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Where will you find Flexial’s Bellows?
MilitaryDefense applications for welded metal bellows is a major focus area for Flexial. As the first, and one of only a handful of welded metal bellows companies in the industry to achieve AS9100:2004 in addition to ISO9001:2000 registration, Flexial has firmly established itself in a lead position for on-time, first-time delivery of military hardware development and production. Product applications include thermal, depth, and altitude sensing systems, fluid accumulators and reservoirs for electrohydrostatic controls, avionics and cockpit cooling systems, weapons and ordnance controls, and optical systems. Flexial’s welded bellows are used in exo-atmospheric, atmospheric, surface, marine, and submarine applications.
Research and ScientificFlexial is a leading supplier of welded metal bellows to national laboratories and research facilities for scientific research and development. Products include some of the largest and smallest welded metal bellows ever built for a wide range of one-of-a-kind applications. Flexial’s welded metal bellows are used in almost every area of space technology, including the Shuttle, the International Space Station, satellites and launch vehicles. Applications include accumulators for potable water storage, delivery and recovery systems, satellite fuel delivery and reloading, and fuel cell applications.
Vacuum & SemiconductorsFlexial supplies stainless steel welded metal bellows seals and actuators for the semiconductor processing industry. Flexial’s titanium and other exotic alloy welded metal bellows provide non-magnetic solutions for beam scanning and other nondestructive testing apparatus.
Other applications include the design and manufacture of bellows-driven mechanical actuators for a broad spectrum of vacuum and semiconductor customers.
Oil, Gas and ChemicalFlexial Corporation is a leading manufacturer of welded metal bellows for wireline, drilling, and lift applications. Flexial’s welded metal bellows are used as protective covers for quartz pressure sensors, for fluid density measurement in welded bellows gradiomanometers, and for high pressure bellows gas lift seals.
The Flexial Reactive Seal TM, developed under contract from DARPA and the EPA, is a new concept that ensures zero fugitive emissions, while allowing the freest possible stem motion.
Electrical Transmission and DistributionFlexial Corporation has a strong presence in the Electrical Transmission and Distribution industry. Our welded metal bellows are used as SF6 high pressure seals in high voltage switch gear. Flexial builds sudden pressure relays, complete with switch and calibration, for protection of high voltage transformers.
Other applications include thermal expansion bellows for liquid filled high voltage transformers, welded bellows vacuum bottle seals, and gas turbine and steam turbine controls.
AerospaceFlexial builds flight and mission critical hardware for many key organizations in the Aerospace industry, including aneroid sensors for the F15 Eagle and F16 Fighting Falcon, as well as accumulator bellows for the F-22 Raptor and a deployable titanium sunshade to shield seeker optics on SM-3 kinetic kill vehicles. Flexial provides a wide range of welded metal bellows controls for aircraft fluid systems. Applications include engine fuel, air, and oil controls; air density sensors; actuators; cooling systems; fluid storage; surge suppression; fire suppression, and electro hydrostatic accumulator bellows for power by wire technology on primary flight control surfaces.
For more information on Flexial or Welded Metal Bellows Design, please visit us on the web at: www.flexial.com
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Interested in learning aboutFlexial’s process for producing bellows?
Check the reverse side of this brochure for details.
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We are bellows manufacturers, and we are more: We are innovators. Federal grants by ARPA and EPA have been awarded to Flexial to develop our new technologies— we are that unique. Our engineers have received a substantial number of U.S. and foreign patents related to the application and manufacture of our products. We have invented a number of variants of our technology that directly enhance the performance of our customers’ products while reducing their costs.
Flexial Corporation is a major U.S. manufacturer of edge welded metal bellows, privately owned and managed by our working shareholders and employees. Our strength is in a strong, unified, highly skilled team that has worked together for over fifteen years. Individually, our engineering knowledge and manufacturing skills compare with the largest manufacturers in the edge welded metal bellows industry. We combine decades of experience drawn from complementary fields of welded bellows engineering, metallurgy, manufacturing, quality assurance, welding, heat treating, and assembly of bellows. We know our core technology and we know how to fit it to virtually any application. Our extensive background, and the fact that our experience is well recognized by America’s leading users of welded bellows, has enabled us to enjoy rapid growth in all areas of welded bellows technology.
