Gimbal Expansion Joint Archives

11 Foot Long Universal Gimbal Expansion Joints Designed for an Oil Refinery in Canada

September 10, 2024

Type:	Universal Gimbal Expansion Joint
Size:	102″ – 133″ L \| 41.5″ W \| 41.75″ H \| 32″ diameter
Material:	Carbon Steel \| 304 Stainless Steel
Design:	100°F @ 285 psig \| 102 lb/in/degree Rotational Spring Rate \| 15.4″ Lateral Deflection
Testing:	Hydrotested @ 428 PSIG

U.S. Bellows custom designed these universal gimbal expansion joints for an oil refinery in Canada. The bellows and liners are fabricated from 304 stainless steel, and the remainder of the components are fabricated from carbon steel. The units range from 102" to 133" long respectively, and sizes supplied are 12"NPS with a gimbal box 27" wide, 27.5" tall and 24"NPS with a gimbal box 41.25" wide, 41.75" tall. They are designed for an operating temperature of 100°F at 285 psig, with a 102 lb/in/degree rotational spring rate and 15.4" of lateral deflection. The expansion joints were 100% dye-penetrant tested and hydro-tested at 428 psig prior to shipment.

Gimbal expansion joints are used in a variety of industrial applications where piping systems experience multidirectional movements due to thermal expansion, vibrations, or other external forces. Here are some common areas where gimbal expansion joints are utilized:

Power Plants: In both fossil fuel and nuclear power plants, gimbal expansion joints are used in the steam, water, and exhaust systems to accommodate thermal expansion and prevent stress on the piping.

Refineries and Petrochemical Plants: These joints are essential in refineries and petrochemical facilities to manage the thermal expansion in pipelines carrying various fluids, including high-temperature hydrocarbons, to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Oil and Gas Industry: Gimbal expansion joints are employed in pipelines that transport oil, gas, and other fluids, especially in offshore drilling platforms, to handle the dynamic movements caused by waves, currents, and thermal effects.

Shipbuilding: In marine applications, gimbal expansion joints are used in the exhaust systems of ships to absorb vibrations and accommodate thermal expansion caused by the operation of engines and other machinery.

Aerospace and Defense: These joints are also found in aerospace applications, such as in rocket propulsion systems, to absorb the significant thermal expansion and mechanical stresses during launch and flight.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 10012018

Gimbal Expansion Joints for Crude Oil Pipelines in Canada

January 12, 2021

U.S. Bellows custom-designed and fabricated universal gimbal expansion joints for 24” diameter crude oil pipelines at a power plant in Canada. The bellows are fabricated from A240 316 stainless steel bellows, the flanges are A105N carbon steel, and the plates are A516 70 carbon steel. The expansion joints are designed for a 10 degrees angular rotation at 285 psig up to 100 degrees F. They are designed for an angular spring rate of 4900 in-lb/dec and vertical offset of 10-1/4”. The units measure 43” x 43” x 110” and 38” x 38” x 79”.

Us bellows gimbal ej 3d model

3D Modeling was done so that our engineers can check the “fit-up” to confirm the design, perform stress analysis, or other modeling benefits prior to fabrication. We performed hydro tests, completed NDE reports, and supplied Material Test Reports per the client requirements.

Double Gimbal Expansion Joints with 2-Ply Bellows for a Chemical Plant

July 17, 2017

Type:	Double Gimbal Expansion Joints
Size:	30″ Diameter \| 198″ Length
Material:	2-Ply Bellows: Inconel 625 LCF \| Pipes: 316 H SS \| Covers & Liners: CS
Design:	5° Angular Rotation \| 1260°F \| 180 psig
Testing:	100% Dye-Penetrant \| PMI Examined \| Hydro-tested

U.S. Bellows custom designed and fabricated double gimbal expansion joints for a chemical plant in Arkansas. The assemblies are designed with 2-ply bellows which were fabricated from Inconel 625 LCF. The pipes are 316 H stainless steel and the covers and liners are carbon steel. The units are 30″ in diameter and have an overall length of 198″. The expansion joints were designed for 5° angular rotation at 1260°F and 180 psig. Prior to shipment, the units were 100% dye penetrant tested, PMI examined, and hydro-tested.

