The invention relates to an expansion joint (1) for joining two adjacent parts of a pipe. The expansion joint (1) comprises an expansion bellows (5), an expanded wall (2) and an inner sleeve assembly (8). The expanded wall (2) comprises a first wall part (3) and a second wall part (4), wherein the first wall part (3) and the second wall part (4) are spaced apart from each other axially by an axial gap. The expansion bellows (5) is connected to the first wall part (3) and to the second wall part (4) such that the axial gap between the first wall part (3) and the second wall part (4) is closed and such that the first wall part (3) and the second wall part (4) are connected flexibly. The expanded wall (2) and the inner sleeve assembly (8) limit at least one sealed chamber (9, 10) between each other, and the at least one sealed chamber (9, 10) is filled by a first gas.

Disclosed herein is a gimbal body comprising: an end part (51) for use in welding the gimbal body to a pipe; and a main body (53) attached to the end part (51); wherein: the end part (51) is made of a first material; and the main body (53) is made of a second material that is different from the first material. Embodiments provide a new method of manufacturing a gimbal that allows the use of the most appropriate materials for high temperature and high pressure performance whilst overcoming manufacturing and installation problems experienced by known gimbals constructed with such materials.

The invention relates to a bellow compensator for a charging installation of a metallurgical furnace. The bellow compensator comprises an inlet end pipe 40 and an opposite outlet end pipe 42 and a bellow section 44 arranged between the inlet end pipe 40 and the outlet end pipe 42, the bellow section 44 being formed by a series of folds and allowing relative movement between the inlet end pipe 40 and the outlet end pipe 42. According to the present invention, a non-structural flexible liner 60, preferably wire mesh gasket, is arranged along an inner wall 62 of the bellow compensator and extends over at least some of the length of the bellow section 44. The non-structural flexible liner 60 has a first end 64 and a second end 66, wherein the first end 64 is fixedly connected to the inlet end pipe 40 and the second end 66 is fixedly connected to the outlet end pipe 42.

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 flexible joint assembly is disclosed for use in an extreme temperature fluid flow system. In an embodiment, the flexible joint assembly can be used in a fluid flow system configured to carry high temperature fluid, such air or other gas, and/or in a fluid flow system configured to carry low temperature fluid, such air or other gas.

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.

The present invention relates to a flexible conduit element 1 of an exhaust gas system for vehicles having combustion engines, comprising a bellows member 2 defining within the bellows member 2 a guiding channel 10 guiding the exhaust gas of an inlet opening of the channel 10 to an outlet opening thereof, and a thermal insulation means 80, 80.1, 80.2 which comprises basalt material. Further, the present invention relates to an exhaust gas system comprising the flexible conduit element with said insulation means.