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.

A transmissive joint has an elastic response for transmitting a torsional load capable of ensuring the transmission in the absence of coaxiality between two actuating and actuated devices, and allowing the internal passage of cabling or possible accessory components along the axis of transmission/torsion.

A reservoir made of a composite material includes a tubular element, two end fittings, each inserted into one end of the tubular element, and a circumferential layer that envelops the tubular element and the end fittings. The circumferential layer is made of resin-impregnated wound fibers. At least one segment of each end fitting has an outwardly tapering shape and the wall of the tubular element has a taper at each end, and thus at each end the wall is pressed against the segment surface having a tapering shape. The tubular element includes a plastic tube surrounded by a longitudinal layer essentially made of parallel fibers in a resin matrix, the parallel fibers being oriented along the longitudinal axis of the plastic tube. Finally, the circumferential layer is essentially made of fibers wound around the circumference of the tubular element and end fittings and parallel to each other.

An apparatus to move plastic tube lengthwise in its production process, includes a support organ and move apparatus The counterpart of the support organ rotates with the feeding perimeter speed of the material fed upon it into the same direction with it. The support organ and the move apparatus fit concentrically one after the other. A center axis has bearings to keep it in its place concentrically with the support organ and the move organ. Three essentially lengthwise adapted move organs upon the perimeter the size of the counterpart continuation perimeter or greater perimeter with equal distribution installed move organs are supported with support organs from the center axis and rotate with the center axis. The out part of the mover of every move organ press against the inner surface of the plastic tube to move itself and the plastic tube into its production direction with the speed.

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.

A driveshaft has an elongated monolithic composite tube with a front joint at one end thereof and a rear joint at an opposite end thereof. The tube has an inner layer formed of glass fibers coaxially wound on top of one other. The tube has outer layer wound directly on the inner layer. The outer layer is formed substantially of carbon fibers. A ratio of a thickness of the outer layer to the thickness of the inner layer is between 0.8 and 1.2.

The present invention generally relates to an improved winding apparatus useful in the production of filament wound products and particularly wound tubular products having high length to diameter ratios. The improved winding apparatus comprises a support means for supporting a rotatable mandrel during the manufacture of wound products, the support means comprising a plurality of axially spaced pins extending circumferentially around the mandrel, and a support assembly having a semicircular inner face and an opening, wherein a portion of the plurality of pins is brought into contact with the inner face of the support assembly when the mandrel is rotated.

A method of manufacturing a coupler for an air suspension includes: preparing a topping cord sheet and a rubber band; connecting the topping cord sheet and the rubber band to each other by attaching the rubber band to an outer circumferential surface of the topping cord sheet; and vulcanizing an intermediately formed body made by the connecting of the topping cord sheet and the rubber band to each other.

The present invention generally relates to an improved winding apparatus useful in the production of filament wound products and particularly wound tubular products having high length to diameter ratios. The improved winding apparatus comprises a support means for supporting a rotatable mandrel during the manufacture of wound products, the support means comprising a plurality of axially spaced pins extending circumferentially around the mandrel, and a support assembly having a semicircular inner face and an opening, wherein a portion of the plurality of pins is brought into contact with the inner face of the support assembly when the mandrel is rotated.

An injection catheter includes a drive mechanism, an elongate, flexible tubular body, and a first inner member. The tubular body has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and defines a first lumen extending therebetween. The first inner member includes a proximal end coupled to the drive mechanism and is rotatably disposed within the first lumen. The first inner member and the first lumen define an annular gap therebetween configured to deliver a therapeutic agent contained therein from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion of the tubular body when the first inner member is rotated within the lumen such that shear stresses exerted on the therapeutic agent are less than 500 pascals.