Crompton Technology Group Limited

Will Pollitt

James William Bernard

Ioannis Giannakopoulos

Andrew Wragg

Daniel O Ursenbach

Ian Thomas Chase

Alexander Douglas Taylor

Dale Faulkner

Daniel Turner-cleaver

Daniel Ursenbach

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.

Composite connectors and methods of manufacturing the same

A filament wound composite fibre reinforced polymer shaft comprising helical wound fibres, the shaft having at least one hole perpendicular to an axis of the shaft; wherein fibre paths of the helical wound fibres divert around the hole. The hole can be used as an attachment point to connect the shaft to other parts, e.g. by means of a pin passed directly through the hole. The amount of metal used in this type of connection can be significantly reduced compared to using metal end fittings, thus greatly reducing cost and weight of the whole system. Fibres are diverted around the hole rather than the hole being cut through the fibres which would reduce the strength of the shaft as a whole. By diverting the fibres around the hole, the fibres retain their load bearing properties and the strength of the shaft is maintained even in the presence of the hole.

Composite shaft

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.

A method of manufacturing a connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: manufacturing a tube which runs parallel to a central axis C from fibre-reinforced polymer, said tube comprising a hub portionand a flange-forming portionlocated adjacent to the hub portion, wherein the hub portioncomprises continuous circumferentially oriented fibre-reinforcement; and the hub portionand the flange-forming portioncomprise longitudinally oriented fibre-reinforcementwhich runs continuously from the hub portioninto the flange-forming portion; and bending the flange-forming portionaway from the central axis C such that it extends from the hub portionat an angle to the central axis C.

A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fiber-reinforced polymer) connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: manufacturing a tubular pre-form which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C, the tubular pre-form comprising continuous circumferentially-oriented fiber reinforcement; manufacturing a continuous fiber pre-form net, the pre-form net comprising a support layer and continuous fiber reinforcement, the continuous fiber reinforcement being secured by being stitched to the support layer; placing the tubular pre-form and the pre-form net together into a mould to form a tubular hub portion from the tubular pre-form and a flange portion from the pre-form net, the flange portion extending from the hub portion at an angle to the central axis C; and introducing polymer into the mould so as to form a composite connector comprising the flange portion and the hub portion.

An apparatus for applying a liquid matrix to a fiber tow includes a belt press arranged to receive the fiber tow and compress it between two moving belts and a matrix application roller arranged to receive liquid matrix and transfer it to the fiber. The apparatus also includes a second matrix application component arranged adjacent to the matrix application roller so as to form a first gap between the component and the matrix application roller. The matrix application roller is positioned adjacent to the belt press so as to form a second gap between the matrix application roller and a belt of the belt press; and wherein the second gap is larger than the first gap.

Fibre coating apparatus

A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between parts of a transmission shaft system comprises a tubular section of continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material which has been modified to form a living hinge section with reduced bending stiffness to allow flexion of the tubular section. The tubular section may be modified through the provision of a pattern of formations within the living hinge section. The formations may be in the form of apertures and/or recesses in the continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material to create a plurality of living hinges in the material between, in particular slots and/or grooves.

Composite flexible coupling

An electrical isolator comprising: a first fluid-carrying member and a second fluid-carrying member spaced apart from said first fluid-carrying member; a resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component located between said first and second fluid-carrying member, wherein said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component is adapted to convey fluid flowing from said first fluid-carrying member to said second fluid-carrying member; wherein said first fluid-carrying member comprises a first annular projection extending radially outwardly, and said second fluid-carrying member comprises a second annular projection extending radially outwardly such that an annular cavity is formed between the first and second annular projections; wherein the electrical isolator further comprises: a layer of circumferentially wound fiber-reinforced polymer in the annular cavity; and a layer of helical wound fiber-reinforced polymer extending over the first annular projection, the annular cavity and the second annular projection.

Electrical isolator

A composite connector assembly includes first and second tubular members, each constructed from fibre-reinforced polymer and each comprising at least one layer of axial or helical fibre and each comprising an end portion with a clamping surface and an overclamp. The overclamp is arranged to at least partially enclose the end portions of the first and second tubular members and to apply a clamping force to the clamping surfaces so as to connect and hold the first and second tubular members together. In each end portion, the at least one layer of axial or helical fibre is diverted radially outwards. Each end portion may have a fibre redirecting member formed underneath the axial or helical fibre which serves to divert the axial or helical fibre radially outwards.

Composite tube connector assembly

A strut comprises a composite cylinder with a mid-strut fitting mounted on an interface region on a mid-portion of said cylinder. At least in the interface region, layers of helical-filaments are displaced radially-outward and even inclined with respect to an axis of the cylinder such that they may follow a path with a radial component. A mid-strut fitting is provided which has a plurality of teeth on an inner circumferential surface. The plurality of teeth engage the helical-filaments in the interface region to provide a mechanical connection. Portions of surface and intermediate layers of the helical-filaments may be removed to expose ends of those filaments in the interface region before mounting the mid-strut fitting on the cylinder.

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Kenilworth, United Kingdom

Will Pollitt