Expansion joints for a tubular transportation system

Abstract

A tubular structure includes at least one exterior tube and at least one interior tube, at least a portion of the interior tube is disposed within the exterior tube. The tubular structure further includes at least one expansion joint provided between the exterior tube and the interior tube and the expansion joint allows lateral expansion or contraction of the exterior tube and the interior tube and maintains a pressure within the exterior and the interior tubes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tubular structure, comprising:
 at least one exterior tube having an opening and an interior;   at least one interior tube, at least a portion of the at least one interior tube is configured to be disposed through the opening and within the interior of the at least one exterior tube; and   at least one expansion joint provided between the at least one exterior tube and the portion of the at least one interior tube, wherein   the at least one expansion joint is configured to allow lateral expansion and contraction of the exterior tube and the interior tube while maintaining a predetermined pressure within the exterior and the interior tubes, wherein   the expansion joint comprises a tubular rolling seal belt, and   the rolling seal belt has a first end attached to an outer circumferential surface of the interior tube and a second end attached to an inner circumferential surface of the exterior tube.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the rolling seal belt comprises a flexible material reinforced by a reinforcement material.   
     
     
         3 . The tubular structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the second end of the rolling seal belt is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the exterior tube via a tubular connector structured and arranged to apply a compressive force to the rolling real belt.   
     
     
         4 . The tubular structure of  claim 3 , wherein
 the tubular connector includes at least two arcuate band sections connected at ends thereof via fixing sections.   
     
     
         5 . The tubular structure of  claim 3 , wherein
 the ends of the arcuate band sections are adjustably connected to the fixing sections such that a space between the ends of the arcuate band sections may be adjusted.   
     
     
         6 . The tubular structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the rolling seal belt is able to fold back upon itself and is configured to roll laterally such that an effective lateral length of the rolling seal belt is adjustable.   
     
     
         7 . The tubular structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a second rolling seal belt, wherein
 the tubular rolling seal belt is a first rolling seal belt, and   the first rolling seal belt is attached to the opening of the exterior tube and the second rolling seal belt is attached to a second opening of the exterior tube.   
     
     
         8 . The tubular structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the exterior tube is attached to a pylon via a bearing.   
     
     
         9 . A method of maintaining a predetermined pressure within a tubular structure having an interior tube, an exterior tube, and a tubular rolling seal belt disposed between the interior tube and the exterior tube, with relative longitudinal movement between the interior tube and the exterior tube, the method comprising:
 establishing an interior of the tubular structure at the predetermined pressure;   unrolling the tubular rolling seal belt when the relative longitudinal movement between the interior tube and the exterior tube decreases an overlap of the interior tube and the exterior tube;   rolling the tubular rolling seal belt when the relative longitudinal movement between the interior tube and the exterior tube increases an overlap of the interior tube and the exterior tube; and   maintaining the predetermined pressure of the interior of the tubular structure with the tubular rolling seal belt.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein
 the rolling seal belt comprises a flexible material reinforced by a reinforcement material.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising
 attaching the second end of the rolling seal belt to the inner circumferential surface of the exterior tube via a tubular connector structured and arranged to apply a compressive force to the rolling real belt.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein
 the tubular connector includes at least two arcuate band sections connected at ends thereof via fixing sections.   
     
     
         13 . The tubular structure of  claim 12 , wherein
 the ends of the arcuate band sections are adjustably connected to the fixing sections such that a space between the ends of the arcuate band sections are adjustable.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein
 the rolling seal belt is operable to fold back upon itself and is configured to roll laterally such that an effective lateral length of the rolling seal belt is adjustable.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising a second rolling seal belt, wherein
 the tubular rolling seal belt is a first rolling seal belt, the method further comprising attaching the first rolling seal belt to an opening of the exterior tube and the second rolling seal belt is attached to a second opening of the exterior tube.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein
 the exterior tube is attached to a pylon via a bearing.