Gimbal Expansion Joints are the
most reliable expansion joint and is capable of absorbing angular motion in all planes
while retaining many advantages.
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The construction of a Gimbal 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.
Gimbal 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.
Gimbal Expansion 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.
Gimbal Expansion Joints are 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.
• Eliminates pressure thrust forces
• Transmits external loads
• Supports dead weight
• Prevents torsion on bellows
• No main anchor required
• Low forces on piping system
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