Patent ID: 7488010

Claim:
A system comprising: a first flange assembly comprising (i) a first tubular structure comprising a passageway and comprising a fiber reinforced plastic material, (ii) a first flange structure coupled to the first tubular structure, and (iii) a first attachment element comprising an adhesive between the first flange structure and the first tubular structure; a second flange assembly comprising (i) a second tubular structure comprising a passageway and comprising a fiber reinforced plastic material, (ii) a second flange structure coupled to the second tubular structure, and (iii) a second attachment element between the second flange structure and the second tubular structure; and a retaining ring structure disposed between the first flange structure and the second flange structure; wherein the first flange structure comprises a first monolithic flange base comprising a first monolithic flange base inner ring portion and a first monolithic flange base outer flange portion that extends radially outward from the first monolithic flange base inner ring portion, and a first metal flange clamp ring that is positioned around the first monolithic flange base inner ring portion; and wherein the second flange structure comprises a second monolithic flange base, further wherein the first flange structure has a first inner seat and a first outer seat and wherein the second flange structure has a second inner seat and a second outer seat, wherein a first end of the first tubular structure is disposed in the first inner seat and a second end of the second tubular structure is disposed in the second inner seat, and wherein the system further comprises a plurality of clamps, wherein each clamp has a first end that is in the first outer seat of the first flange structure and a second end that is in the second outer seat of the second flange structure, and further wherein the first metal flange clamp ring defines the first outer seat and the first monolithic flange base defines the first inner seat.