With Braiding Or Weaving Means Patents (Class 156/393)
  • Patent number: 11305473
    Abstract: An extrusion crosshead assembly for manufacturing braid reinforced tubing includes a body having a bore housing an outer deflector, an outer spline concentrically mounted within a bore of the outer deflector, an inner spline concentrically mounted within the outer spline and forming a plenum therebetween, an inner deflector concentrically mounted within a bore of the inner spline, and a hollow tip body mounted concentrically within a bore of the inner deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: PRUVEN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: James Prue
  • Patent number: 11306956
    Abstract: A double pipe icemaker includes an inner pipe, and an outer pipe provided radially outside the inner pipe and coaxially with the inner pipe. The outer pipe allows a cooling target to flow in the inner pipe and a refrigerant to flow in a space between the inner and outer pipes. The outer pipe has a wall provided with at least one nozzle to jet the refrigerant into the space. The nozzle has a jet port. The jet port may allow the refrigerant to jet in a radial direction including at least an axial direction and a circumferential direction of the inner pipe. A shielding plate may be provided ahead of the jet port in a jetting direction such that the refrigerant hitting the shielding plate expands along a surface of the shielding plate in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahito Nakayama, Ryouji Matsue, Keisuke Nakatsuka, Satoru Ohkura, Takeo Ueno
  • Patent number: 11192291
    Abstract: A core metal includes, on an outer circumference thereof, a plurality of attachment surfaces to which a plurality of strings are attached, and a plurality of guided portions are formed along an axial direction of the core metal and disposed between two of the attachment surfaces. A string supply device includes a string supply unit that supplies the strings to the outer circumference of the core metal, an attaching unit that arranges and attaches the strings on the attachment surfaces of the core metal in a circumferential direction of the core metal, and a plurality of guiding units, in contact with the guided portions of the core metal, which guides the core metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seijiro Masaki, Atsushi Yokoyama, Kazuhiro Taneda, Hiroshi Kiyomoto, Nobuhiro Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140262047
    Abstract: A system fabricating composite preforms includes a layer assembly stage with a first stage for receiving new layers, such as layer N; and a second stage for holding up to K layers, such as layers N?1 to N-K. An interlayer reinforcement insertion mechanism inserts interlayer reinforcements Q through layer N and the layers N?1 to N-K, using a first layer spacing between layer N-K and layer N-K?1 in a completed layer stage. Following the interlayer reinforcements Q insertion, the layer assembly stage transfers the layer N-K to the completed layer stage; closes the first layer spacing, bringing layers N-K and N-K?1 into contact; and transfers the layer N to the second stage. The system repeats this cycle of receiving new layers, inserting interlayer reinforcements using layer spacings between the second and completed layer stages, closing these layer spacings, and transferring layers to construct composite preforms with arbitrary numbers of layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jonathan Marc Hollander
  • Patent number: 8813805
    Abstract: Provided is a filament winding apparatus (1) which moves a liner (2) while rotating the liner (2) and winds a fiber bundle (FB) around the outside peripheral face (2a) of the liner (2), said fiber bundle (FB) being guided by a fiber-feeding guide (44) positioned around the trajectory of the liner (2). The filament winding apparatus has a resin-spraying nozzle (45) for spraying a resin onto the fiber bundle (FB) at a position before the fiber bundle is wound around the liner (2), and the resin-spraying nozzle (45) is disposed so as to spray the resin onto the downstream side of the rotation direction of the liner (2) relative to an imaginary line (VL1) defied by a straight line connecting the spray nozzle (45N) of the resin-spraying nozzle (45) with the rotation axis of the liner (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Nakanishi, Akira Maeda
  • Publication number: 20130101756
    Abstract: An artificial turf structure, an apparatus, a method for manufacturing the same are provided. In accordance of the present invention, the apparatus for manufacturing the artificial turf structure includes a backing fabric providing unit for providing a first backing fabric and a second backing fabric forming a first structure, a weaving unit for weaving a second structure in which a part of pile yarns are exposed under the first structure by tufting the pile yarns to upper parts of the first structure, and a heat-fusing unit for compressing the second structure using tension and heat-fusing the pile yarns exposed under the second structure using heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: KOLONGLOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Jung Hun Kim, Young Hoon Kwon, Jong Pil Kim
