Expansion Joint with Steel Flange

Short flexible joint connecting dredge pump to pipeline, ID 100-1300mm, vacuum to 3MPa.

Specifications for Expansion Joint with Steel Flange
Product Name	Expansion Joint with Steel Flange
Inner Diameter (ID)	100-1300 mm
Length	200-1000 mm
Working Pressure (WP)	-0.1 to 3 MPa
Flange Type	Steel flange
Application	Connects the dredge pump with the pipeline
Origin	China

Get a quotation Email specifications

Specifications are supplied per order within the ranges shown. Send the flange drawing or the details of the section being replaced and the connection is machined to match.

Overview

An expansion joint is a short rubber hose that sits between the dredge pump and the pipeline, and between deck pipework runs. Its job is to take up the gap. Pipework never lines up perfectly, and once the pump is running it does not stay lined up either. The joint extends and compresses to absorb that, and damps the vibration the pump puts into the system before it reaches the rest of the line.

Who it is for

Dredger owners and pump packagers connecting a dredge pump to fixed pipework, on either the vacuum or the pressure side.

Key benefits

Compensates for gaps between pipelines without field fabrication
Damps vibration during operation, protecting connected equipment
Can be designed for conditions from vacuum through to high pressure
Short length simplifies both installation and maintenance access
Steel flanges give a hard, repeatable sealing face

Problems it solves

What goes wrong without it

1

Rigid pipework bolted straight to a dredge pump transmits every pulse into the pump mountings and the deck structure.

2

Small alignment gaps between pump and pipeline turn a routine installation into a fabrication job; the joint absorbs the mismatch instead.

3

Removing a pump for maintenance means breaking a rigid line. A flexible joint gives the clearance to pull the unit without cutting.

Construction and technical features

Short-length flexible rubber hose body
Provides extension and compression to compensate for pipeline gaps
Vibration damping between pump and pipeline
Designed for vacuum through to high-pressure conditions
Steel flanges at both ends

Quality control

Raw material inspection on rubber compounds and reinforcement before use
Dimensional check on bore, length and flange alignment
Pressure testing to the specified condition, vacuum or positive
Third-party inspection can be arranged on request

Where it is used

Dredge pump discharge connection on a cutter suction dredger
Pump suction side where vacuum conditions apply
Deck pipework runs needing movement take-up between fixed points
Maintenance access points where the pump must be removable

Customisation

Inner diameter 100-1300 mm, the widest bore range in the hose programme
Length 200-1000 mm to suit the gap being bridged
Specified for vacuum or pressure duty from -0.1 to 3 MPa
Steel or sandwich flange, drilled to your table

How it compares

The steel-flange version gives a hard machined sealing face and is the usual choice where the joint is broken regularly for pump maintenance. The sandwich-flange version rubber lines the wetted joint surfaces. Both share the same bore range, length range and pressure band.

Selection and use notes

Measure the installed gap and the expected movement, not just the pipe bore
State whether the joint is on the vacuum or the pressure side when ordering
Do not use the joint to correct a large permanent misalignment; it is for gaps and movement
Check for cover cracking at each shutdown, since this section works continuously

FAQ

Questions buyers ask

What bore sizes are available?

Inner diameter 100-1300 mm, with length from 200 to 1000 mm.

Can it be used under vacuum?

Yes. It can be designed to withstand conditions ranging from vacuum to high pressure, with a working pressure range of -0.1 to 3 MPa.

Where exactly is it fitted?

Primarily on dredgers to connect the dredge pump with the pipeline, and in pipelines on the deck.

Does it reduce vibration?

Yes. Vibration damping during operation is one of its main functions and helps protect connected equipment.

How much movement can it take up?

It provides a certain amount of extension and compression to compensate for pipeline gaps. Send the installed gap and expected movement with your enquiry so the joint is sized for it.

Can the flanges be drilled to our standard?

Yes. Provide the flange drawing or details of the connection it bolts to.