An asymmetric universal ring structure of a pressure-balanced expansion joint

Abstract

The present invention provides an asymmetric universal ring structure for a pressure-balanced expansion joint, comprising a balancing bellows, a second working bellows, and a third working bellows. The balancing bellows and the second working bellows are connected to the inlet pipe via a front connector, the third working bellows is connected to the outlet pipe via a rear connector, the second working bellows and the third working bellows are connected via an intermediate pipe, the front connector comprises a first universal ring, the rear connector comprises a second universal ring, the plane where the centerline of the line connecting the first universal ring and the second universal ring lies is M, and the first universal ring and the second universal ring are arranged in an asymmetric structure relative to the plane M. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention effectively reduces material consumption, ensures safe operation of the piping system, improves product competitiveness, and also expands the range of structural forms and application types of straight-pipe pressure-balanced expansion joints.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of pipeline compensation, and in particular to an asymmetric universal ring structure of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. Background Art

[0002] A metal bellows expansion joint (hereinafter referred to as an expansion joint) consists of a bellows and its structural components, and is used to absorb dimensional changes in pipes and equipment caused by various reasons. Straight pipe pressure-balanced expansion joints are widely used to compensate for displacement in straight pipelines because they can balance pressure thrust through their own structural components. This is especially true in critical applications, such as at the pipe openings of equipment with demanding load requirements. A general-purpose internal pressure straight pipe pressure-balanced expansion joint consists of two working bellows, a balancing bellows, tie rods, end plates, and other structural components. It is used to compensate for axial displacement, but can only absorb a small amount of lateral displacement. Alternatively, it can compensate for the combined displacement of the two by adding spherical or conical washers. Traditional duplex universal hinge straight pipe pressure-balanced expansion joints enhance their ability to compensate for lateral displacement by adding a universal ring structure. However, they are often subject to greater forces, which can easily cause failure of structural components such as the vertical plate, universal ring, and hinge plate, resulting in instability of the bellows and loss of compensation capability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose an asymmetric universal ring structure for a pressure-balanced expansion joint, which expands the structural form range and application types of straight-tube pressure-balanced expansion joints, and can be convenient for design institutes and product users to select. Compared with traditional compound universal hinge straight-tube pressure-balanced expansion joints, the present invention can reduce material consumption, ensure the safe operation of the piping system, and improve product competitiveness.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is achieved as follows:

[0005] An asymmetric universal ring structure of a pressure-balanced expansion joint includes a balancing bellows, a second working bellows and a third working bellows. The balancing bellows and the second working bellows are connected to the inlet pipe through a front connecting piece, and the third working bellows is connected to the outlet pipe through a rear connecting piece. The second working bellows and the third working bellows are connected through an intermediate pipe. The front connecting piece includes a first universal ring, and the rear connecting piece includes a second universal ring. The plane where the midline of the connecting line between the first universal ring and the second universal ring lies is M, and the first universal ring and the second universal ring are arranged in an asymmetric structure relative to the plane M.

[0006] Furthermore, the first universal ring and the second universal ring are both rectangular universal rings, and the projected area of ​​the first universal ring on the M plane is larger than the projected area of ​​the second universal ring on the M plane.

[0007] Furthermore, a first working bellows is provided on a side of the balancing bellows away from the second working bellows, one end of the first working bellows is connected to the inlet pipe, the medium flowing into the inlet pipe is communicated with the guide cylinder through the force transmission cylinder, the other end of the guide cylinder is communicated with the intermediate pipe, a connecting hole is provided in the circumferential direction of the force transmission cylinder, the force transmission cylinder is communicated with the balancing bellows through the connecting hole, and the pressure thrust generated by the first working bellows, the second working bellows and the third working bellows is balanced with the pressure thrust generated by the balancing bellows through the force transmission action of the force transmission cylinder, the front connecting piece, the intermediate pipe and the rear connecting piece.

[0008] Furthermore, the front connecting member also includes a first vertical plate and a hinge plate device 1. The other end of the first working bellows is connected to the balancing bellows through a first working bellows pipe and a balancing bellows pipe. The other end of the balancing bellows is connected to the second working bellows through a second working bellows pipe. The first vertical plate is arranged on the first working bellows pipe, and the first vertical plate and the first universal ring are connected through a hinge plate device 1. The rear connecting member includes a second vertical plate and a hinge plate device 2. The second vertical plate is arranged on the outlet pipe, and the second vertical plate and the second universal ring are connected through a hinge plate device 2.

[0009] Furthermore, the hinge plate device 1 includes a first hinge plate and a second hinge plate, and the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are connected to the first universal ring through a first pin shaft; the hinge plate device 2 includes a third hinge plate and a fourth hinge plate, and the third hinge plate and the fourth hinge plate are connected to the second universal ring through a second pin shaft.

