Abstract: A drive shaft having a body section and a yoke section formed with at least one end of the body section. A hole is formed in the yoke section. The body section and yoke section are integrally made of a fiber reinforced composite material including a filament and a plastic adhered to the filament. The shaft comprises a plurality of shaft fiber layers forming the body section. Each shaft fiber layer includes a plurality of shaft fiber elements being arranged at predetermined intervals. A plurality of yoke fiber layers form the yoke section. Each yoke fiber layer includes a plurality of yoke fiber elements. Each yoke fiber element has ends connected to each shaft fiber element. Each yoke fiber element has either a closed loop arrangement (CLA) or an open loop arrangement (OLA). The CLA is defined by the yoke fiber elements forming closed loops around the hole. The OLA is defined by the yoke fiber elements forming open loops around the hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-resistant filter which is suitable for trapping particulate contained in a high temperature exhaust gas from an engine, and can be reconditioned by removing with burning the trapped particulate. This invention aims at providing a heat-resistant filter, which will suppress a rise in back pressure to a small amount even when exhaust gas processing is executed for a long period of time, will not cause problems in removing deposits through heating and burning by an electrical heat-generating member, and can endure corrosive action under a high-temperature acidic atmosphere. A filter layer having heat-resistant fibers laminated at random is provided between two air-permeable partitions, the first of which is disposed upstream in the direction of a fluid flow to be filtered and is formed of a planar fabric made of non-conductive heat-resistant fibers.

Abstract: An energy absorber is formed of a fiber reinforced composite into a cylinder having a plurality of portions so that the thickness of the body gradually increases in at least two stages in the axial direction. Reinforcing fiber is wound around at least in a circumferential direction of the body and is impregnated with a resin. The body of the energy absorber has a thin portion continuous to a first end. The end surface of the first end has an area equal to or smaller than 2/3 of the cross-sectional area of the thin portion the vicinity of the junction between the thin portion and the portion adjacent which is thicker than that thin portion. That cross-sectional area of the thin portion continuously increases to the middle of the thin portion from the first end side. The energy absorber is used in a state where impact is applied from the axial direction of the body.

Abstract: A reinforcing matrix is produced using a plurality of regulating members (pins) removably arranged in rows in a predetermined direction on a base. Yarns are woven between the pins on the base repeatedly looping back and forth between spaced apart positions to form a yarn lamination consisting of a plurality of yarn layers over the base. The yarns forming the yarn layers are arranged in at least two directions. Thereafter the yarn lamination is removed from the base together with the pins. Then the pins are replaced sequentially in rows arranged in the predetermined direction with separate vertical yarns which are inserted into the yarn lamination so as to form loops. A selvage thread is inserted in the predetermined direction through the loops of the vertical yarns.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric has three axes defined along its length, width and thickness directions, and an imaginary plane that bisects the fabric along its thickness or transverse direction. The fabric comprises a plurality of warp layers that are symmetrically arranged with respect to the imaginary plane. A plurality of first and second bias-yarn layers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the imaginary plane. A vertical yarn runs through the fabric in the transverse direction, to couple all the yarn layers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is disclosed that is appropriate for use in composite materials having various beam type shapes that are formed from a plurality of intersecting plate sections. A plurality of thread layers are woven such that they extend continuously through and between a pair of adjacent plate sections. The thread layers respectively include threads that are woven in at least two independent planar directions. The thread layers are bound together by transverse threads. When a load is applied to a plate section of a composite having this three-dimensional fabric as a frame member, the threads that extend continuously from a first plate section to a second plate section effectively receive the stress acting on the junction of the plate sections. The strength of the composite is therefore enhanced.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is disclosed that effectively weaves a solid member into the fabric. A multiplicity of warp strings that are arranged in a plurality of layers which extend in a lengthwise direction of the fabric. At least some of the warp strings are wrapped around the solid member. A multiplicity of bias threads are arranged in at least one symmetrical pair of bias thread layers. The bias threads are incline relative to the lengthwise direction of the fabric and the layers in the bias layer pair are symmetrically arranged relative to the lengthwise direction of the fabric. At least some of the bias threads are wrapped around the solid member. A plurality of vertical threads are provided that run substantially perpendicular relative to the warp string and the bias thread layers. The vertical threads couple the layers of the warp strings and the bias threads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three dimensional fabric including a warp layer consisting of a plurality of warps arranged in parallel along a longitudinal direction of the fabric, bias threads arranged in inclined directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fabric in a place parallel to the warp layer, and a vertical thread arranged in a thicknesswise direction of the fabric such that it perpendicularly intersects the warps. It also relates to a method of producing the fabric. Where such fabric is employed for a composite material in which a resin or the like is used as a matrix, the composite material deforms less under the influence of forces acting in an oblique direction. It therefore has an increased range of applications as a structural material comparing with a conventional 3-axis three dimensional fabric.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is disclosed that includes a built in linkage member. The three dimensional fabric includes a core located in a center portion of the fabric. A multiplicity of axially extending warp yarns are arranged in a plurality of concentric layers about the core. A circumferential yarn is wound in a circumferential direction between various layers of the warp yarns to forming a plurality of circumferential yarn layers. A multiplicity of radial yarns are sequentially woven in the axial and radial directions about various circumferential yarn layers. A solid member is also provided which has a group of axially extending yarn strings secured thereto. The axially extending yarn strings include strings that constitute a portion of at least one of the core and the warp yarns. When the disclosed three-dimensional fabric is used in a composite, it is unnecessary to subject the composite to mechanical processing to attach a coupling part.

