Abstract: A tracer wire product for use in detection of underground utility line or routes includes: a metallic wire configured to conduct an electrical signal for detection by an aboveground signal detector; a tin coating formed over the metallic wire; a non-fibrous insulating jacket of polyethylene over the tin coating; a hot melt adhesive at least partially over the polyethylene jacket; a high tenacity woven polyester strength element with water blocking fibers being formed over the hot melt adhesive and the polyethylene jacket; and, an abrasion resistant HDPE outer jacket formed over the high tenacity woven polyester strength element to form one of a circular or oval cross-sectional shape. Further, an apparatus and method for manufacturing the tracer wire product includes a source of a substantially flat polyester woven material; a source of a metal wire material; and an elongated forming tool including an input base into which the substantially flat polyester woven material is fed.

Abstract: A detectable tracer element for use in underground detection applications includes a metallic wire, a non-fibrous insulating jacket integral with the wire, and a flexible, cut-resistant, non-electrically shielding woven protective tube surrounding the wire and jacket combination. The woven protective tube includes a plurality of non-metallic fibers woven around the wire and jacket combination such that the combination is disposed within the interior of the protective tube. In one configuration of the invention, the woven protective tube defines a substantially oval or circular tube weave. The substantially oval or circular tube weave is woven, such that, the tube weave is pulled or stitched into a flattened configuration for use in underground applications.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: A detectable tracer element for use in underground detection applications includes a metallic wire, a non-fibrous insulating jacket integral with the wire, and a flexible, cut-resistant, non-electrically shielding woven protective tube surrounding the wire and jacket combination. The woven protective tube includes a plurality of non-metallic fibers woven around the wire and jacket combination such that the combination is disposed within the interior of the protective tube. In one configuration of the invention, the woven protective tube defines a substantially oval or circular tube weave. The substantially oval or circular tube weave is woven, such that, the tube weave is pulled or stitched into a flattened configuration for use in underground applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a water blocking tape for use in a variety of cable designs, such as power cable, data communications cable and telecommunications cable. A water blocking tape according to the invention includes layers of lightweight nonwoven fabric with one or more swellable water blocking compounds, such as water absorbent polymers, disposed between the layers. The nonwoven fabric layers are bonded in a pattern using an ultrasonic bonding technique. The bonding pattern helps to contain and to restrain movement of the water blocking compounds between the layers. The bonding pattern compartmentalizes the water blocking compounds to prevent pooling of the compounds and to facilitate a substantially consistent distribution of the compounds between the layers such that when a tape contacts water, the tape achieves a substantially consistent swell height.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: A detectable tracer element for use in underground detection applications includes a metallic wire, a non-fibrous insulating jacket integral with the wire, and a flexible, cut-resistant, non-electrically shielding woven protective tube surrounding the wire and jacket combination. The woven protective tube includes a plurality of non-metallic fibers woven around the wire and jacket combination such that the combination is disposed within the interior of the protective tube. In one configuration of the invention, the woven protective tube defines a substantially oval or circular tube weave. The substantially oval or circular tube weave is woven, such that, the tube weave is pulled or stitched into a flattened configuration for use in underground applications.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a water blocking tape for use in cable manufacture, which process comprises the steps of: (i) forming a coating of an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups and a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent on at least one surface of a substrate material selected from the group consisting of a metal foil, a plastic film, a plastic sheet, a multilayer film, and a laminate of at least two thereof; and (ii) drying and/or curing the coating in order to form a partially crosslinked water swellable polymer coating on the at least one surface of the substrate material. Water blocking tapes are also provided which comprise a substrate material having a coating on at least one surface thereof of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups which is partially crosslinked with a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent. The preferred water soluble polymer containing anionic groups is an acrylic or methacrylic acid (co)polymer.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a nonwoven water blocking tape for use in cable manufacture, which process comprises the steps of: (i) forming a coating of an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups and a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent on at least one surface of a nonwoven substrate material; and (ii) drying and/or curing the coating in order to form a partially crosslinked water swellable polymer coating on the at least one surface of the nonwoven substrate material. Water blocking tapes are also provided which comprise a nonwoven substrate material having a coating on at least one surface thereof of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups which is partially crosslinked with a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent.