Compressor system with grooved expansion joint

Abstract

The disclosure includes a compressor system having a compressor for compressing and delivering a fluid to a component. First and second conduits are fluidly connected between the compressor and the component. At least one of the conduits is a thin walled conduit having an adaptor end piece connected thereto to transition from a thin wall thickness to a predetermined second wall thickness. A circumferential groove is formed in an outer surface of each of the first and second conduits at a location corresponding to at least the predetermined second wall thickness. An expansion joint clamp is adapted to engage the circumferential grooves and couple the first and second conduits together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compressor system comprising:
 a compressor for compressing a fluid;   a component in fluid communication with the compressor for receiving compressed fluid;   first and second conduits fluidly connecting the compressor to the component, wherein at least one of the conduits is a thin walled conduit;   an adaptor end piece connected to an end of the at least one thin walled conduit, wherein the adaptor end piece transitions from a thin wall thickness to a predetermined second wall thickness;   a circumferential groove formed in an outer surface of each of the first and second conduits at a location corresponding to the predetermined second wall thickness; and   an expansion joint clamp adapted to engage the circumferential grooves and couple the first and second conduits together.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor system of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter end piece includes an angled inner wall extending from the thin wall of the thin walled conduit and the second wall thickness. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor system of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion joint clamp permits relative movement between the first and second conduits. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp includes a pair of circumferential leg extensions. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor system of  claim 4 , wherein the leg extensions are positioned within the grooves of the first and second conduits. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor system of  claim 4 , wherein the leg extensions are constructed to slide axially along a width of each groove. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor system of  claim 4 , wherein each groove includes a pair of side walls to define opposing abutments. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor system of  claim 1 , wherein one end of each conduit is permanently attached to a compressor component. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor system of  claim 1 , wherein the component is an intercooler. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduits are structured to receive relatively high temperature fluid flow therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a compression system configured to compress a fluid;   a first conduit fluidly connectable to the compression system;   a second conduit fluidly connectable to the first conduit; wherein at least one of the first and second conduits are defined by a circumferential thin walled structure;   an adaptor end connected to at least one of the first and second conduits having a thin walled structure, the adaptor having a tapered inner wall that transitions from a thin wall to a second wall thickness, wherein the second wall thickness is sufficient to support a circumferential slot formed in the outer surface thereof;   a circumferential slot formed in the outer surface of each of the first and second conduits at a location having a wall thickness at least equivalent to the second wall thickness; and   an expansion joint coupling engageable with the slots of the first and second conduits and operable to connect the first and second conduits together.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the compressor system includes multi-stage centrifugal compressors driven by a motive source. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an intercooler fluidly connected to one of the first and second conduits.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid includes air. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a fluid seal engaged with the coupling to form a fluid tight seal between the first and second conduits.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the expansion joint coupling permits relative movement between the first and second conduits. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the expansion joint coupling includes a pair of circumferential leg extensions. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the leg extensions are configured to engage the slots formed in the first and second conduits. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the leg extensions are constructed to slide between sidewall abutments along a width of each slot. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 welding an adaptor to an end of a thin walled conduit, wherein the adaptor includes a portion having a second wall thickness greater than the thin walled conduit;   forming an outwardly facing groove in the adaptor proximate the portion having the second wall thickness;   forming an outwardly facing groove in a second conduit;   connecting the first and second conduits with an expansion groove clamp positioned within the grooves of the first and second conduits;   generating heated fluid with a compressor system;   transporting the heated fluid through the first and second conduit;   moving the conduits relative to the clamp in response to variable thermal loading.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the moving includes sliding a portion of the clamp along a width of the grooves formed in each of the conduits. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the compression system includes a centrifugal compressor fluidly connected to at least one intercooler with the first and second conduits. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 forming a fluid tight seal between the first and second conduits.