O'donnell & Associates Inc.

Janek S Porowski

William J O'Donnell

Ray G Fasiczka

An expansion joint for heat exchangers, reactors, steam boilers and the like to compensate for differential displacements. Differential axis expansion occurs when the pressure within the tubes or outside the tubes is raised or when a thermal expansion of the tubes and shells are different. The invention comprises a multi-layer flexible connection between the tube sheet to shell junction. The thin layers can bend parallel and accommodate large axial displacements between the shell and tubes without excessive stresses in the tube sheets. The fully penetrated but-weld of a central layer can be easily inspected by X-ray and provide the required seal between the shell and tube sheets. Other layers increase the strength of the joint.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Janek S Porowski