Multi-planar Warp Layers Patents (Class 442/206)
  • Patent number: 11285688
    Abstract: A fiber composite component, comprising a basic element which comprises fibers embedded in a matrix material. A production method for a fiber composite component. A structural component, comprising a support element and the reinforcement element and also a production method for a structural component. The fiber composite component comprises a base element, comprising fibers embedded in a matrix material, and a reinforcement element, comprising fibers embedded in a matrix material wherein the base element and the reinforcement element are interconnected, a hole leads through the base element and the reinforcement element, wherein fibers of the base element that are adjacent to the hole are severed, and fibers of the reinforcement element that are adjacent to the hole are continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Rubner
  • Patent number: 11268645
    Abstract: A material for use in lining pipes is disclosed. A warp-knitted tubular fabric (24, 64) in which the stitch used (for example a tricot stitch) is of a type that reconfigures as the tube is expanded radially to contract longitudinally is sufficiently flexible and compressible to enable it to conform to pipe structures. The fabric of this invention is infused with resin, which is cured once the liner is in place within the pipe. Potentially, this fabric may be thinner than known prior art materials, but exhibits comparable strength and conformability, which are necessary characteristics in the repair or rehabilitation of pipes. The use of a thinner fabric material reduces constriction of the pipe bore by repair and also offers the potential for cheaper lining material, as less resin is required. The fabric may be knitted from glass fibre yarn, which is non-toxic and a stronger material than generally used in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Scott & Fyfe Limited
    Inventor: David Peter Tough
  • Patent number: 11247416
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a turbomachine composite part, such as a fan blade, are provided. The composite part has a fibrous structure with a three-dimensional fibrous preform coated with a surface fibrous web, and which is embedded in a polymer matrix The methods include: forming the surface web in a cavity of a mold in order to shape it, wetting and forming the preform on the surface web in order to shape it, and closing the mold, drying the fibrous structure, and injecting thermosetting resin into the mold in order to form said polymer matrix. The surface web is wetted before and/or during the forming thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Sébastien Dunaud, Dominique Marie Christian Coupe, Olivier Foussard, Didier Payen, Adrien Touze
  • Patent number: 10995431
    Abstract: A fiber structure includes a plurality of weft layers and of warp layers interlinked by multilayer three-dimensional weaving, the fiber structure having at least first and second portions that are adjacent in the warp direction, the first portion presenting, in a direction perpendicular to the warp and weft directions, a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the second portion, wherein the first portion has at its core at least one fiber fabric obtained by three-dimensional weaving of warp yarns and weft yarns in the form of a Mock Leno weave grid, the at least one fabric being present between two skins present at the surface of the first portion and being linked to the skins by warp yarns belonging to the skins that are locally deflected into the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP., SAFRAN CERAMICS
    Inventors: Marie Lefebvre, François Charleux, Dominique Coupe, Brock Gilbertson, Julie-Anne Bouchet
  • Patent number: 10813749
    Abstract: A docking device for a bioprosthesis is disclosed that can change shape and recover after a deforming stress is removed, that adjusts to surrounding conditions to accommodate different complex anatomic geometries, and that mitigates leakage around the bioprosthesis. The docking device can include a 3D woven fabric forming an internal surface, an outer surface, and a thickness therebetween. A filler can be coupled to the outer surface. A method for making a docking device is also provided. The method includes weaving a 3D woven fabric by interlacing a shape memory material, a low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin having a melting point, and a high-tenacity biocompatible material; and pressing and heating the 3D woven fabric over a shape-setting mold at temperatures greater than the melting point of the low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Inventors: Son V. Nguyen, Kevin D. Rupp, Ajay Chadha, Jeff Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 9944763
    Abstract: A belt with a tensile cord embedded in an elastomeric body, having a polyurea-urethane adhesive composition impregnating the cord and coating the fibers. The composition is reaction product of a polyurethane prepolymer and a diamine curative or water. The prepolymer is a reaction product of a compact, symmetric diisocyanate and a polyester, polyether, or polycarbonate polyol. The belt body may be of cast polyurethane, vulcanized rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer. The cord may have an adhesive overcoat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Duke, Jr., John Graeme Knox
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140349538
    Abstract: In a fiber structure woven as a single piece by three-dimensional weaving, first weft yarns interlink layers of warp yarns in a first portion of the fiber structure adjacent to a non-interlinked zone and also warp yarns of a second portion of the fiber structure beyond the non-interlinked zone, and second weft yarns interlink layers of warp yarns of the second portion of the fiber structure adjacent to the non-interlinked zone and also layers of warp yarns of the first portion of the fiber structure beyond the non-interlinked zone, such that the paths of the first and second weft yarns cross in at least one transition zone extending within the fiber structure from the end of the non-interlinked zone, the transition zone extending in the weft direction over a distance greater than the pitch between adjacent warp columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Yann Marchal, Dominique Coupe, Monica Fruscello, 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