In which industries areFlexial’s bellows typically found?
Check the reverse side of this brochure for details.
Flexial Corporation1483 Gould Drive
P.O. Box 3105Cookeville TN 38502-3105
USA
Tel 01.931.432.1853Fax 01.931.432.1889
www.flexial.com
Flexial Corporation is anInternational Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG)
Certified Supplier and is listed in theIAQG-OASIS database.
Flexial’s systems are registered to theISO9001:2000 and AS9100:2004-01
Global Quality Standards.
CleaningEnvironment friendlyUltrasonicAcid cleaning
FormingForming PressesProprietary Die DesignsStandard to Exotic MaterialsHot Forming
HMSTHelium Mass Spectrometer Leak Testing1X10-10 std cc He/Sec Capability
Heat TreatFull Vacuum Heat TreatFree Length ControlIncreased Material Strength
TestingFunctional TestingThermal TestingCycle TestingCustom Testing
MachiningPrecision, Burr-FreeFull CNC Controlled
Prototype to Volume Production
WeldingCertified Welders
Semi- and Fully Automatic WeldingGas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) - Laser
MetallurgicalFull-service met lab
Sectioning, Mounting, Polishing, Etching, Metallographic
and Metrologic Analysis
AssemblyPrecision Assembly
Final Closure WeldingLaser & GTAW
InspectionDCC Controlled CMM
NIST Traceable CalibrationElectronic Documentation
For more information on Flexial or Welded Metal Bellows Design, please visit us on the web at: www.flexial.comWELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
Flexial’s Capabilities
© 2007 Flexial Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Who is Flexial Corporation?
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
We invite you to look over a refreshingcompany in the business – young, energetic, and growing – *responsive and accessible*, and with
solutions to meet your needs.
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WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWSWelded bellows reservoirs, accumulators (also called volume compensators) and surge arresters differ in function, but share construction similarities. Each has an outer containment, an internal welded bellows separator and ports in one or both ends depending on application. The bellows, which serves as a flexible separator, is welded to one end of the containment and has a closed, movable end called a sweeper that slides through containment as the bellows expands and contracts with the system fluid. As needed for the application, the fluid can either be on the inside of the bellows or on the outside between the bellows and the containment with the gas on the opposite side.
PRECISION WELDED BELLOWS ASSISTED
Fluid Management
Flexial Corporation is a major U.S. manufacturer of engineered edge welded metal bellows. We are privately owned and managed by our working shareholders and employees. Our bellows engineering experience spans over four decades of American aerospace progress in virtually every major program and ranks with our largest competitors. Our creative knowledge of metallurgy, manufacturing, quality assurance, microscopic welding, heat treating and assembly is demonstrated by several patents and a range of new bellows technologies unique to Flexial.
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ReservoirsReservoirs store fluid for delivery, either in a single surge or dispensed over time. The primary function is fill-then-dispense, as opposed to cycles of partial fill and drain. Reservoir delivery energy sources include:
AccumulatorsAccumulators are a type of reservoir that accept system fluid and returns it repeatedly. They usually have a fixed gas charge, are fully open to the system, and typically reside in closed fluid loops to perform one or more of the following:
Surge ArrestersSurge arresters are a type of accumulator that includes an orifice between the bellows and the system and dissipates kinetic energy of a flowing liquid when the flow stream is suddenly stopped by a quick-closing valve.
The static gas charge is higher than the normal system pressure which keeps the bellows immobile and loaded against the fluid until hit with a surge. When flow is suddenly interrupted, the fluid diverts through the orifice and into the bellows, displacing the bellows and compressing the gas charge. The high velocity of this event causes heating of the gas charge and partial adiabatic compression that slows and stops the incoming surge.
