Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fibre-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 fibre reinforcement; manufacturing a continuous fibre pre-form net, the pre-form net comprising a support layer and continuous fibre reinforcement, the continuous fibre 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 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 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; 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 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; 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 connector assembly includes a connector for connecting a hollow composite shaft that has been manufactured to comprise an inwardly tapered portion towards one end of the hollow composite shaft to a collar includes an insert, a collar and a tensioner. The insert is received in the tapered portion of the hollow composite shaft such that the inner surface of the tapered portion of the hollow composite shaft in use will engage with the outer tapered surface of the insert and collar includes an inner tapered surface and being sized to fit over the insert and the tapered portion of the hollow composite shaft. The tensioner is arranged, in use, to axially force the collar and the insert in opposite directions so as to exert a clamping force onto the tapered portion of the hollow composite shaft. A method of forming the assembly is also included.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fibre-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 fibre reinforcement; manufacturing a continuous fibre pre-form net, the pre-form net comprising a support layer and continuous fibre reinforcement, the continuous fibre 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 method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fibre-reinforced polymer) connector comprises: manufacturing a tubular hub portion which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C, the hub portion comprising a thermoplastic polymer reinforced with continuous, circumferentially-oriented fibre reinforcement; placing the hub portion into a mould featuring at least one cavity; and introducing polymer into the mould so as to fill the at least one cavity to form a flange portion around the hub portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: providing a first mould section comprising a hub-moulding portion which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C and a flange-moulding portion which extends from the hub-moulding portion at an angle to the central axis C; introducing fiber-reinforcement to the first mould section such that continuous circumferentially-oriented fiber-reinforcement lies in the hub-moulding portion, and continuous longitudinally-oriented fiber reinforcement extends from the hub-moulding portion into the flange-moulding portion; applying a second mould section over the first mould section to form a complete mould in which the fiber-reinforcement is confined; and introducing a polymer to the complete mould such that it permeates through the fiber-reinforcement to form a fiber-reinforced polymer connector; and extracting the connector from the mould.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composite material comprising: a composite substrate comprising a polymeric matrix with fibre reinforcement. A surface of the composite substrate is coated with a conductive layer comprising conductive particles, preferably dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The composite substrate and the conductive layer are bonded together via polymeric crosslinking.

Abstract: A strut comprises a composite cylinder with a mid-strut fitting mounted on an interface region on a mid-portion of said cylinder. At least in the interface region, layers of helical-filaments are displaced radially-outward and even inclined with respect to an axis of the cylinder such that they may follow a path with a radial component. A mid-strut fitting is provided which has a plurality of teeth on an inner circumferential surface. The plurality of teeth engage the helical-filaments in the interface region to provide a mechanical connection. Portions of surface and intermediate layers of the helical-filaments may be removed to expose ends of those filaments in the interface region before mounting the mid-strut fitting on the cylinder.

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 strut comprises a composite cylinder with a mid-strut fitting mounted on an interface region on a mid-portion of said cylinder. At least in the interface region, layers of helical-filaments are displaced radially-outward and even inclined with respect to an axis of the cylinder such that they may follow a path with a radial component. A mid-strut fitting is provided which has a plurality of teeth on an inner circumferential surface. The plurality of teeth engage the helical-filaments in the interface region to provide a mechanical connection. Portions of surface and intermediate layers of the helical-filaments may be removed to expose ends of those filaments in the interface region before mounting the mid-strut fitting on the cylinder.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes composite actuator piston rods and methods for making such rods. Composite actuator piston rods of the present disclosure may include a composite actuator rod tube having a flared end, an insert, wherein the insert has a complementary shape to the flared end, a piston head concentrically surrounding the flared end of the composite actuator rod tube, and a piston head nut configured to threadingly attach to the piston head.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes composite actuator piston rods and methods for making such rods. Composite actuator piston rods of the present disclosure may include a composite actuator rod tube having a flared end, an insert, wherein the insert has a complementary shape to the flared end, a piston head concentrically surrounding the flared end of the composite actuator rod tube, and a piston head nut configured to threadingly attach to the piston head.

Abstract: A method of connecting a hollow composite shaft to a collar is provided. The method comprises providing a hollow composite shaft with a tapered portion towards one end, inserting an insert into the tapered portion of the hollow composite shaft by passing the insert through the hollow composite shaft from the end of the hollow shaft which is distal to the tapered portion of the hollow composite shaft, fitting a collar over the insert and tapered portion of the hollow composite shaft, and axially forcing the collar and the insert in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composite material comprising: a composite substrate comprising a polymeric matrix with fibre reinforcement. A surface of the composite substrate is coated with a conductive layer comprising conductive particles, preferably dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The composite substrate and the conductive layer are bonded together via polymeric crosslinking.