Device for connecting the ends of a composite tube subjected to severe axial stress with metallic collars and manufacturing process therefor

• US 5,082,314 A
• Filed: 10/10/1989
• Issued: 01/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
• Original Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
• Inventors: Mauduit, Daniel A., Aubry, Jacques A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/419,240
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 285/174, 285/238, 285/234, 285/415, 285/423
• US Class Current: 285/148.13
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0082 Mechanical anchoring B29C66/303 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/12 using bags surrounding the moulding material or using membranes contacting the moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/44 using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/86 Incorporated in coherent impregnated reinforcing layers, e.g. by winding
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/06 containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/22 Tubes or pipes, i.e. rigid bent tubes not for use as pipe couplings B29L2023/004
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/1438 Cylinder to end cap assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 7/026 made of fibre reinforced resin
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 10/02 Cylinders designed to receive moving pistons or plungers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/146 the securing element being a rigid pin, screw or the like

Abstract

A joint is provided for connecting an end of a tube of composite material which is subject to relatively large axial stress to an annular metallic ferrule, and includes a composite tube composed of high strength fibers agglomerated by a polymerized synthetic resin having a wall and an annular metallic ferrule formed as a band. The ferrule has in cross-section the shape of a segment of a circle including a curved portion and a flat portion, the curved portion of the ferrule facing the composite tube. The ferrule is embedded in a receiving surface of the wall of the tube, and the flat portion of the ferrule is flush with adjacent regions of the receiving surface of the tube. An end member is included having an extending portion which engages the ferrule, and a complementary connecting device is disposed between the flat portion of the ferrule and the extending portion of the end member, for connecting the tube to the end member. The band and the complementary connecting arrangement together constitute an anchoring element for anchoring the tube of composite material to the end member.

Claims

1. A joint for connecting an end of a tube of composite material which is subject to relatively large axial stress to an annular metallic ferrule, comprising:

a composite tube composed of high strength fibers agglomerated by a polymerized synthetic resin having a wall;

an annular metallic ferrule formed as a band, having in the entire cross-section the shape of a segment of a circle including a curved portion and a flat portion, said curved portion of said ferrule facing said composite tube, said annular metallic ferrule being embedded in a receiving surface of said wall of said tube, and said flat portion of said annular metallic ferrule having a substantially uniform diameter and being flush with adjacent regions of said receiving surface of said tube;

an end member having an extending portion which engages said annular metallic ferrule;

a complementary connecting means disposed between said flat portion of said annular metallic ferrule and said extending portion of said end member, for connecting said tube to said end member;

wherein said band and said complementary connecting means together constitute an anchoring element for anchoring said tube of composite material to said end member.

2. Connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said tube has at least one semi-circular groove on an outer surface thereof, and said curved portion of said annular metallic ferrule is disposed in said semi-circular groove for connection of said band flush with adjacent regions of said receiving surface, and wherein said flat portion of said annular metallic ferrule engages an inner face of said end member.

3. Connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said receiving surface of said wall of said composite tube of said tube has a polygonal cross-sectional shape in a circumferential direction and said annular metallic ferrule has a polygonal shape that interferes in torsion with said receiving surface of said tube.

4. A joint for connecting an end of a tube of composite material which is subject to relatively large axial stress to an annular ferrule, comprising:

a composite tube composed of high strength fibers agglomerated by a polymerized synthetic resin having a wall;

an annular metallic ferrule formed as a band, having in the entire cross-section the shape of a segment of a circle including a curved portion and a flat portion, said curved portion of said ferrule facing said composite tube, said annular metallic ferrule being embedded in a receiving surface of said wall of said tube;

an end member having an extending portion which engages said annular metallic ferrule;

wherein connection between said band and said end member is realized by a thread provided on the entire surface of said flat portion of said band, said thread being in threaded engagement with said extending portion of said end member.

5. A joint as claimed in claim 4, wherein said extending portion of said end member is received within said composite tube.

6. A joint as claimed in claim 4, wherein said composite tube is received within said extending portion of said end member.

7. A joint for connecting an end of a tube of composite material which is subject to relatively large axial stress to an annular metallic ferrule, comprising:

a composite tube composed of high strength fibers agglomerated by a polymerized synthetic resin having a wall;

an annular metallic ferrule formed as a band, having in cross-section the shape of a segment of a circle including a curved portion and a flat portion, said curved portion of said ferrule facing said composite tube, said annular metallic ferrule being embedded in a receiving surface of said wall of said tube;

an end member having an extending portion which engages said annular metallic ferrule; and

said extending portion terminates in a flange, and a ring is connected to said ferrule, wherein connection between said band and said end member is realized by a bolted connection between said ring and said flange end member.

8. A joint as claimed in claim 7, wherein said extending portion of said end member is received within said composite tube.

9. A joint as claimed in claim 7, wherein said composite tube is received within said extending portion of said end member.