Abstract: The present invention is directed to three dimensional (3D) woven lattices for drag and turbulence reduction. 3D woven lattice material can serve as a surface layer that regularizes the flow around a bluff body with beneficial effects on: 1) drag reduction, 2) decrease in turbulence intensity, 3) attenuation of flow-induced vibrations, and 4) aerodynamic noise cancellation. 3-D woven lattice architectures allows for passive flow control (without the need for external energy supply) around bluff bodies with restricted geometry/shape due to their functional requirements such as wind turbine towers, cargo trucks, train cars, etc. The woven material can be easily shaped to fit on various geometries and incorporated in existing manufacturing processes (from composites to metallic plates). Metallic foam and randomly porous materials have been identified in the literature as a promising solution for passive flow control over bluff bodies.

Abstract: An anti-reflux valve having a mesh scaffolding and a valve extending from the mesh scaffolding, the valve supported by a loop. The loop can be formed by a filament extending from the mesh scaffolding or by a loop filament separate from the filament(s) forming the mesh scaffolding.

Abstract: A collapsible wire unroller apparatus having a frame including cradles for supporting a spindle having spools of wire. A bottom support mounted to one portion of the frame connects to a rear hitch of the all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Left and right adjustable straps mounted to another portion of the frame connect to a rear cargo rack of the ATV and reduce the weight of the spindles placed on the rear hitch.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing wire wrapped screens utilizing a wire and support ribs is provided. The apparatus employs welding pressure control, utilizing a welding device mounted on a support assembly, wherein the support assembly is moveable in relation to a mounting structure and the wire and support rib weld pieces. Welding pressure is determined by a force measurement device, and a control and feedback system adjusts pressure. Mechanical actuator cylinders mounted on the support assembly and the mounting structure provide load balance. A method for making wire wrapped screens is also provided.

Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting nitinol stent includes shaping a composite wire into a stent pattern, wherein the composite wire comprises an inner member, a nitinol intermediate member, and an outer member. After the composite wire is shaped into the stent pattern, the composite wire is heat treated to set the nitinol intermediate member in the stent pattern. After heat treatment, the composite wire is processed to remove the outer member and the inner member without adversely affecting the intermediate member. Openings may be provided through the intermediate member and the lumen of the intermediate member may be filled with a substance to be eluted through the openings.

Abstract: A process for crimping stents includes a multi-stage process producing a desired stent retention and crimped profile in a reduced amount of time. The process achieves results by utilizing particular combinations of heat and pressure during the crimping process, which was found to produce the desired results.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an AD converter includes a first (second) oscillation circuit, a first (second) counter, a first (second) arithmetic circuit, a first (second) subtracting circuit, an adder circuit, and a feedback circuit. The first oscillation circuit generates a first pulse signal having a frequency corresponding to a level of a first analog signal. The first counter counts the first pulse signal. The first arithmetic circuit generates a first signal corresponding to a change amount of a count value. The first subtracting circuit outputs a digital signal corresponding to a difference between the signals generated by the first and second arithmetic circuits. The adder circuit generates a sum signal of the signals generated by the first and second arithmetic circuits. The second subtracting circuit generates a difference signal between the sum signal and a reference signal. The feedback circuit inputs the difference signal to the first oscillation circuit.

Abstract: A sleeve inserting apparatus, which can securely insert a sleeve into the inside of a braid of a coaxial cable, is provided. The sleeve inserting apparatus 1, includes: a base 22; a cable holding part 23 holding an end part 2a of a coaxial cable 2, the cable holding part 23 being provided on the base 22; a braid spreading part 24 spreading a braid 3 exposed from the end part 2a; a sleeve receiving cylinder 27 receiving a sleeve 4 inside, an end part of the sleeve receiving cylinder 27 facing the end part 2a being formed tapered; a cylinder transferring part 26 making the sleeve receiving cylinder 27 and the end part of 2a the coaxial cable 2 approach each other; and a sleeve pushing part 28 pushing the sleeve 4 situated in the sleeve receiving cylinder 27 to the inside of the braid 3.

