Abstract: A fibre-reinforced polymer composite shaft for transmitting loads along a central axis is provided. The composite shaft comprises a first interface surface extending along the central axis and comprising at least one helical groove and/or a plurality of circumferential grooves for engaging with at least one corresponding helical ridge and/or a plurality of corresponding circumferential ridges of a second interface surface of an end fitting. The at least one helical groove and/or the plurality of circumferential grooves comprises at least one flank with a flank angle of between 32° and 51°. In such an assembly, a preload structure is arranged to provide a radial biasing force to bias the first interference surface against the second interference surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite beam structure having: an end piece, an end piece outer periphery surface, and an end piece mating end defining an end piece axial boundary, the end piece includes wedge-shaped inner locking features that are formed to project outwardly from the end piece outer periphery surface at the end piece mating end and are spaced apart from one another in the hoop direction; and a composite tube configured to surround at least a portion of the end piece mating end to form a beam joint, wedge-shaped imprints are formed through the composite tube, corresponding to the wedge-shaped inner locking features, the wedge-shaped imprints define respective composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces about a composite tube inner periphery and composite tube wedge-shaped boss surfaces about a composite tube outer periphery, and the wedge-shaped inner locking features of the end piece are covered by the composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces.

Abstract: A composite transmission shaft includes a shaft portion, and a flanged end fitting. The flanged end fitting comprises a flared sleeve comprising a tubular portion and a flared portion, and a reinforcement portion fixed to the flared portion of the sleeve. The flanged end fitting and shaft portion have been resin transfer moulded together to form the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fiber-reinforced polymer) connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: manufacturing a tubular pre-form which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C, the tubular pre-form comprising continuous circumferentially-oriented fiber reinforcement; manufacturing a continuous fiber pre-form net, the pre-form net comprising a support layer and continuous fiber reinforcement, the continuous fiber reinforcement being secured by being stitched to the support layer; placing the tubular pre-form and the pre-form net together into a mould to form a tubular hub portion from the tubular pre-form and a flange portion from the pre-form net, the flange portion extending from the hub portion at an angle to the central axis C; and introducing polymer into the mould so as to form a composite connector comprising the flange portion and the hub portion.

Abstract: A composite shaft with an end fitting mounted on an interface region on at least one end of said shaft, and a preload structure arranged to provide a biasing force to bias the composite shaft against the end fitting; wherein the preload structure is in an interference fit with the composite shaft. The preload structure is applied to the composite shaft in a subsequent operation to the mounting of the end fitting to the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid matrix to a fiber tow includes a belt press arranged to receive the fiber tow and compress it between two moving belts and a matrix application roller arranged to receive liquid matrix and transfer it to the fiber. The apparatus also includes a second matrix application component arranged adjacent to the matrix application roller so as to form a first gap between the component and the matrix application roller. The matrix application roller is positioned adjacent to the belt press so as to form a second gap between the matrix application roller and a belt of the belt press; and wherein the second gap is larger than the first gap.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer composite pipe includes first and second ends and defines a central axis running in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, and the pipe including at least one non-linear portion along the central axis between the first end and the second end. A first material extends continuously from the first end to the second end, the first material being a fiber reinforced polymer material comprising fiber reinforcement in a polymer matrix and having an electrical resistivity determined by an electrically conductive fiber reinforcement and/or an electrically conductive additive in the polymer matrix; and a second material arranged at the at least one non-linear portion and extending discontinuously between the first end and the second end, and has an elastic modulus greater than the elastic modulus of the first material in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite connector for a fluid transfer conduit is provided which comprises applying continuous fibre reinforcement, oriented at least partially circumferentially and pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer to a tubular mould portion which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C; applying at least one further mould portion to form a complete mould in which the continuous fibre reinforcement is enclosed and injecting a thermoplastic polymer into the mould to form a connector with a tubular hub portion and a flange portion which extends from the hub portion at an angle to the central axis C. The tubular hub portion comprises a tubular seal section with an inner layer and an outer wherein the inner layer comprises the continuous fibre reinforcement and the outer layer comprises the injected thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between parts of a transmission shaft system comprises a tubular section of continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material which has been modified to form a living hinge section with reduced bending stiffness to allow flexion of the tubular section. The tubular section may be modified through the provision of a pattern of formations within the living hinge section. The formations may be in the form of apertures and/or recesses in the continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material to create a plurality of living hinges in the material between, in particular slots and/or grooves.

Abstract: There is described an electrical isolator comprising a first fluid-carrying member and a second fluid-carrying member spaced apart from said first fluid-carrying member, a resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component located between and sealed against said first and second fluid-carrying member, wherein said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component is adapted to convey fluid flowing from said first fluid-carrying member to said second fluid-carrying member, a reinforcing composite encircling said first fluid-carrying member, said second fluid-carrying member and said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component, wherein said reinforcing composite is continuous and provides a conductive path between said first fluid-carrying member and said second fluid-carrying member, wherein said reinforcing composite comprises fibre and a resin mixture, and said resin mixture comprises resin and a conductive additive.