The gas charge then pushes on the bellows and sends the surge back into the system. But now the orifice slows the return of the fluid while the wall of the arrester absorbs the heat of compression thus lowering the pressure of the gas. Usually this repeats for several decaying oscillations until the kinetic energy is dissipated, the system becomes static and the bellows is again loaded against the fluid.
Permanently gas pressurizedCharge gas sealed on one side of the bellows compresses during filling to store expulsion energy.
Permanently liquid-vapor pressurizedVolatile liquid on one side of the bellows partially evaporates; pressure builds up to phase equilibrium.
Actively gas pressurizedA regulated external pressure source supplies expulsion force.
Passively spring pressurizedDelivery pressure is generated by the spring force of the bellows.
Bootstrapping/ Anti-cavitationAccumulator positioned immediately upstream from a pump surges fluid into the pump on startup to prevent cavitation. As system pressure and flow balance, the fluid is returned to the accumulator.
Thermal volume compensationIn a closed-circuit fluid system, the accumulator maintains a steady positive pressure by absorbing the temperature driven expansion and contraction of fluid.
Pulsation absorptionAccumulator placed immediately downstream from a reciprocating pump. Pulsations from the pump are attenuated by surging into the accumulator on the delivery cycle.
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Surge Arresters
ISO9000-2000AS9100-2004A8516
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
Reservoirs Accumulators Surge Arrestors
07/26/07 17:38:27 Page: 1then your final printed piece may have unwanted white edges If your artwork touches the trim box but does not extend to the bleed box,
Gas Charge
Gas Charge Port Housing
Fluid Port
Internally Positioned
Fluid
Moveable TerminationBellows
When weightreally matters.
Flexial offers accumulators, reservoirs, and volume compensators inall-titanium construction.
Flexial Corporation is an IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group) certified supplier listed in the OASIS database, which includes certification for the Americas by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), for Europe by the European Aerospace Quality Group (EAQG), and for Asia-Pacific by the APAQG (Asia-Pacific Aerospace Quality Group) and which is sponsored by SAE (Society of Aerospace Engineers), ASD (Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe) and SJAC (Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies).
Technical SpecificationsFracture Critical Applications State-of-the-Art Simulations
Key CharacteristicsFlexial Accumulator | Reservoir Design and Production
Flexial’s accumulators are used in flight and mission critical applications
around the world.
Just one of the many cool containersour bellows get shipped in.
All metal construction - hermetically sealed. Mass spectrometer leak tested with leak rates as low as 1x10-9 cc/sec/He
Long shelf life - hermetic, all-metallic and maintenance-free design ensures a long shelf and operational life.
Compatible with all hydraulic fluids, coolant fluids, and a wide array of processing fluids including highly corrosive liquids.
Designed to minimize weight depending on the application. Product lines include all-titanium assemblies that are the lightest available.
Fast response time - low mass design ensures that accumulator responds instantly to slight pressure or temperature changes.
No installation restrictions - can be oriented in any position or direction without affecting performance characteristics.
Low long-term cost. Zero-maintenance and long life design eliminates failure modes and the significant costs associated with them.
Temperatures from Cryogenic to 450°s� F (232° C)
Volumes < 0.1 milliliters to > 100 liters (25 gal.)s�
Material from standard stainless-steel alloys to corrosion s�resistant high-nickel alloys and titanium.
Design optimized for the application to meet system s�requirements, optimize weight, cost, and performance with up to infinite life.
ANSI \ ASQ ISO9001:2000, Q9001:2000; BS EN ISO9001:2000 AS9100 – AS9000 – EN9100
Flexial Corporation has made aircraft, space, and military applications our principal focus. With ISO9000 and AS9100 certifications, our systems have been selected to produce products for Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Raytheon, GE, Lockhead Martin, Hamilton Sundstrand, Rocketdyne, Honeywell, Northrup Grumman and many other aerospace primes.
Related products currently manufactured by Flexial include the International Space Station Node 3 water storage system, aneroid sensors for the F15 and F16 fighter jets (F100 Engine), F22 Raptor avionics cockpit cooling accumulator bellows, Cooling Fluid Reservoirs for the Brite Star II FLIR, Fire Scout, Global Hawk, Rivet Joint and many other applications.