Abstract: Provided are a braided shield member, a manufacturing method of a braided shield member and a wire harness which make it possible to demonstrate shielding performance sufficiently. The braided shield member constituting the wire harness includes a tubular body part and a tubular terminal part. The braided shield member is formed so that the terminal part is formed in a two-folded structure of an outside terminal part and an inside terminal part. Further, the braided shield member is formed so that metal wires are in a loose state inside stitches of the outside terminal part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for selectively producing a deformation in a reinforcing frame employed in the fabrication of concrete pipes or other similar construction materials. The deformation maintains the frame in the proper predetermined location inside the concrete form during fabrication to thus produce a concrete pipe with optimum structural properties.

Abstract: A wire mesh mat for Gabion baskets for securing slopes has longitudinal wires and transverse wires connected to one another and having wire ends, respectively. At least some of the wire ends have an eye, respectively. The wire ends provided with the eye have a compensation section configured to compensate expansions and compressions occurring in a longitudinal direction of the wires. The compensation section has two legs and the eye is positioned between the two legs of the compensation section.

Abstract: A metallic structure for the manufacture of rigid and porous one-piece metallic parts of any form is comprised of a welded metallic cloth in which each wire intersection is welded, and is capable of undergoing a manufacturing method involving first forming the part by folding or winding at least one layer of the metallic structure over at least one turn, and then subjecting the product obtained to a compression in a preferential direction. The parts are manufactured by the compression of such a structure.

Abstract: A stent for reinforcement of the lumen of a peristaltic organ is formed by knitting preferably a nitinol wire into a pattern of overlapping loops selected such that from a relaxed state each row of loops may shift axially relative to and independently of the rows on either side. This local lengthening and shortening accommodate peristalsis of the organ without migrating within the organ. A stent is also shown which comprises two resilient cylindrical mesh layers and a semi-permeable compliant membrane such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, sandwiched between. The two mesh layers may be knit of a flexible filament, and the knit may be configured so that the stent can adapt to peristalsis of the body lumen. A method is also shown of manufacturing a delivery system for a resilient tubular device such as a stent so that the device can be inserted into the body in a substantially reduced diameter. The method uses a confining block having a bore and a slot leading into the bore.

Abstract: A wire condenser element bending method and a wire condenser element bending apparatus bend two wire condenser elements by pressing the wire condenser elements against a bending roller to form two scroll wire condensers simultaneously. Inner edge parts of the wire condenser elements are held by holding devices at diametrically opposite positions on the outer circumference of the bending roller. Pressure rollers press the two wire condenser elements against the bending roller while the bending roller is rotated to form two scroll wire condensers simultaneously. Each wire condenser element serves as a separator for separating layers of the other wire condenser element.

Abstract: Methods for forming, shaping and heat treating stents for reinforcement of the lumen of peristaltic organs. The stent is formed by knitting preferably a nitinol wire into a pattern of overlapping loops selected such that from a relaxed state each row of loops may shift axially relative to and independently of the rows on either side. This local lengthening and shortening accommodates peristalsis of the organ without migrating within the organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to metal wire mesh having a plurality of longitudinal wires and a plurality of transverse wires. The longitudinal wires of the mesh are provided with shaped areas wherein the moment of inertia of said shaped areas about the neutral axis parallel to the plane of the mesh is 90 percent or less of the moment of inertia of said shaped areas about the neutral axis vertical to the plane of the mesh. This substantially reduces the problem of curvature set when metal wire mesh is rolled for packaging or transport and attempts are made to unroll prior to use.

Abstract: A prosthetic stent with a tubular wall having local inwardly or outwardly formed elevations. Stents having such elevations have a higher mechanical stability if bend according to the curvature of the body vessels to be supported or repaired. Also a method for manufacturing a stent with such elevations is described.

Abstract: A clip-on stirrup mat for a concrete reinforcement cage comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of resilient clips attached to the stirrup mat and extending outwardly therefrom in the direction of application of a mat to a cage. The clip has a relatively narrow outer end that fits between adjacent wires in the cage and has inwardly extending, diverging first and second legs that lead to more widely spaced distal ends that form an inner end of the clip. The first leg is attached to the mat adjacent a distal end of the leg, and the second leg is resiliently deflectable toward the first leg. The clip and legs are shaped and positioned on the mat such that, as the mat is attached to the cage, the outer end of the clip fits through adjacent wires in the cage and the second leg engages and is deflected toward the first leg by one of the adjacent cage wires. The second leg includes a gripping surface thereon, which may be convolutions, that engages a wire on the cage as the mat is installed on the cage.

