Pinned Composite Pipe End-Fitting

A composite pipe end fitting comprising a composite pipe termination, the composite pipe termination comprising:

• a composite pipe having a composite pipe wall thickness and a cut end;
• an annular part of composite material attached around the outside of the composite pipe at the cut end, the annular part having a radial thickness which tapers towards the composite pipe in the direction along the composite pipe away from the cut end to provide an exterior surface having a tapered portion;
• pinning means comprising one or more pins which extend through the annular part and partially through the composite pipe wall thickness to further attach the annular part to the composite pipe;
• the composite pipe end fitting additionally comprising
• an annular metal sleeve having an interior surface which mates with the exterior surface of the annular part including the tapered portion and having an annular extension portion, which extends beyond the cut end;
• a transition piece for interfacing with a metal pipe, the transition piece having a conduit therethrough to allow fluid communication between the transition piece and the composite pipe and between the transition piece and any connected metal pipe;
• and
• locking means for locking the transition piece into sealing engagement with the annular extension portion.

A method of providing a composite pipe end fitting, comprising:

• providing a composite pipe having a composite pipe wall thickness;
• cutting the composite pipe to a desired length to expose a cut end;
• attaching additional composite material in the form of an annular part around the outside of the composite pipe at the cut end;
• tapering a radial thickness of the annular part towards the composite pipe in a direction along the composite pipe away from the cut end to provide an exterior surface having a tapered portion;
• providing one or more bores, the bore or each bore extending through the annular part and partially through the composite pipe wall thickness
• providing pinning means comprising a close-fitting pin corresponding to the bore or each bore;
• further attaching the annular part to the composite pipe by introducing a close-fitting pin into the bore or each bore;
• providing an annular metal sleeve having an interior surface configured to mate with the exterior surface of the annular part including the tapered portion and having an annular extension portion, configured to extend beyond the cut end;
• forcing the annular part into the annular metal sleeve to generate a high axial and radial pre-load between the annular part and the annular metal sleeve;
• providing a transition piece for interfacing with a metal pipe and locking means for locking the transition piece to the annular extension portion, the transition piece having a conduit therethrough to allow fluid communication between the transition piece and the composite pipe and between the transition piece and any connected metal pipe;
• and
• locking the transition piece into sealing engagement with the annular extension portion using the locking means.