We have the engineering knowledge and resources, the manufacturing experience and capacity, a track record in this industry, and solid control of our programs to build your products on time the first time.
TemperatureTransducer
TemperatureTransducer
PressureTransducer
Position Sensor
Heat Exchanger
Typical Cooling Loop
ThermalControlValve
From PrimarySystem
To PrimarySystem
Pump
Flexial Bellows Accumulator
Accumulator / Reservoir
Design OptionsActive or static pressurization ports. Active s�ports allow system feedback for pressure modifications.
Position Sensing: LVDT and potentiometers s�for active feedback or passive visual pressure and volume monitoring.
Compensates for thermal expansion s�of the liquid coolant
Prevents fluid surges and pulsationss�
Provides constant back pressure to s�preclude pump cavitation
Flexial has the analytical capability to ensure the product is designed to meet the most stringent requirements.
This is accomplished by using state-of-the-art simulation software and computer systems with multi-physics capabilities.
titanium22
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07/26/07 17:38:43 Page: 1then your final printed piece may have unwanted white edges If your artwork touches the trim box but does not extend to the bleed box,
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PRECISION WELDED METAL BELLOWS
Fluid Management!CCUMULATORS�s�2ESERVOIRS�s�3URGE�!RRESTERS
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWSWelded bellows reservoirs, accumulators (also called volume compensators) and surge arresters differ in function, but share construction similarities. Each has an outer containment, an internal welded bellows separator and ports in one or both ends depending on application. The bellows, which serves as a flexible separator, is welded to one end of the containment and has a closed, movable end called a sweeper that slides through containment as the bellows expands and contracts with the system fluid. As needed for the application, the fluid can either be on the inside of the bellows or on the outside between the bellows and the containment with the gas on the opposite side.
PRECISION WELDED BELLOWS ASSISTED
Fluid Management
Flexial Corporation is a major U.S. manufacturer of engineered edge welded metal bellows. We are privately owned and managed by our working shareholders and employees. Our bellows engineering experience spans over four decades of American aerospace progress in virtually every major program and ranks with our largest competitors. Our creative knowledge of metallurgy, manufacturing, quality assurance, microscopic welding, heat treating and assembly is demonstrated by several patents and a range of new bellows technologies unique to Flexial.
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ReservoirsReservoirs store fluid for delivery, either in a single surge or dispensed over time. The primary function is fill-then-dispense, as opposed to cycles of partial fill and drain. Reservoir delivery energy sources include:
AccumulatorsAccumulators are a type of reservoir that accept system fluid and returns it repeatedly. They usually have a fixed gas charge, are fully open to the system, and typically reside in closed fluid loops to perform one or more of the following:
Surge ArrestersSurge arresters are a type of accumulator that includes an orifice between the bellows and the system and dissipates kinetic energy of a flowing liquid when the flow stream is suddenly stopped by a quick-closing valve.
The static gas charge is higher than the normal system pressure which keeps the bellows immobile and loaded against the fluid until hit with a surge. When flow is suddenly interrupted, the fluid diverts through the orifice and into the bellows, displacing the bellows and compressing the gas charge. The high velocity of this event causes heating of the gas charge and partial adiabatic compression that slows and stops the incoming surge.
The gas charge then pushes on the bellows and sends the surge back into the system. But now the orifice slows the return of the fluid while the wall of the arrester absorbs the heat of compression thus lowering the pressure of the gas. Usually this repeats for several decaying oscillations until the kinetic energy is dissipated, the system becomes static and the bellows is again loaded against the fluid.
Permanently gas pressurizedCharge gas sealed on one side of the bellows compresses during filling to store expulsion energy.
Permanently liquid-vapor pressurizedVolatile liquid on one side of the bellows partially evaporates; pressure builds up to phase equilibrium.
Actively gas pressurizedA regulated external pressure source supplies expulsion force.
Passively spring pressurizedDelivery pressure is generated by the spring force of the bellows.
