Axial Expansion Joint is the simplest form of expansion joint. A flexible element either with flange end or Butt Weld End to absorb any combination of three basic movements. i.e. Axial movement, Lateral deflection and Angular rotation along the axis of the pipe line.

Axial Bellows do not control the movement of the pipes and in case the piping analysis indicate that the expansion joint should accept axial compression, then in that case the piping must be guided and constrained so that only that movement occurs.

Axial Bellows Expansion Joints do not resist any deflections with any force other than the resistance of the bellows and is incapable of resisting the pressure thrust along its axis. In general, Axial Bellows are the most economical of all types.

Gimbal Bellows which can permit angular rotation in any plane, consist of two pair of hinges affixed to a common floating gimbal ring. The Gimbal Bellows Expansion Joints are similar to Hinge type except that unlike Hinged Bellows which are limited to deflection in only one plane, Gimbal Bellows can accept bending or angulations in any plane.

It contains two hinge pins, the axis of each being perpendicular to the other. Each set of pins is connected to each other with a central gimbal ring. It provides similar restraint and resistance to axial forces such as the pressure thrust and to shear forces as the hinge type apart from having other features like absorbing angular rotation, preventing torsion on bellows and no main anchors required.

Hinged Bellows, either Axial or Universal type, are designed to absorb angular rotation in one plane only by the use of a pair of pins through hinge plates attached to the expansion bellows.

Hinged Expansion Bellows should be used in sets of 2 or 3 to function properly. Hinged Bellows are normally prevented by their design from deflecting axially, either in extension or compression. The hinge mechanism is usually designed to accept full pressure thrust and also shear loads such as from the weight of the adjacent piping, can be accepted by these type of expansion joints thereby doing away with provision of additional supports and anchors.

Hinged Bellows also have added benefits of positive control over the movements, eliminates pressure thrust forces, transmits external loads, prevents torsion on bellows and are the most efficient in absorbing of thermal deflections.

The principles of In-line pressure balanced bellows expansion joints is more or less similar to the Pressure balanced bellows except that the axial pressure thrust is reacted by the pressure acting on a cross sectional area equal to the area of the working of primary bellows.

A constant volume arrangement created by two balancing bellows whose difference in cross sectional area is twice that of the in-line bellows thus eliminating the pressure-thrust without change in direction.

As this expansion joint is entirely axial and there being no directional changes in the pipe, the cross sectional area needed to balance the pressure is placed around the outside of the unit. Moreover as the pressure forces are generated by the pressure acting on the annular surface between the primary and the outer balancing bellows, the arrangement of the tie rods transfers and balances the pressure thrust created in the pipe on each end.

A Universal Expansion Joint is one containing two bellows joined with a spool piece for the purpose of absorbing any combination of the three basic movements: Axial movement, Lateral deflection and Angular rotation.

The primary purpose of Universal Bellows is to accept large amount of lateral deflections which in fact is a function of the amount of angulations each bellows can absorb and the distance between the two bellows. The length of the center spool piece can be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the lateral deflection capability.

Flexican also designs and supplies Universal Bellows with or without tie rods, which connects the ends of the unit to each other and restrains the pressure thrust load. The number of tie rods to be provided around the circumference of the expansion joint depends on the application, for instance two tie rods are provided 180 degrees apart which enables the expansion joint to bend or deflect angularly and laterally. Similarly three or more tie rods are provided equally by pressure thrust and in such cases only lateral deflections are possible without any significant forces being applied by the adjacent piping.

Universal Bellows Expansion Joints are usually long and are designed such that the thermal expansion of the entire unit's length is accepted as compression by the two bellow elements and as a result the overall length of the unit does not change when the piping is heated.

Pressure Balanced Bellows Expansion Joints are normally used where a change of direction occurs in a run of piping and pressure thrust to be absorbed.

The deflections are controlled by the tied universal type expansion joints so as to accept the lateral movements and the pressure balanced elbow is usually required to accept the axial deflections also present. Moreover a bellow is also incorporated beyond the elbow in order to accept the various movements present. This balancing bellow is connected by tie rods to the pipe beyond the universal section which enables the pressure thrust to be contained as tension in the tie rods.

The main features of these bellows is that apart from absorbing axial and lateral movements, the pressure forces remain in balance, the balance pressure thrust remains constant and there is no volume change.

Innovative Solutions to Thermal Growth Problems in Gas Transfer Applications
Expansion Joint Systems, Inc. (EJS) has been designing and manufacturing metal and fabric expansion joints since 1981. In 1992, we joined forces with LBH International, one of Europes leading fabric expansion manufacturers to offer what we consider to be the bestengineered
fabric expansion joint on the market today. Today, EJS is one of the top U.S. designers and manufactures of quality engineered metal expansion joints. Our engineering department has in house Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capability, including heat transfer and thermal design. LBH continually strives through testing and experience to be at the leading edge of fabric technology. The combination of engineering and experience within the two companies provides our customers with the most advanced and technologically superior fabric expansion joint solutions.

