Abstract: An assembly having a cylindrical structure supported by a support structure having at least one support element, the support structure being cradle shaped, such that vertical and horizontal loads are taken largely as shear forces by respective interface surfaces which are substantially parallel to the direction of the respective load, and vertical loads are taken in a direction substantially tangential to the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical structure.

Abstract: An assembly having a cylindrical structure supported by a support structure having at least one support element, the support structure being cradle shaped, such that vertical and horizontal loads are taken largely as shear forces by respective interface surfaces which are substantially parallel to the direction of the respective load, and vertical loads are taken in a direction substantially tangential to the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid impermeable rigid composite pipe (10) or hollow tube comprising the steps of:—a. providing a supporting mandrel (15) that is shaped to define a bore of the pipe (10); b. laying onto the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel (10) one or more first tapes (11) made of a thermoplastic material thereby to create a first region (11) that is predominantly thermoplastic material adjacent the bore of the pipe (10); c. providing a plurality of tows (14) that comprise co-mingled reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic filaments; d. weaving a plurality of the tows (14) to form one or more circular braids (13) and laying down the one or more of the circular braids (13) on to the first layer (11): to form a second region (12); e. applying to the outer surface of the second region (12) a heat-shrinkable layer (13); f.

Abstract: A torque shaft (20) comprising a hollow tube (22) provided with an end fitting (24, 26) at each end of a tube is made of a thermoplastic polymer matrix with reinforcing fibres embedded in the matrix, The tube (22) and end fittings (24, 26) are connected by mutually complementally shaped plugs (23) and sockets (27) that are dimensioned and positioned relative to each other to form an interference fit between the tube (22) and said plug (23) or socket (27).

Abstract: A method is disclosed of manufacture of a component (9) with an internal groove (2,3) comprising: providing a tubular first part (1) with an external groove, bonding or forming a second part (8) on the first part to at least partly cover the external groove, and removing material from the first part to open the external groove to an interior cavity of the component.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid impermeable rigid composite pipe (10) or hollow tube comprising the steps of:—a. providing a supporting mandrel (15) that is shaped to define a bore of the pipe (10); b. laying onto the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel (10) one or more first tapes (11) made of a thermoplastic material thereby to create a first region (11) that is predominantly thermoplastic material adjacent the bore of the pipe (10); c. providing a plurality of tows (14) that comprise co-mingled reinforcing fibres and thermoplastic filaments; d. weaving a plurality of the tows (14) to form one or more circular braids (13) and laying down the one or more of the circular braids (13) on to the first layer (11): to form a second region (12); e. applying to the outer surface of the second region (12) a heat-shrinkable layer (13); f.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of manufacture of a component (9) with an internal groove (2,3) comprising: providing a tubular first part (1) with an external groove, bonding or forming a second part (8) on the first part to at least partly cover the external groove, and removing material from the first part to open the external groove to an interior cavity of the component.