  • Patent number: 8372228
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for continuous production of a textile structure resistant to perforation and penetration, comprising the steps consisting in: a) simultaneously weaving two fabric elements overlapped and spaced from each other, wherein at least the warp or chain threads of the upper fabric element and the weft threads of the lower fabric element, or vice-versa, comprise ballistic threads; b) inserting, during said weaving step, at least one intermediate layer between said upper fabric element and said lower fabric element; c) joining the assembly of the two upper and lower fabric elements interposed between which is said intermediate layer to obtain a multilayer textile structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Societa' per Azioni Fratelli Citterio
    Inventor: Giorgio Celeste Citterio
  • Patent number: 8312907
    Abstract: A fiber bundle arranging device is provided that laminates fiber bundle layers formed of a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is engaged with arranged pins to have straight parts. The device includes a press roller and a first moving device. The press roller includes a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion of the press roller depresses the straight parts of the fiber bundle engaged with the pins toward the roots of the pins in the vicinity of the pin. The first moving device moves the press roller in the arrangement direction of the pins such that the peripheral portion sequentially intersects the straight parts of the fiber bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Genki Yoshikawa, Junji Takeuchi, Yoshiharu Yasui
  • Publication number: 20110240226
    Abstract: The invention enables easy jointing of cord fabric performed when cord fabric (F) for topping is alternately drawn from two supply positions (P1) (P2) for continuous supply, during drawing to supply of the cord fabric (F) on one side, a start end portion (Fa) of the cord fabric (F) on other side is locked to hold by a locking pin (3) of a jointing holder (1), and is set to a jointing mounting portion (21) in a state where an unvulcanized jointing rubber member (Ra) is pasted thereto, when a final end of the cord fabric (F) on the one side comes closer, a finish end portion (Fb) thereof is pasted to the start end portion (Fa) of the cord fabric (F) held by the holder (1) by interposing the rubber member (Ra) therebetween, the finish end portion (Fb) and the start end portion (Fa) are squeezed for joint from upper and lower sides by press members (25) (26), thereafter, the holder (1) is removed, and the cord fabric on the other side is made to be drawn to supply continuously to the cord fabric on the one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takatsuka, Taizo Yamamoto, Makoto Koumo, Yu Hatayama
  • Publication number: 20110209791
    Abstract: A multilayer flexible irrigation hose includes an inner layer made of a first thermoplastic polymer material, an outer layer made of a second thermoplastic polymer material, and a first textile reinforcement layer and a second textile reinforcement layer in mutually overlapping relation. The first and second textile reinforcement layers are knitted with stitches of the tricot type, having wales of stitches and lines of stitches. The lines of stitches of said first and second textile layers have opposite inclinations to the longitudinal axis of the hose, and the wales of stitches of at least one of said first and second textile layers are substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. A method of making said hose, a line for manufacturing same and a knitting apparatus for making such hose are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: FITT S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Mezzalira
  • Publication number: 20110111195
    Abstract: The invention relates to the entire method for arranging parallel yarns from a warp on a cotton lap having passed through a card or a combing machine or other textile machine used for the same purpose, forming a composite lap of parallel yarns and a lap of irregularly arranged untwisted cotton fibrils. The end result is a firm lap in which many of the untwisted cotton fibrils are wrapped coaxially around each so-called carrier yarn, forming the corresponding composite yarn, and the remaining fibrils are perpendicular to the composite yarns, providing the resulting lap with a consistency such that it can both be cut to obtain the yarns comprising an untwisted cotton sheath, and also used for any desired purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Josep Bernadas Rosello, Joaquin Balasch RisueƱo
  • Publication number: 20110088538
