Three-dimensional Weave (e.g., X-y-z Planes, Multi-planar Warps And/or Wefts, Etc.) Patents (Class 442/205)
  • Patent number: 11951694
    Abstract: A fibrous texture has the shape of a strip extending in a longitudinal direction over a determined length between a proximal portion and a distal portion and in a lateral direction over a determined width between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The fibrous texture has a three-dimensional or multi-layer weaving between a plurality of layers of warp strands extending in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of layers of weft strands extending in the lateral direction, the fibrous texture including first and second longitudinal sections extending over a width from the first or second lateral edge smaller than the determined width of the fibrous texture along the lateral direction. The first and second longitudinal sections each include warp strands and weft strands constituted by carbon fibers. The fibrous texture further includes a third section present between the first and second sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Baptiste Leblon, Clémentine Arnold, Clément Bourolleau, Thomas Dupays, Serge Domingues
  • Patent number: 11873735
    Abstract: A composite component for a gas turbine engine includes a body including a composite material. Furthermore, the composite component includes a connection feature integrally woven to the body. Additionally, the connection portion includes a composite material. Moreover, the composite material of the body and the composite material of the connection feature include alternating layers of fiber tows integrally woven together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mitchell Harold Boyer, Christopher Timothy Roll, Kristin Lynn Bolte Baxter, Joseph Saeler
  • Patent number: 11869741
    Abstract: A switching device includes an arc extinguishing chamber, an orifice for outflow of the gases from the arc extinguishing chamber, and a multilayer wire cloth or fabric having at least a first wire layer and a second wire layer. The first wire layer and the second wire layer have a respective cloth or fabric structure including respective warp yarns and weft yams. The first and second wire layers are disposed in a stacked configuration in the orifice such that a weaving direction of the warp yams of the first wire layer is rotated by an angle in relation to a weaving direction of the warp yarns of the second wire layer, and a weaving direction of the weft yarns of the first wire layer is rotated by an angle in relation to a weaving direction of the weft yarns of the second wire layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Christoph Bausch, Julia Otte, Kai Schroeder, Ute Molitor
  • Patent number: 11764491
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to electrically conductive connection between a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element on a textile carrier material. In one example embodiment, the electrically conductive connection includes an electrically conductive thermal transfer adhesive arranged on the carrier material and creates an electrically conductive connection between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The electrically conductive connection is positioned in electrically conductive contact with the first conductive element and the second conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: ADAPTIVE REGELSYSTEME GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H., TEXIBLE GMBH, “ZAZA” TEXTILLÖSUNGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Klapper, Thomas Fröis, Monika Repnik-Hotz
  • Patent number: 11753948
    Abstract: A fibrous preform obtained by three-dimensional weaving, comprising a first skin, a second skin, and a central portion connecting them and forming a stiffening element. In a transverse plane, transverse threads of the first skin and the second skin are woven in pairs in the first skin and the second skin on either side of the central portion; the threads of a first pair of the first skin and of a second pair of the second skin are separated into two unitary threads at the central portion by being woven with longitudinal threads, and a thread of the first pair crosses a thread of the second pair at least twice in the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Yann Didier Simon Marchal, Dominique Marie Christian Coupe
  • Patent number: 11739649
    Abstract: A three-dimensional fibrous preform of a fan blade includes a blade root and a blade airfoil between the blade root and a free end of the preform. The airfoil has an area with two skins and a longitudinal stiffener between the skins and, in a transverse plane, transverse yarns of the skins woven in pairs in the first and in the second skin either side of the stiffener, the yarns of a first pair of the first skin are separated into two unit yarns at the stiffener, the unit yarns being woven separately with longitudinal yarns, the yarns of a second pair of the second skin are separated into two unit yarns at the stiffener, the yarns being woven separately with longitudinal yarns, and a yarn of each pair cross over each other twice in the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Yann Didier Simon Marchal, Dominique Marie Christian Coupe
  • Patent number: 11673687
    Abstract: A compressible part having a solid portion and a compressible portion. The solid portion includes a first polymer material. The compressible portion has a lattice structure adjacent to the solid portion. The compressible portion includes a second polymer material that is an elastomeric polymer. The lattice structure is configured to provide for increased elastic deformation of the compressible part under compressive stress compared to the same compressible part made completely of the elastomeric polymer in solid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Terrence D. Brown, William R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11648115
    Abstract: A system for delivering medical implants has an expandable introducer sheath which can locally expand and lengthen to accommodate passage of a delivery catheter and implant, such as a prosthetic heart valve secured to a balloon catheter. The expandable sheath may be configured so that the local expansion is proportional to the local surface lengthening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph Arthur Passman
