Composite connectors and methods of manufacturing the same
AssigneeCrompton Technology Group Limited
InventorsIoannis GIANNAKOPOULOS, Will POLLITT, James BERNARD, Alexander D. TAYLOR, Daniel O. URSENBACH
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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.
Claims15
A method of manufacturing a composite connector for a fluid transfer conduit, the method comprising:
- manufacturing a tubular hub portion which extends substantially parallel to a central axis, 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.
A composite connector 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 thermoplastic 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.