  • Publication number: 20140273697
    Abstract: Energy absorbing fabrics that are generally flat and that have a controllable and significant elongation distance. The fabrics are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and binder yarns, where the elongation yarns and the binder yarns have various weave-in percentages depending on the desired amount of elongation. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing fabrics are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: TIMOTHY M. RUSSELL
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 8586489
    Abstract: A woven fabric is provided that incorporates multiple systems of fibers into a unitary fabric and presents the fibers of only one of the warp systems on a first surface of the fabric. The fabric structure comprises first, second, and third warp systems that are interlaced with weft fibers such that, of the three warp systems, the first surface of the fabric comprises only the first warp system and thus “hides” the second and third warp systems, which are not interwoven with the fibers of the first warp system. In this way, the effect of the appearance of the second and third warp systems on the overall appearance of the fabric is reduced. The three warp systems may include fibers made of different materials to provide different characteristics to each layer of the fabric, or the warp systems may include fibers made of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: J.B. Martin Company Inc.
    Inventor: Yaakov Shteiyer
  • Publication number: 20130216770
    Abstract: A woven preform for a reinforced composite material, which may be woven flat and folded into shape. The preform has off-axis reinforcement with one or more legs and/or base extending in an off axis or bias (non 0/90 degree) orientation with respect to the warp/weft fibers. One or more legs extend from a base, the base and legs each having at least two layers of warp fibers. The legs may be parallel or angled to each other. The outer ends of the base and/or the legs may have tapers formed from terminating layers of warp fibers in a stepped or angled pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Albany Engineered Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Brock GILBERTSON, Jonathan GOERING
  • 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
  • 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: 8263504
    Abstract: A fiber reinforcing texture (10) woven as a single part for fabricating a composite material part having an inner portion (12), or core, made by three-dimensional weaving with yarns made up from discontinuous fibers, and a portion (14, 16) adjacent to an outside surface, or skin, made by weaving with yarns made up from continuous filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Eric Bouillon, François Charleux, Caroline Louchet-Pouillerie, Rémi Bouvier, Dominique Coupe
  • Patent number: 8257809
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite wall structure (20A) constructed of interlocking layers (22A, 24A) of woven material with integral cooling channels (28A, 32A). The CMC layer closest to the hot gas path (41) contains internal cooling tubes (26A, 30A) protruding into a ceramic insulating layer (40A). This construction provides a cooled CMC lamellate wall structure with an interlocking truss core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A. Morrison, Douglas A. Keller, Malberto F. Gonzalez, Jay E. Lane
  • Patent number: 8153539
    Abstract: A reinforcing fiber texture for a composite material part is made by multi-layer three-dimensional weaving with a satin type weave or a multiple satin type weave. The texture comprises at least three layers of weft yarns T interlaced by warp yarns C, each warp yarn taking hold in alternation of one weft yarn in n from a first layer of weft yarns and of one weft yarn in n of a second layer of weft yarns adjacent to the first, the number n being an integer not less than 3. The paths of the warp yarns are similar and they are offset in the warp direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Dominique Coupe, François Charleux, Jean-Philippe Richard
  • Patent number: 8114792
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional woven hollow layer-connecting fabric, comprising an upper layer-surface (10) formed by crossing upper ground warp yarns (1), (2) and a weft yarn (3) and a lower layer-surface (11) formed by crossing lower ground warp yarns (4), (5) and a weft yarn (6); the weft yarns (3) and (6) on the upper and lower layer-surfaces are also crossed with poil warps (7), (8) besides ground warp yarns (1), (2) and (4), (5) on their own layer-surface; the spatial walking direction of poil warps (7), (8) woven from one layer-surface to another is opposite to the weft-inserting direction of the fabric. The framework feature of the composite layer-connecting fabric of the present invention is distinct, and the vertical support function of poil warps between two layer-surfaces is good. The spatial structure of the layer-connecting fabric is varied in conformation, easy to design and adapted to produce on a large scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sinoma Science & Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ning Kuang, Liquan Zhang, Jianzhong Zhang, Fangtian Hu, Hongwei Guo
  • Patent number: 8026189
    Abstract: A method of making a high-temperature and fire-resistant fabric is described in which staple carbon fiber yarns are woven into a unified multi-layer woven fabric. The warp ends and filling picks of the unified multi-layer woven structure are positioned such that they prevent penetration of fire flames, welding sparks and molten metal spatter from penetrating through the unified multi-layer fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: American Felt and Filter Company, LLC.