[0010] Furthermore, the diameters of the first working bellows, the second working bellows, and the third working bellows are the same, namely, Q1; the diameter of the balancing bellows is Q, and Q1<Q2.

[0011] Furthermore, the first universal ring and the second universal ring are connected via a pulling plate device.

[0012] Furthermore, the hinge plate device 1 and the hinge plate device 2 are symmetrically provided in two sets, and the pull plate device is provided in two sets, and the projections of the pull plate device and the hinge plate device 1 and the hinge plate device 2 in the plane M are staggered.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention has the following advantages:

[0014] (1) The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention can effectively improve the stress and deformation of the end pipe assembly, reduce material consumption, ensure the safe operation of the pipe system, and improve product competitiveness. At the same time, it also expands the structural form range and application types of straight pipe pressure-balanced expansion joints, making it easier for design institutes and product users to choose.

[0015] (2) The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention realizes pressure-thrust balance through the design of the expansion joint structural parts. A pressure connecting hole is opened in the circumferential direction of the force transmission cylinder, so that the pipeline medium flows into the balancing bellows to achieve the purpose of internal pressure connection. Three groups of working bellows and one group of balancing bellows are arranged to form the balanced working system of the expansion joint, which can compensate for axial displacement to a large extent.

[0016] (3) The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention not only ensures the radial bearing capacity and torsional bearing capacity of the expansion joint, but also has a higher material utilization rate compared to the traditional compound universal hinge straight tube pressure-balanced expansion joint.

[0017] (4) The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention, through the asymmetric design of the universal ring and the idea of ​​adding a group of bellows, is compared with the technical idea of ​​the compound universal hinge straight tube pressure-balanced expansion joint mainly used to compensate for lateral displacement. It further increases the compensation of axial displacement, transmits force through the hinge plate, vertical plate and cylinder section, enhances the overall anti-torque ability, and has a wider applicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of the present invention, are provided to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are provided to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure on the AA side;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure on the middle BB side;

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the force balance state of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Description of reference numerals:

[0024] 1-inlet pipe; 2-first working bellows; 3-force transmission cylinder; 4-first working bellows connection pipe; 5-first vertical plate; 6-balancing bellows connection pipe; 7-balancing bellows; 8-first hinge plate; 9-second hinge plate; 10-second working bellows; 11-first pin shaft; 12-first universal ring; 13-flow guide cylinder; 14-intermediate pipe; 15-second universal ring; 16-second pin shaft; 17-third working bellows; 18-second vertical plate; 19-third hinge plate; 20-fourth hinge plate; 21-outlet pipe; 22-connecting hole; 23-second working bellows connection pipe; 24-pulling plate device, 25-front connecting piece; 26-rear connecting piece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the technical means, objectives and effects of the present invention easier to understand, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to specific figures.

[0026] It should be noted that all terms used in the present invention to indicate direction and position, such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", "top", "low", "lateral", "longitudinal", "center", etc., are only used to explain the relative position relationship and connection status between the components in a certain specific state (as shown in the accompanying drawings). They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not require that the present invention must be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative uses of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention discloses an asymmetric universal ring structure of a pressure-balanced expansion joint, including a balancing bellows 7, a second working bellows 10 and a third working bellows 17. The balancing bellows 7 and the second working bellows 10 are connected to the inlet pipe 1 through a front connecting piece 25, and the third working bellows 17 is connected to the outlet pipe 21 through a rear connecting piece 26. The second working bellows 10 and the third working bellows 17 are connected through an intermediate pipe 14. The front connecting piece 25 includes a first universal ring 12, and the rear connecting piece 26 includes a second universal ring 15. The plane where the midline of the connecting line between the first universal ring 12 and the second universal ring 15 is located is M, and the first universal ring 12 and the second universal ring 15 are arranged in an asymmetric structure relative to the plane M.

[0030] The present invention discloses an asymmetric universal ring structure for a pressure-balanced expansion joint. The adopted asymmetric structure can effectively improve the stress and deformation of the end pipe assembly, while greatly reducing the size of the universal ring and reducing material consumption. The expansion joint is safer and more reliable, ensuring the safe operation of the piping system and improving product competitiveness. At the same time, it also expands the structural form range and application types of straight pipe pressure-balanced expansion joints, making it convenient for design institutes and product users to select.

[0031] As a preferred example of the present invention, the first universal ring 12 and the second universal ring 15 are both rectangular universal rings, and the projected area of ​​the first universal ring 12 on the M plane is larger than the projected area of ​​the second universal ring 15 on the M plane.

[0032] This setting discloses a setting structure of an asymmetric universal ring, which not only ensures the radial bearing capacity and torsional bearing capacity of the expansion joint, but also has a higher material utilization rate compared to the traditional compound universal hinge straight tube pressure balanced expansion joint.

