Crompton Technology Group Limited

Michael James Dewhirst

Ian Thomas Chase

Paul Anthony Lewis

Roger Davidson

A composite material torque disc which comprises a support layer, and a reinforcing fiber secured to the support layer, the support layer being embedded within a polymer matrix material.

Torque disc

A load transmitting connectorfor composite tubeand a method of attachment of said connectorto the tube, the connectorcomprising a screw threaded nuthaving an outer surfaceshaped to receive the composite, an annular collar, a screw threaded end fittingfor engaging the screw thread within the nut, and a load means, wherein the nutis incorporated within said one end of the tube during tube manufacture, the tubebeing cured with the nutin situ, the annular collaris placed over said one end of the tube, the end fittingis screwed into the nut, and the load meansin use axially moving the end-fittingrelative to the collarto exert a clamping load on the composite tube.

Connector for a tubular composite shaft

A method and apparatus for forming at least one external annular flange (or) adjacent one end of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic tube () in which the tube () is mounted on a mandrel () and a first end portion of the tube is clamped in a collar () having at least one internal annular cavity (or) for forming a flange, a second end portion of the tube in the region (R, R) of the cavity is heated to soften the thermoplastic, and an axial load (L) is applied to the end of the tube by a piston () causing the softened tube to flow into the cavity () in the collar () to form a flange on the tube.

Forming the end portions of fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite tubes

A fiber reinforced composite shaft bearing a metallic flanged end coupling attached to the outside diameter through a concentric cylindrical torsional joint is provided. The composite shaft is press fitted into a flanged metallic end coupling including a multiplicity of teeth running parallel to the tube axis which cut longitudinal channels into the outside diameter of the composite shaft wall during the press fit process. Pairs of inverted troughs adjacent to and running parallel to the cutting teeth in the serrated region allow space for the redistribution of the composite material and debris formed during the press fitting process. This combined action forms a mechanical interface capable of supporting torsional and axial stresses. A structural adhesive may be applied to the joint region to form a secondary joint. In this case the composite formed between the cutting debris and the adhesive fills the trough channels.

Transmission shaft joint design

A fiber reinforced composite shaft bearing a metallic flanged end coupling (Fl) attached to the outside diameter through a concentric cylindrical torsional joint, comprising: The joint may be strengthened by internally reinforcing the main shaft with an interference fit tubular plug (Pg) and protected from environmental degradation by inboard secondary adhesive bond (Ad).

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Stratford upon Avon, United Kingdom

Michael James Dewhirst