Patent ID: 7143788

Claim:
A flexible, extendible and contractible pipe coupling for high temperature insulated piping, the coupling comprising: a first and second length of insulated and jacketed pipe, each having a joining end to be joined to an end of the other length, each pipe length comprising an inner pipe, an envelope of foamed insulation surrounding the inner pipe and an outer protective jacket surrounding the envelope of insulation; wherein each inner pipe projects beyond the end of the envelope of insulation and beyond an end of the jacket to form an exposed, joining end, the joining ends of the inner pipes being sealingly connected to form a continuous fluid conduit for conveying high temperature fluids; a flexible tubular bellows surrounding the joining ends of the inner pipes, the bellows being capable of being axially expanded and contracted and of being configured in a straight or curved axial configuration, the tubular bellows having opposing outer extents which are joined to the respective protective jackets of the respective pipe lengths being coupled thereby defining a closed bellows interior; and a layer of high temperature insulation surrounding the joining ends of the inner pipes within the closed bellows interior.