    Inventors: Scott H. Pryne, Arvind Patel, Wilson H. Pryne, Amad Tayebi
  • Patent number: 7960298
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a woven preform for reinforced composite materials and a method of making thereof. Specifically, the present invention is a method of machine weaving fiber preforms for polymer matrix composites that consist of closed perimeters with multiple intersecting members in their interiors. More specifically, the invention is a woven preform and a method of forming thereof with closed cells at the outer edges with continuous hoop reinforcement in each cell of the preform. The woven preform is woven flat in both the warp and weft directions, and then unfolded to achieve the final shape of the structure, and can be processed into composite structural components using known methods such as resin transfer molding or chemical vapor infiltration. Thus, complicated shapes of all sizes can be woven on a conventional loom using the instant method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering
  • Publication number: 20100288449
    Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric with three-layered structure is provided. The three-dimensional fabric comprises a surface layer, a backing layer, an intermediate layer, a first interconnection portion for connecting the surface layer and the backing layer, and a second interconnection portion for connecting the intermediate layer and the backing layer. The three-dimensional fabric with three-layered structure can be woven on a single loom in a batch operation and undergo transformation between two-dimensional shape and three-dimensional shape. This fabric is applicable as materials for blinds with high light-shielding rate because intermediate portions have a multi-layered structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicants: Woongjin Chemical Co., Ltd., Youil Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoo-Sung CHANG, Il-Sun Ryu
  • Publication number: 20100208445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to textiles for photonic and electronic applications, particularly to multilayer textiles made of electrically conductive yarns for driving electrical components such as light emitting diodes connected to the textile. The light emitting diodes may be arranged in the form of an array in order to realize a flexible and foldable display. In the textile according to the present invention, insulating weft yarns are interwoven in a multilayer wrap (105) such that the electrically warp yarns (111) are partially covered by the insulating weft yarns (141), thereby preventing from short-circuit between electrically conductive yarns of the textile. In particular, the structure of the textile according to the present invention may be satin/sateen weave structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Sima Asvadi, Liesbeth Van Pieterson
  • Patent number: 7759266
    Abstract: A conveyor belt reinforcing fabric weave is disclosed, having a plurality of center tension warps crimped about a plurality of middle wefts. Upper and lower wefts lie above and below the middle wefts. The upper and lower wefts are in opposition to each other and in non-opposition with the center wefts. Binder warps are interlaced above and below the central tension warps in alternating sequence, with at least one of the binder warps interlacing upper and lower wefts other than those interlaced by an adjacent binder warp. Interlacing of the middle wefts by the central tension warps locks the wefts in place, providing enhanced resistance to faster pullout. The lack of straight tension warps provides a highly flexible fabric that can be used in multi-ply applications. A conveyor belt incorporating one or more plies of the inventive fabric is disclosed, as is a method for manufacturing the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Fenner Dunlop Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hawkins, Geoff Normanton
  • Patent number: 7682995
    Abstract: A triple layer woven industrial fabric, particularly suitable for through-air drying applications, has a paper side (PS) layer and a machine side (MS) layer of polymeric warp and weft yarns woven to a repeat pattern wherein all the warp yarns are arranged as vertically stacked pairs, all the weft yarns comprise pairs of intrinsic weft binder yarns, and each pair of weft yarns forms an unbroken weft path in both the PS layer and the MS layer whereby when either the first or second member of the pair passes from the PS layer to the MS layer, the other member of the pair passes from the MS layer to the PS layer at an exchange point located between at least one common pair of warp yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Stone, Dale B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7611607
    Abstract: A woven fabric for a papermaking machine includes a textured sheet contacting surface having substantially continuous machine-direction ripples separated by valleys. The ripples are formed of multiple warp strands grouped together and supported by multiple shute strands of two or more diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Cristina Asensio Mullally, Brooke Savell
  • Publication number: 20090247034