Gimbal Expansion Joints Designed for a Pipeline in Texas

February 13, 2017

Type:	Gimbal Expansion Joint
Size:	8″ x 22.5″ and 10″ x 23.5″
Material:	321 & 316 Stainless Steel/Carbon Steel
Design:	370°F at 160 psig, 10° angular rotation
Testing:	Dye Penetrant and Hydro tested

These gimbal expansion joints were custom designed by U.S. Bellows for a pipeline in Texas. Units are an 8″ gimbal that is 22.5″ OAL and 10″ gimbal that is 23.5″ OAL. Each unit incorporated square gimbal design for the gimbal structure. The bellows and flanges were fabricated from 321 stainless steel, the liners from 316 stainless steel, and cover and hinge parts from carbon steel. They were designed for an operating temperature of 370°F at 160 psig with 10° of angular rotation. All unites were dye penetant and hydotested prior to shipment.

Universal Gimbal Hinged Expansion Joint for a Methanol and Ammonia Plant in Texas

April 18, 2016

U.S. Bellows designed this universal gimbal hinged expansion joint for a methanol and ammonia plant in Texas. This expansion joint is 48″ in diameter and 145″ OAL. The bellows were fabricated from Inconel 625 and the assembly is carbon steel. The unit is designed for an operating temperature of 752°F at 50 psig, the angular spring rate is 4,374 lb/in., with 3/4″ of axial movement within the gimbal bars. The unit was 100% x-ray, dye-penetrant, and hydro-tested prior to shipment.

Gimbal Expansion Joints Designed for a Flare Gas and Steam Application in a Methanol Plant

December 7, 2015

U.S. Bellows designed these single gimbal expansion joints with floating ring gimbal attachment to the pipe for a flare gas and steam application at a methanol plant in Texas. The bellows were fabricated from Inconel® 625 LCF, the liner and the weld-ends from 316H stainless steel, the cover from 304 stainless steel, and the gimbal structure from A516 carbon steel. The expansion joints are 48″ diameter and are 61 3/8″ in overall length, and are designed for an operating temperature of 752°F at 50 psig. All expansion joints were 100% dye penetrant, X-ray, and hydrotested prior to shipment.

28″ Dia. Gimbal Expansion Joint Designed with Floating Rings for a Pipeline in Tennessee

August 31, 2015

This 28″ diameter by 43″ OAL single gimbal expansion joint with a square gimbal box was designed by U.S. Bellows for a pipeline in Tennessee. The bellows are fabricated from Inconel® 625 LCF and the pipe and liners from 316 stainless steel. The expansion joint is designed for an operating temperature of 1250°F at 120 psig. The assembly has a floating ring gimbal design that restrains the pressure thrust. The unit was dye penetrant examined, all welds were 100% X-rayed, PMI, and hydro-tested prior to shipment.

20″ Dia. Double Gimbal Expansion Joint Refurbished for an Oil Refinery

January 18, 2015

U.S. Bellows refurbished this double gimbal expansion joint for an oil refinery in Baytown, Texas. The bellows were replaced with Inconel 625 and the duct, elbow, cover, and liner are carbon steel. This unit has a diameter of 20″ and an overall length of 108″. The expansion joint was designed for 4″ lateral movement at 450°F and 180 psig. Prior to shipment, the unit was 100% dye penetrant tested, PMI examined, and hydrotested.

