Abstract: A method of forming a joint between a first component and a second component, the first component comprising a plurality of layers of fibers impregnated with a thermosetting matrix. A welding interface element is provided with an array of pointed prongs. One or more of the layers of fibers are penetrated with the prongs, either before or after the fibers have been impregnated with the thermosetting matrix. The first component is cured by heating the thermosetting matrix after the prongs have been embedded. A thermoplastic weld is formed between the second component and the welding interface element.

Abstract: A structure comprising a cured composite part formed from a series of plies of fibre-reinforced composite material; a doubler plate attached to the composite part by an array of pointed prongs which partially penetrate the composite part; and a hole passing through the doubler plate and the composite part. An interface plate carries the array of prongs on a first side and is attached to the doubler plate on a second side.

Abstract: A wing structure is provided, wherein the wing structure comprises; an upper covering, a lower covering, and a spar, the spar comprising; a spar web, an upper spar cap attached to the upper covering, and a lower spar cap attached to the lower covering, the wing structure also comprising a face spaced apart from the spar web extending between the upper and lower spar caps. The wing structure is arranged to contain fuel in a fuel containment area between the upper and lower coverings on one side of the spar web. The upper and lower spar caps extend from the spar web only on the other side of the spar web to the fuel containment area.

Abstract: A method of forming a joint between a first component and a second component, the first component comprising a plurality of layers of fibres impregnated with a thermosetting matrix. A welding interface element is provided with an array of pointed prongs. One or more of the layers of fibres are penetrated with the prongs, either before or after the fibres have been impregnated with the thermosetting matrix. The first component is cured by heating the thermosetting matrix after the prongs have been embedded. A thermoplastic weld is formed between the second component and the welding interface element.

Abstract: An adjustable shim comprises a stack of plies comprising plastics material reinforced with a three-dimensional fibre layer, the plastics material being flowable under compressive force prior to cure for adjusting the thickness of the shim. The shim may be used to fill a void between two structural components joined together. Also, a method of filling a void between two structural components using the shim. The shim is easy to handle, can easily be laid up to a variety of thicknesses, and is quick to cure (depending on the plastics material used). The three-dimensional fibre layers make the shim highly compressible prior to cure, and provide significant reinforcement to the plastics material of the plies to support compressive stresses in the shim post cure.

Abstract: A telescopic strut comprises a plurality of hollow members arranged to slide one within another between a retracted and an extended position. Adjacent hollow members are arranged to be electrically connected by one or more electrical connector assemblies as the hollow members move between the retracted and extended positions. Each electrical connector assembly includes an electrically conductive pad on one of the hollow members which is in sliding contact with an electrically conductive strip on the other of the hollow members. The telescopic strut may be used to electrically connect a moveable control surface to a fixed aerofoil structure in an aircraft.