Pressure Piping Expansion Joints

Gim-Flex Series "GF"
Gimbal Expansion Joint System

Thorburn's Gim-Flex joint is the most reliable expansion joint. It is capable of absorbing angular motion in all planes while retaining many advantages. The construction of a Thorburn Gim-Flex expansion joint incorporates a pair of hinges connected to a common floating gimbal ring. This type of construction provides for close control of the movement imposed upon the bellows and at the same time can support the dead weight of the system. Wind loading and shear loads are also transmitted through the gimbal structure. Other advantages include low forces and elimination of pressure thrust on adjacent equipment. Thorburn Gim-Flex expansion joints are either used in pairs or in combination with a Thorburn Hing-Flex expansion joint to absorb complex multi-plane motion in a piping system.

Thorburn's Gim-Flex joints are utilized in a pair to absorb the thermal expansion from the two horizontal piping legs. Note that the thermal growth of the vertical legs, however, must be absorbed by deflection of the horizontal piping.

Applications

Eliminates pressure thrust forces
Positive control over movement
Transmits external load
Supports dead weight
Prevents torsion on bellows
No main anchor required
Low forces on piping system

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Angular motion in all planes

Stress and Strain Verified With FEA

The use of Thorburn Gim-Flex expansion joints results in the best system possible to eliminate the effects of thermal growth and lowers both reaction forces and installation costs. Expensive main anchors are eliminated and only minimal guiding is required. To eliminate this, a Thorburn Hing-Flex expansion joint can be installed in the horizontal piping. This type of installation results in the lowest possible forces on the intermediate anchors.