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic profile part (103). The method comprises feeding a tubular fiber netting (104) in which a matrix plastic is distributed. A longitudinal section of the fiber netting is enclosed in a press (120). To mire the plastic matrix in the longitudinal section, the press is heated. After opening the press, the fiber netting is pulled through the opened press in order to arrange another longitudinal section of the fiber netting in the press. The other longitudinal section is enclosed in a press. From another point of view, a device for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic profile part is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Bechtold
  • Patent number: 7901530
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fabric seam in a fabric for use as papermachine clothing, the fabric having loops at each of the fabric's transverse ends adapted for interconnection by way of a pintle to make the fabric endless, including the steps of bringing the ends into end-to-end disposition in order to interdigitate the loops, inserting a pintle in the interdigitated loops, heat setting to fix base yarns and the loops of the fabric in place, inserting at least one stuffer yarn, at least a part of which includes a low melt component, into selected void areas in the loops adjacent the pintle, adhering at least one batt layer to the seam by needling, and further heat setting to at least partially melt the stuffer yarn such that it deforms to substantially take on the shape of the void areas at the pintle joint, to bind fibers of the batt needled into the void areas and to bind adjacent yarns of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics Patent GmbH
    Inventor: William D. Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20100307664
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for continuous production of a textile structure resistant to perforation and penetration, comprising the steps consisting in: a) simultaneously weaving two fabric elements overlapped and spaced from each other, wherein at least the warp or chain threads of the upper fabric element and the weft threads of the lower fabric element, or vice-versa, comprise ballistic threads; b) inserting, during said weaving step, at least one intermediate layer between said upper fabric element and said lower fabric element; c) joining the assembly of the two upper and lower fabric elements interposed between which is said intermediate layer to obtain a multilayer textile structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: F.LLI CITTERIO S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Celeste CITTERIO
  • Publication number: 20100229991
    Abstract: The invention relates to composite hose, which is capable of being used without leakage, and which has a longer length and/or diameter than has been previously achievable. A composite hose comprises a tubular body of flexible material arranged between an inner and an outer helically wound wire. The hose further comprises an axial strengthening means adapted to reduce deformation of the tubular body when the tubular body is subjected to axial tension, the axial strengthening means being adapted to exert a radially inward force on at least part of the tubular body when axial strengthening means is subjected to axial tension. The hose can have length above 30 m and a diameter above 400 mm. A method of, and apparatus for, making the hose are also described, which involves the use of a non-metallic mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Joel Aron Witz, David Cox, Gerard Anthony Hall, Richard Smith
  • Publication number: 20100181744
    Abstract: A coated airbag is provided. In another aspect, a method of extrusion coating an air impermeable material onto a one-piece woven airbag fabric is employed. Another aspect preheats a fabric such that the fabric remains hot during a coating application thereon. Furthermore, a machine for making and coating an airbag fabric is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: GLOBAL SAFETY TEXTILES LLC
    Inventor: Earl Crouch
  • Patent number: 7213630
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a hose including a weaving machine and a liner feeder for forming the hose by weaving a jacket about a liner as the liner is being fed into the weaving machine, where the liner is provided with an adhesive layer on an outer surface, the adhesive layer being doped with a radiation absorbing element. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving and for flattening the hose and an oven located downstream from the feeder, including a bore through which the hose passes, the oven including a module for applying radiation to the hose so that the radiation absorbing element heats following the application of radiation for bonding the liner to the jacket. A winder is located downstream at a predetermined distance away from the oven for pulling and winding the hose and provided with a pressurizer for internally pressurizing a portion of the hose located between the winder and the feeder so that when the hose is in the oven, the pressurizer forces the liner against the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: Hydro-Quebec LTEE, Ansul Canada Ltd
    Inventors: James Kendall, Sylvain Chenard, David Lord, Eric St. Laurent
  • Patent number: 7045590