[0033] As a preferred example of the present invention, a first working bellows 2 is arranged on the side of the balancing bellows 7 away from the second working bellows 10, one end of the first working bellows 2 is connected to the inlet pipe 1, the medium flowing into the inlet pipe 1 is connected to the guide cylinder 13 through the force transmission cylinder 3, the other end of the guide cylinder 13 is connected to the intermediate pipe 14, a connecting hole 22 is arranged in the circumferential direction of the force transmission cylinder 3, the force transmission cylinder 3 is connected to the balancing bellows 7 through the connecting hole 22, and the pressure thrust generated by the first working bellows 2, the second working bellows 10 and the third working bellows 17 is balanced with the pressure thrust generated by the balancing bellows 7 through the force transmission action of the force transmission cylinder 3, the front connecting piece 25, the intermediate pipe 14 and the rear connecting piece 26.

[0034] This setting achieves pressure-thrust balance through the design of the expansion joint structure. A pressure connecting hole 22 is opened in the circumferential direction of the force transmission cylinder 3, so that the pipeline medium flows into the balancing bellows 7 to achieve the purpose of internal pressure connection. Three groups of working bellows and one group of balancing bellows are set to form a balanced working system of the expansion joint, which can compensate for axial displacement to a large extent.

[0035] As a preferred example of the present invention, the front connecting member 25 also includes a first vertical plate 5 and a hinge plate device 1. The other end of the first working bellows 2 is connected to the balancing bellows 7 through the first working bellows pipe 4 and the balancing bellows pipe 6. The other end of the balancing bellows 7 is connected to the second working bellows 10 through the second working bellows pipe 23. The first vertical plate 5 is arranged on the first working bellows pipe 4, and the first vertical plate 5 and the first universal ring 12 are connected through a hinge plate device 1; the rear connecting member 26 includes a second vertical plate 18 and a hinge plate device 2. The second vertical plate 18 is arranged on the outlet pipe 21, and the second vertical plate 18 and the second universal ring 15 are connected through a hinge plate device 2.

[0036] The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention is different from the traditional expansion joint connected by a pull rod. This structure transmits force through a hinge plate, a vertical plate, and a cylindrical joint, thereby enhancing the overall anti-torque capability and having a wider applicability.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge plate assembly 1 includes a first hinge plate 8 and a second hinge plate 9, which are connected to a first universal ring 12 via a first pin 11; the hinge plate assembly 2 includes a third hinge plate 19 and a fourth hinge plate 20, which are connected to a second universal ring 15 via a second pin 16. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge plate assembly 1 and the hinge plate assembly 2 can be provided in two symmetrical sets.

[0038] This arrangement further improves the reliability of the force transmission of the asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first working bellows 2, the second working bellows 10, and the third working bellows 17 have the same diameter (Q1), while the balancing bellows 7 has a diameter (Q2), where Q1 < Q2. This configuration further ensures the reliability of the pressure-thrust balance compensation achieved by the expansion joint composed of three sets of working bellows and one set of balancing bellows.

[0040] The first universal ring 12 and the second universal ring 15 are connected by a pull plate assembly 24. Preferably, two sets of pull plate assemblies 24 are provided, and their projections on plane M are offset from those of the first and second hinge plate assemblies. This arrangement enables the second working bellows 10, the third working bellows 17, and the intermediate tube 14 to form a structure similar to a duplex tie rod. In this case, the balancing bellows 7 is inoperative. This arrangement can compensate for large lateral displacements, and the universal ring structure outside the second and third working bellows 10, 17 increases their torque resistance.

[0041] The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present invention can absorb the lateral and axial displacement of the straight pipeline. The pressure thrust generated by the three groups of working bellows (the first working bellows 2, the second working bellows 10, and the third working bellows 17) is balanced with the pressure thrust generated by the balancing bellows 7 through the force transmission structure (the force transmission cylinder 3, the first vertical plate 5, the balancing bellows pipe 6, the intermediate pipe 14, the second vertical plate 18, and the second working bellows pipe 23). If the right end is fixed, when the expansion joint is in a compressed displacement state, the inlet pipe 1, the force transmission cylinder 3, the intermediate pipe 14, and the working bellows pipes (the first working bellows pipe 4, the intermediate pipe 14, and the second working bellows pipe 23) are all fixed to the right, the three groups of working bellows (the first working bellows 2, the second working bellows 10, and the third working bellows 17) are in a compressed state, and the balancing bellows 7 is in a tensile state; when the expansion joint is in a tensile displacement state, the working states of the three groups of working bellows and the balancing bellows 7 are opposite. The relationship between the two groups of working bellows (the second working bellows 10 and the third working bellows 17) arranged on the right side and the intermediate tube 14 is similar to a compound pull rod structure. At this time, the balancing bellows 7 does not work and can compensate for larger lateral displacements. The outer universal ring structure increases its anti-torque capability.

