Patent ID: 6568715
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: F01N,F16L

Abstract:
A flexible connector apparatus, for flexibly connecting first and second components of a fluid conduit system, comprising:a monolithically formed attachment flange, having an aperture therethrough having an inside diameter, the attachment flange having first and second sides; at least one attachment element disposed on the attachment flange to enable attachment of the attachment flange to one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system, by prompting the second side of the attachment flange toward a surface of the one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system; a liner tube assembly having a first end and a second, opposite end, the first end having an outer diameter that is substantially equal, in dimension, to the inside diameter of the aperture of the attachment flange, the first end of the liner tube assembly being positioned within and substantially sealingly affixed to the inside surface of the aperture of the attachment flange at the first side of the attachment flange, the liner tube assembly being operably configured to accommodate relative movement between the first and second components of the fluid conduit system, when the apparatus is affixed to the one of first and second components of the fluid conduit system; a tubular sealing member, having at least one circumferential corrugation along its length, and a cylindrical collar, the tubular sealing member being discretely formed relative to the liner tube assembly, the cylindrical collar of the tubular sealing member being positioned within the second side of the attachment flange, within the aperture of the attachment flange, the at least one circumferential corrugation being placed adjacent the second side of the attachment flange, whereupon attachment of the attachment flange to the one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system, the at least one corrugation of the tubular sealing member becomes captured and subsequently compressed between the second side of the attachment flange and the surface of the one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system, to create a substantially gas-tight seal between each of the at least one corrugation, the one of the first and second components of the fluid conduit system, and the attachment flange, the seal created by the tubular sealing member combining with the seal between the liner tube assembly and the attachment flange to enable the flexible connector apparatus to establish a substantially gas-tight fluid transport path between the first and second components of the fluid conduit system.