    Abstract: By utilizing specially processed waste carpeting as a filler in the production of carpet backcoating, roofing materials, or other similar products, the amount of waste carpeting that is landfilled or otherwise disposed of is significantly reduced as is the need for mining the mineral fillers. Waste carpeting (post-consumer and/or waste from new carpet manufacture) containing calcium carbonate and a thermoplastic resin is collected and size-reduced to a size corresponding to the size of calcium carbonate typically used as a filler. The size-reduced waste carpeting is added as filler to at least one other material, such as polymers in standard latex, EVA, or PVC carpet backcoatings, to provide a composite used in the manufacture of a useful product (like carpet backcoating), and then the composite material is used to make the useful product (such as carpet backcoating, which is used as a primary or secondary backcoating in the manufacture of new carpeting).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Mohawk Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Bell
  • Patent number: 6827118
    Abstract: A process and a device are suggested for the placement and fixing of a sheet, which is at least partially implemented as a closed flat structure, of filaments, lying essentially in a plane, for the production of scrims having the filament sheet, wherein the filament sheet is placed, as part of the filament sheet sections forming the closed surface and as separate filament sheet sections, between two conveyor units (13) supplying a connecting station (6), with the filament sheet sections (1) being fixed onto the conveyor unit at each of both end regions with a fixing element (2, 3) and the interval of the fixing elements (2, 3) of a filament sheet section (1) relative to the conveyor units (13) being selected in such a way that the filament sheet sections (1) are, in their fixed state, positioned essentially flat between the conveyor units (13), at least immediately before entering the connecting station (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: LIBA Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Wienands, Michael Unglaub
  • Patent number: 6814826
    Abstract: The amount of waste carpeting that is landfilled or otherwise disposed of is significantly reduced, as is the need for the mining mineral fillers, by utilizing specially processed waste carpeting as a filler in the production of new hot melt carpet backcoating, roofing materials, or other similar products. Waste carpeting (post-consumer and/or waste from new carpet manufacture) is collected and size-reduced, typically in a first coarse size-reduction, and then after densification to a finer size-reduction. The size-reduced waste carpeting is added as filler to at least one other material, such as polymers in standard latex, EVA, or PVC carpet backcoatings, to provide a hot melt composite used in the manufacture of a useful product (like carpet backcoating), and then the composite material is used to make the useful product (such as carpet backcoating, which is used as a primary or secondary backcoating in the manufacture of new carpeting).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Mohawk Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Bell
  • Patent number: 6520706
    Abstract: A support structure flange preform resembles the Greek letter “pi” and has a base with two legs extending therefrom. The preform is composed of a composite material that is formed from tows of woven or braided fiber. The tows are oriented to extend throughout each the base and legs. The preform may be either impregnated with a suitable thermoset resin, or may be unimpregnated so that resin may be infused at a later step of the overall manufacturing process. Two of the preforms are joined to a sine wave-shaped web of the structural beam. The web is formed from uncured, thermoset resin sheets that are reinforced with oriented fibers. The web has two outer laminates that sandwich a syntactic or foamed resin layer in between. The legs of each preform straddle one edge of the web and are shaped to both sides to the precise contours of the web. A laminate strip is positioned against the base of each preform to create a pair of flanges for the structural support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Elbert Lee McKague, Jr., Ronald Patrick Schmidt, David Thomas Uhl
  • Publication number: 20020124936
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making composite plates which consists in driving along a specific direction a bundle oil parallel yarns; associating with this yarn a yarn layer transversely oriented relative to said specific direction, the bundle of yarns and/or the yarn layer (comprising at least an organic material and at least a reinforcing material, and the assembly comprising at least 10 wt. % of organic material; heating the assembly moving in the specific direction, and fixing it, by heating and/or by pressure, then by cooling, so as to form a composite strip; collecting the strips in the form of one or several composite plates. The invention also concerns a device for implementing the method and the resulting products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Dominique Loubinoux
  • Patent number: 6352603