Bootstrapping/ Anti-cavitationAccumulator positioned immediately upstream from a pump surges fluid into the pump on startup to prevent cavitation. As system pressure and flow balance, the fluid is returned to the accumulator.
Thermal volume compensationIn a closed-circuit fluid system, the accumulator maintains a steady positive pressure by absorbing the temperature driven expansion and contraction of fluid.
Pulsation absorptionAccumulator placed immediately downstream from a reciprocating pump. Pulsations from the pump are attenuated by surging into the accumulator on the delivery cycle.
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ReservoirsAccumulators
Surge Arresters
ISO9000-2000AS9100-2004A8516
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
Reservoirs Accumulators Surge Arrestors
07/26/07 17:38:27 Page: 1then your final printed piece may have unwanted white edges If your artwork touches the trim box but does not extend to the bleed box,
Flexial Corporation P.O. Box 3105 Cookeville, Tennessee 38501 Ph 931-432-1853 Fx 931-432-1889 rlarsen@flexial.com
1.8 ml .750 OD x .450 ID AM-350 heat treated65 convolutions
VACUUM ACTUATOR Semiconductor wafer clamp OD: .375 ID: .090 EA: .0424 in2 Nesting ripple construction, 28 convolutions Stroke: .450 extension Gas fill: Helium .060-80 threaded hole & .025 thread vent Material: Titanium bellows & ends
INSTRUMENT PRESSURE TRANSDUCER Angioplasty pump, disposable OD: .360 ID: .093 EA: .0404 in2
Nesting ripple construction, 8 convolutions Stroke: .100 Linearity: 7% Hys: 0.5% Drawn cup, crimp skirt mount, dimpled top Material: AM-350 stainless steel heat treated
THERMAL EXPANSION BELLOWS Electro-Optical Tracking System OD: .250 ID: .100 EA: .024 in2 Temperature differential of 165 °F Stroke: .0684 Material: 304L stainless steel
Small bellows 1-02.doc
Flexial’s skills and equipment are well-suited to the production of precision small bellows
any bellows material — any application
ACTUAL SIZE
MINIATURE BELLOWS BELLOWS
ACTUAL SIZE
SHOWN 4x ACTUAL SIZE
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Flexial Corporation • 1483 G
ould Dr. • C
ookeville, TN • U
SA 01.931.432.1853 flexial.com
PRECISION WELDED BELLOWS SUNSHADE
Optical System ShieldingSunshades • Metallic Hermetic Seals
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
Flexial’s extendable bellows sunshade is designed for space compression. Satellites, spacecraft and missiles face the same two problems: weight and space. A sunshade is non-functional bulk that reduces precious spacecraft volume. Flexial has developed a titanium welded bellows sunshade that stows in less than 1/10th its deployed length. Its natural spring force makes it self-deploying. It is custom engineered to any size from 0.25 to 24.0 inches in diameter. It locks permanently and reliably and will resist 10gs lateral load and remain out of the optical LOS. The locking mechanism cup strap will flex, like a tape measure, for stowing in tight spaces. Flexial has considerable experience with this proven technology and now offers a greatly improved titanium version with greater deployed stiffness and higher stowed flexibility.
PRECISION WELDED BELLOWS SUNSHADE
Optical System Shielding
Flexial Corporation is a major U.S. manufacturer of engineered edge welded metal bellows. We are privately owned and managed by our working shareholders and employees. Our bellows engineering experience spans over four decades of American aerospace progress in virtually every major program and ranks with our largest competitors. Our creative knowledge of metallurgy, manufacturing, quality assurance, microscopic welding, heat treating and assembly is demonstrated by several patents and a range of new bellows technologies unique to Flexial.
Flexial Corporation • 1483 Gould Dr. • Cookeville, TN • USA tel: 01.931.432.1853 fax: 01.931.432.1889 www.flexial.com
Bellows Sunshade Advantages
Space CompressionThe stowed sunshade allows positioning the satellite further into the nose when designed on-axis, or tucks clear of the rocket wall when transverse-mounted. The cup straps that lock the sunshade when extended are highly flexible when collapsed to fit very small spaces. They need not be positioned symmetrically to take advantage of available pockets of space.
