Expansible coupling
This invention relates to expansion joints and in particular to expansible couplings for ducts such as in air quality control systems wherein boiler exhaust gases are directed through sophisticated scrubbers prior to exhausting the same through a stack and into the atmosphere. 
     In duct work systems there is a need to compensate for the thermal expansion and contraction of the duct material, as well as the axial misalignment of the various duct sections. Expansible couplings, having a flexible, fluid impermeable material, are therefore dispersed appropriately throughout the duct system. For very large size duct work, such as that used in air quality control systems for power plants, the ducts often have a peripheral dimension in the nature of 50 feet and more. In such systems it is not only difficult to securely seal such a large opening, but inasmuch as the flexible material must be periodically replaced, the expansible couplings need to be capable of easy disassembly to minimize the system&#39;s down time and to reduce maintenance costs. 
     The principal objects of the present invention are: 
     To provide an expansible coupling having mating seating surfaces such as V-shaped cooperating members, which securely and positively seal the various duct segments; to provide such a coupling wherein the cooperating V-shaped members are urged together by a plurality of fastening devices having pivotally mounted arms for the quick and easy replacement of the flexible seal; to provide such a coupling wherein each fastening device is slidably attached to the duct by a channel-shaped way for improved maintenance efficiency and seal integrity; to provide such a coupling wherein the V-shaped clamping members are positioned along a terminal end edge of each duct whereby the flexible seal member, in a relaxed state, assumes a substantially parabolic or catenary configuration for improved fatigue resistance and durability; and to provide such a coupling which is economical to manufacture, efficient in use, capable of a long operating life, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     The drawings constitute a part of the specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exhaust gas scrubbing system employing expansible couplings embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of an expansible coupling attached to adjacent duct segments. 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the flexible coupling and adjacent duct segments in an expanded state, and wherein phantom lines indicate a relaxed state. 
    
    
     Referring more in detail to the drawings: 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     The reference numeral 1 generally designates an expansible coupling for joining the ends of adjacent duct work segments 2. The coupling 1 comprises a rim 3 having a protruding surface, such as an inverted V-shaped, attached to and extending around each duct adjacent the open end 4 thereof, and a pair of elongate, segmented clamping members 5 having a longitudinal channel 6 therein which cooperatively mates with the rim 3. A flexible, non-metallic seal member 7 has marginal edge portions 8 thereof retained between the rim 3 and clamping members 5, and a plurality of adjustable fasteners 9 are positioned regularly about each duct end 4 and urge the rim and clamping members together to form an airtight and flexible joint. 
     The illustrated expansible coupling 1 is particularly adapted for use in air quality control systems for power plants such as that diagramatically illustrated in FIG. 1 and generally designated by the reference numeral 13. The boiler 14, wherein water is heated into steam, directs the exhaust gases of combustion therefrom into a duct work system 15 comprised of a plurality of interconnected duct segments, and conveys the gases to a scrubber 16 wherein particles and noxious gases are removed therefrom. The clean gases are then directed through a second duct work system 17 to a stack 18 and expelled therefrom into the atmosphere. Each of the duct work systems 15 and 17 include intermittently dispersed expansible couplings 1 to accomodate for the expansion and contraction of the duct work as the material therein reacts to temperature changes induced by various plant operating conditions. 
     The duct segments 2 are elongate, tube-like structures for conveying fluids such as exhaust gases therethrough, and are conventionally constructed of a metallic material, such as sheet steel. The ducts have a lateral, cross-sectional shape which, at least at the end portions 4 thereof, is preferably free of sharp corners, such as circular, oval, and the like. In the illustrated structure, the duct segments 2 have a rectangular shape with the corners 22 thereof rounded on a radius in the nature of 10 inches. 