    Abstract: A winding device (10) for use in the simultaneous formation and attachment of a loop (11) to an apertured implantable device (12), in which the loop is formed from a loosely structured fiber bundle of twisted yarn, and the device (12) has first and second apertures (13, 14) through which the loop can be taken, and comprising: withdrawing a leading end of yarn from a yarn supply (15, 18, 21) and feeding the leading end through the first aperture (13) in one direction, and through the second aperture (14) in an opposite direction; taking the leading end of yarn away from the device (12) and along a guide path formed by rotatable capstans (16) so as to form a basic loop; withdrawing further yarn from the supply simultaneously with applying movement of the basic loop along the guide path so as to apply successive loop turns to the basic loop and therefore from a progressively increasing loop core; and applying relative twists between the loop core and each successive loop turn so as to form a cohesive looped fibe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Neoligaments Limited
    Inventor: Julian Bryant
  • Publication number: 20010001189
    Abstract: An annular body, and method of making same, comprising at least one wear surface portion, the portion comprising a plurality of layers held in a matrix, each layer consisting essentially of fibres which extend generally in one direction and parallel to each other and from the centre of the body to the periphery, whereby the wear of that surface portion is improved. The body can be formed into an aircraft brake disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: May 17, 2001
    Inventor: David Callum Johnson
  • Patent number: 6047756
    Abstract: In order to reduce the weight and cost of LPG pressure-resistant containers, thermo-plastic resin is used in the continuous formation of a hollow container wherein the outer surface of a hollow continuous liner is continuously braided with multiple yarns. The present invention is a system for forming a braided hollow container comprised of a continuous liner forming section 1 which continuously forms the continuous liner 70 for the inner layer 72 of the hollow container in the axial direction through a hollow joining section 71, a braid forming section 2 which uses a braiding machine BR to braid the outside of the continuous liner to form the continuous braided body 73, cutting section 3 which cuts the continuous braided body in the radial direction in the hollow joint section, and a plug welding section 4 which welds a plug 75 to the openings formed by the cutting section; and the pressure-resistant container formed using said system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 6006643
    Abstract: To prevent a long molding from bending during drying and hardening in a drying furnace after braiding. A pair of rotatable joints 2 and 3 are used as a stretching jig for a long braiding mandrel, the joints are connected to the respective ends of the mandrel, and a loading means 16 is used to stretch the mandrel via the joints to apply tension to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 5520018
    Abstract: A knitting machine is described for knitting rows of yarn loops in a helical pattern around the inner core of a hose. The machine comprises at least two concentrically disposed tubes. The first tube rotates concentrically around a straight axis along which the inner core of a hose moves towards an opening in a knitting head. The first tube carries a plurality of needles and needle guides which are equally spaced from, and around, the opening in the knitting head. The second tube concentrically rotates independently around the first tube and carries, i) at least one yarn deck, ii) cams which reciprocate the needles when the first and second tube differentially rotate, and iii) the knitting head. A stationary third, rigid, hollow inner tube can be concentrically disposed within the first tube to guide the inner core to the knitting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Douglas B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5468327
    Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts Lowell
    Inventors: Andrew Pawlowicz, Craig Douglas, Amad Tayebi, Stephen Orroth
  • Patent number: 5407520
    Abstract: An improved welding rod having a solid homogeneous core of thermoplastic material and a resistance element comprised of a plurality of wires is presented with a method and apparatus for forming the welding rod. The welding rod is positioned between members of the thermoplastic material to be welded and a current and pressure is applied to the resistance element causing the thermoplastic material of the solid core and the adjacent thermoplastic members to fuse and form a unitary weld. Simultaneously the electrical resistance element is embedded in the weld, mechanically reinforcing and strengthening the connection. There is also disclosed a method for electric fusion welding of thermoplastic members wherein the welding rod is pre-attached to one of the thermoplastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: E. O. Butts Consultants Ltd.