[0042] The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in this application consists of three groups of working bellows and one group of balancing bellows. The four groups of bellows are all full internal pressure structures. When the overall expansion joint absorbs the compression displacement, the three groups of working bellows are stretched and the balancing bellows are compressed. The outside is equipped with a vertical plate, a hinge plate and a universal ring to transmit force. The force balance schematic diagram is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the arrows represent the pressure in the axial direction, the solid arrows are balanced with the solid arrows, and the hollow arrows are balanced with the hollow arrows.

[0043] The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint described in the present application can effectively improve the stress and deformation of the end pipe assembly by adopting an asymmetric universal ring structure, making the expansion joint safer and more reliable to use. At the same time, the use of the asymmetric universal ring structure can greatly reduce the size of the universal ring. According to the universal balance ring calibration specifications provided in GB / T 12777 "General Technical Conditions for Metal Bellows Expansion Joints", the reduction in size is conducive to passing stress calibration, higher material utilization, and wider applicability.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An asymmetric universal ring structure of a pressure-balanced expansion joint, characterized in that: The invention comprises a balancing bellows (7), a second working bellows (10) and a third working bellows (17), wherein the balancing bellows (7) and the second working bellows (10) are connected to an inlet pipe (1) via a front connecting piece (25), and the third working bellows (17) is connected to an outlet pipe (21) via a rear connecting piece (26). The second working bellows (10) and the third working bellows (17) are connected via an intermediate pipe (14), the front connecting piece (25) comprises a first universal ring (12), and the rear connecting piece (26) comprises a second universal ring (15), the plane where the center line of the connecting line between the first universal ring (12) and the second universal ring (15) lies is M, and the first universal ring (12) and the second universal ring (15) are arranged in an asymmetric structure relative to the plane M.

2. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The first universal ring (12) and the second universal ring (15) are both rectangular universal rings, and the projection area of ​​the first universal ring (12) on the M plane is larger than the projection area of ​​the second universal ring (15) on the M plane.

3. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first working bellows (2) is provided on a side of the balancing bellows (7) away from the second working bellows (10), one end of the first working bellows (2) is connected to the inlet pipe (1), the medium flowing into the inlet pipe (1) is communicated with the guide cylinder (13) through the force transmission cylinder (3), the other end of the guide cylinder (13) is communicated with the intermediate pipe (14), a connecting hole (22) is provided in the circumferential direction of the force transmission cylinder (3), the force transmission cylinder (3) is communicated with the balancing bellows (7) through the connecting hole (22), and the pressure thrust generated by the first working bellows (2), the second working bellows (10) and the third working bellows (17) is balanced with the pressure thrust generated by the balancing bellows (7) through the force transmission action of the force transmission cylinder (3), the front connecting piece (25), the intermediate pipe (14) and the rear connecting piece (26).

4. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The front connecting member (25) further comprises a first vertical plate (5) and a hinge plate device 1, the other end of the first working bellows (2) is connected to the balancing bellows (7) via a first working bellows connecting pipe (4) and a balancing bellows connecting pipe (6), and the other end of the balancing bellows (7) is connected to the second working bellows (10) via a second working bellows connecting pipe (23), the first vertical plate (5) is arranged on the first working bellows connecting pipe (4), and the first vertical plate (5) and the first universal ring (12) are connected via a hinge plate device 1; the rear connecting member (26) comprises a second vertical plate (18) and a hinge plate device 2, the second vertical plate (18) is arranged on the outlet pipe (21), and the second vertical plate (18) and the second universal ring (15) are connected via a hinge plate device 2.

5. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The hinge plate device 1 comprises a first hinge plate (8) and a second hinge plate (9), wherein the first hinge plate (8) and the second hinge plate (9) are connected to a first universal ring (12) via a first pin shaft (11); the hinge plate device 2 comprises a third hinge plate (19) and a fourth hinge plate (20), wherein the third hinge plate (19) and the fourth hinge plate (20) are connected to a second universal ring (15) via a second pin shaft (16).

6. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The first working bellows (2), the second working bellows (10), and the third working bellows (17) have the same diameter, which is Q1. The diameter of the balancing bellows (7) is Q2, where Q1 is less than Q2.

7. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first universal ring (12) and the second universal ring (15) are connected via a pulling plate device (24).

8. The asymmetric universal ring structure of the pressure-balanced expansion joint according to claim 7, characterized in that: The hinge plate device 1 and the hinge plate device 2 are symmetrically arranged in two sets, and the pull plate device (24) is arranged in two sets. The pull plate device (24) and the hinge plate device 1 and the hinge plate device 2 are staggered in projection within the plane M.

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