Abstract: A prosthetic stent with a tubular wall having local inwardly or outwardly formed elevations. Stents having such elevations have a higher mechanical stability if bend according to the curvature of the body vessels to be supported or repaired. Also a method for manufacturing a stent with such elevations is described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for constructing a security screen that includes several parallel security threads woven into a fine screen mesh. Adjacent ends (42, 44) of adjacent security threads (21, 22) are joined together or to a splicing thread (40), to create a continuous strand (60) that extends in a sinuous path through the entire screen mesh, and the continuous strand is used to pull a security wire (64), such as an insulated copper wire through the screen mesh. By joining opposite ends of a long splicing wire to adjacent ends of two security threads, applicant is able to join the security threads into a continuous strand, without cutting away a lot of screen mesh. An end of a security thread is pressure-butt welded to an end of another security thread or to the splicing thread by holding the end of the security thread and pushing in and crinkling the fine screen mesh so the end of the security thread is accessible for welding.

Abstract: A self locking stirrup mat for providing supplemental support for wire cage concrete reinforcement comprises a stirrup mat formed of a grid of interconnected wires preferably with manually formable tie wires, stirrup elements projecting from the grid, and a self-locking attachment mechanism for attaching the stirrup mat to a wire cage. The self-locking attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of clips fixed at spaced locations on the grid. The clips are shaped and positioned to receive cage wires therein through inlets that are engaged by moving the stirrup mat on the surface of the cage. The clips have one-way inlets that resist removal of the cage wires from the inlets with considerably more force than needed to insert the cage wire into the inlets. In one aspect of the invention, the clips are formed of flat elongated resilient steel loops welded to the tie wires at inclined angles.

Abstract: A tubular member (1) made from wire, preferably titanium wire, which is manufactured on a round knitting machine, is inserted into the cavity (3c) of a pressing tool (2) having a pressing mold (3b) and die (3a). The tubular member (1) is plastically deformed by the die (3a) introduced into the cavity (3c), so that the member (1) assumes the shape predetermined by the pressing mold (3b), and thus is transformed to produce a member (4) which can be inserted as a filling member (4) into bone cavities, for example as a medullary space barrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing wire fencing including a support frame drawn by a conveyance and supporting an upstanding wire unit support spindle. A plurality of wire fencing units which may include one or and a combination of one or more wire fencing balls or spools of stranded wire fencing or a roll of field fencing are placed coaxially about the upstanding support spindle. Separator plates are placed between the wire fencing units and then the free wire ends are attached to a fence posts. The conveyance moves along a line of fence posts and the wire fencing of each of the wire fencing units is simultaneously dispensed. A drag assembly applies a drag force against a portion of the support spindle to prevent uncontrolled pay-out of the wire fencing as the wire is dispensed. A clamp assembly, selectively engagable with portions of the payed-out is provided for isolating pulling tension form wire remaining supported on wire units as the fencing is stretched prior to attachment to the fence posts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically forming and welding wire mesh cages useful in reinforcing standard concrete pipe. Prefabricated wire mesh is fed from a coil through a straightener and shear section onto a mandrel. A predetermined length of the wire mesh is sheared and then rolled in cage form on the mandrel and, once rolled, is welded to retain the mandrel shape. The entire operation is automatically controlled by an integrated electrical control and logic system and is run by a single operator. The welding system employs a plurality of small TIG welders which are operated in sequence to reduce power supply demands and which can weld wire in any condition even rusted wire.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for obtaining a desirable surface finish of two or more visually distinct selected colors. A mat is prepared by selectively weaving wire between fixed pins on a board. Once removed from the pins, the mat may be molded about the surface of an object painted a first selected color. A second color is then applied over the mat and the object, resulting in a desired dual-color finish after the mat is removed. The techniques of the present invention are particularly well suited for obtaining a high quality marble-like finish on objects of various sizes, shapes, and materials.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bending a welded wire fabric into a desired shape for use in reinforcing concrete. The apparatus includes an elongated frame and a plurality of anvils mounted on the frame around which the wires of the fabric are to be bent. The frame is divided into right-hand and left-hand sides along its length by a vertical plane passing the anvil axes. A first forming bar is on the right-hand side of the plane along the length of the frame. The first forming bar is mounted to pivot with respect to the anvils about a point on the left-hand side of the plane. A second forming bar is on the left-hand side of the plane along the length of the frame. The second forming bar is mounted to pivot with respect to the anvils about a point on the right-hand side of the plane. Means are provided for pivoting each forming bar to bring it into contact with the wires to be bent and for bending the wires around the anvils.

