Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and/or system by which fiber, e.g., in the form of tow or tow, is used to create a shaped ply by facilitating drawing fiber from a supply along a fiber axis between two sets of pins; moving the pins across the fiber axis to form a fiber web in the desired ply shape; fixing the fiber web to form the shaped ply; and releasing the shaped ply. By enabling formation of shaped plies (including plies with doubly curved surfaces and simultaneous sequences of strategically shaped plies) directly from a single piece of fiber tow, various embodiments discussed herein enable substantial reductions in labor and materials costs that are conventionally associated with construction of composite preforms and accompanying composite products.

Abstract: A slip ring segment, used as a part of a downhole tool placeable within a well casing, includes a stack of fabric layers, the fabric layers comprising fibers, such as carbon fiber and glass fiber, the stack having first and second surfaces, which can be axially tapering surfaces, and stitching passing through the stack. The stitching can conform to ASTM D6193, 205 hand stitching. The stitching includes first stitching portions passing through the stack, and second stitching portions connecting selected first stitching portions and extending along the first and second surfaces without knots, crimps or loops, with the first and second surfaces and the fabric layers substantially un-deformed by the stitching. The slip ring segment also includes a matrix binding the stack of fabric layers and the stitching, and well casing-engaging elements extending from the interior of the stack out past first surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and/or system by which fiber, e.g., in the form of tow or tow, is used to create a shaped ply by facilitating drawing fiber from a supply along a fiber axis between two sets of pins; moving the pins across the fiber axis to form a fiber web in the desired ply shape; fixing the fiber web to form the shaped ply; and releasing the shaped ply. By enabling formation of shaped plies (including plies with doubly curved surfaces and simultaneous sequences of strategically shaped plies) directly from a single piece of fiber tow, various embodiments discussed herein enable substantial reductions in labor and materials costs that are conventionally associated with construction of composite preforms and accompanying composite products.