Expansion loop for copper piping system

Abstract

To provide a flexible conduit that is suited for pressurized fluids of refrigeration systems and that can easily be installed within copper conduits of systems.SOLUTION: An expansion loop for a piping system has a first flexible conduit with a first end and a second end, and a second flexible conduit with a first end and a second end. A first rigid conduit is connected between the first end of the first flexible conduit and the first end of the second flexible conduit. Additional rigid conduits are connected to both of the second ends of the flexible conduits. These additional rigid conduits include a stainless-steel elbow, a conversion conduit, and a copper conduit. In the expansion loop, the flexible conduits are bent; if fluid flows, the flexible conduits may be installed in a bent state; when fluid flows, the flexible conduits straighten out and are not bent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an expansion loop for a copper piping system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the construction of buildings and other structures, it is known to use expansion loops that include flexible sections to accommodate movement of conduits. This movement can be intentional, for example, due to thermal changes or misalignment in the piping system, or unintentional, for example, due to natural disasters such as earthquakes. Furthermore, this movement can dampen vibrations in the conduit and reduce the transmission of noise through the conduit. Such expansion loops are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,195,784.

[0003] Many buildings include cooling systems that utilize conduits to transport fluids. The conduits or pipes utilized in such cooling systems are typically copper. Furthermore, these fluids are typically pressurized, thus requiring any conduits to be rated for very high-pressure systems, i.e., at least 640 psi, or at least 700 psi. However, flexible copper conduits are not sufficiently qualified for such systems.

[0004] Furthermore, conventional expansion loops are made of stainless steel and are not suitable for connection to copper conduit. As will be appreciated, connections between dissimilar metals can be problematic because one metal can corrode the other over time. Furthermore, connections between dissimilar metals are typically weak points in the piping system. While such weak points are undesirable in most piping systems, they are particularly undesirable in very high-pressure systems such as refrigeration piping systems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide a flexible conduit that is suitable for pressurized fluid in cooling systems and that can be easily installed within the copper conduits of such systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A new flexible conduit has been invented that is suitable for connection to copper pipes and is rated to handle the pressure requirements of cooling systems.

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention can be broadly characterized as providing an expansion loop for a piping system including: a first flexible conduit having a first end and a second end; a second flexible conduit having a first end and a second end; a first rigid conduit connected between the first end of the first flexible conduit and the first end of the second flexible conduit; a second rigid conduit connected to the second end of the first flexible conduit and including a conversion conduit and a copper conduit, the second rigid conduit being stainless steel; and a third rigid conduit connected to the second end of the first flexible conduit and including the conversion conduit and the copper conduit, the third rigid conduit being stainless steel. The first and second flexible conduits are rated for 640 psi service.

[0008] The second rigid conduit and the third rigid conduit may include elbows.

[0009] The first and second flexible conduits may be stainless steel. The first and second flexible conduits may also include braided hoses.

[0010] The first rigid conduit may be stainless steel.

[0011] The first rigid conduit may include two elbows.

[0012] The first rigid conduit may include a bracket configured to connect the expansion loop to a support structure.

[0013] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention may be generally characterized as providing an expansion loop for a piping system having at least one stainless steel flexible conduit; a first rigid conduit connected to the at least one flexible conduit, the first rigid conduit comprising an elbow; and a second rigid conduit comprising stainless steel and connected to the at least one flexible conduit, the second rigid conduit comprising a conversion conduit and a copper conduit.

[0014] The expansion loop may also include a second stainless steel flexible conduit connected to the first rigid conduit. The expansion loop may also include a third rigid conduit that is stainless steel and connected to the second flexible conduit, which may include a conversion conduit and a copper conduit. The second rigid conduit includes an elbow connected between the conversion conduit and the at least one flexible conduit.

[0015] According to yet a third aspect, the present invention may be broadly characterized as providing a method of installing an expansion loop in a piping system, the expansion loop having at least two rigid conduits and a flexible portion between the two rigid conduits, the flexible portion having an unbent, neutral orientation of the two flexible conduits forming the flexible portion. The method includes attaching one of the at least two rigid conduits to a first pipe of the piping system, and attaching another of the at least two rigid conduits to a second pipe of the piping system such that the two flexible conduits of the flexible portion are in a compressed or expanded orientation, not a neutral orientation, and, after the at least two rigid conduits are attached to the first pipe and the second pipe, flowing a fluid from one of the first pipe and the second pipe of the piping system through the expansion loop to the other of the first pipe and the second pipe of the piping system such that the flexible portion returns to the neutral orientation as a result of a temperature of the fluid.

[0016] The two flexible conduits of the flexible portion may be in an elongated orientation. The fluid may be a high temperature fluid.

[0017] The two flexible conduits of the flexible portion may be in a compressed orientation. The fluid may be a cryogenic fluid.

[0018] A third rigid conduit may connect the at least two flexible conduits. The third rigid conduit, the at least two rigid conduits, and the two flexible conduits may be stainless steel. Each of the at least two rigid conduits may further include a conversion conduit and a copper conduit.

[0019] The method may include securing the expansion loop to a support structure.

