each section having a plurality of tubes, each of which is hollow and wound around a longitudinal axis and thus form a bore, where the plurality of sections are connected with each other so that their bores are communicated.

A grooved-ended resilient expansion joint is disclosed. The expansion joint has a resilient expansion member with a central resilient portion and two resilient axially disposed cylindrical ends. Each cylindrical end has a radially outwardly raised distal cylindrical gasket portion with at least one inside shoulder having an inner diameter sized substantially the same as an outer diameter of a pipe to be joined. A pair of pre-assembled pipe couplings are provided for joining the expansion joint to a pair grooved-ended pipe segments without disassembling the coupling.

A connection system (1) is for distributing water in a domestic system. The connection system includes a flexible pipe (2) having at least one end portion for connection to a hydraulic connector. At least one hollow insert (3, 6) axially engages the end portion of the flexible pipe (2). The insert (3, 6) includes a flange-shaped head portion (31, 61) which abuts against the free end of the end portion of the pipe (2). A reinforcement portion (32, 62) extends from the head portion (31, 61) into the end portion of the pipe (2). At least one annular bushing (4) mechanically clamps onto the end portion of the pipe (2). At least one connecting element (5) is fitted onto the end portion of the pipe (2) and includes a device for connection to the hydraulic connector.

Methods and systems are provided for a coupling device. In one example, the coupling device may be formed of a composite material and positioned between an exhaust system and a vehicle chassis. The composite material may include aluminum particles dispersed in an elastomer matrix to reduce an overall thermal absorptivity of the composite material.

A system comprises a tube and a bender. The tube comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion. An undulated portion is disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion. Alternatively, the tube can comprise a plurality of cylindrical portions and undulated portions. The bender comprises a plurality of L-shaped brackets and a plurality of U-shaped brackets, and further includes a driving rod subassembly.

A gripping element includes a body extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end. The body includes a first wall, a second wall extending from the first wall, and a third wall extending between the first wall and the second wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall collectively define a hollow interior of the body. The body also defines an opening at each of its first and second ends. The opening at each of the first and second ends is in communication with the hollow interior of the body to permit an elastomeric material to be received within the opening at the first end of the body, within the hollow interior of the body, and within the opening at the second end of the body.

A heat shield for a bellows includes a central section, a first outer section, a first annular insert, a first annular flexion member, a first pipe, and a first rod. The first outer section includes a first outer section first end and a first outer section second end opposite the first outer section end. The first annular insert includes a first slot and is positioned within the first outer section second end. The first annular flexion member is coupled to the first outer section first end of the first outer section and coupled to the central section. The first annular flexion member facilitates movement between the first outer section and the central section. The first pipe is partially received within the first slot in the first annular insert. Movement between the first outer section and the central section causes movement between the first pipe and the first rod.