Patent ID: 6561549
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A variable geometry sealed coupling including two hollow elements (2, 3) each having a respective truncated face (22, 23) which is inclined by an angle âˆ  with respect to a central axis (23, 33) of each element so that said central axes meet at a single point of intersection (C) at a center of the coupling, sealing and fixing means for coupling the hollow elements (2, 3) together in a sealed relationship with respect to one another while permitting the two hollow elements to be pivoted relative to one another to thereby change an angular relationship therebetween without changing a cross sectional dimension of a flow path through the two hollow elements; each hollow element (2, 3) including a cylindrical part (20, 30) extended by a portion (21, 31) of hemispherical profile such that each truncated face (22, 32) has a contact surface which is circular and flat; each hollow element (2, 3) having a bore (24, 34) and wherein the hemispherically profiled portion (21, 31) of each hollow element (2, 3) includes, adjacent the truncated face (22, 32) and outside the bore (24, 34), a threaded profile (27, 37) which is connected to a hollow and threaded connecting ring (6) which connects the two hollow elements (2, 3) together.