[0020] These and other aspects and embodiments of the present invention, which may be combined with one another in any manner, will be recognized by those skilled in the art based on the following description of the drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

[0021] The accompanying figures in the drawings make it possible to understand how the invention can be made, and in these figures like reference numbers represent like elements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view of an expansion loop according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of an expansion loop according to the present invention, with the flexible conduit in an extended orientation. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a top view of an expansion loop according to the present invention, with the flexible conduit in a compressed orientation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A new expansion loop for use in cooling piping systems has been invented. Surprisingly, it has been found that using a rigid connector having copper piping connected to a stainless steel section via a transition conduit does not reduce the expansion loop's ability to operate effectively and efficiently in a cooling system. Thus, the expansion loop allows high-pressure-rated flexible stainless steel conduit to be used in copper piping systems. Furthermore, upon installation of such an expansion loop, the flexible conduit is preferably bent into either a compressive or elongated orientation, depending on the temperature of the fluid flowing through the expansion loop. Once installed and fluid flows through the expansion loop, thermal expansion or contraction causes the flexible conduit to return to its neutral, unbent orientation.

[0024] Accordingly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, one or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with the understanding that the described embodiments are merely preferred and are not intended to be limiting.

[0025] 1, the present invention provides an expansion loop 10 for a piping system, particularly a piping system having copper pipes 14, 16. The expansion loop 10 has a flexible portion 18 which, in a preferred embodiment, includes two flexible conduits 20a, 20b.

[0026] Each of the flexible conduits 20a, 20b includes a first end 22a, 22b and a second end 24a, 24b. As shown in FIG. 1 , in the illustrated embodiment, the two flexible conduits 20a, 20b are not bent or under bending stress, and the longitudinal axes (extending from the first ends 22a, 22b to the second ends 24a, 24b) of the two flexible conduits 20a, 20b are generally parallel. Thus, a "neutral" orientation refers to when the flexible conduits 20a, 20b are not under any bending stress or moment. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, in the neutral orientation, the distance between the first ends 22a, 22b of the flexible conduits 20a, 20b is generally the same as the distance between the second ends 24a, 22b of the flexible conduits 20a, 20b.

[0027] Each flexible conduit 20a, 20b can be an inner corrugated hose with an outer braided cover, one or both of which are formed from stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible conduits 20a, 20b comprise stainless steel braided hose with a double layer braid of type 304 stainless steel. Furthermore, it is preferred that the flexible conduits 20a, 20b comprise corrugated metal hose with type 321 stainless steel corrugated hose. The flexible copper conduits 20a, 20b are rated for applications of at least 640 psi, preferably 700 psi.

[0028] A first rigid conduit 26 is connected between the first ends 22a, 22b of the flexible conduits 20a, 20b. Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used for clarity only and are not intended to define any number of elements of the present expansion loop 10 or to specifically name any particular element or feature.

[0029] The first rigid conduit 26 may be formed of stainless steel. The first rigid conduit 26 includes two elbow sections 28a, 28b separated by a linear, or straight, section 30. The elbow sections 28a, 28b shown each have a 90-degree bend. This is merely preferred. Finally, the first rigid conduit 26 may include a bracket 32 ​​that allows the expansion loop 10 to be supported by a supporting structure such as a wall or beam.

[0030] Second ends 24a, 24b of flexible conduits 20a, 20b, respectively, are connected to second and third rigid conduits 34a, 34b, respectively.

[0031] The second and third rigid conduits 34a, 34b both include copper conduits 38a, 38b, which may be straight or non-bent conduits.

[0032] The second and third rigid conduits 34a, 34b also include elbows 40a, 40b formed of stainless steel, preferably Schedule 40S Type 304 stainless steel. The elbows 40a, 40b shown are each bent at 90 degrees. Again, this is only preferred, and other angles or ranges may be used; for example, the elbows 40a, 40b may each be bent at 45 degrees.

[0033] Each elbow 40a, 40b is connected to one of the copper conduits 38a, 38b by a transition conduit 36a, 36b. A silver brazing material is applied to connect the copper metal components to the stainless steel components. The silver brazing material provides a good connection and can accommodate the different coefficients of expansion for different metals.

[0034] As mentioned above, it has surprisingly been found that such an expansion loop 10 can operate safely in a high pressure cooling system even with the use of two different metallic materials.

[0035] Specifically, the expansion loop 10 may be installed in a piping system by attaching the second rigid conduit 34a to one of the two pipes 14, 16 and then attaching the third rigid conduit 34b to the other of the two pipes 14, 16. Upon attachment of the third rigid conduit 34b, the axes of the two flexible conduits 20a, 20b of the flexible portion 18 are not parallel. Thus, the distances between the first ends 22a, 22b on the one hand and the second ends 24a, 24b on the other hand are not the same but differ by at least 10%.

[0036] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the flexible conduits 20a, 20b may be installed in an elongated orientation. In the elongated orientation of the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the flexible conduits 20a, 20b are angled (relative to the second ends 24a, 24b) to intersect near the first ends 22a, 22b of the two flexible conduits 20a, 20b. That is, the first ends 22a, 22b are closer to each other compared to the second ends 24a, 24b. The elongated orientation is believed to be most suitable when the piping system is for high temperature fluids ("high temperature" meaning having a temperature higher than ambient temperature).

