The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 1989
Filed:
Jan. 04, 1988
Frank J Kovitch, Arlington, TX (US);
Charles M Reinhardt, Arlington, TX (US);
Paul E Sullivan, Bedford, TX (US);
Lockheed Corporation, Calabasas, CA (US);
Abstract
A flexible pipe joint having an annular housing with a central cavity in which a nipple is partially submerged. The nipple has a flared end on the submerged portion thereof. An elastomeric ring, internally contoured spherically with reference to a common center point spaced from the flared end and located on the longitudinal axis of the joint, is adhered about its outer surface to the inner surface of the flared end. An elastomeric body having an assembly of embedded concentric spherical rings is adhered to the outer surface of the flared end. The spherical rings are contoured and positioned symmetrically with respect to the common center point. A flange (42 or 144, 146) is welded to the nipple at the end opposite the flared end. The flange is used to bolt the joint to the adjacent pipe sections and can be in two parts (144, 146). A collar welded to the housing encircles the nipple and engages the outer surface of the elastomeric body to maintain the body in position. A support structure secured to the housing has an outward facing spherical surface mating in a sliding relation with the internal surface of the elastomeric ring.