  • Patent number: 11607853
    Abstract: A method for repairing a part made of composite material includes producing a recessed section by removing the composite material at a damaged area, producing grooves extending on the two faces of the part from edges of the recessed section, producing orifices in the part opening out into the grooves, tree-dimensional weaving of a filling part fiber preforms including a central section having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recessed section and fiber bundles extending from the central section, placing the filling preforms respectively on either face of the part with the fiber bundles in the grooves on the faces of the part and in the orifices such that the fiber bundles open out into the grooves present on the opposite face of the part, impregnating the filling fiber preforms with a precursor resin of a matrix, transforming the resin into a matrix to obtain a filling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Mathieu Julien Charlas, Adrien Francis Paixao
  • Patent number: 11570891
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to electrically conductive connection between a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element on a textile carrier material. In one example embodiment, the electrically conductive connection includes an electrically conductive thermal transfer adhesive arranged on the carrier material and creates an electrically conductive connection between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The electrically conductive connection is positioned in electrically conductive contact with the first conductive element and the second conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: ADAPTIVE REGELSYSJEME GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H., TEXIBLE GMBH, “ZAZA” TEXTILLÖSUNGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Klapper, Thomas Fröis, Monika Repnik-Hotz
  • Patent number: 11495547
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include electronic packages and methods of forming such packages. In an embodiment, the electronic package comprises a package substrate, where the package substrate comprises a plurality of buildup layers, and where each buildup layer has fiber reinforcement. In an embodiment, the electronic package further comprises a reinforcement layer, where the reinforcement layer comprises a buildup layer and fiber reinforcement, and where an orientation of the fibers in the reinforcement layer is different than an orientation of the fibers in the package substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Florence Pon, Tyler Leuten, Maria Angela Damille Ramiso
  • Patent number: 11383486
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at materials and methods for their formation having wavy network structures dispersed in a second and relatively harder phase. The materials can be designed to exhibit auxetic properties (e.g. a negative Poisson's ratio) in response to an application of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
    Inventor: Yaning Li
  • Patent number: 11388817
    Abstract: An item may include fabric having insulating and conductive yarns or other strands of material. The conductive strands may form signal paths. Electrical components can be mounted to the fabric. Each electrical component may have an electrical device such as a semiconductor die that is mounted on an interposer substrate. The interposer may have contacts that are soldered to the conductive strands. A protective cover may encapsulate portions of the electrical component. To create a robust connection between the electrical component and the fabric, the conductive strands may be threaded through recesses in the electrical component. The recesses may be formed in the interposer or may be formed in a protective cover on the interposer. Conductive material in the recess may be used to electrically and/or mechanically connect the conductive strand to a bond pad in the recess. Thermoplastic material may be used to seal the solder joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Sunshine, David M. Kindlon, Michael B. Nussbaum, Andrew L. Rosenberg, Andrew Sterian, Breton M. Saunders, Christopher A. Schultz, David A. Bolt, Mark J. Beesley, Peter W. Mash, Steven Keating, Chang Liu, Lan Hoang
  • Patent number: 11233012
    Abstract: A fabric-based item may include fabric formed from intertwined strands of material with embedded circuitry. The strands of material may be formed from dielectric materials such as polymers. The strands of material may be formed from joined segments of polymer strand material or other material. Each joined segment may contain a potentially distinct circuit. Some joined segments may include one or more conductive lines. The conductive lines may run parallel to each other along the length of the joined segments to form circuit interconnects. Conductive lines may be joined to contact pads on integrated circuits and other embedded components formed from semiconductor dies. Control circuitry formed from the integrated circuits embedded in strands of material in the fabric and other control circuitry may be used to control the circuitry embedded in the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Keating, Daniel D. Sunshine, Benjamin J. Grena
  • Patent number: 11199931
    Abstract: It is disclosed a capacitive touch sensor (10) comprising a support layer (1) having a plurality of sensing threadlike elements (2) coupled thereto and configured to be electrically connected to a detection device (5) for evaluating the capacitance value (C) of each sensing threadlike element (2) of said plurality of sensing threadlike elements, characterized in that said sensing threadlike elements (2) comprise a plurality of electrically resistive threadlike elements (2r), wherein the electrical resistance per unit of length of each electrically resistive threadlike element (2r) is comprised between 10 k?/m and 10 M?/m. An article comprising the capacitive touch sensor (10) and a method for detecting a touch event on a support layer (1) are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sanko Tekstil Isletmeleri San. Ve Tic. A.S.
