Pipeline compensator with flexible bellows sleeve - has pivot forks mounted outside bellows to absorb tensile loads

摘要

A flexible coupling is used for compensating thermal expansion of metal tubes. It includes a bellows (3). The bellows is fixed between two rigid flange sleeves (1, 2). Two pairs of interlocking fork prongs (6-9) are welded to the two cylindrical portions of the flange sleeves (1, 2). The outside fork (6, 8) is provided with two pivot pins (12, 13) so that they are located by two holes in the inner fork (7, 9). Gaps (17, 18) between the inner and the outer fork, and curved contact areas on the pivots and location holes, ensure that the coupling allows movement in two perpendicular axial planes.