Bellows Expansion Joints are mainly used for absorbing different kind of movements’ viz. axial movement, lateral movement and angular movement or combination of any other movements. Bellows act as flexible element and thus helps nullify such unwanted movements which results into protecting against any damage cause to machinery or pipeline.
01. Single Expansion Joint
Expansion joint used to absorb mainly axial movement and/or combination of axial movement with lateral movement. It is used in pipeline for dimensional changes due to thermal effect. Such bellows are constructed with single ply or more than one ply.
02. Double Expansion Joint
Double Expansion Joint consists of two bellows joined by a common connector which is supported or anchored to some rigid part of the installation by means of an anchor base. The anchor base may be attached to the common connector either at installation or at time of manufacture. Each bellows acts as a single Expansion Joint and absorb the movement of the pipe section in which it is installed independently of the other bellows.
03. Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint
It is designed to absorb axial movement and/or lateral deflection while restraining the pressure thrust by means of tie rods inter-connecting the flow bellows with an opposed bellows also subjected to line pressure.
04. Universal Expansion Joint
It is the one connecting two bellows connected by a common connector for the purpose of absorbing any combination of the three basic movements’ viz. axial movement, lateral movement and angular movement. This Bellow should not be confused with double expansion joint.