    Abstract: A woven preform for a reinforces composite material, which may be woven flat and folded into a shape. The preform has a three-dimensional weave architecture with fill fibers woven to provide layer-to-layer interlocking of layers of warp fiber as well as interlocking of fibers within each layer. At least two legs extend from a base, the base and legs each having at least two layers of warp fibers. The legs can be connected at a symmetrical or asymmetrical, distributed-column intersection, with an even or odd number of columns of warp fibers being located between the legs. The outer ends of the base and/or legs preferably have tapers formed from terminating layers of warp fibers in a stepped pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan Goering, Kenneth Ouellette
  • Patent number: 7563497
    Abstract: Biomimetic tendon-reinforced” (BTR) composite structures feature improved properties including a very high strength-to-weight ratio. The basic structure includes plurality of parallel, spaced-apart stuffer members, each with an upper end and a lower end, and a plurality of fiber elements, each having one point connected to the upper end of a stuffer member and another point connected to the lower end of a stuffer member such that the elements form criss-crossing joints between the stuffer members. The stuffer members and fiber elements may optionally be embedded in a matrix material such as an epoxy resin. The fiber elements are preferably carbon fibers, though other materials, including natural or synthetic fibers or metal wires may be used. The stuffer members may be rods, tubes, or spheres, and may be constructed of metal, ceramic or plastic. The stuffer members are preferably spaced apart at equal distances. If the members are tubes, the fiber elements may be dressed through the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: MKP Structural Design Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Zheng-Dong Ma
  • Patent number: 7482291
    Abstract: A reinforcing tape 100, for imbedding in a joint compound, has reinforcing yarns defining openings for passage of the joint compound, wherein; the openings are bounded by the yarns; the yarns are provided with one or more coatings adding tensile strength and resistance to pull out of the yarns from the joint compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark J. Newton, Mark W. Tucker
  • Patent number: 7387975
    Abstract: This invention provides a surface fastener formed of a warp backed woven fabric comprised of a front base fabric and a rear base fabric, an engaging element yarn for forming an engaging element being woven into one or both of the front and rear base fabrics, an engaging portion being formed so that the engaging element projects on the surface of the front base fabric, a warp yarn on a non-engaging portion at a selvage portion is woven by leno weaving structure so that fluffy phenomenon is prevented from being generated on the surface of the non-engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhisa Okawa
  • Patent number: 7384513
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric for use as a forming fabric. The fabric may include bondable or meltable monofilament yarns which may be formed from materials that retain substantial strength and tenacity after thermal treatment. Further, the remaining yarns in the forming fabric may be formed from materials that have a higher melting temperature than the monofilament material that will be thermally bonded or melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Dana Eagles
  • Patent number: 7306014
    Abstract: In a lower surface side layer of an industrial two-layer fabric, warps are formed by sequentially arranging a repeating design unit, in which one warp passes over six successive lower surface side wefts, passes under one lower surface side weft, passes over two lower surface side wefts, and passes under one lower surface side weft while shifting the design by three lower surface side wefts. Two adjacent lower surface side warps simultaneously weave therein, from the lower surface side, one lower surface side weft, whereby the lower surface side weft passes over two lower surface side warps and then passes under eight lower surface side warps to form a weft long crimp corresponding to eight lower surface side warps on the lower surface side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagura, Ikuo Ueda, Keiichi Takimoto
  • Patent number: 7144830
    Abstract: A woven article having plural weave layers comprises a plurality of electrically insulating and/or electrically conductive yarn in the warp and a plurality of electrically insulating and/or electrically conductive yarn in the weft interwoven with the yarn in the warp. An electrical function is provided by one or more circuit carriers disposed in cavities in the plural layer woven article and/or one or more functional yarn in the warp and/or the weft, wherein the circuit carrier and/or functional yarn include an electrical contact for connecting to the electrically conductive yarn in the warp and/or weft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Gregory Hill, Seth Trotz, George Herbert Needham Riddle, David Stuart Brookstein, Muthu Govindaraj
  • Patent number: 7073538
    Abstract: Bi-directional and multi-axial fabrics, fabric composites, ballistically resistant assemblies thereof, and the methods by which they are made. The fabrics are comprised of sets of strong, substantially parallel, unidirectional yarns lying in parallel planes, one above the other , with the direction of the yarns in a given plane rotated at an angle to the direction of the yarns in adjacent planes; and one or more sets of yarns having lower strength and higher elongation interleaved with the strong yarns. The fabrics of the invention provide superior ballistic effectiveness compared to ordinary woven and knitted fabrics but retain the ease of manufacture on conventional looms and knitting machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Bhatnagar, Elizabeth Stroud Parrish