Abstract: A three dimensional fabric of substantially columnar shape having an axis. A plurality of substantially cylindrical axial yarn layers are arranged concentrically about and outward from the axis. Each of the axial yarn layers includes a plurality of axial yarns extending longitudinally relative to the axis. Circumferential yarn turns are inserted to extend circumferentially around the axis at several positions including outside of the outermost axial yarn layer. Inside of the innermost axial yarn layer, and between the inner and outer axial yarn layers. A plurality of radial yarns are woven between the circumferential yarn turns to extend zigzag succesively in the longitudinal and radial directions relative to the axis. The radial yarns are woven substantially perpendicular to the circumferential yarns, between the circumferential yarns, each of the radial yarns are woven in a particular plane that extends through the axis.

Abstract: A novel three dimensional fabric is disclosed that has a base formed from a multiplicity of woven strings. The strings are arranged and woven to form a fabric having a multiplicity of warps arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, a plurality of first wefts crossing the warp columns in the interstitial spaces between adjacent warp rows, and a plurality of second wefts crossing said warps and said first wefts in the interstitial spaces between adjacent warp columns. The three dimensional fabric also has a solid linkage mechanism incorporated into the fabric's body by a plurality of the strings that are wound about its periphery.

Abstract: A bobbin transfer system of a spinning frame (1), in which a series of trays (13) are carried on a pair of carrier rails (14, 15) driven to repeat a back-and-forth reciprocation. Hooking members (23) are arranged along the carrier rails (14, 15), which allow the trays (13) to pass thereover during the forward displacement of the carrier rail (14, 15) but inhibit the backward displacement of the trays (13) by the action of hooks (23a) formed on the hooking member (23) at a distance from each other corresponding to N times the spindle pitch wherein N satisfies the equation .DELTA.A.gtoreq..DELTA.D.times.N (wherein .DELTA.D stands for a manufacturing tolerance of a diameter of the tray 13 and .DELTA.A stands for an allowance for a grip distance of a bobbin catcher in an auto-doffer) and p stands for a spindle pitch. Accordingly, the trays (13) are transferred intermittently as the carrier rails (14, 15) reciprocate at a stroke larger than the spindle pitch.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforcement body which is to be incorporated into a metal matrix in a fabrication technique based on a molten metal infiltration process for producing a metal matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The apparatus of the invention comprises means for supporting the chill members in longitudinally spaced relation to each other, means for forming uniformly distributed windings of the yarn on each of the chills, and means for forming similar windings of the yarn around, and extending between the chills in a way so as to connect them together.