Compact and lightweightGenerally comparable for weight with a sintered and machined beryllium sunshade and stows to less than 1/10th its extended length. Can free up far in excess of its own volume through clever design.
Self-EnergizingDeploys by its own spring force. The bellows negative spring rate becomes stiffer when deployed than stowed. Can remain stowed for years without metal creep for reliable deployment.
Self-deploys reliably under extreme conditions of temperature, vibration and shockNo sliding or rotating parts or joints, deploys the same as a released spring. Locking cup straps also unfold like released springs to help deployment. Insensitive to vibration, shock or temperature during deployment.
Completely solid, hermetic constructionCan serve secondary role as hermetic cover for optics when stowed. Completely non-porous bellows with leak rate 1x10-10 std cc/sec helium (used in ultrahigh vacuum systems) will hold high vacuum for decades.
No outgassing under all storage conditionsCan be degassed prior to installation as in UHV systems. No elastomerics; will not outgas or contribute any type of contaminant to optical mirrors and sensors.
Convolutions act as light trapsBellows convolutions act as traps or light baffles for light entering the front of the sunshade at high incidence. Bellows sunshades do not require internal coatings to reduce reflectivity.
Highly inert, corrosion resistant, non-toxicHeat treated titanium bellows is resistant to virtually all chemicals and gasses. Unlike beryllium sunshades, titanium is also ultra-low toxicity (used in medical implants). Cup straps are heat treated Inconel 718— extremely high strength and excellent corrosion resistance.
Op
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Fle
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Exoatmospheric DefenseWeather Tracking
Military IntelEarth Mapping
ISO9000-2000AS9100-2004A8516
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
17 ml with Stringpot sensor (not shown), bellows 1.775 OD x 1.350 ID, AM-350 heat treated, 80 convolutions
1.2 Liter with Stringpot sensor, preloaded bellows 3.400 OD x 2.975 ID, AM-350 heat treated 223 convolutions, Int’l Space Station
17 in3 prepressurized, bellows 3.625 OD x 2.562 ID, AM-350 heat treated 30 convolutions, aircraft electronics cooling
96 cubic inch 5.156 OD x 4.156 ID, Inconel 625 50 convolutions Fuel cell system
1.8 ml .750 OD x .450 ID AM-350 heat treated 65 convolutions Miniature bootstrap accumulator for pump
42 ml 1.775 OD x 1.350 ID AM-350 heat treated 80 convolutionsStringpot sensor (not shown) Preloaded bellows Int’l Space Station
ACCUMULATORS
Flexial Corporation P.O. Box 3105 Cookeville, Tennessee 38501 Ph 931-432-1853 Fx 931-432-1889 rlarsen@flexial.com
accumulators 11-01.doc
17 ml with Stringpot sensor (not shown), bellows 1.775 OD x 1.350 ID, AM-350 heat treated, 80 convolutions
Bellows / termination adapters before welding
OD welding of bellows and terminations under microscope
Water storage tank for Node 3 International Space Station 3,841 cubic inch displacement 38 psi proof pressure
1.8 ml .750 OD x .450 ID AM-350 heat treated 65 convolutions Miniature bootstrap accumulator for pump
WELDED BELLOWS: OD: 15.020 in. ID 13.720 in. 164 convolutions, Matl: Alloy: 718 heat treated .006/.008/.010 thick diaphragms bellows stroke: 23.68 in., solid height: 3.37 in.