  • Patent number: 7025375
    Abstract: An air-bag arrangement provides protection for the occupant of a motor vehicle. The air-bag arrangement incorporates an airbag (50) formed by two layers (51, 52) interconnected to form a first set of chambers (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58), having a plurality of elongated substantially parallel chambers. A further fabric layer (61) is connected to one of the two layers (52) forming the main part of the inflatable element to define a second chamber set including two chambers (62, 63). The chambers are off-set from the adjacent chambers (54, 55, 56) defined by the first two layers (51, 52). Apertures (59, 60) provided in the layer (52) allow for the inflation of the second set of chambers (62, 63).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Norbert Drössler, Jan-Erik Kållhammer
  • Patent number: 7001489
    Abstract: A paper machine fabric comprising at least two separate layers formed using at least two separate yarn systems: one constituting the paper side and comprising machine direction and cross machine direction yarns and the other constituting the machine side and comprising machine direction and cross machine direction yarns, the yarn systems being arranged to form independent structures in both directions of the fabric. The structures are bound together with binder yarns, a binder yarn being arranged to form part of the weave of a layer on the paper side surface and arranged to be interwoven with a layer of the machine side by being interwoven under at least one yarn in the machine side layer. The number of machine direction yarns in the layer constituting the machine side is larger than the number of machine direction yarns in the layer constituting the paper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Tamfelt OYJ ABP
    Inventors: Seppo Taipale, Terttu Turpeinen, Tania Rautio, Pekka Kortelainen
  • Patent number: 6955192
    Abstract: In a fabric to assist a vehicle to run in the presence of snow, sand, or mud, or in an unleveled land, a core fabric is formed by weaving the weft and the warp. An upper convexity warp which is disposed over the core fabric forming warp and is woven with an upper convexity weft disposed on the core fabric forming weft, and/or a lower convexity warp which is disposed under the core fabric forming warp and is woven with a lower convexity weft disposed under the core fabric forming weft, to form a convexity. The upper or lower convexity warp is woven with one or plurality of the core fabric forming wefts to form a woven portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Matsui, Shinji Ohara, Takehito Kuji
  • Patent number: 6953065
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in the forming section of a paper machine, having two layers of cross-machine-direction (CD) yarns. Interwoven with the CD yarns is a system of MD yarns. The MD yarns are grouped into alternating pairs comprising a crossing pair having a first MD yarn and a second MD yarn and a second pair having a third MD yarn and a fourth MD yarn. The first MD yarn and the second MD yarn combine to weave each CD yarn in the first layer and cross between the first layer and the second layer. The left and right warp yarns in the pairs are aligned in such a way that like adjacent yarns from adjacent pairs have MD cell lengths equal to or less than the MD cell lengths from non-like adjacent yarns from adjacent pairs. The third MD yarn is interwoven with the first layer of CD yarns and the fourth MD yarn is interwoven with the second layer of CD yarns. In this manner, a paired warped triple layer forming fabric may be produced which minimizes drainage and crossover point topographical markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Chad A. Martin, Scott Quigley
  • Patent number: 6841492
    Abstract: Bi-directional and multi-axial fabrics, fabric composites, ballistically resistant assemblies thereof, and the methods by which they are made. The fabrics are comprised of sets of strong, substantially parallel, unidirectional yarns lying in parallel planes, one above the other, with the direction of the yarns in a given plane rotated at an angle to the direction of the yarns in adjacent planes; and one or more sets of yarns having lower strength and higher elongation interleaved with the strong yarns. The fabrics of the invention provide superior ballistic effectiveness compared to ordinary woven and knitted fabrics but retain the ease of manufacture on conventional looms and knitting machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Bhatnagar, Elizabeth Stroud Parrish
  • Patent number: 6834684
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in the forming section of a paper machine, having two layers of cross-machine-direction (CD) yarns. Interwoven with the CD yarns is a system of MD yarns. The MD yarns are grouped into alternating pairs comprising a crossing pair having a first MD yarn and a second MD yarn and a second pair having a third MD yarn and a fourth MD yarn. The first MD yarn and the second MD yarn combine to weave each CD yarn in the first layer and cross between the first layer and the second layer. The left and right warp yarns in the pairs are aligned in such a way that like adjacent yarns from adjacent pairs have MD cell lengths equal to or less than the MD cell lengths from non-like adjacent yarns from adjacent pairs. The third MD yarn is interwoven with the first layer of CD yarns and the fourth MD yarn is interwoven with the second layer of CD yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Chad A. Martin, Scott Quigley
