Patent ID: 6164067
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: F01N,F16L

Abstract:
A knuckle joint for an exhaust system, which comprises:first and second pipe segments which join one another in a gasket-less manner, the first pipe segment having a first end portion and the second pipe segment having a second end portion which enters with clearance into the first end portion, such as to permit the first and second pipe segments to move with respect to one another;a first radially outwardly extending flange on the first pipe segment;a second radially outwardly extending flange on the second pipe segment;means for drawing the first and second flanges, and thereby the first and second pipe segments, axially together; anda resiliently compressible element between the first and second flanges, said element acting on the flanges to urge the flanges axially apart;the second end portion having a second, circumferentially extending, contact face proximate a free end of the second end portion, whereby the second end portion abuts on an inner surface of the first end portion when the first and second pipe segments are in a first extreme position axially towards one another, and the first and second end portions forming between them an annular space when the first and second pipe segments are in said first extreme position with respect to one another, into which annular space exhaust gases can enter when, during operation, said second contact face moves out of contact with the inner surface of the first end portion, to deposit soot on surfaces that define the annular space.