Abstract: A connection yarn inserting apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional fabric. The apparatus inserts connection yarns into a lamination of fiber layers in a direction transverse to each fiber layer. The apparatus has insertion needles for inserting connection yarns into the lamination. The insertion needles are moved between a standby position, where the needles are separated from the lamination, and an operational position, where the needles penetrate the lamination. The lamination is clamped by a pair of opposed pressing members. The pressing members are operated by air cylinders. A stopper can be moved into and away from the moving range of the piston rod of each of the air cylinders. The stopper is actuated by an actuator. When the stoppers in the moving range of the associated piston rod, the stopper limits the stroke of the piston rod. This reduces the time necessary to move the associated piston rod and increases productivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for production of a three-dimensional fabric including laminated fiber layers having a fiber arranged along axial lines and a connection yarn inserted into the fiber layers to connect the fiber layers with each other are described. The fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber while folding the fiber back along the axial lines. The laminated fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber along axial lines, by engaging the fiber to a plurality of restriction members located with a predetermined pitch on a frame so as to surround an area where the connection fiber is inserted into the fiber layers, and then folding the fiber back along the axial lines. A plurality of yarn inserting needles arranged in a series together with the connection fiber are simultaneously thrust into the fiber layers until a holding section of each yarn inserting needle projects outside of the fiber layers to make a loop of the connection yarn at each holding section.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for production of a three-dimensional fabric including laminated fiber layers having a fiber arranged along axial lines and a connection yarn inserted into the fiber layers to connect the fiber layers with each other are described. The fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber while folding the fiber back along the axial lines. The laminated fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber along axial lines, by engaging the fiber to a plurality of restriction members located with a predetermined pitch on a frame so as to surround an area where the connection fiber is inserted into the fiber layers, and then folding the fiber back along the axial lines. A plurality of yarn inserting needles arranged in a series together with the connection fiber are simultaneously thrust into the fiber layers until a holding section of each yarn inserting needle projects outside of the fiber layers to make a loop of the connection yarn at each holding section.

Abstract: A drive shaft having a body section and a yoke section formed with at least one end of the body section. A hole is formed in the yoke section. The body section and yoke section are integrally made of a fiber reinforced composite material including a filament and a plastic adhered to the filament. The shaft comprises a plurality of shaft fiber layers forming the body section. Each shaft fiber layer includes a plurality of shaft fiber elements being arranged at predetermined intervals. A plurality of yoke fiber layers form the yoke section. Each yoke fiber layer includes a plurality of yoke fiber elements. Each yoke fiber element has ends connected to each shaft fiber element. Each yoke fiber element has either a closed loop arrangement (CLA) or an open loop arrangement (OLA). The CLA is defined by the yoke fiber elements forming closed loops around the hole. The OLA is defined by the yoke fiber elements forming open loops around the hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-resistant filter which is suitable for trapping particulate contained in a high temperature exhaust gas from an engine, and can be reconditioned by removing with burning the trapped particulate. This invention aims at providing a heat-resistant filter, which will suppress a rise in back pressure to a small amount even when exhaust gas processing is executed for a long period of time, will not cause problems in removing deposits through heating and burning by an electrical heat-generating member, and can endure corrosive action under a high-temperature acidic atmosphere. A filter layer having heat-resistant fibers laminated at random is provided between two air-permeable partitions, the first of which is disposed upstream in the direction of a fluid flow to be filtered and is formed of a planar fabric made of non-conductive heat-resistant fibers.

Abstract: An energy absorber is formed of a fiber reinforced composite into a cylinder having a plurality of portions so that the thickness of the body gradually increases in at least two stages in the axial direction. Reinforcing fiber is wound around at least in a circumferential direction of the body and is impregnated with a resin. The body of the energy absorber has a thin portion continuous to a first end. The end surface of the first end has an area equal to or smaller than 2/3 of the cross-sectional area of the thin portion the vicinity of the junction between the thin portion and the portion adjacent which is thicker than that thin portion. That cross-sectional area of the thin portion continuously increases to the middle of the thin portion from the first end side. The energy absorber is used in a state where impact is applied from the axial direction of the body.

