| 摘要 |
There is provided a pipe joint between a first pipe end 12 and a second pipe end 14. The pipe joint includes telescoping means allowing the ends to move axially with respect to each other while maintaining fluid-type communication. The joint also includes a plurality of contraction units 23 located externally of the pipe ends and the telescoping means. Each contraction unit includes a rod member 24 with one end engaged with a first flange member 16 fixed with respect to the first pipe end 12, while the other end of the rod member is secured to a piston 36 riding in a cylinder 40 with a cylinder bottom 42, the cylinder being engaged with a second flange member 18 fixed with respect to the second pipe end 14. The cylinder bottom 42 lies in between the piston and the previously defined one end of the rod member. A fluid conduit 71, 76, 79 connects the interior of one of the pipe ends with the cylinder volume lying between the piston and the cylinder bottom, so that the pressure inside the cylinder volume is a function of the pressure inside one of the pipe ends. This allows compensation for the expansion forces arising from pressure in the pipe joint, but does so with a structure in which the contraction units are not located directly opposite the telescoping means, thus facilitating disassembly for repair and other purposes. <IMAGE>
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