  • Patent number: 6827821
    Abstract: A multilayer, woven fabric for use in a papermaking machine includes a self-sustaining top layer including a plurality of top machine direction yarns interwoven with a plurality of top cross-machine-direction yarns and a bottom layer including a plurality of bottom pairs of machine direction yarns interwoven with a plurality of bottom cross-machine-direction yarns. Each of the bottom cross-machine-direction yarns substantially vertically underlies a respective top cross-machine-direction yarn and each of the bottom pairs of machine direction yarns substantially vertically underlies a respective top machine direction yarn, with at least one of the machine direction yarns in at least some of the bottom pairs of machine direction yarns interweaving the bottom cross-machine-direction yarns to each other and to the top cross-machine-direction yarns of the top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics Heidenheim GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: James Loy Brewster, John M. Thomas, Jeffrey Bruce Herman, Stewart Lister Hay
  • Patent number: 6764970
    Abstract: According to the invention the labels (22) are produced in a broad woven fabric (21) comprising ground warp yarn (4) and ground weft yarn (5) for a ground woven fabric (11), embroidery weft yarn (12) which forms a figure and code weft yarn (10) which forms a barcode, said yarn being distinguishable from the ground warp yarn only in a light outside the visible spectrum. In the broad woven fabric (21) several labels (22) are produced whose longitudinal sides (1) adjoin each other in the weft direction and remain unfolded and whose lateral sides (2) are adjacent to each other in the warp direction and can be folded. The embroidery weft yarn (12) and the code weft yarn (10) extend parallel to each other and at a distance from the longitudinal sides (1) so that the backs of the labels (22) are evenly covered and thus uniformly transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Textilma AG
    Inventor: Christian Kuoni
  • Publication number: 20040102118
    Abstract: Multilayer woven fabrics include first and second machine direction layers, each machine direction layer including machine direction yarns extending in the machine direction of movement of the fabric through a section of a papermaking machine. One of the machine direction layers includes a plurality of pairs of contiguous machine direction yarns; each pair being spaced apart in the cross-machine-direction of the fabric from an adjacent pair and being in substantially vertically stacked alignment with a single machine direction yarn, or a pair of machine direction yarns in the other machine direction layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Stewart Lister Hay, James Loy Brewster, John M. Thomas, Jeffrey Bruce Herman
  • Patent number: 6734125
    Abstract: A woven textile fabric is disclosed which is formed of synthetic yarns of at least two different deniers to which a solid polymeric film is laminated. An adhesive polymeric coating is provided for adhering the solid polymeric film to the woven textile fabric. The combination of yarns of different deniers provides a superior adhesion surface for the polymeric film. The yarns and the polymeric coating are preselected respectively in deniers and thicknesses so as to render the fabric substantially impermeable to fluid under pressure, while maintaining superb packageability and anti-blocking properties for use in vehicle occupant restraint systems. An air bag incorporating the woven textile fabric of the invention and having two outer surfaces and pre-configured air holding cavities woven therein to which a solid polymeric film is bonded for receiving and containing fluid under pressure for use in a vehicle air restraint system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel J. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6701971
    Abstract: Coated inflatable fabrics, more particularly airbags to which very low add-on amounts of coating have been applied, are provided which exhibit extremely low air permeabilities. The inventive fabrics are primarily for use in automotive restraint cushions which require low permeability characteristics (such as side curtain airbags). Traditionally, heavy, and thus expensive, coatings of compounds such as neoprene, silicones and the like, have been utilized to provide such required low permeability. The inventive fabric utilizes an inexpensive, very thin coating to provide such necessary low permeability levels. Thus, the inventive coated airbag possesses a coating of at most 3.0 ounces per square yard, most preferably about 0.8 ounces per square yard, and exhibits a leak-down time (a measurement of the time required for the entire amount of gas introduced within the airbag at peak pressure during inflation to escape the airbag at 10 psi) of at least 7 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Mililken & Company
    Inventors: John A. Sollars, Jr., Shulong Li