    Inventors: Ozgur Cobanoglu, Jitka Eryilmaz, Ece Senel, Deniz Iyidogan, Semih Kazanc, Erdogan Baris Ozden
  • Patent number: 11166496
    Abstract: Light emitting devices attached to an item of clothing are illuminated. The light emitting devices are attached to a loom that is terminated by an interface circuit that includes a data storage device (102). Configuration data (1703) is written to the data storage device and the loom is located within an item of clothing. A control unit (1502) is connected to the interface circuit and is configured to supply power and control data to the light emitting devices. Configuration data (1805) from the data storage device is transferred to the control unit, such that the control unit supplies control data to light emitting devices in a form determined by this configuration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Wearable Technology Limited
    Inventor: Michael John Lynch
  • Patent number: 11098442
    Abstract: A water-repellent knitted fabric is a knitted fabric which comprises a multifilament made of a thermoplastic resin and has a water repellent imparted to a surface of the knitted fabric or the multifilament, and satisfies the following conditions (1) to (4): (1) the number of voids between stitches of the knitted fabric is 20 to 40/[12 cm×12 cm], and the voids have a size of 7 to 25 mm2; (2) initial water repellency measured in accordance with a spray method described in JIS L-1092 is at a grade 3 or higher; (3) initial Water drainage is 70% or more; and (4) initial Bursting Strength measured in accordance with a method A described in JIS L-1096 is 200 kPa or more and 500 kPa or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: finetrack co., ltd., UNITIKA TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yotaro Kanayama, Yuko Yagi, Jun Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11001033
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite material has an excellent design surface. The prepreg laminate includes at least prepregs [a] having reinforcing fibers impregnated with a resin, and a base material [b] not impregnated with a resin, wherein at least two of the prepregs [a] are stacked in succession, and both sides of the base material [b] are sandwiched by the prepregs [a].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hatanaka, Norio Nakagawa, Hideki Nudeshima, Hidehiro Takemoto
  • Patent number: 10959331
    Abstract: An item may include fabric having insulating and conductive yarns or other strands of material. The conductive strands may form signal paths. Electrical components can be mounted to the fabric. Each electrical component may have an electrical device such as a semiconductor die that is mounted on an interposer substrate. The interposer may have contacts that are soldered to the conductive strands. A protective cover may encapsulate portions of the electrical component. To create a robust connection between the electrical component and the fabric, the conductive strands may be threaded through recesses in the electrical component. The recesses may be formed in the interposer or may be formed in a protective cover on the interposer. Conductive material in the recess may be used to electrically and/or mechanically connect the conductive strand to a bond pad in the recess. Thermoplastic material may be used to seal the solder joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Sunshine, David M. Kindlon, Michael B. Nussbaum, Andrew L. Rosenberg, Andrew Sterian, Breton M. Saunders, Christopher A. Schultz, David A. Bolt, Mark J. Beesley, Peter W. Mash, Steven Keating, Chang Liu, Lan Hoang
  • Patent number: 10910315
    Abstract: A fabric-based item may include fabric such as woven fabric having insulating and conductive yarns or other strands of material. The conductive yarns may form signal paths. Electrical components can be embedded within pockets in the fabric. Each electrical component may have an electrical device such as a semiconductor die that is mounted on an interposer substrate. The electrical device may be a light-emitting diode, a sensor, an actuator, or other electrical device. The electrical device may have contacts that are soldered to contacts on the interposer. The interposer may have additional contacts that are soldered to the signal paths. The fabric may have portions that form transparent windows overlapping the electrical components or that have other desired attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Sunshine, Paul S. Drzaic, Daniel A. Podhajny, David M. Kindlon, Hoon Sik Kim, Kathryn P. Crews, Yung-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 10756020
    Abstract: A fabric-based item may include fabric layers and other layers of material. An array of electrical components may be mounted in the fabric-based item. The electrical components may be mounted to a support structure such as a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit may have a mesh shape formed from an array of openings. Serpentine flexible printed circuit segments may extend between the openings. The electrical components may be light-emitting diodes or other electrical devices. Polymer with light-scattering particles or other materials may cover the electrical components. The flexible printed circuit may be laminated between fabric layers or other layers of material in the fabric-based item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Sunshine, Paul S. Drzaic, Daniel A. Podhajny, David M. Kindlon, Hoon Sik Kim, Kathryn P. Crews, Yung-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 10577732
