When installing pipelines in various systems, such a device as a bellows expansion joint is necessarily taken into account. We will talk about this important device in more detail in this article.
The bellows expansion joint is a device that can be stretched and flexible within the limits of the conditional deformation. Its purpose is quite extensive:
Install bellows expansion joints especiallyrelevant in high-rise buildings. In this case, the installation of this product allows you to reduce the load in the interfloor horizontal pipe bends. The specified device has a main working part, called the bellows. This is an elastic corrugated sheath of metal. It is able to shrink and stretch, bend or move when the length changes, the coaxiality of the pipeline is disturbed (due to changes in temperature, pressure and other influences).
The bellows expansion joint has the following advantages:
Различия в конструкции данных устройств due to their purpose: to compensate for angular, longitudinal expansions, deviations from alignment, vibration effects. Thus, the following types of devices are distinguished.
- Axial (axial). They compensate for thermal expansion in the axial direction of the pipeline.
- Angular (angular). Compensate the offset axis of the nozzles. The bellows axis of this product is curved in an arc.
- Universal bellows expansion joints.They have an internal screen, a shift and a pivot device. Such products consist of one or two bellows and connecting fittings. They compensate axial, shear and angular displacements relative to the axis, as well as prevent vibrations of pipelines and equipment.
Currently, the market provides a huge range of these products. These devices can be made of various materials:
1. Steel bellows expansion joints.They compensate for large loads caused by thermal expansion of the pipeline. They are made from high quality materials. In this case, use several layers of thin stainless steel grades 08Х18Н10Т and 10Х17Н13М2Т. The chemical and mechanical properties of this material are checked by the input control at the factory. This guarantees the quality of the steel from which the bellows expansion joint is made. Layers of thin metal are formed into bellows by the method of hydraulic pressing or rolling. The thinner they are, the longer the life of the product as a whole. This product is used in local and main pipelines.
2. Резиновые компенсаторы.They are made of special synthetic rubber, having a cord reinforcement. The service life of such a product is about 20 years. At the same time, this device does not require repair and maintenance.
3. Fabric compensators.They are susceptible to displacements, mechanical loads, vibrations and vibrations in the axial and transverse directions. They are used to compensate for deformations in a variety of gas pipelines.