Abstract: A composite tubular structure includes an elongate composite member having an inwardly tapered section at an end and an embedded nut retained in the end inwardly tapered section for forming a connection with another component. The inwardly tapered section has an inner surface which follows a tapered outer surface of the embedded nut, the inwardly tapered section narrowing the composite member in a longitudinal direction towards the end so as to provide a constriction which retains the embedded nut within the inwardly tapered section. The embedded nut comprises a multipart nut, comprising an internal nut and an internal support member, and wherein the internal nut is arranged to slide within the internal support member in a direction away from the end of, and into, the elongate composite member when the composite tubular structure is under conditions of excessive axial compressive load.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid matrix to a fiber tow includes a belt press arranged to receive the fiber tow and compress it between two moving belts and a matrix application roller arranged to receive liquid matrix and transfer it to the fiber. The apparatus also includes a second matrix application component arranged adjacent to the matrix application roller so as to form a first gap between the component and the matrix application roller. The matrix application roller is positioned adjacent to the belt press so as to form a second gap between the matrix application roller and a belt of the belt press; and wherein the second gap is larger than the first gap.

Abstract: A composite tapered tubular assembly includes a composite tapered tube extending between a first end and a second end and tapered so as to have a smaller radius R1 at the first end than a radius R2 at the second end. The assembly also includes a first internal annular wedge that is in contact with an inner surface of the tube at said first end and a first external annular wedge in contact with the outer surface of the tube at said first end. The assembly further includes a first nut provided at said first end that is configured to be connected to said first internal wedge and a second external annular wedge provided on an outer surface of the tube and a second internal annular wedge in contact with the inner surface of said composite tube at said second end, and a second nut connected to an internal surface.

Abstract: A composite shaft with an end fitting mounted on one end of said shaft and a preload structure arranged to provide a biasing force to bias the composite shaft against the end fitting. The end fitting has a first interface surface, the first interface surface being tapered at an angle to the shaft axis and the shaft has a second interface surface for engagement with the first interface surface and is tapered at an angle to the shaft axis, the second interface surface extending axially from a first end to a second end, the shaft being thicker at the second end than at the first end. The shaft has a third interface surface and the preload structure has a fourth interface surface and the contact pressure of the third interface against the fourth interface increases from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft.

Abstract: A composite transmission shaft includes a shaft portion, and a flanged end fitting. The flanged end fitting comprises a flared sleeve comprising a tubular portion and a flared portion, and a reinforcement portion fixed to the flared portion of the sleeve. The flanged end fitting and shaft portion have been resin transfer moulded together to form the transmission shaft.

Abstract: An electrical isolator comprising: a first fluid-carrying member and a second fluid-carrying member spaced apart from said first fluid-carrying member; a resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component located between said first and second fluid-carrying member, wherein said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component is adapted to convey fluid flowing from said first fluid-carrying member to said second fluid-carrying member; wherein said first fluid-carrying member comprises a first annular projection extending radially outwardly, and said second fluid-carrying member comprises a second annular projection extending radially outwardly such that an annular cavity is formed between the first and second annular projections; wherein the electrical isolator further comprises: a layer of circumferentially wound fiber-reinforced polymer in the annular cavity; and a layer of helical wound fiber-reinforced polymer extending over the first annular projection, the annular cavity and the second annular

Abstract: A tubular structure is described herein comprising an elongate tubular member extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular member comprises an inwardly tapered portion adjacent said first end, the inwardly tapered portion narrowing the tubular member in a longitudinal direction towards said first end. A nut is also provided internally of said tubular member at said inwardly tapered portion, said nut having an outer surface that is in contact an inner surface of said tubular member. An annular member is also provided externally of said tubular member at said inwardly tapered portion, said annular member having an inner surface that is in contact with said outer surface of said tapered portion. The inner surface of said tubular member at said inwardly tapered portion is tapered so as to extend at an angle that compliments an angle of the outer surface of said nut.

Abstract: A composite connector assembly includes first and second tubular members, each constructed from fibre-reinforced polymer and each comprising at least one layer of axial or helical fibre and each comprising an end portion with a clamping surface and an overclamp. The overclamp is arranged to at least partially enclose the end portions of the first and second tubular members and to apply a clamping force to the clamping surfaces so as to connect and hold the first and second tubular members together. In each end portion, the at least one layer of axial or helical fibre is diverted radially outwards. Each end portion may have a fibre redirecting member formed underneath the axial or helical fibre which serves to divert the axial or helical fibre radially outwards.

Abstract: An electrical isolator comprising: a first fluid-carrying member and a second fluid-carrying member spaced apart from said first fluid-carrying member; wherein said first fluid-carrying member has a first toothed surface and said second fluid-carrying member has a second toothed surface; wherein the electrical isolator further comprises: a fibre-reinforced polymer tube that overlaps both the first fluid-carrying member and the second fluid-carrying member and which contacts the first toothed surface in a first interface region of the fibre-reinforced polymer tube and which contacts the second toothed surface in a second interface region of the fibre-reinforced polymer tube; and a compression fitting arranged to bias the first interface region and the first toothed surface together.

Abstract: A fibre-reinforced polymer component is provided which comprises a main portion comprising fibre-reinforced polymer and at least one surface and at least one raised feature extending from said surface. The at least one raised feature consists of non-reinforced polymer and is shaped to incur visually perceptible damage when the component is subject to an impact with an energy above a predetermined impact energy threshold and to resist an impact with an energy below the predetermined impact energy threshold. The at least one raised feature thus provides a clear visual aid as to when a component has experienced an impact with an energy above the impact energy threshold. Because the raised feature consists of polymer without fibre reinforcement, it is more fragile than the fibre-reinforced polymer main portion 204 and thus reduces the energy at which impacts may be detected.