Expansion Joint Configurations
In-Line Ball Joint Bellows
An in-line ball joint bellows combines a sealed bellows element with a ball-and-socket housing, giving multi-directional rotational movement at one compact point in the line — an alternative to a gimbal joint where space is tighter.
Representative example — real Uma Bellows universal expansion joint:
How it works
The ball-and-socket carries the mechanical rotation and structural load; the bellows inside maintains the pressure seal across that rotating interface. It's a compact way to get gimbal-like multi-plane movement without the length a gimbal ring assembly needs.
- Multi-directional rotation at a single, compact point
- Ball-and-socket housing carries mechanical/structural load
- Bellows inside maintains the pressure seal through rotation
- More compact than an equivalent gimbal expansion joint
Related: Gimbal Expansion Joint · Swivel Expansion Joint · Expansion Joints
Request a Quote