44″ Double Gimbal Universal Expansion Joint, Duct, Elbow, and Reducer

November 24, 2009

This gimbal expansion joint is designed for angular rotation in two planes of up to 4° in each plane. It has an overall length of 140″ with a total assembly weight of 11,000 lb. It is fabricated with 316 stainless steel bellows and carbon steel piping. This expansion joint was 100% dye-penetrant examined and hydro-tested prior to shipment. U.S. Bellows, Inc. and Piping Technology & Products, Inc. also furnished the spring supports and pipe attachments for this project

Dual Gimbal Expansion Joints for a Regeneration Blower Outlet

May 4, 2005

This 3,400 lb. expansion joint is capable of 2.3″ lateral movement and 1.5″ axial movement and was designed for 65 PSIG and 1076ºF. It was made with SB-409 alloy 800 bellows and 316H piping and gimbal components. The dimension of this expansion joint is 24″ x 168″ x 71″. This gimbal expansion joint contains two sets of hinge pins or pivots with the axis of each set perpendicular to each other. To ensure the quality of the product, the joints were 100% X-rayed and hydro-tested at 120 PSIG prior to delivery.

55″ O.D. Refractory Lined Universal Gimbal Expansion Joints with Slotted Hinges for a Refinery in Joliet

January 30, 2004

U.S. Bellows, Inc. specially designed and manufactured two 55″ O.D. refractory lined universal gimbal expansion joints for a refinery in Joliet. These expansion joints are equipped with slotted hinges with an overall length of 163″ and 286″ respectively. The 163″ O.A.L. expansion joint, designed for 60 PSIG and 1020°F, will be used at the reactor standpipe of the refinery. The 286″ O.A.L. expansion joint will be used for the regenerator standpipe of the refinery and it is designed for 57 PSIG and 1300°F. Both expansion joints consist of an A516 Gr70 pipe, two SB-443 two-ply bellows, and a slotted hinge.

To ensure quality, 100% dye-penetration, 100% x-ray and pressure tests were performed on the bellows. Pneumatic and vacuum tests were also conducted on the expansion joints and between bellows dry plies prior to shipping.

55″ O.D. Universal Gimbal Expansion Joints with Floating Rings for a Refinery

January 16, 2004

U.S. Bellows, Inc. custom designed and manufactured a 55 O.D. universal gimbal expansion joint with floating rings for the FCC overhead vapor line at the refinery. This expansion joint has an overall length of 310 and is fabricated from A387 Gr 11 CI2 spool and Inconel® 625 LCF bellows. It is designed for 50 PSIG and 1075°F with 13 of lateral movement.

To ensure quality, 100% dye-penetration, 100% x-ray and pressure tests were performed on the bellows. Pneumatic tests were also conducted on the expansion joint and between bellows dry plies at 55 and 15 PSIG, respectively, prior to shipping.

192″ Double Gimbal Expansion Joints for a Chemical Refinery

December 19, 2003

U.S. Bellows, Inc. designed and manufactured two 192” double gimbal Expansion joints for a chemical refinery in Channel View, Texas. These expansion joints consist of A240-321 bellows, A160 Gr. pipe, A516-70 gimbal rings, A516-70 liners and A106 Gr. B purge connection rings. The expansion joints were designed for 15 PSIG and 650 F per B 31.3 and EJMA Standards. They were also designed to allow 8 degrees of angular movement during operation. To ensure quality, the Expansion joints were air tested at 22 PSIG prior to delivery.

Expansion Joints for an Engineering and Construction Firm in Singapore

November 8, 1999

In October 1999, U.S. Bellow, Inc., the expansion joint subsidiary of Piping Technology & Products, Inc., fabricated three expansion joints for an E&C company in Singapore. The expansion joints manufactured included one 36″ single hinged expansion joint, one 36″ double hinged expansion joint and one 36″ double gimbal expansion joint. These expansion joints will be used at a compressor in Singapore. Due to the critical applications of these expansion joints, they were tested per ASME Sect. VIII Div. 1 Appendix 26. The bellows together with the hinge assembly were hydro-tested. Additionally, a dry nitrogen test between the two plies was conducted to ensure that each of the two plies would withstand the design pressure. Gimbal expansion joints allow for restrained angular movement of attached piping in two planes. Expansion joints, in general, allow for axial, lateral, angular and torsional movement in piping systems.

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