    Abstract: Conductive yarns in a knitted fabric may include insulating cores covered with metal layers that form signal paths. Open circuits may be formed in the yarns by removing metal from the insulating cores at selected locations within the yarns. The fabric may be formed from rows of interlocked loops of the yarn. The open circuits may be located on the loops so that each loop with an open circuit has a first segment of the metal layer that is separated from a second segment of the layer by a portion of the loop from which the metal layer has been removed. Each electrical component may have terminals that span a respective one of the open circuits and that are shorted respectively to the metal of the first and second segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Daniel D. Sunshine, Yohji Hamada
  • Patent number: 10519575
    Abstract: A woven fabric formed of a first set of yarns extending in a first direction, woven together with a second set of yarns extending in a second direction. The first set includes first conductors, while the second set includes second conductors. The first and second conductors cross over one another at crossing points. At each crossing point, a non-conductive element is disposed directly between the first and second conductors so as to provide a physical barrier between the first and second conductors. At some crossing points, a physical electrical connection is provided between crossing conductors in order to provide a permanent connection between the conductors. Non-conductive tie yarns are provided to fix the conductors in position. The structure provides a robust yarn with minimized risk of short circuiting between crossing conductors which are intended to be kept separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Intelligent Textiles Limited
    Inventors: Asha Peta Thompson, Stanley Shigezo Swallow
  • Patent number: 9806670
    Abstract: A shading textile is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of strip-shaped photovoltaic lamellas which, aligned next to one another or spaced apart from one another in their longitudinal direction, form a continuous product by means of a yarn system, wherein the yarn system is designed to be elastic in at least one direction, so that by tensioning the shading textile, a spacing between adjacent photovoltaic elements can be varied perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Penn Textile Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Leo Jasper, Franz Schuette
  • Patent number: 9200125
    Abstract: Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be cured/molded to form composite parts having high compression strength under hot and wet conditions, as well as, high damage tolerance and interlaminar fracture toughness. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that includes polyamide particles which are composed of the polymeric condensation product of a methyl derivative of bis(4-aminocyclohexyl)methane and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Seine Wang, Maureen Boyle
  • Publication number: 20150140269
    Abstract: An insulation panel includes a foam core with a reinforced and vapor-impervious facing disposed on one or both sides of the core. A portion of the facing extends beyond the core and has an adhesive so that the overhanging portion can be secured to an abutting panel to cover a seam between the abutting panels. A fixture for forming the panel includes two heated platens, preferably provided with a textured surface, held apart by a spacer and between which the facing is mechanically suspended. An installation of the insulation panel includes panel-securing elements attached to frame elements of the building and including first and second flanges spaced apart by the thickness of the panel. A portion of the insulation panel is disposed between the first and second flanges, the first flange is secured to the frame element, and a cover panel disposed over the insulation panel is secured to the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Pacific Insulated Panel LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Bahnmiller
  • Patent number: 8969223
    Abstract: A three dimensional woven preform, a fiber reinforced composite incorporating the preform, and methods of making thereof are disclosed. The woven preform includes one or more layers of a warp steered fabric. A portion of the warp steered fabric is compressed into a mold to form an upstanding leg. The preform includes the upstanding leg and a joggle in a body portion. The body portion and upstanding leg are integrally woven so there is continuous fiber across the preform. A portion of the warp steered fabric includes stretch broken carbon fibers in the warp direction, and another portion includes conventional carbon fibers. The warp steered fabric can be woven on a loom equipped with a differential take-up mechanism. The warp steered fabric can be a single or multilayer fabric. The preform or the composite can be a portion of an aircraft window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Goering, Craig Rowles
  • Patent number: 8960511
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention provide devices, systems, and methods for packing equipment that provide for a versatile, comfortable, and convenient modular outdoor packing system that increases the enjoyment of outdoor activities. In general, one or more implementations of the present invention include a modular outdoor pack with multiple interchangeable front packs that are interchangeable with a base back pack. Each interchangeable front pack is configured for a particular outdoor activity allowing the modular outdoor pack to transform into multiple different packs depending on the outdoor activity in which the user is participating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Vestpac, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Shepherd, Jeffery Goltz