Abstract: A reinforcing matrix is produced using a plurality of regulating members (pins) removably arranged in rows in a predetermined direction on a base. Yarns are woven between the pins on the base repeatedly looping back and forth between spaced apart positions to form a yarn lamination consisting of a plurality of yarn layers over the base. The yarns forming the yarn layers are arranged in at least two directions. Thereafter the yarn lamination is removed from the base together with the pins. Then the pins are replaced sequentially in rows arranged in the predetermined direction with separate vertical yarns which are inserted into the yarn lamination so as to form loops. A selvage thread is inserted in the predetermined direction through the loops of the vertical yarns.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric has three axes defined along its length, width and thickness directions, and an imaginary plane that bisects the fabric along its thickness or transverse direction. The fabric comprises a plurality of warp layers that are symmetrically arranged with respect to the imaginary plane. A plurality of first and second bias-yarn layers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the imaginary plane. A vertical yarn runs through the fabric in the transverse direction, to couple all the yarn layers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is disclosed that is appropriate for use in composite materials having various beam type shapes that are formed from a plurality of intersecting plate sections. A plurality of thread layers are woven such that they extend continuously through and between a pair of adjacent plate sections. The thread layers respectively include threads that are woven in at least two independent planar directions. The thread layers are bound together by transverse threads. When a load is applied to a plate section of a composite having this three-dimensional fabric as a frame member, the threads that extend continuously from a first plate section to a second plate section effectively receive the stress acting on the junction of the plate sections. The strength of the composite is therefore enhanced.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is disclosed that effectively weaves a solid member into the fabric. A multiplicity of warp strings that are arranged in a plurality of layers which extend in a lengthwise direction of the fabric. At least some of the warp strings are wrapped around the solid member. A multiplicity of bias threads are arranged in at least one symmetrical pair of bias thread layers. The bias threads are incline relative to the lengthwise direction of the fabric and the layers in the bias layer pair are symmetrically arranged relative to the lengthwise direction of the fabric. At least some of the bias threads are wrapped around the solid member. A plurality of vertical threads are provided that run substantially perpendicular relative to the warp string and the bias thread layers. The vertical threads couple the layers of the warp strings and the bias threads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three dimensional fabric including a warp layer consisting of a plurality of warps arranged in parallel along a longitudinal direction of the fabric, bias threads arranged in inclined directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fabric in a place parallel to the warp layer, and a vertical thread arranged in a thicknesswise direction of the fabric such that it perpendicularly intersects the warps. It also relates to a method of producing the fabric. Where such fabric is employed for a composite material in which a resin or the like is used as a matrix, the composite material deforms less under the influence of forces acting in an oblique direction. It therefore has an increased range of applications as a structural material comparing with a conventional 3-axis three dimensional fabric.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is disclosed that includes a built in linkage member. The three dimensional fabric includes a core located in a center portion of the fabric. A multiplicity of axially extending warp yarns are arranged in a plurality of concentric layers about the core. A circumferential yarn is wound in a circumferential direction between various layers of the warp yarns to forming a plurality of circumferential yarn layers. A multiplicity of radial yarns are sequentially woven in the axial and radial directions about various circumferential yarn layers. A solid member is also provided which has a group of axially extending yarn strings secured thereto. The axially extending yarn strings include strings that constitute a portion of at least one of the core and the warp yarns. When the disclosed three-dimensional fabric is used in a composite, it is unnecessary to subject the composite to mechanical processing to attach a coupling part.

Abstract: A three dimensional fabric of substantially columnar shape having an axis. A plurality of substantially cylindrical axial yarn layers are arranged concentrically about and outward from the axis. Each of the axial yarn layers includes a plurality of axial yarns extending longitudinally relative to the axis. Circumferential yarn turns are inserted to extend circumferentially around the axis at several positions including outside of the outermost axial yarn layer. Inside of the innermost axial yarn layer, and between the inner and outer axial yarn layers. A plurality of radial yarns are woven between the circumferential yarn turns to extend zigzag succesively in the longitudinal and radial directions relative to the axis. The radial yarns are woven substantially perpendicular to the circumferential yarns, between the circumferential yarns, each of the radial yarns are woven in a particular plane that extends through the axis.

