Abstract: Preforms for use in fiber-reinforced composites, fiber-reinforced composites, and methods for making thereof are disclosed. One method includes interweaving a plurality of warp yarns with a single weft yarn so as to form a tubular woven structure with a central axis. The preform can be woven using an endless or tubular weaving technique, and can be woven so as to have two or more diameters along a length thereof. The preform can include one or more layers of a fabric formed on or attached to one or both surfaces of the tubular woven structure. The end structure can be a part of a window frame, a wheel rim, or a combustor in a jet engine.

Abstract: A fabric is formed of interlacing yarns, and is labeled for ready and accurate identification by a manufacturer. The fabric includes a label carrier yarn selected from at least one end of the interlacing yarns. A fabric identifying label is attached to the label carrier yarn prior to incorporation of the label carrier yarn into the fabric. The label encircles the label carrier yarn in closely spaced relation such that the label avoids interfering with subsequent formation of the fabric.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a weft in a circular loom where the weft is drawn-off from a bobbin of the weaving shuttle rotating along a circular path formed by a circular reed. The device includes a magnetic sensor stationarily arranged in a zone of the circular path of the weaving shuttle for generating an electronic control signal to turn off the loom when there is a fault in the weft creating an operative connection between the magnetic sensor and a permanent magnet. The magnet is carried by the weaving shuttle. The device has a pivoting lever having the permanent magnet arranged thereon. The device also includes a return spring that displaces the pivoting lever as well as the permanent magnet attached thereon towards a position where the operative connection between the magnetic sensor and the permanent magnet is made.

Abstract: A circular loom for the manufacture of tubular fabrics having an annular frame with an upper annular plate and a lower annular plate, both having bearing bores for vertically moving healds (heddles) guiding the warp threads of the hose to be manufactured. Said healds are arranged on the periphery of said frame and are mounted on at least one continuous circular path such that they may be individually vertically displaced. For this purpose, the lower ends of the healds arranged in each circular path have cam following rollers running on a rotary driven cam-like control ring. More than one set of healds (with corresponding rotary driven control rings) along additional circular paths may be used.

Abstract: A shed forming device for a shuttle loom includes a carrier (6) for at least one shuttle (5, 5') and a stationary frame (1) accommodating a reed of wires or dents (7) disposed in a plane extending parallel to the direction of movement of the shuttle carrier (6). A freely rotatable toothed wheel (4) is mounted on the shuttle carrier (6) in front of the corresponding shuttle, at an angle to the reed plane and in engagement with the reed wires or dents (7) to form a shuttle shed. The toothed wheel (4) is mounted on the opposite side of the reed plane with respect to the shuttle carrier to better accommodate the shuttle carrier.

Abstract: A circular loom comprises weft ribbon shuttle assemblies and a control system for detecting the position of one of the shuttle assemblies at spaced points about the periphery of the loom, and then presetting warp ribbon-setting air cylinders in advance of each of the shuttle assemblies for subsequent passage of the shuttle assemblies through the resultant warp sheds without engaging the warp ribbons. Electrical brakes control warp and weft tension in a uniform manner. The shuttle assemblies are driven by a gearing from a motor mounted independently of the shuttle assemblies. In a fabric-forming position, each weft ribbon slides transversely under a fabric-forming ring with the longitudinally moving warp shed and into the plane of the formed fabric in engagement with an annular inner surface of the ring, essentially without any twist about a transverse axis of the weft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for weaving an indicia such as a trademark, symbol or design into a tubular fabric. About a selected warp yarn segment of the tubular fabric, for each warp yarn increment, two warp yarns are actually directed into the loom, one warp yarn being a base yarn while the other warp yarn is an indicia forming yarn. The loom is provided with a warp yarn selector that for each pair of base and indicia forming yarns, it selects one and only one of the pair to be interwoven with a weft yarn. The non-selected yarn is essentially positioned such that it is not woven with the weft yarn and runs in a floating or unwoven fashion along the inside wall of the tubular fabric being woven. To provide a selected indicia interwoven in the tubular fabric, the selector is controlled in such a fashion that it causes indicia forming yarns to be woven in areas calling for the indicia background and base warp yarns to be woven in areas that call for the base yarn as a background.

Abstract: A circular loom for making fabric, especially from flat strip-like or ribbon-shaped material, in which the weft carrier or shuttle assembly travels in a circular path and has a body member carrying its own weft supply, motive power means and warp shed forming means. A cam mechanism automatically orients the entering warp ends in advance of the carrier or shuttle assembly to a position for weaving the desired fabric pattern.

Abstract: A spherical cloth weaving machine in which radially stretched warp yarn and circumferentially running weft yarns are woven into a desired spherical shape, the machine being constructed with a mechanism for moving the warp yarns alternately by shuttle chucks which hold required numbers of the warp yarns at their outer peripheral part. A mechanism is provided for hooking the circumferential weft yarn and beating the same toward the center of the warp yarns for compact weaving. A weft yarn rotating mechanism causes the weft yarn to pass through the warp yarns which are being moved by the warp yarn moving mechanism. A mechanism is provided for maintaining the woven cloth in a spherical shape.