  • Patent number: 8883660
    Abstract: A three dimensional woven preform, a fiber reinforced composite incorporating the preform, and methods of making thereof are disclosed. The woven preform includes two or more warp steered fabrics. The warp steered fabrics include a darted portion and an un-darted portion. The darted portions of the warp steered fabrics are joined to un-darted portions of one another so as to provide continuous fiber in the circumferential and radial directions of all portions of the preform. An un-darted portion in one steered fabric reinforces a darted portion in the other. The warp steered fabrics can be woven on a loom equipped with a differential take-up mechanism. The warp steered fabrics can be single or multilayer fabrics. The final preform can be a portion of an aircraft window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering
  • Patent number: 8853107
    Abstract: An industrial two-layer fabric includes a first warp set and a second warp set that are placed alternately and form a weave design of the upper side fabric. The first warp set contains two upper side warps. At least one of the upper side warps of the first warp set functions as a warp binding yarn that binds the upper side fabric and the lower side fabric. The second warp set contains one of upper side warps and one of lower side warps placed below the one of the upper side warps. At a position where two adjacent lower side warps are woven with one of the lower side wefts, the warp binding yarn placed between the two adjacent lower side warps is woven with the same one of the lower side wefts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Ueda
  • Patent number: 8809211
    Abstract: An industrial two-layer fabric includes an upper side fabric and a lower side fabric. The upper side warps of the upper side fabric comprise a first warp set and a second warp set. The first warp set contains two upper side warps and a warp binding yarn that binds the upper side fabric and the lower side fabric. The two upper side warps are woven with the same upper side wefts. The second warp set contains one upper side warp. At a position where the warp binding yarn passes above one of the upper side wefts, the warp binding yarn is placed between the two upper side warps of the first warp set and pass below the same one of the upper side wefts, whereby the two upper side warps and the warp binding yarn of the first warp set form the upper side warp design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Ueda
  • Patent number: 8703629
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an integrally woven three-dimensional preform with at least one sidewall in at least one direction constructed from a woven base fabric comprising two or more layers, and a method of forming thereof. A plurality of fibers in a first direction is interwoven between at least the top layer and a second layer, such that top layer is foldable relative to the other layers and form, upon folding, an integral sidewall. A plurality of fibers may also be interwoven between the second-from-the-top layer and a second layer, such that the second-from-the-top layer is foldable relative to the other layers, upon folding, form a second integral sidewall perpendicular to the first integral sidewall. The preform may optionally comprise a plurality of non-integral sidewalls formed by folding portions of the topmost layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering
  • Patent number: 8685868
    Abstract: A reinforcing fiber structure woven as a single piece for fabricating a composite material part, the fiber structure having an internal portion or core (72), and a portion adjacent to an outside surface of the structure, or skin (74, 76), and the fiber structure being formed by a three-dimensional weaving in its core using at least one weave selected from an interlock weave and a multilayer weave, and by weaving at its skin with a weave of satin type that is different from the weave in the core the weaving at the skin being of the multilayer type or of the two-dimensional type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: SNECMA, SNECMA Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Eric Bouillon, Francois Charleux, Dominique Coupe, Bruno Dambrine, Jean Noel Mahieu
  • Publication number: 20140080376
    Abstract: A polymer matrix composites is formed from a preform layup from a plurality of fibers and is optionally tackified on its surface with a resin. The preform layup is placed in a vacuum bag and resin is flowed into the bag to infuse the layup to form a resin filled layup, then heated to increase the viscosity of the resin. The vacuum bag is vented to remove residual resin and/or entrapped gas, applying pressure to the preform layup in the bag to consolidate the layup to the target fiber volume, and the resin is cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Jalowka
  • Patent number: 8663776
