Composite connectors and methods of manufacturing the same
AssigneeCrompton Technology Group Limited
InventorWill POLLITT
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fibre-reinforced polymer) connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: providing a tubular mandrel which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C; winding continuous fibre reinforcement, impregnated with a thermosetting polymer, around the mandrel to form a tubular hub portion which extends substantially parallel to the central axis C; curing the hub portion; 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.
Claims14
A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fibre-reinforced polymer) connector for a fluid transfer conduit, the method comprising:
- providing a tubular mandrel which extends substantially parallel to a central axis;
- winding continuous fibre reinforcement, impregnated with a thermosetting polymer, around the mandrel to form a tubular hub portion which extends substantially parallel to the central axis;
- curing the hub portion;
- 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.
A composite connector formed of a fibre-reinforced polymer for a fluid transfer conduit comprising:
- a hub portion comprising a tube which extends substantially parallel to a central axis;
- and
- a flange portion which extends from the hub portion at an angle to the central axis;
- wherein the hub portion comprises a thermosetting polymer reinforced with continuous circumferentially-oriented fibre reinforcement;
- and
- wherein the flange portion comprises a polymer that is moulded onto the hub portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.