     The rim 3 is an elongate structure having an inverted V-shaped outer surface and is fastened to and projecting from each duct end 4. In the illustrated example, a substantially flat band member 25 is fastened about the duct end 4 by means such as welding or the like, to facilitate coupling manufacture, and the rim 3 is in turn attached to the upper surface of the band 25. The rim 3 is illustrated as being constructed of angle material such as steel or iron, and having a shape substantially similar to an isosceles right triangle wherein an inner base edge 26 thereof is positioned coextensively with the terminal end edges 27 and 28 respectively of the band 25 and duct 2. The uppermost edge 29 of the rim 3 is preferably slightly rounded to avoid cutting the flexible seal member 7, and the inclined surfaces 30 thereof are preferably smooth. 
     Each of the elongate clamping members 5 have a V-shaped channel 6 disposed longitudinally therein which cooperatively mates with one of the projecting rims 3. In this example, the clamping member 5 is divided into separate straight and curved segments 34 and 35 respectively, which are positioned in an end-to-end fashion. In this manner, the clamping member 5 need not be distorted or bent to disengage the same from its associated rim member 3. Further, the segmented clamping member design facilitates the manufacture of the coupling, and reduces flexible seal replacement time. The interior surfaces 36 of each clamping member 5 mate with the inclined rim surfaces 30 and are preferably smooth. In the illustrated structure, the clamping members are constructed of a V-shaped angle material for reduced cost and weight, and for improved rigidity and strength. 
     The flexible seal member 7 is of the flat belt, boot type which is typically constructed of a single piece of flexible, heat resistant, fluid impermeable material such as a rubber-asbestos compound. The ends of the seal member 7 are molded together to form a boot with a longitudinally extending seam 37. In the illustrated structure, the seal member 7 is of a two-ply construction for improved durability. Further, the seal member 7 is without a preformed shape, whereby upon installation in the expansible coupling, it assumes a free-hanging, parabolic or catenary configuration in its relaxed state, which is particularly resistant to fatigue deterioration. 
     Each of the fasteners 9 includes a bar portion 40 having a first or forward end 41 thereof abutting an upper, central edge 42 of the clamping member 5. The second or rear end 43 of the bar 40 has a leg portion 44 attached to and depending therefrom for engaging a stationary portion of the duct 2. The bar 40 also includes a transverse aperture 45 therethrough disposed between the bar ends 41 and 43 respectively. A fastening device 46 is positioned through the aperture 45 and has a lower end 47 connected with the duct 2 and an upper end 48 engaging the bar 40 and pulling downwardly thereon. In this example, a channel-shaped way 49 is connected with each band 25 at a point rearwardly of the rim 3. Each way 49 comprises a base 50, and opposed and upstanding side walls 51 having inwardly extending flanges 52 thereon. The lower end 47 of the fastening device includes a head 53 having flat opposing faces 54 which slidingly engage the way side walls 51 thereby preventing relative rotation between the way 49 and the fastening device 46. The flanges 52 of the way engage an upper surface of the bolt head 53 thereby slidingly mounting the same within the way such that each fastener can be easily positioned about the periphery of the coupling. In this example, the upper end 48 of the fastening device is threaded, and a nut 55 is engaged therewith for adjustably tightening the rim and clamping members 5 and 3 respectively. Further, the leg 44 of the bar 40 is positioned abuttingly upon the outwardly most side wall 51 of the way such that when the nut 55 is loosened the bar can be easily pivoted and disengaged from the clamping member 5. 
     In use, a worn flexible seal 7 can be easily and economically replaced. The user first loosens fastener nut 55 and then, without removing the same from the bolt 46, pivots the bar 40 such that the clamping member 3 is free from the inner end 40. Each of the clamping member segments is then detached from the flexible seal 7, which is then in turn removed from the rim 3. The new seal is placed on the rims 3, and the clamping members are positioned thereover and clamped into place by positioning and then tightening each fastener 10. 
     In structures having fluid moving therethrough under pressure, it is desirable to have the seal member 7 flex outwardly. In such installations, the rim members 3 are inverted to present an outwardly facing channel and the seal 7 has a portion resting therein. The clamp member is also reversed so that the inner surface thereof mates with the channels of the rim members and clamp the seal member therebetween. 
     It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.