    Abstract: A corner fitting preform and a method of forming a corner fitting preform including steps integrally weaving a base or parent material with one or more flanges or legs that extend from the base is disclosed. The flat woven preform includes specially engineered areas within the legs or flanges that have continuous warp yarns which are not woven. The unwoven areas provide a hinge which allows the flanges of the preform to fold around a corner. After folding, the excess unwoven warp yarns are pulled back through the woven portion of the legs or flanges to produce a preform with continuous warp yarn reinforcement around the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites
    Inventors: Jonathan Goering, Michael McClain
  • Patent number: 8663778
    Abstract: A three-dimensional preform, composite components formed with the preform, and processes for producing the preform and composite materials. The three-dimensional preform includes first and second sets of tows containing filaments. Each tow of the first set has a predetermined polygonal cross-sectional shape and is embedded within a temporary matrix. The preform is fabricated from the first and second sets of tows, in which the second set of tows are transverse to the first set of tows, adjacent tows of the second set are spaced apart to define interstitial regions therebetween, and the polygonal cross-sectional shapes of the first set of tows are substantially congruent to the cross-sectional shapes of the interstitial regions so as to substantially fill the interstitial regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Daniel Kostar, Douglas Melton Carper, Suresh Subramanian, James Dale Steible
  • Patent number: 8652602
    Abstract: Auxetic structures exhibiting negative Poisson's ratios are disclosed including planar auxetic structures formed from x-axis and y-axis strands of selected waveforms. Portions of the auxetic structure referred to as unit cells comprise four joints formed by two adjacent x-axis strands overlapping two adjacent y-axis strands display symmetry about x and y axes. Each unit cell comprises four sub-unit cells formed from segments of ½ wavelength of the wave form. The planar auxetic structures may be formed into three-dimensional auxetic structures or cylindrical or spherical auxetic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: William Jacob Spenner Dolla
  • Patent number: 8642151
    Abstract: Preforms including fiber reinforced nodes for use in fiber reinforced composite structures and methods for making fiber reinforced composite structures. Preforms with woven fabric elements extending radially from a common node include at least one reinforcing fiber interwoven between at least two elements and passing through the node. A method of assembling preform structures using the preforms to provide a structure with reinforced nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Goering, Keith Edward Burgess
  • Patent number: 8598054
    Abstract: A woven geosynthetic fabric is disclosed having a first weft yarn, a second weft yarn, and a stuffer pick woven in the weft direction of the fabric. A warp yarn interweaves the first and second weft yarns and the stuffer pick. The first weft yarn and the second weft yarn having different cross-sectional shapes. At least a portion of the fabric has a plurality of weft yarn sets with stuffer picks respectively disposed and woven between the weft yarn sets. Each weft yarn set has two first weft yarns and two second weft yarns. One of the two first weft yarns is adjacent one of the two second weft yarns and stacked on the other second weft yarn. The adjacent second weft yarn is stacked on the other first weft yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nicolon Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Nelson King, David Michael Jones
  • Publication number: 20130316141
    Abstract: An imitation leather including a three-dimensional textile supporting material and a PVC-based covering that is applied to one side of the supporting material and includes three successively applied layers. The first layer of which is applied directly to the supporting material without an adhesion-promoting glue layer, the second layer of which is embodied as an intermediate layer and applied directly to the first layer and the third layer of which serves as a top layer and is applied directly to the second layer. This invention also discloses a method for producing such an imitation leather and an interior component of a motor vehicle having a visible surface that is composed of such an imitation leather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Birgit Kammerer, Sonja Kaspar, Gabriele Beate Wittmann
  • Patent number: 8561649
    Abstract: A weaving process for direct manufacture of three-dimensional structures with bidimensional walls with corners, without the need for sewing or other assembly between two ridges. The weaving is made by transforming weft threads into warp threads for making at least one face. The process is particularly adapted for the weaving of reinforcing elements for composite structures of corner fitting type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Xavier Legrand, Mathieu Piana, Georgi Tsarvarishki, Julien Charles, Philippe Blot, Dominique Guittard
  • Publication number: 20130260630
    Abstract: A woven fabric having a high shrinkage yarn that has a predetermined shrinkage ratio and a low shrinkage yarn that has a relatively lower shrinkage ratio than the high shrinkage yarn, includes an inductive portion that is formed by the high shrinkage yarn, and allows displacement in a planar direction. At least a portion of the low shrinkage yarn is engaged with the inductive portion and bent in the planar direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi ITO, Hideaki KUNISADA
