Patent ID: 11859739
Assignee: CROMPTON TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  B | IPC B  F

Claim 0:
1. A connection system comprising a composite connector and fiber-reinforced polymer fluid transfer conduit, the composite connector 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 polymer reinforced with continuous circumferentially-oriented fiber reinforcement;
wherein the flange portion comprises the same polymer reinforced with continuous fiber reinforcement and a support layer to which the continuous fiber reinforcement is secured by being stitched thereto;
wherein the flange portion comprises at least one fixing point for securing the composite connector to another structure, and the continuous fiber reinforcement at least partially encircles the at least one fixing point;
wherein the fluid transfer conduit is connected to the hub portion; and
wherein the composition and orientation of the continuous fiber reinforcement at least within the hub portion is selected such that the coefficient of thermal expansion and/or the stiffness of the hub portion substantially matches that of the fluid transfer conduit;
the connection system further comprising an elastomeric O-ring positioned between an outer surface of the fluid transfer conduit and an inner surface of the hub portion.