Abstract: The present invention provides a woven flame resistant fabric comprising dissimilar warp and fill yarns, the warp yarns comprise staple or filament fibers and have a Limiting Oxygen Index of at least 27, and the fill yarns comprise natural fibers and wherein the ratio of warp to fill yarn ends in the fabric is at least 1.0.

Abstract: A light weight tear resistant fabric having a background fabric and reinforcing yarns selected such that the tensile strength of the reinforcing yarn is about two times that of the yarns of the background fabric and the elongation of the reinforcing yarns is at least two times that of the background fabric is described. The resulting reinforced fabric has at least 50% greater tear resistance than the background fabric as measured by the Elmendorf test.

Abstract: Heat flow through a protective garment is reduced if the shell is a woven fabric extends laterally and expands away from the wearer upon exposure to a high heat flux.

Abstract: A reinforced fabric composed of a background fabric and a reinforcing grid that is joined to the background fabric so that the grid reinforced fabric is at least 20% stronger than a fabric into which reinforcing yarns of the same type and weight percent as that of the grid have been integrally woven.

Abstract: A method for forming a slub yarn uses conventional false-twist texturing apparatus in combination with one or more air jets to impart striations and/or neps and slubs to continuous filament yarns. Three process configurations are disclosed; each configuration uses one air jet through which yarn passes and which directs turbulent air in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the yarn.

Abstract: An integral turbofan/solid propellant gas generator air induction system features in a single device a solid propellant gas generator and a turbofan which are operative, when activated, even after long periods of storage, to take ambient air and compress it to the pressures required in emergency situations for preventing loss of life and valuable equipment, for example, the inflation of an aircraft slide.

Abstract: A gas generating inflation device utilizing combustible propellant cartridges is provided for a pneumatic orthosis used by persons needing support of the legs or lower body and legs. Since most such persons use two canes for additional support while standing or walking, the inflation device is conveniently located in one of the canes, with the other cane used as a supply container for additional cartridges. The gas generator is loaded with a propellant cartridge and gas generation is initiated at the will of the orthosis wearer, the generated gas then flowing through filters in the cane in which the generator is located and thence into the pneumatic orthosis to inflate it.