Expansion Joints and Flexible Metal Hose

When misalignment, vibration, or thermal expansion produces problem forces in a piping system, Topaz can provide the expansion joint solution. Whether the application requires a standard or special joint, as small as 1" or as large as 240" diameter, we can supply quality metal bellows products at competitive prices and deliveries. The units are packless, all metal fabrication in single, universal, hinged, gimbaled, pressure balanced, rectangular and externally pressurized guided types. Design factors such as bellows wall thickness, number of convolutions, corrugation height, and number of plies can all be varied to meet specifications for original or replacement joints. We also offer bellows pump connectors, braided pump connectors, expansion compensators, flexible metal hose and alignment guides.

 

Pressure and motion limitations of these type products are determined by wall thickness, number of corrugations (convolutions), corrugation height, and number of plies.  All of these factors can be varied to meet specifications for original or replacement units.

 

These are designed for installations involving motion that is primarily axial.  Minimum values of lateral offset are provided for installation tolerance and vibratory motion.  A correct installation should include pipe alignment guides and anchors to ensure true axial motion of the joint.

 

These are designed for low pressure ducts in pollution control, flues, boiler exhausts and gas recovery apparatus. They are manufactured to individual size and functional requirements by combining standard corrugated elements and corner configurations with proprietary fabricating methods. Although the most commonly used materials are austenitic stainless steel alloys, any weldable material can be used.

 

 Externally Pressurized Guided Expansion Joints:

This product provides the safest, most reliable means of absorbing high axial pipe motions.  The all welded metal construction assures leak tight and maintenance free service.  The design provides a totally enclosed externally pressurized bellows protected from external damage by a heavy wall shroud, and is isolated from flow impingement by an internal sleeve. This method permits virtually unlimited bellows length, and therefore limitless stroke because of the elimination of squirm or instability. The bellows used are laminated or multi-ply construction with a low spring rate and minimum deflection stresses assuring long life under repeated deflections.

 

Flexible metal connectors handle vibration isolation, misalignment compensation, motion absorption, noise reduction, and stress reduction to piping and equipment.

 

These are compact and extremely flexible assemblies designed to protect critical mechanical equipment, and reduce noise created by vibration and fluid pulsation. They are all steel and stainless steel construction, permitting high pressure and temperature service while absorbing multiple plane motions and vibration.  Minimum loads and vibration are transferred between equipment and piping, and misalignment compensation is provided which saves labor during installation.  The bellows element of the connector is laminated layers of thin stainless steel, Type 321. This gives flexibility and low spring rate, long life, and internal damping of vibration without compromising pressure resisting strength.  Bellows pump connectors are capable of absorbing axial, lateral, and angular motions in service or during installation.  Applications include industrial and chemical processing, HVAC, and power plants involving pumps, valves, tanks, compressors, chillers and other equipment.

 

Formed metal bellows are available in standard sizes ranging from 1" to 20' inside diameter, and for a broad range of pressure, temperature, flexibility, and movement requirements while conveying both corrosive and non-corrosive fluids.  These bellows absorb axial extension and compression, parallel offset, angulation, or combinations of motions. Any standard size bellows can be fabricated with multi-ply construction of up to four plies of equal thickness. Multi-ply design permits a lower spring rate and a greater cycle life than a single ply configuration for an equivalent pressure.  This type of construction is recommended for applications with vibration or rapid cyclic motion because of inherent damping provided by the relative movement of the plies.

 

Designed to absorb expansion and contraction of HVAC system piping, expansion compensators take up dimensional changes and eliminate the necessity for pipe loops or packed slip joints.  Low and high pressure models are available in standard sizes from ¾" – 4" for copper tube and steel pipe connections. Expansion compensators include stainless steel laminated bellows for maximum flexibility and pressure resistance. Additional design features include an internal tube which protects the bellows, and guiding to maintain true alignment. 

 

These are intended to maintain the longitudinal position of tubing centerlines without axial restraint.  They are to be used in conjunction with hangers, rollers, or other supports that hold the tube and media weight.  All surfaces are coated with protective black lacquer paint.

 

Corrugated metal hose in a variety of styles and materials designed for flexibility and/or high pressure ratings. Bronze annular hose and braid in closed or open pitch – sizes ¼" to 2" in unbraided or with one or two layer braid; Stainless steel annular corrugated hose, industrial weight, heavy duty and single/double braided – sizes ¼" to 16"; Carbon steel helical hose and galvanized braid, industrial weight, heavy duty single/double braided – sizes ¼" to 3"; Stainless steel tubular wire braid designed specifically for metal hose reinforcement – sizes ¼" to 30"; Vibration eliminators, all bronze construction, designed specifically for refrigeration service – sizes 1/8" to1-1/4" ; Stainless steel hose and braid with copper tube ends – sizes 1-1/2" and over.