Patent ID: 9631759
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: F16L

Claim:
1. An expansion joint for connecting pipe elements, said expansion joint comprising: a tube having an inner surface defining an inner diameter, an outer surface surrounding said inner surface and first and second ends oppositely disposed; an inlet segment having a smooth inner surface, an outlet end connected to said first end of said tube, and an inlet end oppositely disposed therefrom, said outlet end having an inner diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of said inlet end, said inner diameter of said outlet end being equal to said inner diameter of said tube, said inlet segment being connected to said tube by an externally mounted mechanical coupling; a sleeve having first and second ends oppositely disposed, said sleeve being positioned surrounding at least a portion of said tube, said portion including said second end of said tube, said sleeve having a constant inner diameter over its entire longitudinal length, said inner diameter being larger than an outer diameter of said tube; a ring, separate from said sleeve and removably attachable to said first end thereof, said ring surrounding said tube and having an inner surface facing said outer surface of said tube, said ring supporting said sleeve on said tube only at said first end of said sleeve; at least one inwardly facing circumferential groove positioned in the inner surface of said ring; at least one bearing element positioned within said at least one groove; an externally mounted coupling positioned circumferentially around a portion of both said ring and said first end of said sleeve, said coupling removably attaching said ring to said sleeve; a seal mounted on said inner surface of said ring and sealingly engaging said outer surface of said tube, said ring and said sleeve being slidably movable axially relatively to said tube; a hoop attached to said ring and surrounding said tube and positioned radially and longitudinally between said ring and said tube, said hoop being positioned adjacent to a packing material, said packing material being captured between said hoop and a shoulder of said ring.