Abstract: A novel three dimensional fabric is disclosed that has a base formed from a multiplicity of woven strings. The strings are arranged and woven to form a fabric having a multiplicity of warps arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, a plurality of first wefts crossing the warp columns in the interstitial spaces between adjacent warp rows, and a plurality of second wefts crossing said warps and said first wefts in the interstitial spaces between adjacent warp columns. The three dimensional fabric also has a solid linkage mechanism incorporated into the fabric's body by a plurality of the strings that are wound about its periphery.

Abstract: A system for transporting roving bobbins in a cyclic manner between roving frames (1), spinning frames (2) and a residual roving clear-off process, in which the roving bobbins are transported by a carrier (7) driven by a tractor (14) along a main rail (3) arranged to form an endless loop and working rails (4, 5, 6) branched from the main rail (3). Dogs (28, 29, 30) for representing the respective frame address or the respective working rail address are disposed on the main rail (3) and detected by a sensor (34, 35, 36) mounted on the tractor (14). A station (68, 69, 70) is disposed in the inlet area of the roving and spinning processes for transmitting a command issued from a central control unit (71) supervising the system to the tractor (14).

Abstract: A bobbin transfer system of a spinning frame (1), in which a series of trays (13) are carried on a pair of carrier rails (14, 15) driven to repeat a back-and-forth reciprocation. Hooking members (23) are arranged along the carrier rails (14, 15), which allow the trays (13) to pass thereover during the forward displacement of the carrier rail (14, 15) but inhibit the backward displacement of the trays (13) by the action of hooks (23a) formed on the hooking member (23) at a distance from each other corresponding to N times the spindle pitch wherein N satisfies the equation .DELTA.A.gtoreq..DELTA.D.times.N (wherein .DELTA.D stands for a manufacturing tolerance of a diameter of the tray 13 and .DELTA.A stands for an allowance for a grip distance of a bobbin catcher in an auto-doffer) and p stands for a spindle pitch. Accordingly, the trays (13) are transferred intermittently as the carrier rails (14, 15) reciprocate at a stroke larger than the spindle pitch.

Abstract: A method of yarn piecing in a fasciated yarn spinning unit is disclosed by which a yarn having a broken end and drawn out from the yarn package is introduced through the false-twisting nozzle by conducting an intermediate portion of the yarn into a slit which is formed on a lateral side of the nozzle and extends to the yarn passage channel in the nozzle. Because the yarn has been previously cut into a predetermined length thereof, the cut end of the yarn is placed in the drafting zone of the drafting mechanism at a position where the cut yarn end overlaps a broken end of the fiber bundle. By restarting the spinning operation, the overlapping ends of the yarn and fiber bundle are drafted properly in the drafting zone and then the fibers in the overlapping ends are intermingled by the false-twisting effect of the rotary stream of jetted air while they are advanced through the false-twisting nozzle.

Abstract: A drafting device for a spinning machine, in which a plurality of loading devices for top rollers is provided, by which each top roller is held in a weighting arm in such a state as being displaceable independently from the other roller without disturbing the drafting operation of the other rollers. By this, a yarn piecing operation in a fasciated yarn spinning system can easily be carried out.

Abstract: A novel method for yarn piecing in a fasciated yarn spinning unit, in which a broken end of a yarn and the fiber bundle to be pieced together are nipped and intermingled with each other between a soft nipping area between middle top and bottom aprons and thereafter are false-twisted by a vortex in an air nozzle. Motions of the associated parts are controlled as so to be able to achieve a suitable overlapping length of the yarn and the fiber bundle in the nipping area of the aprons.

Abstract: A bottom tenser utilized for a drafting means of a spinning frame, especially for fasciated yarn spinning, in which a fiber bundle is attenuated at a high speed exceeding 100 m/min. The bottom tenser as well as a bottom roller corresponding to the tenser is provided with a free end through which an apron is easily removable from and mountable on the tenser and the roller. The tenser may be constituted by a body and at least a guide wall movable relative to the body. The guide wall prevents lateral movement of the apron in its operative position and, in turn, is displaced or removed from the body in its non-operative position so as not to obstruct an apron exchanging operation.