Patent ID: 8182642

Claim:
A method comprising: obtaining a tubular structure comprising an outer layer, an inner layer, a cross-section end, a passageway defined by the inner layer, and a fiber reinforced plastic material; and attaching a flange structure comprising a metal flange clamp ring section and a ring-shaped flange base, wherein the ring-shaped flange base has (i) an inner ring-shaped seat cooperatively structured with respect to the cross-section end of the tubular structure, (ii) a flange face, and (iii) an outer ring-shaped seat, to the tubular structure by placing the cross-section end of the tubular structure in the inner ring-shaped seat, wherein attaching the flange structure to the tubular structure further comprises applying an adhesive to the cross-section end of the tubular structure, applying an adhesive to the inner-ring shaped seat, and seating the cross-section end of the tubular structure into the inner-ring shaped seat, wherein the flange structure and the tubular structure form a flange assembly, wherein the ring-shaped flange base comprises an inner ring portion defining an aperture and an outer flange portion coupled to the inner ring portion, wherein the outer ring-shaped seat of the flange structure extends radially outward away from a center of the aperture, wherein the metal flange clamp ring section is disposed on the outer flange portion of the flange base and forms the outer ring-shaped seat, wherein the inner ring-shaped seat is formed in the ring-shaped flange base and is closer to the aperture than the outer flange portion and the outer ring-shaped seat, and wherein the flange face is disposed opposite the inner ring-shaped seat and comprises a flange face groove.