    Inventors: Ernest O. Butts, Nicholas E. Butts, Robert Pinder
  • Patent number: 5320696
    Abstract: A braided in-situ consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ronald F. McConnell, Peter Popper
  • Patent number: 5309738
    Abstract: A system for feeding a plurality of strands of material such as yarn, in unison, along an array of separate feed paths that extend from a bank of supply packages to a knitter head utilizes a bank of positive drive units that are arranged in an array that extends about the knitter head to coordinate and uniformly tension such strand reaches as extend from the positive drive units to the knitter head. The feeding of the strands takes place while the bank of supply packages, the bank of positive drive units, the knitter head and the array of feed paths all are rotated about an axis that extends substantially centrally among the rotating feed paths. Each feed path has a first reach that extends from a separate supply package to the capstan of a separate one of the positive drive units, a second reach that is wrapped around the capstan of its positive drive unit, and a third reach that extends from its positive drive unit to the knitter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Paul H. Morris
  • Patent number: 5228481
    Abstract: A weaving mechanism for producing rod piercing type three-dimensional multiple-axis fabrics using a fall-preventive wall to prevent fall-off of inserted weft rods. The weaving mechanism being adapted to obviate the use of wastefully lengthy weft rods. For inserting weft rods into a warp rod group obliquely from a plural number of directions in the weaving process of a three-dimensional multiple-axis fabric, the inserted weft rod portions which protrude out of the warp rod group are received by a fabric guide which constitutes a fall-preventive wall. The fabric guide which guides the woven fabric is formed in a cylindrical shape enveloping the woven fabric in small gap relation therewith when seen in the axial direction of the warp rods. The weft rods are inserted at a position outside an end portion of the fabric guide or through notched grooves in the fabric guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Three-D Composites Research Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Kimbara, Makoto Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 5127783
    Abstract: A carbon and/or ceramic fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic matrix composite threaded member including a core, a fiber containing thread-defining element bonded to the exterior of the core and a reinforcing fabric layer securing the thread-defining element to the core. The thread-defining element may be an integral part of a tubular braided reinforcing fabric or applied to the core prior to application of a reinforcing fabric layer. Externally and internally threaded members and methods for their manufacture are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Sharad R. Moghe, Mark J. Purdy, Wei-Teh Shih, James A. Tallon
  • Patent number: 5114290
    Abstract: A threaded member including a core, a thread-defining element helically extending around and along the core and a reinforcing tubular fabric layer bonded to the exterior surface of the combined core and thread-defining element. The radial projection of the thread-defining element defines a helical thread whose contour is followed by the fabric layer and the exterior surface of the threaded member. The composite threaded member may be formed by forming a braided or knit fabric layer on an elongated spiral wrapped core. The spiral wrapped thread-defining element and the fabric reinforcing layer is bonded to the core. A polymer sheath protects the underlying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Sharad R. Moghe
  • Patent number: 5108810
    Abstract: A composite element comprising a reinforcing fabric framework comprising at least one assembly of separate tubular fabric formations bonded in an impregnating synthetic resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Courtaulds, PLC
    Inventor: Dennis J. Williams
  • Patent number: 5080547
    Abstract: A hollow composite internally threaded member such as a nut includes a reinforcing fabric layer such as a braided or knit layer extending in the axial direction of the member and conforming to its threads and an exterior cross-sectional configuration defined by a tubular braided triaxial fabric having axially extending elements of greater size than the remainder of the elements forming the triaxial fabric. A method of making such an internally threaded member comprises forming and embedding in a mtrix at least one reinforcing fabric layer and one triaxial fabric layer on an externally threaded cylindrical core and thereafter removing the core. Such internally threaded member may be threadedly joined and bonded to an externally threaded member of complementary thread pitch and thread diameter to form a bolt. The externally threaded member may comprise an elongate core having an integral tubular fabric layer bonded to its exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Sharad R. Moghe
  • Patent number: 5076330