Abstract: A friction spinning apparatus comprises a combing roller (19) for opening and feeding fibers in a duct (16, 15) to a throat (Q) formed between the outer surfaces of a pair of perforated and smooth surface drums (10, 12) arranged in parallel to each other and rotating in the same direction. A yarn (Y) formed at the throat (Q), by frictional contact between the fed fibers and the surfaces caused by a suction force, is withdrawn along the throat (Q). The duct (15, 16) is arranged to feed the fibers in an air stream having a direction inclined to the yarn axis (YL) and has a nozzle (17) in the form of a double pipe in the midportion thereof. A compressed air is ejected from the annular slit (17a) between the inner and outer pipe of the nozzle (17) to drag the fibers out from the nozzle (17) to cause them to stretch, whereby the fibers can be conveyed on the throat (Q) in the stretched state.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforcement body which is to be incorporated into a metal matrix in a fabrication technique based on a molten metal infiltration process for producing a metal matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The method according to the invention comprises preparing at least two metal insert chills each having the shape of a spool or reel, forming windings of a yarn of reinforcing fibers on each of the two chills, and forming windings of the yarn around, and extending between the two chill members so as to connect them together. The apparatus of the invention comprises means for supporting the chill members in longitudinally spaced relation to each other, means for forming uniformly distributed windings of the yarn on each of the chills, and means for forming similar windings of the yarn around, and extending between the chills in a way so as to connect them together.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a fasciated yarn, utilizing an air nozzle for false-twisting a fiber bundle. The apparatus is provided with a fiber passage comprising an inlet portion, a small channel, and a large channel, and is provided also with a contact area on an inner wall of the small channel, this contact area being formed by the intersection at an angle of the small channel and the large channel.During the spinning operation, the fiber bundle is forced against the contact area, effectively suppressing a twist imparted by a vortex such that it does not ascend toward the upstream region.Also, since ballooning can be suppressed by the contact area, the size of the small channel can be increased, resulting in the intake by suction of a sufficient amount of air in the inlet portion.

Abstract: A method of yarn piecing by splicing in a fasciated yarn spinning unit is disclosed herein, according to which an end of a fleece to be lapped over a broken end of a yarn is formed by stopping a preselected pair of drafting rollers and, if any, its preceding pair or pairs of drafting rollers, in response to a yarn-break signal. After a fleece end is thus prepared, the front top drafting roller is lifted from its bottom counterpart, and a broken yarn end on the yarn package is brought reversely through the false-twisting nozzle and on through a gap formed between the separated top and bottom rollers of the front pair. In order to allow the yarn end to overlap with the fleece end over the desired length, the lifted front top roller is brought back into pressing engagement with its bottom roller in close relation to the time at which the nip of the front pair of drafting rollers is reached by the fleece end which is advanced by restarting the previously stopped drafting rollers.

Abstract: A friction spinning frame including a pair of twisting rollers disposed substantially in parallel and driven in the same direction to each other at a small gap therebetween to form a yarn forming zone of a valley shaped profile on upper surfaces of the twisting rollers along the gap. At least one of the twisting rollers is a perforated hollow roller including an outer shell having a plurality of perforations on the entire outer surface thereof and a suction device for providing a suction force through the perforations, whereby staple fibers are twisted to form a yarn while being sucked and held on the yarn forming zone.

Abstract: In a pneumatic nozzle utilized in the process of producing a fasciated yarn, provided with a transporting passage of a fiber bundle in which an inlet portion, a smaller channel, and a large channel having an outlet opening are successively arranged along the longitudinal axis of the transporting passage, and a plurality of air supply apertures for ejecting compressed air toward a restricted region of the transporting passage, a plurality of small chambers formed around the large channel is symmetry with respect to the large channel's longitudinal axis and connecting apertures for connecting the large channel to the outside of the nozzle so that air introduced into the large channel through the inlet opening and the air-supply apertures can be partly discharged, while the remaining part of the above-mentioned air is discharged from the outlet of the large chamber.

Abstract: A friction spinning frame including a pair of twisting rollers disposed substantially in parallel and driven in the same direction to each other at a small gap therebetween to form a yarn forming zone of a valley shaped profile on upper surfaces of the twisting rollers along the gap. At least one of the twisting rollers is a perforated hollow roller including an outer shell having a plurality of perforations on the entire outer surface thereof and a suction device for providing a suction force through the perforations, whereby staple fibers are twisted to form a yarn while being sucked and held on the yarn forming zone.