US 11,703,160 B2
Pipe component
Robert Zbiral, Marbach (DE); Steffen Grau, Oppenweiler (DE); Juergen Schlamp, Remseck (DE); Thorsten Schmid, Schwaikheim (DE); and Matthias Teschner, Ludwigsburg (DE)
Assigned to MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Ludwigsburg (DE)
Filed by MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Ludwigsburg (DE)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/102,686.
Application 17/102,686 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2019/057983, filed on Mar. 29, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2018 112 488.0 (DE), filed on May 24, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0148490 A1, May 20, 2021
Int. Cl. F16L 11/112 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 11/112 (2013.01) 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pipe component comprising:
a casing configured as a folded bellows comprising folds;
a tubular support body comprising an outer circumference and a length extension in a direction of a center line of the tubular support body, wherein the tubular support body is embedded in the casing and supports the casing;
wherein the tubular support body comprises at least one stabilization element;
wherein the at least one stabilization element comprises segments that are axially spaced apart and at least partially extend circumferentially;
a plurality of hinges arranged between and connected at opposing ends to a different one of two adjacent segments of the at least one stabilization element, the hinges include:
a deformation region arranged between the two adjacent segments, wherein, at least in an unloaded state thereof, the deformation region forms a tip which projects radially inwardly in a direction transverse to the center line into an interior of the tubular support body;
wherein the hinge further includes:
a first leg of the hinge having a first end connected to a first respective one of the two adjacent segments and an opposite second end connected to the deformation region;
a second leg of the hinge having a first end connected to a different respective one of the two adjacent segments and an opposite second end connected to the deformation region, such that each segment is connected to at least one adjacent segment by at least one hinge of the plurality of hinges;
wherein the segments are connected by the plurality of hinges, respectively, along the length extension of the tubular support body;
wherein the hinges are arranged in the folds of the folded bellows.