    Abstract: A number of rods are disposed along at least three differently oriented axes, the rods being formed by bonding together bundles of fibers with a matrix. Each rod in one group is passed between rods of the other differently oriented groups. The cross-sectional shape of a rod extending in at least one direction is matched to the shape of a clearance which is left between rods extending in other directions to admit the rod inserted therethrough. Put otherwise, a rod extending in at least one direction has a projection to fill such a clearance. Great enough strength to withstand external forces exerted from any direction is imparted to the three-dimensional fabric composite materials either by increasing the area of contact between individual rods or by minimizing the clearances between rods by means of a matrix of the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Three-D Composites Research Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Kimbara, Kenji Fukuta, Makoto Tsuzuki, Hironobu Takahama, Ietsugu Santo, Michiya Hayashida, Akinobu Mori, Akihiko Machii
  • Patent number: 4976812
    Abstract: A braided insitu consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ronald F. McConnell, Peter Popper
  • Patent number: 4963222
    Abstract: The cable is made up of a series of pairs stranded alternately in one direction and the other. At the locations of the reversal of the stranding direction, the individual conductors are kept in the form of a web and welded together side by side. Between two thus bonded segments, the adjacent pairs are twisted in opposite directions. A ground wire is provided with lengths of sheathing which come to be placed in the bonded segments. These segments are marked by deposition of a radioactive substance or other indicator material detectable during a subsequent stage of manufacture and actuating marking. Once overall stranding and jacketing have taken place, or during those stages, the bonded segments are spotted owing to the indicator substance and are marked visibly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Maillefer S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques L. Bonjour, Dan G. Baz
  • Patent number: 4857124
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a fiber-reinforced plastic article having first, second, and third cylindrical portions is disclosed. A helical braid is applied along a first cylindrical portion as a first cylindrical sleeve which conforms to and encases the outside surface of said first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion is passed through the filaments forming the braid and the braid is collapsed into a first, substantially flat, double-ply braided ribbon which is then wrapped about the outer surface of the second intersecting portion. The helical braid is again applied along the first cylindrical portion and a second braided ribbon is then wrapped about the outer surface of the third cylindrical portion. The fibers are impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is cured to produce the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Plas/Steel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Shobert, Elson B. Fish
  • Patent number: 4846908
    Abstract: Process for preparing preforms and composite articles from carbon fiber reinforced matrix resins braided to shape on a mandrel and then converting to final composite article by fully or partially curing in a mold followed by post curing if required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Donald C. Aldrich, Robert C. Buchanan, John F. Sollinger
  • Patent number: 4777860
    Abstract: A braiding nose for use in forming a braided cover for hydraulic hose includes a right frustum portion connected between a larger diameter cylindrical portion and a smaller diameter tip portion. A central aperture is formed in the braiding nose for the passage of a flexible tube and means are provided for attaching the braiding nose to a braiding machine. Strands of wire are directed over the outer surface of the right frustum portion and the tip portion, which portions function to absorb the braiding forces which would otherwise tend to deform or collapse the flexible tube as the strands are braided together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence W. Bassett, Francis R. McGranaghan
  • Patent number: 4738735
    Abstract: A method for continuously extruding an elastomeric material on the interior of a continuous tubular woven fabric in a loom, comprising motive means for creating relevant movement between the extruder and the woven fabric, sensing means for detecting stoppage of said loom, control means responsive to said sensing means directing said motive means to move said extruder relative to said woven fabric and a tubular woven fabric having an interior layer extruded directly onto the interior of the tubular woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Mercedes Textiles Limited
    Inventors: Helmut Joncker, Richard J. McAlpine
  • Patent number: 4734146
    Abstract: A method for producing a composite structural beam, particularly a sine wave beam, is disclosed utilizing as an essential feature, the bonding of the junctures of the sine wave web to the opposite flange areas of the beam with a fibrous braided material. The braiding is carried out during assembly of the composite web and composite flange components, prior to curing the components. In one embodiment the braided material extends along the entire height of the web, as well as along the flange areas, and is bonded thereto. In another embodiment the braided material does not extend along the entire height of the web, but only along the opposite edge portions of the web adjacent the junctures thereof with the flanges, the central portion of the web having no braided material applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Halcomb, Theodore K. Vogt
  • Patent number: 4517039
