Abstract: A three-dimensional braid includes a plurality of first plaits adjacent one another oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second plaits adjacent one another oriented in a transverse second direction intertwined forming a braid with each first plait intersecting each of the plurality of second plaits in succession. Each first plait includes a first group of tows and a second group of tows, each of the tows in the first group of tows corresponding to one of the tows in the second group of tows in pairs of first plait tows. Each second plait includes a plurality of tows. For each first plait, one of the first plait pairs crosses over a subset of second plait tows at each intersection of the first plait and successive second plaits forming a series of braid points along the first plait.

Abstract: A three dimensional braid includes a plurality of first plaits adjacent one another oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second plaits adjacent one another oriented in a transverse second direction intertwined forming a braid with each first plait intersecting each of the plurality of second plaits in succession. Each first plait includes a first group of tows and a second group of tows, each of the tows in the first group of tows corresponding to one of the tows in the second group of tows in pairs of first plait tows. Each second plait includes a plurality of tows. For each first plait, one of the first plait pairs crosses over a subset of second plait tows at each intersection of the first plait and successive second plaits forming a series of braid points along the first plait.

Abstract: A braided product ring apparatus utilizes combinations of movable ring sections and/or keystone sections to modify the braided product ring apparatus during production or to remove a braided product such as a composite preform from the braided product ring apparatus. Various methods for using the braided product ring apparatus are also set forth.

Abstract: A three dimensional braid includes a plurality of first plaits adjacent one another oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second plaits adjacent one another oriented in a transverse second direction intertwined forming a braid with each first plait intersecting each of the plurality of second plaits in succession. Each first plait includes a first group of tows and a second group of tows, each of the tows in the first group of tows corresponding to one of the tows in the second group of tows in pairs of first plait tows. Each second plait includes a plurality of tows. For each first plait, one of the first plait pairs crosses over a subset of second plait tows at each intersection of the first plait and successive second plaits forming a series of braid points along the first plait.

Abstract: A three dimensional braid includes a plurality of first plaits adjacent one another oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second plaits adjacent one another oriented in a transverse second direction intertwined forming a braid with each first plait intersecting each of the plurality of second plaits in succession. Each first plait includes a first group of tows and a second group of tows, each of the tows in the first group of tows corresponding to one of the tows in the second group of tows in pairs of first plait tows. Each second plait includes a plurality of tows. For each first plait, one of the first plait pairs crosses over a subset of second plait tows at each intersection of the first plait and successive second plaits forming a series of braid points along the first plait.

Abstract: A three dimensional braid includes a plurality of first plaits adjacent one another oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second plaits adjacent one another oriented in a transverse second direction intertwined forming a braid with each first plait intersecting each of the plurality of second plaits in succession. Each first plait includes a first group of tows and a second group of tows, each of the tows in the first group of tows corresponding to one of the tows in the second group of tows in pairs of first plait tows. Each second plait includes a plurality of tows. For each first plait, one of the first plait pairs crosses over a subset of second plait tows at each intersection of the first plait and successive second plaits forming a series of braid points along the first plait.