  • Publication number: 20130243603
    Abstract: A composite blade has a root and a tip in a spanwise direction and a leading edge and a trailing edge in a chordwise direction. The composite blade includes a three-dimensional woven preform having weft yarns and warp yarns. The weft yarns extend in the spanwise direction of the composite blade. The warp yarns interweave the weft yarns and extend in the chordwise direction of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Rajiv A. Naik
  • Patent number: 8536075
    Abstract: A textile thread or fiber has a plurality of elements, such as electronic elements, embedded or encapsulated therein. The textile thread or fiber could also be part of a fabric article. The textile thread or fiber, for example, has the plurality of elements interconnected, or otherwise intercommunicating, with one another to form a signal processing system. This signal processing system may include, for example, a personal computer system, a personal telecommunications transmitter/receiver system or a personal television and/or radio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Philip Noel Leonard
  • Publication number: 20130189888
    Abstract: A self-healing composite system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels. The microfluidic channels include a first healing agent in the channels. The woven structure also may include a second plurality of microfluidic channels that include a second healing agent in the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Jason F. Patrick, Kevin R. Hart, Brett P. Krull, Nancy R. Sottos, Jeffrey S. Moore, Scott R. White
  • Patent number: 8486847
    Abstract: A fabric having moisture management function, which has a structure simulating plant structure and comprises at least two layers as follows: a bottom layer, which is of a leno or matt structure simulating main stem of plant, in which a number of yarns are grouped together to form a plurality of fabric units; said bottom layer can be adapted to be in contact with human skin; a top layer, which is of a plain weave structure, in which the yarns of said fabric unit further split in the top layer to form such a plain weave structure, simulating the branching in plant structure; wherein, in said fabric, water can be transported from the bottom layer to the middle layer and further to the top layer where it evaporates due to the improved capillarity of the yarns so as to provide better moisture management function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jintu Fan, Yu-cheung Szeto, Manas Kumar Sarkar
  • Patent number: 8440276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to multidirectionally reinforced fiber preforms that conform easily to complex curvatures, such as, composite turbine fan cases, jet engine containment rings, aircraft fuselage frames, aircraft window frames, and flanged rings for attaching nacelles to aircraft engines. The present invention provides multidirectionally reinforced shape woven preforms with improved strength for composite structures that are axisymmetric as well as non-axisymmetric in nature. The invention is a preform used to reinforce a composite structure which includes a contour woven fabric portion, bi-axially braided, tri-axially braided or bias fabric portion, and/or a polar woven fabric portion, and a method of making thereof. The preform may optionally include a three-dimensionally woven portion. The combination of different forms of fabrics allows the preform to be produced without cutting and darting of the individual plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Rose, Jonathan Goering, Steve Biddle
  • Publication number: 20130102217
    Abstract: The present invention discloses to relates to an electrically conductive fabric, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof, and more specifically to an electrically conductive fabric, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof, wherein part of electrically conductive wire woven together into fabric is selectively exposed to the outside of the fabric to perform the tying of electrically conductive wires and the connection of various elements and modules quickly and conveniently, so that workability and productivity can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: SILVERAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung-Ok Jeon
  • Patent number: 8426326
    Abstract: A fiber reinforcing texture woven as a single part for fabricating a composite material part having an inner portion, or core, made by three-dimensional weaving with yarns made up from discontinuous fibers, and a portion adjacent to an outside surface, or skin, made by weaving with yarns made up from continuous filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Eric Bouillon, François Charleux, Caroline Louchet-Pouillerie, Rémi Bouvier, Dominique Coupe
  • Patent number: 8389424
    Abstract: A reinforcement for a darted three-dimensional Pi or T-shaped preform, a method of making thereof and a composite structure including the reinforcement is disclosed. The reinforcement is a steered fabric having a width, a length, a first face surface and a second face surface separated by a thickness. The first face surface of the steered fabric is affixed to a darted component of the preform. The steered fabric reinforcement can be a single layer or multilayer fabric, which can be woven using a programmable take up system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Goering, Michael McClain