Axial Expansion Joint is the simplest form of expansion joint. A flexible element either with flange end or Butt Weld End to absorb any combination of three basic movements. i.e. Axial movement, Lateral deflection and Angular rotation along the axis of the pipe line.

Axial Bellows do not control the movement of the pipes and in case the piping analysis indicate that the expansion joint should accept axial compression, then in that case the piping must be guided and constrained so that only that movement occurs.

Axial Bellows Expansion Joints do not resist any deflections with any force other than the resistance of the bellows and is incapable of resisting the pressure thrust along its axis. In general, Axial Bellows are the most economical of all types.

Gimbal Bellows which can permit angular rotation in any plane, consist of two pair of hinges affixed to a common floating gimbal ring. The Gimbal Bellows Expansion Joints are similar to Hinge type except that unlike Hinged Bellows which are limited to deflection in only one plane, Gimbal Bellows can accept bending or angulations in any plane.

It contains two hinge pins, the axis of each being perpendicular to the other. Each set of pins is connected to each other with a central gimbal ring. It provides similar restraint and resistance to axial forces such as the pressure thrust and to shear forces as the hinge type apart from having other features like absorbing angular rotation, preventing torsion on bellows and no main anchors required.

Hinged Bellows, either Axial or Universal type, are designed to absorb angular rotation in one plane only by the use of a pair of pins through hinge plates attached to the expansion bellows.

Hinged Expansion Bellows should be used in sets of 2 or 3 to function properly. Hinged Bellows are normally prevented by their design from deflecting axially, either in extension or compression. The hinge mechanism is usually designed to accept full pressure thrust and also shear loads such as from the weight of the adjacent piping, can be accepted by these type of expansion joints thereby doing away with provision of additional supports and anchors.

Hinged Bellows also have added benefits of positive control over the movements, eliminates pressure thrust forces, transmits external loads, prevents torsion on bellows and are the most efficient in absorbing of thermal deflections.

The principles of In-line pressure balanced bellows expansion joints is more or less similar to the Pressure balanced bellows except that the axial pressure thrust is reacted by the pressure acting on a cross sectional area equal to the area of the working of primary bellows.

A constant volume arrangement created by two balancing bellows whose difference in cross sectional area is twice that of the in-line bellows thus eliminating the pressure-thrust without change in direction.

As this expansion joint is entirely axial and there being no directional changes in the pipe, the cross sectional area needed to balance the pressure is placed around the outside of the unit. Moreover as the pressure forces are generated by the pressure acting on the annular surface between the primary and the outer balancing bellows, the arrangement of the tie rods transfers and balances the pressure thrust created in the pipe on each end.

A Universal Expansion Joint is one containing two bellows joined with a spool piece for the purpose of absorbing any combination of the three basic movements: Axial movement, Lateral deflection and Angular rotation.

The primary purpose of Universal Bellows is to accept large amount of lateral deflections which in fact is a function of the amount of angulations each bellows can absorb and the distance between the two bellows. The length of the center spool piece can be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the lateral deflection capability.

Flexican also designs and supplies Universal Bellows with or without tie rods, which connects the ends of the unit to each other and restrains the pressure thrust load. The number of tie rods to be provided around the circumference of the expansion joint depends on the application, for instance two tie rods are provided 180 degrees apart which enables the expansion joint to bend or deflect angularly and laterally. Similarly three or more tie rods are provided equally by pressure thrust and in such cases only lateral deflections are possible without any significant forces being applied by the adjacent piping.

Universal Bellows Expansion Joints are usually long and are designed such that the thermal expansion of the entire unit's length is accepted as compression by the two bellow elements and as a result the overall length of the unit does not change when the piping is heated.

Pressure Balanced Bellows Expansion Joints are normally used where a change of direction occurs in a run of piping and pressure thrust to be absorbed.

The deflections are controlled by the tied universal type expansion joints so as to accept the lateral movements and the pressure balanced elbow is usually required to accept the axial deflections also present. Moreover a bellow is also incorporated beyond the elbow in order to accept the various movements present. This balancing bellow is connected by tie rods to the pipe beyond the universal section which enables the pressure thrust to be contained as tension in the tie rods.

The main features of these bellows is that apart from absorbing axial and lateral movements, the pressure forces remain in balance, the balance pressure thrust remains constant and there is no volume change.

Innovative Solutions to Thermal Growth Problems in Gas Transfer Applications
Expansion Joint Systems, Inc. (EJS) has been designing and manufacturing metal and fabric expansion joints since 1981. In 1992, we joined forces with LBH International, one of Europes leading fabric expansion manufacturers to offer what we consider to be the bestengineered
fabric expansion joint on the market today. Today, EJS is one of the top U.S. designers and manufactures of quality engineered metal expansion joints. Our engineering department has in house Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capability, including heat transfer and thermal design. LBH continually strives through testing and experience to be at the leading edge of fabric technology. The combination of engineering and experience within the two companies provides our customers with the most advanced and technologically superior fabric expansion joint solutions.