[0037] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3, the flexible conduits 20a, 20b can be mounted in a compressed orientation. In the compressed orientation of the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the flexible conduits 20a, 20b are angled (relative to the first ends 22a, 22b) to intersect near the second ends 24a, 24b of the two flexible conduits 20a, 20b. That is, the second ends 24a, 24b are closer to each other than the first ends 22a, 22b. The compressed orientation is believed to be most suitable when the piping system is for cryogenic fluids ("cryogenic" meaning having a temperature below ambient temperature).

[0038] Once the expansion loop 10 is installed in either the compressed orientation ( FIG. 3 ) or the expanded orientation ( FIG. 2 ), fluid can be allowed to flow through the piping system. For example, fluid can flow from one of the pipes 14, 16 through the expansion loop 10 and then to the other of the two pipes 14, 16. As a result of the temperature of the fluid now flowing through the expansion loop 10, the flexible portion 18 transitions to a neutral orientation ( FIG. 1 in the illustrated embodiment) in which the longitudinal axes of the flexible conduits 20 a, 20 b are generally parallel and / or the distance between the first ends 22 a, 22 b and the second ends 24 a, 24 b is approximately the same. This method of installation is believed to increase the lifespan of the expansion loop 10 during use.

[0039] As will be apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible to various variations and modifications which may differ from those particularly set forth in the foregoing specification and illustrations. It is to be understood that all such modifications as reasonably and appropriately fall within the scope of the contribution to the art are desired to be made within the scope of the patent hereby granted.

Claims

1. 1. An expansion loop for a piping system, comprising: a first flexible conduit having a first end and a second end; a second flexible conduit having a first end and a second end; a first rigid conduit connected between a first end of the first flexible conduit and a first end of the second flexible conduit; a second rigid conduit connected to a second end of the first flexible conduit, the second rigid conduit including a conversion conduit and a copper conduit, the second rigid conduit comprising stainless steel; a third rigid conduit connected to a second end of the second flexible conduit, the third rigid conduit including a conversion conduit and a copper conduit, the third rigid conduit comprising stainless steel; An expansion loop.

2. The expansion loop of claim 1 , wherein the second rigid conduit and the third rigid conduit comprise elbows.

3. The expansion loop of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible conduit and the second flexible conduit comprise stainless steel.

4. The expansion loop of claim 3 , wherein the first flexible conduit and the second flexible conduit comprise braided hoses.

5. The expansion loop of claim 1 , wherein the first rigid conduit comprises stainless steel.

6. The expansion loop of claim 1 , wherein the first rigid conduit comprises two elbows.

7. The expansion loop of claim 1 , wherein the first rigid conduit comprises a bracket configured to connect the expansion loop to a support structure.

8. 1. An expansion loop for a piping system, comprising: at least one flexible conduit, said at least one flexible conduit comprising stainless steel; a first rigid conduit connected to the at least one flexible conduit, the first rigid conduit comprising an elbow; a second rigid conduit comprising stainless steel and connected to the at least one flexible conduit, the second rigid conduit including a conversion conduit and a copper conduit; An expansion loop.

9. a second flexible conduit comprising stainless steel and connected to the first rigid conduit; 9. The expansion loop of claim 8, further comprising:

10. a third rigid conduit comprising stainless steel and connected to the second flexible conduit; 10. The expansion loop of claim 9, further comprising: a third rigid conduit comprising a conversion conduit and a copper conduit.

11. The expansion loop of claim 8 , wherein the second rigid conduit comprises an elbow connected between the conversion conduit and the at least one flexible conduit.

12. 1. A method of installing an expansion loop in a piping system, the expansion loop comprising at least two rigid conduits and a flexible portion between the two rigid conduits, the flexible portion having two flexible conduits, the flexible portion having a neutral orientation in which the two flexible conduits are not bent, the method comprising: attaching one of the at least two rigid conduits to a first pipe of the piping system; attaching the other of the at least two rigid conduits to a second pipe of the piping system such that the two flexible conduits of the flexible section are in a non-neutral orientation, either a compression orientation or an elongation orientation; after the at least two rigid conduits are attached to the first and second pipes, flowing a fluid from one of the first and second pipes of the piping system through the expansion loop to the other of the first and second pipes of the piping system such that the flexible portion returns to the neutral orientation as a result of a temperature of the fluid; A method for providing the above.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the two flexible conduits of the flexible portion are in an extended orientation.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid is a high temperature fluid.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the two flexible conduits of the flexible portion are in a compressed orientation.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fluid is a cryogenic fluid.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein a third rigid conduit connects the at least two flexible conduits.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the third rigid conduit, the at least two rigid conduits, and the two flexible conduits comprise stainless steel.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein each of the at least two rigid conduits further comprises a conversion conduit and a copper conduit.

20. Securing the expansion loop to a support structure. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

Images