An expansion joint is provided. The expansion joint is formed from a plurality of layers comprising a ring tie-in ply, a pair of arch rings at opposing transition points, two body plies, with inverted bias cut angles between about 48? to 60?, where about is typically plus or minus 1 degree. The arch geometry is such that the arch has an axial length C between the transition points and an inner surface arch circumference length of A between the transition points in a neutral state, such that the maximum compression distance for the expansion joint is the length C, the maximum elongation distance for the expansion joint is a length (A-C), and a maximum lateral deflection length for the expansion joint is a length Y.

A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

An expansion joint including a hollow elastomeric body having coupling flanges at each open end configured to connect to flanges of a pipe system. The hollow elastomeric body is made of a material including an elastomer and fibers. A stretchable sensor is located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body. The sensor is configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched or contracts. An analysis circuit is connected to the sensor, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.

An expansion joint comprising a hollow elastomeric body having coupling flanges at each open end configured to connect to flanges of a pipe system. The hollow elastomeric body is comprised of a material comprising an elastomer and fibers. A stretchable sensor is located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body. The sensor is configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched, contracts and deteriorates or wears. An analysis circuit is connected to the sensor, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.

An expansion compensator having an elongate metal conduit with first and second spaced apart ends and an expansion/contraction section, an inner plastic liner positioned interior of the elongate metal conduit and having an expansion/contraction section and an interior volume extending from the first end to the second end, and first and second connectors provided at the first and second ends, respectively, of the elongate metal conduit and the inner plastic liner, each connector having a first portion secured to the outer surface of the elongate metal conduit, a second portion secured to the inner surface of the inner plastic liner, and an opening in fluid communication with the interior volume of the inner plastic liner.

An expansion joint that is provided between a steam turbine outlet and a condenser inlet, including: an upstream baffle tube that has one end secured to an upstream fixing end and the other end as a free end, and forms a steam channel; a downstream baffle tube that has one end secured to a downstream fixed end and the other end as a free end, the free end being relatively movable outside the free end of the upstream baffle tube; and a flexible cylinder that is formed of a non-metal material using a resin sheet, and deformable while airtightly surrounding the baffle tubes.

A low-pressure tubular system includes a multitude of interconnected tube sections having a longitudinal axis. Each of the tube sections includes a central part and two outer end parts. The tubular system is configured to maintain a low-pressure environment within the connected tube sections. The system further includes a multitude of expansion joints connecting the tube sections. Each of the expansion joints includes a sleeve made of a flexible sheet material and includes a ring shaped endless central part and two ring shaped endless outer end parts. Each of the outer end parts of the expansion joints are arranged to extend coaxial with an adjacent tube section and surround and sealingly engage the outer end part of said adjacent tube section.

An expansion joint is formed from a plurality of layers comprising a ring tie-in ply, a pair of arch rings at opposing transition points, two body plies, with inverted bias cut angles between about 48 to 60, where about is typically plus or minus 1 degree. The arch geometry is such that the arch has an axial length C between the transition points and an inner surface arch circumference length of A between the transition points in a neutral state, such that the maximum compression distance for the expansion joint is the length C, the maximum elongation distance for the expansion joint is a length (AC), and a maximum lateral deflection length for the expansion joint is a length Y.