ABSTRACT
Corrugated diaphragms, depending on the ingenuity of the designer, may be designed to perform many functions, linear or nonlinear. They can be made to travel greater distances than flat diaphragms and, with proper tooling, can be produced easily and economically. Varying the depth of corrugation along the radius of the diaphragm is analogous to varying the thickness along the radius of a flat diaphragm. The stress is kept more constant along the radius and deflection capability of the bellows is increased. Corrugated bellows are stiffer than flat bellows but can be used for longer travels. Also because of the corrugations they will withstand higher pressures. Corrugated bellows cannot be rolled or hydroformed as every element must be formed individually and then welded in series with other elements to form a bellows. Corrugated bellows are known in the trade as "rippled" bellows. Some are designed so that the bellows elements will nest with the application of external overload.
