An expiratory limb for a breathing circuit includes an enclosing wall defining a flexible singular expiratory flow passage between an inlet and an outlet and bounding the flexible singular expiratory flow passage and ambient air. The expiratory limb includes one or more regions of the enclosing wall that made from a material that allows passage of water vapor without allowing passage of liquid water, thereby forming a water vapor flow path from the flexible singular expiratory flow passage to the ambient air through the material. The expiratory limb is configured to allow diffusion of water vapor along the flexible singular expiratory flow passage and dry the flow of expiratory gases between the inlet and the outlet.

A method produces a hollow electrical insulator. The method includes: winding first wound layers of a first fiber element onto a core; and winding second wound layers of a second fiber element onto an end region of the core. The first wound layers have turns of the first fiber element which enclose a first winding angle with a main direction of extension of the core. The second wound layers have turns of the second fiber element which enclose a second winding angle with the main direction of extension of the core which is larger than the first winding angle. An inner region of the core remains free of second wound layers.

A composite filament-wound shaft with an end fitting mounted on an interface region on at least one end of said shaft, wherein in said interface region filaments of the filament-wound shaft are angled with respect to the shaft axis such that they follow a path with a radial component and have been cut so as to expose the ends of said filaments in said interface region; and wherein said end fitting comprises a helical thread engaging with said interface region. The helical threaded engagement provides excellent load transmission of axial forces and is therefore well suited to tension and compression elements. The joint provides a low cost and low weight interface.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a connecting rod including: a) manufacturing an inner body; b) adding one end of the inner body to the end of the reduced outer diameter of each end piece, said end of the inner body resting on the shoulder of the end piece; c) inserting a first portion of a second mandrel in the hollow cylindrical portion of each end piece and placing a driving bit at the free end of a second portion of the second mandrel; d) winding said pre-impregnated fibres onto the outer surface of an assembly consisting of the inner body, the end piece(s) and the second part(s) of the second mandrel(s) which are free of bits, said fibres then forming an outer body; e) after removing the bit(s), polymerising the inner body and the outer body to form a polymerised integral body; f) removing the second mandrel(s) and cutting the polymerised integral body to the required length.

An expiratory limb for a breathing circuit includes an enclosing wall defining a flexible singular expiratory flow passage between an inlet and an outlet and bounding the flexible singular expiratory flow passage and ambient air. The expiratory limb includes one or more regions of the enclosing wall that made from a material that allows passage of water vapor without allowing passage of liquid water, thereby forming a water vapor flow path from the flexible singular expiratory flow passage to the ambient air through the material. The expiratory limb is configured to allow diffusion of water vapor along the flexible singular expiratory flow passage and dry the flow of expiratory gases between the inlet and the outlet.

Plastic tubing including a thermoplastic ribbon helically wrapped and heat bonded to itself to form a tubing wall and a thermoplastic reinforcement located helically around and along the tubing wall. At least a thickness of the tubing wall or a size of the thermoplastic reinforcement is varied along the tubing wall.

A breathing circuit component includes an inlet, an outlet and an enclosing wall. The enclosing wall defines a gases passageway between the inlet and the outlet. At least a region of the enclosing wall is formed from a breathable material that allows the passage of water vapor without allowing the passage of liquid water or respiratory gases. The breathing circuit component may be the expiratory limb of a breathing circuit.

A breathing circuit component includes an inlet, an outlet and an enclosing wall. The enclosing wall defines a gases passageway between the inlet and the outlet. At least a region of the enclosing wall is formed from a breathable material that allows the passage of water vapor without allowing the passage of liquid water or respiratory gases. The breathing circuit component is the expiratory limb of a breathing circuit.

A composite structure having at least one radially extending part is provided. The composite structure is formed with ply layers. At least one of the ply layers used to form the radially extending part has fibers oriented at an angle offset from an edge of the at least one ply layer.

Plastic tubing including a thermoplastic ribbon helically wrapped and heat bonded to itself to form a tubing wall and a thermoplastic reinforcement located helically around and along the tubing wall. At least a thickness of the tubing wall or a size of the thermoplastic reinforcement is varied along the tubing wall.