# US 2015/0144221 A1 · Composite Tube

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- Number: US 2015/0144221 A1
- Document ID: US20150144221A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/414,311
- Filed: 2013-07-15
- Published: 2015-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2012-07-13
- Assignees: Crompton Technology Group Limited
- Applicants: Crompton Technology Group Limited
- Inventors: Timothy John Doole; Darcy John O'gara; Paul Anthony Lewis; Michael John Dewhirst
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150144221A1

## CPC

- F16L 9/12: of plastics with or without reinforcement (F16L9/16 - F16L9/22 take precedence)
- B29C 65/483: {Reactive adhesives, e.g. chemically curing adhesives}
- B29C 65/542: {by injection}
- B29C 66/1222: {comprising at least a lapped joint-segment}
- B29C 66/1224: {comprising at least a butt joint-segment}
- B29C 66/5344: {said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends (B29C66/5346 takes precedence)}
- B29C 66/612: {Making circumferential joints}
- B29C 66/721: {Fibre-reinforced materials (B29C66/729 takes precedence)}
- B29C 66/742: {to metals or their alloys}
- B32B 37/1292: {selectively, e.g. in stripes, in patterns (B32B37/0076 takes precedence)}
- B32B 37/142: {Laminating of sheets, panels or inserts, e.g. stiffeners, by wrapping in at least one outer layer, or inserting into a preformed pocket}
- F16L 9/125: {electrically conducting}
- F16L 13/103: {Adhesive joints}
- F16L 13/11: using materials which fill the space between parts of a joint before hardening
- F16L 13/116: {for socket pipes}
- F16L 25/01: specially adapted for realising electrical conduction between the two pipe ends of the joint or between parts thereof
- F16L 47/24: for joints between metal and plastics pipes
- B29C 66/7212: {characterised by the composition of the fibres}
- B29C 66/73112: {of different thermal expansion coefficient, i.e. the thermal expansion coefficient of one of the parts to be joined being different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the other part}
- B29C 66/7422: {Aluminium or alloys of aluminium}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

## Abstract

A composite tube comprises a first tube section 100 and a second tube section, at least one of which is of fibre reinforced composite form, a mating interface being provided on each of the first and second tube sections, each of the respective mating interfaces having an interfering portion to create an interference fit between the first and second tube sections when the composite tube is assembled, each of the mating interfaces being configured with a recess the recesses being alignable with one another, during assembly, to define a combined recess when the composite tube is assembled, into which a hardened settable compound can be disposed during assembly to form an internal locking element that assists the interference fit by mechanically securing together the first and second tube sections.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composite tube comprising a first tube section and a second tube section, at least one of the tube sections being of fibre reinforced composite form, a mating interface being provided on each of the first and second tube sections, each of the respective mating interfaces having an interfering portion to create an interference fit between the first and second tube sections when the composite tube is assembled, each of the mating interfaces being configured with a recess, the recesses being alignable with one another, during assembly, to define a combined recess when the composite tube is assembled, into which a settable compound can be disposed during assembly to form an internal locking element that assists the interference fit by mechanically securing together the first and second tube sections.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein the settable compound is an adhesive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein each interfering portion is circumferential, and extends substantially parallel to the axis of its respective tube section.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein the interference fit and/or the settable compound is arranged to provide a fluid seal between the first and second tube sections.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A composite tube of according to claim 4, wherein the recess of each mating interface extends continuously around the circumference of each mating interface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A composite tube according to claim 5, wherein the combined recess is of substantially circular cross-section.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A composite tube according to claim 5, wherein the combined recess is of substantially dog-bone shaped profile.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein at least one mating surface is provided with a chamfer to assist in assembling the first and second tube sections.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, where at least one of the first and second tube portions has a stop feature that defines a maximum extent of axial engagement between the first and second tube sections.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein the second tube section has an electrical resistance within a predetermined range.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A composite tube according to claim 10, wherein the fibres of the second tube section are non-conducting, and the second tube section comprises a predetermined amount of a conductive additive distributed therein.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A composite tube according to claim 11, wherein the conductive additive is carbon black.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein a hole is provided in the first and/or second section for fluid communication with the recess of the assembled tube.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein the first tube section is of metallic form and the second tube section is of fibre reinforced composite form.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A composite tube according to claim 1, wherein the first tube section is of polymeric or fibre reinforced composite material form and the second tube section is of fibre reinforced composite form.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

A method of forming the composite tube of claim 13, comprising assembling the first and second tube sections, and subsequently injecting the settable compound into the recess via the hole.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

A method of forming the composite tube of claim 1, comprising assembling the first and second tube sections with a settable compound disposed on at least one mating interface thereof, thereby providing lubrication of the mating interfaces and at least partly filling the recess during assembly, and wherein during assembly the settable compound is displaced into the recess to fill the recess.