Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: A composite prepreg yarn designed and constructed is a very large, strong yarn with resin infused throughout, which can be used to prepare composite preforms via conventional Maypole braiding or other textile processes. The invention increases the loads that can be transmitted by the cured yarn in a composite structure, decreases the stickiness that can prevent their use in braiding and other textile processes, provides protection to the high-strength fibers from abrasion that is encountered during and after composite preform manufacturing via braiding.

Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for securely holding a hand-held portable device in a single hand while minimizing the chance of dropping the hand-held device. The hand-held devices include but are not limited to cell phones, calculators, personal digital assistants, electronic tablets such as readers, I-phones™, small cameras, binoculars and other small hand-held equipment.

Abstract: A composite prepreg yarn designed and constructed is a very large, strong yarn with resin infused throughout, which can be used to prepare composite preforms via conventional Maypole braiding or other textile processes. The invention increases the loads that can be transmitted by the cured yarn in a composite structure, decreases the stickiness that can prevent their use in braiding and other textile processes, provides protection to the high-strength fibers from abrasion that is encountered during and after composite preform manufacturing via braiding.

Abstract: A braiding machine which operates to deliver a first set of yarns about a vertical axis along a first plane to a braiding point and a second set of yarns about the vertical axis along a second plane located above the first plane to the braiding point and a third set of yarns stationarily arranged about the vertical axis for delivery along a third plane intermediate of the first and second planes to the braiding point. The machine includes an interlacing mechanism which is associated with each yarn of the third set of yarns and including a rotating interlacing member.

Abstract: An axially stable tubular braided fabric comprising a longitudinal set of yarns extending longitudinally of the fabric, a first set of yarns arranged substantially along a first cylindrical plane and at an angle relative to the longitudinal yarns and a second set of yarns arranged substantially along a second cylindrical plane and transversely of the first set of yarns. The yarns of the longitudinal set are passed consecutively over one and under the other of the yarns of the first and second sets interlocking these yarns together in an axially stable position with the yarns of the first set predominating the outer surface and the yarns of the second set predominating the inner surface.

Abstract: A process for reducing the glycol ether content in polyesters involves adding a glycol to a polyester oligomer solution prior to polymerization, distilling the oligomer solution to remove vapor containing the glycol as well as the glycol ether, and polymerizing the solution to produce a polyester containing a reduced glycol ether content.