• View images of metallic and fabric expansion joints, duct work, and combination assemblies.
• Also read the details on the project itself, including design specifications and testing requirements.
• The projects are conveniently grouped by the type of expansion joint and then listed descending by the release date.

Here are a few examples:

36″ Tied Universal Expansion Joint for a Petrochemical Plant in Kuwait

U.S. Bellows Inc. designed and fabricated a 36″ tied universal expansion joint for a petrochemical plant in Kuwait. The expansion joint measures 36″ in diameter x 318″ from center of elbow to face of flange. It is fabricated from 316H stainless steel with Inconel® 800 bellows. The design pressure of the expansion joint is 65 PSIG, and the design temperature is 1076°F. It is designed for axial compression within the tie rods and lateral movement of 3.02″. Hydro-testing was performed at 98 PSIG to assure the integrity of the tie rods and also to assure quality. The pictures show the expansion joint leaving the shop on its way to the customer. The stainless steel flange faces are protected with 3/4″ plywood during delivery.

44″ Double Gimbal Universal Expansion Joint for an Oil Refinery in Wyoming

This gimbal expansion joint is designed for angular rotation in two planes of up to 4° in each plane. It has an overall length of 140″ with a total assembly weight of 11,000 lb. It is fabricated with 316 stainless steel bellows and carbon steel piping. This expansion joint was 100% dye-penetrant examined and hydro-tested prior to shipment. U.S. Bellows, Inc. and Piping Technology & Products, Inc. also furnished the spring supports and pipe attachments for this project.

128″ x 229″ Rectangular Fabric Expansion Joints for an Exhaust Duct

The fabric expansion joints shown above are fabricated with a three layer fabric belt. The three layers consist of an inner layer of silica cloth, a middle layer of mineral wool and an outer layer of PTFE/coated fiber glass. The frame includes an insulation blanket of mineral wool and stainless steel wire mesh. The frame and liner are fabricated from 3/8″ thick 304 stainless steel and each expansion joint’s frame and liner welds were dye-penetrant tested before shipping.  Design: - Pressure: 1 PSIG - Temperature: 1010°F Design Movements: - 2″ Axial Displacement - 3/4″ Lateral Displacement

* Live Webinars are approved for 1 PDH credit for TX P.E.’s

This presentation will briefly touch on the basics of fabric expansion joints; however, is mainly focused on the various designs, material details, and applications. Learn how fabric expansion joints are engineered and fabricated for various applications and the many factors that influence those designs. View the abundance of materials used, including Fluoroplastic and Fluoroelastomer, and their respective capabilities. Take a journey through a Fossil Fired Power Plant and see exactly where fabric expansion joints are required.

Step 1: Fill out a simple registration form at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/773743414

Step 2: Mark the date and time on your calendar: Thursday – May 24, 2012 – 10:00 am CST

Step 3: The day of the Webinar, check your email and follow the link to join.

A tied universal expansion joint was custom designed for service in an acid regeneration plant in Louisiana. It is 48″ in diameter, 141″ in overall length and designed for 1″ axial movement, 2-1/2″ lateral movement and .33° angular rotation. The expansion joint is fabricated with 310 stainless steel bellows, and 301 SS liner, duct, flanges, transition duct and covers. It was designed for 10 psig at 1150°F, and was dye penetrant examined, hydro-tested at 15 psig, and the bellows and pipe longitudinal weld seams were 100% x-rayed.

A total of thirty-six fabric expansion joints were custom designed for a lignite coal processing and gasification plant in Mississippi. They are 12″ diameter, 14″ overall length and designed for 1/4″ axial movement and .8″ lateral movement. The expansion joints are fabricated with carbon steel flange ends, stainless steel clamps and a PTFE coated fabric belt. They are designed for hot air circulation flow at 600°F and a pressure of 30″ water column.

View the Materials Comparison Chart to see the details behind each material used in fabric expansion joints.

Air Duct Fabric Expansion Joint	44″ Dia. Fabric Expansion Joint	24″ Dia. Fabric Expansion Joint

Get pricing now for your next fabric expansion joint project.

These universal metallic expansion joints were custom designed for an offshore application. They are 42″ diameter, 24″ overall length and designed for 2″ axial movement and 1-1/2″ lateral movement. The expansion joints are fabricated entirely from 316 L stainless steel and designed for 1,000°F and 1 psig. Each unit was 100% dye penetrant examined and soap and air tested prior to shipment.

A special type of high-temperature fabric expansion joint developed by U.S. Bellows, Inc. is the furnace sealing bag. The objective of the bag is to seal the air inlet conduits’ penetrations into a furnace and thus prevent heat loss. Because of thermal expansion of both the conduits and the furnace, the bag must be able to expand and contract during normal cycles of operation.

The bag consists of a tapered sleeve formed from layers of flexible, flame and heat-resistant impervious fabric, which is connected at its upper end to another sleeve in the furnace floor. The lower end of the bag is connected to the air inlet

conduit (usually a pipe) so as to form an airtight seal. The connection to this pipe is made such that the fabric is collapsed when the furnace is cold and extended when the furnace is hot. When required, a tapered coil spring formed from suitable metal is installed around the conduit inside the bag. This prevents the fabric from collapsing inward during vacuum conditions inside the furnace. For most applications, band straps may be used to attach the bag at both ends.

Read more in this technical bulletin on High Temperature Furnace Seal Bags.

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012 / Time: 10:00 am CST

This Webinar is over, to view the recording, please visit: https://pipingtech.wufoo.com/forms/us-bellows-archives-access/

* Live Webinars are approved for 1 PDH credit for TX P.E.’s

Get to know U.S. Bellows from introducing our team and manufacturing capabilities to exploring design details in technical drawings for large-scale projects. View case studies that lead to the creation of new standards and designs. Learn about cost saving measures for expansion joint failures and how to prevent future problems.

U.S. Bellows, Inc., a division of PT&P, has more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing expansion joints, along with replacement and repair services.

Fabric expansion joints perform a function of compensating for duct misalignment and duct thermal growth typical in power plants and other ducting systems. Fabric expansion joints are found wherever there is a need to convey hot media in low pressure applications such as “in flowing air” and “out flowing gas” in large combustion processes.

Browse our fabric expansion Joint catalog!

1. Learn About Fabric Expansion Joints
2. Find the Right Fabric Expansion Joints by Applications & Conditions
3. Fabric Expansion Joint Design Styles
4. Fabric Expansion Joint Materials