International Space Station ISS Node 3 water tanks
Flexial Corporation P.O. Box 3105 Cookeville, Tennessee 38501 Ph 931-432-1853 Fax 931-432-1889 rlarsen@flexial.com
Iss node 3 water tanks 7-03.doc
Helium mass spectrometer leak detection
Sen
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lexial Co
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Flexial Corporation • 1483 G
ould Dr. • C
ookeville, TN • U
SA 01.931.432.1853 flexial.com
PRECISION WELDED BELLOWS ASSISTED
Temperature | Pressure
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
Sensors
Flexial utilizes the unique properties of metal edge-welded bellows to provide highly versatile, energy transfer sensing, problem solving components. This is evident by the variety and sheer number of applications in which Flexial’s bellows-assisted sensors are found. Flexial’s sensors fly in military aircraft all over the globe, sensing altitude and pressure for fuel control applications. Flexial’s temperature sensors provide direct control for optical adjustment in precision IR systems for both military and commercial applications. Flexial’s thermal transducers are also used in gas density measurement systems throughout the North American gas market, ensuring accurate metering at all temperatures. Flexial’s gas-filled transducers are used in semiconductor manufacturing processes to provide passive actuation in a vacuum environment. Flexial’s depth gage bellows tell the U.S. nuclear sub fleet the exact operating depth. And Flexial’s bellows are in deep well quartz pressure sensors from the gulf of Mexico to the coast of Norway.
PRECISION WELDED BELLOWS ASSISTED
Flexial Corporation is a major U.S. manufacturer of engineered edge welded metal bellows. We are privately owned and managed by our working shareholders and employees. Our bellows engineering experience spans over four decades of American aerospace progress in virtually every major program and ranks with our largest competitors. Our creative knowledge of metallurgy, manufacturing, quality assurance, microscopic welding, heat treating and assembly is demonstrated by several patents and a range of new bellows technologies unique to Flexial.
Flexial Corporation • 1483 Gould Dr. • Cookeville, TN • USA tel: 01.931.432.1853 fax: 01.931.432.1889 www.flexial.com
Bellows Sensor Functions
Sensor Types
Sen
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Air ControlsFuel Controls
Thermal and MechanicalTransducers
ISO9000-2000AS9100-2004A8516
WELDED BELLOWSWELDED BELLOWS
Pressure Transducers compress with increasing external pressure and expand as the pressure drops. This movement can be used to apply mechanical control force.
Temperature | PressureSensors
Design Considerations
Differential Pressure sensors reference one pressure to another rather than to the atmosphere.
Sudden Pressure Relays, or Rapid Rise Relays, are used to detect sudden surges in pressure.
Aneroid sensors sense pressure changes relative to absolute zero pressure by creating a vacuum on one side of the bellows. Aneroid sensors sense change in barometric pressure to bias or reference a system to absolute pressure, or to sense changes in altitude and introduce corresponding motion and|or force to a system, such as directly operating a valve or opening a parachute.
Gas Filled bellows can make the sensor sensitive to both external pressure and temperature in vastly different applications, including:
Fuel ControlsAir Density ControlsPassive actuation in a vacuum or pressurechamber
Liquid Filled bellows can function in a number of transducer applications, including:
Temperature-Motion transducerTemperature-Force transducerPressure-Motion transducerForce-Pressure transducerMotion-Motion transducerForce-Force transducer
Temperature Transducers: The higher coefficient of expansion of liquids over metals will cause a liquid-filled metal bellows to expand with increasing temperature and contract conversely. This is akin to an alcohol-filled thermometer, but with a bellows we can drive force or motion. The liquid (the equilant) can be confined strictly to the bellows, or for greater motion, additional equilant can be in a near or remote bulb. In temperature-force transducers, force can be appreciable with larger bellows. For temperature-motion transduction, motion can be linear to less than 0.5% of full scale for low force applications. Flexial builds liquid-filled transducers as small as 0.250 in. (6mm) OD.
Pressure Transducers: For pressure transducers, usually two small bellows joined with a capillary tube comprise the liquid-filled system, one the sender, the other the receiver. In pressure-motion transduction, the sender converts pressure of the system that surrounds it to displacement of the equilant through the capillary. Flow of the equilant into the receiver bellows is transduced into motion. An example would be a submarine depth gauge where the sender bellows is in seawater, the capillary passes through the hull and the motion of the receiver bellows moves the linkage on a pressure gauge. In pressure-force transduction, there is almost no motion in either bellows. Pressure on the sender produces force from the receiver.
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