Axial Bellows are bellows that provide only axial movement. It is a subdivision of flexible bellows in specific applications. Because ordinary bellows can provide omnidirectional movement when working as an elastic element.
Explanation
The bellows is an elastic element that provides axial, lateral and angular movement. Because of its versatility, it is sometimes called a universal bellows. With the continuous development of society and technology, the demand for bellows is becoming more and more extensive and in-depth. To meet different application requirements, bellows manufacturers will restrict the movement of the bellows in one or two directions, or to obtain the maximum amount of movement in a certain direction, the movement in other directions has to be discarded. Axial bellows are designed for this purpose. The primary method of achieving only axial movement is to insert a straight tube inside the bellows to limit movement in other directions.
Classification
The axial movement of the bellows is divided into axial compression and axial extension. It can compensate for the displacement of the pipeline system caused by thermal expansion and contraction, thereby protecting the pipeline from damage. When the pipe expands when heated, the bellows are compressed; when the pipe contracts when cold, the bellows stretch. The compression of bellows is greater than the extension under working conditions, so the axial compression capacity is mainly considered when designing bellows. Under the same working conditions, the axial compression of the same bellows is approximately 1.5 times the axial extension.
- Axial Compression
- Axial Extension
Application
Axial bellows are widely used. Typical examples include axial expansion joints, automotive exhaust bellows and steam compensators. They are designed with inner sleeves to maintain axial displacement while smoothing internal flow.
References:
https://www.ejma.org/bellows/
