In 1999, U.S. Bellows, Inc., the expansion joint division of Piping Technology & Products, Inc. fabricated three 36" diameter single gimbal expansion joints for a large petrochemical company in California.  These expansion joints are designed for 750 PSIG and 275° F.  The design pressure thrust is approximately 1,000,000 lbs and the hydro-test pressure thrust is approximately 1,500,000 lbs.  Fabricated from Inconel 625 material, these expansion joints are equipped with testing ports to detect leakage in between the two plies.  The gimbal ring, hinges, standoff, and pins have all been designed to withstand the design and hydro-test pressure thrust force.  The total assembled weight of each expansion joint is 14,560 lbs.  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.

Gimbal Expansion Joint Manufactured by U.S. Bellows/Piping Technology & Products, Inc. The plate steel used in the frame is 3" thick and the hinge pin is 4" diameter stainless steel.

36" Expansion Joint Manufactured by U.S. Bellows/PT&P is shown here in service in California. Each Gimbal Expansion Joint Unit Weighed 14,560 lbs.

Piping Technology & Products, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries U.S. Bellows, Inc. and Sweco Fab are manufacturers of a variety of high-quality, engineered products.  PT&P and its subsidiaries are located in Houston, Texas, USA on a 22-acre property with more than 450,000 square feet of covered shop space.  In business since 1975, PT&P has close partnerships with leading engineering and construction companies and is a recognized leader in pipe supports, pre-insulated pipe supports, and expansion joints.  U.S. Bellows, Inc. has been a manufacturer of engineered expansion joints since the 1960s.  Please visit http://www.usbellows.com for more information about U.S. Bellows, Inc. and its expansion joint product line.

Contact PT&P Public Relations for further information on this project or our company in general.