Patent ID: 6086110
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B21C,B21D,F01N,F16L

Abstract:
A vibration decoupling connector apparatus, for connecting first and second components of a fluid conduit system, comprising:a mounting member, having an aperture therethrough for the passage of fluid, the aperture having an inside peripheral surface, the mounting member being configured for attachment to a structural member in a fluid conduit system;a liner tube member, having a first end and a second end, the liner tube being insertably received through the aperture of the mounting member, so that the first end of the liner tube member is distal to the mounting member and the second end of the liner tube member is proximate to, and positioned on an opposite side of the mounting member from the first end;a flexible resilient sealing member, substantially surrounding at least a portion of the liner tube member and having two ends, a first of the two ends being sealingly connected to the first end of the liner tube member, a second of the two ends being sealingly connected to the mounting member, at a position proximate to the aperture of the mounting member;at least one annular vibration absorbing damping member circumferentially surrounding the second end of the liner tube member, a portion of the damping member being radially positioned between a portion of the surface of the mounting member adjacent the aperture and a portion of the liner tube, a first axial face of the annular vibration absorbing damping member being disposed in axially abutting contact, at least indirectly, with a face surface of the mounting member, the annular vibration absorbing damping member operably supporting at least a portion of the liner tube, relative to the mounting member, so that the liner tube may undergo restricted axial and angular movement relative to the mounting member;a peripheral lip on the second end of the liner tube member, forming a circumferentially extending annular region to insertingly receive a portion of the axial length of the at least one annular vibration absorbing damping member, and axially abut a second axial face of the annular vibration absorbing damping member, positioned opposite the first axial face of the annular vibration absorbing damping member,the flexible resilient sealing member being axially preloaded, to initially, axially prompt the liner tube member in a direction relative to the mounting member, so that at least one annular vibration absorbing damping member is, in turn, at least initially prompted toward the mounting member.