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for manufacturing a reinforced elastomeric hose. Other reinforced hoses are prepared in individual stations for particular parts of the reinforced hose consequently requiring large amounts of manufacturing floor space. Still other hoses that are made while utilizing small amounts of floor space do not provide a high strength braided reinforcement member. A reinforced hose (10) is produced by continuously braiding a tubular reinforcement member (16) on a mandrel (50), progressively removing the reinforcement member from the mandrel (50), and at approximately the same axial location extruding a liner (26) and cover (28) onto the reinforcement member (16) adjacent the mandrel (50). After leaving the extruders (33,34), the formed hose (10) is pulled at a linear rate faster than the hose (10) is being produced in order to change the braid angle of the braided reinforcement member (16) to a predetermined smaller braid angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 4508585
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved apparatus and method for fabricating coaxial cable. Coaxial cable fabricated in accordance with the present invention comprises an inner conductive member encased in an annular electrical insulator, an outer electrically conducting sheath being annularly disposed about the insulator providing electrical shielding for the inner conductor. The improved apparatus and method for fabricating coaxial cable directs flattened malleable conductive strands for braiding the outer electrical sheath. The individual strands forming the braided sheath are each disposed about a cylindrical bobbin and fed about a pair of directing pins and positioners which position the flattened sheath material for entry into a braiding cone. Denatured alcohol lubricates the braiding cone during the braiding process in order to provide for uniform distribution of the braided sheath about the electrical conductor and insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: David L. Frakes
  • Patent number: 4501629
    Abstract: Extruded reinforced hoses are useful in fluid systems which operate at high pressures. Other reinforced hoses are prepared in individual stations for particular parts of the reinforced hose consequently requiring large amounts of manufacturing floor space. Still other processes require extruding a hose on a mandrel and subsequently applying a fabric reinforcement member. In these processes, the length of the hose is limited by the length of the mandrel. The present apparatus produces an extruded reinforced hose (10) by braiding a metal reinforcement member (16) on a mandrel (42) and extruding a liner (21) and cover (22) at approximately the same location as the member (16) leaves the mandrel (42). The formed hose (10) is pulled at a linear rate faster than the hose (10) is being produced in order to change the braid angle of the braided member (16) to a predetermined selected braid angle and holding for subsequent curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 4490316
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for continuously extruding an elastomeric hose (10) having a controlled internal size. A controlled internal size is necessary in order to mount various types of couplings to the hose. Other hose making processes require extruding the hose on a mandrel in order to control the internal size. The use of mandrels restrict hose length and require additional floor space due to the lengthy mandrels. An extruded hose (10) having a controlled internal size is continuously made by extruding an elastomeric material over a first end portion (104) of an internal shaping member (102) and continuously monitoring the flow of air between a gauge member (112) and the internal size of the hose (10). The rate of extrusion is controlled in response to the flow of air between the gauge member (112) and the internal size of the hose (10) changing from a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 4472126
    Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing reinforced hoses, a reinforced layer forming device is arranged concentric with material efflux port of an outer tube extruder and an inner tube extruder so that inner tube formation, the reinforcing layer formation and the outer tube extruding can be performed continuously and nearly at the same time on a torpedo projected beyond the top end of an inner die (2) of the inner tube extruder (1). In order to obtain the reinforcing layer of uniform spiral structure stably, a spiral device (21) as a reinforcing layer forming device has an inner spinner (25) and an outer spinner (26), each having conical frustum form, and top end portions of the inner and outer spinners are provided with a plurality of thread holes (G1, G2) and inserted in a gap between the intermediate die (12) and the inner die (2), and the inner and outer spinners can be rotated integrally with inner and outer bobbin carriers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Mitsui, Shoji Murakawa
  • Patent number: 4444700
    Abstract: An improved method for producing a reinforced hose. A tubular core is extruded and then heated in a microwave oven to at least partially cure the core. While the core is still hot, a powdered hot-melt adhesive is electrostatically coated onto the core and forms a fusion bond with the core. The coated core is cooled, a reinforcement is applied to the core, an optional outer coating is applied and then the composite is heated to finish curing of the hose and to melt the adhesive to bond the reinforcement to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Champion Spark Plug Company
    Inventor: Bruce J. Fondren