Abstract: A truss assembly for reinforcing concrete pipe that includes a mat into which has been woven a series of longitudinally spaced truss bridges that extend across the width of the mat. The mat is cast into a pipe at the points of maximum stress so that the bridges provide circumferentially positioned load carrying sections that are capable of resisting relatively high internal shear and tensile stresses.

Abstract: According to the invention, the articulated connection of a "diaphragm" to the "base panel" of a gabion is carried out by bending divergent portions of pairs of wires twisted together along common sides of the diaphragm's hexagonal meshes in the marginal row of these meshes which is to be connected to the base panel so as to dispose each of these portions within the hexagon of which it constitutes a side so as to be substantially parallel to that portion of the same wire which extends from the other end of the common side of two adjacent hexagonal meshes which the two wires are twisted together to form; the double-hooked structure which is thus obtained is then anchored to meshes of that part of the base panel intended to form the bottom of the gabion, these meshes being in the same row extending between two parallel edges of the panel itself.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and associated products for adding stirrup reinforcements to a concrete pipe reinforcing cage in which a mat composed of a plurality of sinusoidal shaped stirrup members joined by tie wires is joined to a cage with the sinusoidal stirrup members oriented circumferentially with respect to the cage rather than longitudinally.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method, apparatus and resulting assembly wherein a concrete pipe reinforcing cage assembly is spaced from the walls of a pipe-making form by means of several spacer bars, each comprising a tie rod to which are secured a plurality of links. The spacer bars are inserted into the cage assembly with the links projecting generally radially therefrom and the resulting final assembly is inserted into the pipe form with the ends of the spacer links engaging the pipe form and spacing the cage assembly therefrom.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and stirrup mat for reinforcing concrete pipe which enables one to concentrate steel where it is needed at the area nearest the crown and invert of the pipe, yet still stirrup the entire area from 45 to 60 degrees to either side of the crown or invert. Also, by employing stirrups which are shorter towards the lateral edges of the mat than towards the center, one can use the present mat in an elliptical cage which is located in a round pipe or an elliptical pipe shaped wherein the elliptical cage is more elongated than the ellipse of the inner diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and related apparatus and cage assembly for spacing inner and outer concrete pipe reinforcing welded wire cages from one another through the use of a unique spacer bar. The spacer bar includes a plurality of links, each having a hook-shaped deviation therein, joined by a tie rod. The links are inserted through one of two cages until the tie rod abuts the cage and the hook deviations are then hooked over a longitudinal or circumferential wire or both in the other cage. Each link also includes at least one form spacer projection projecting from one end thereof in order to space the entire inner and outer cage assembly from the inner and/or outer wall of a pipe form.

Abstract: The specification discloses a stirrup mat which a pipe producer manually forms in or on, and assembles to, a concrete pipe reinforcing cage, which assembly is then cast into a concrete pipe. The mat includes a plurality of parallel stirrup members, each having multiple projections, joined by just enough tie wires, 2 to 6, to give the mat dimensional stability. The tire wires are made of a flexible or ductile material having sufficient flexibility or ductility to allow the mat to be manually, arcuately shaped so as to conform to the curvature of the cage to which it is assembled.

Abstract: Chain-link fencing reticulated wire mesh having square or rhomboidal mesh and formed from wire spirals which are interengaged is rolled in a compact roll with the aid of at least one and up to three elongated elements or binding strands which extend in troughs of the successive spirals and assist in drawing them together so that each flattened spiral is twisted sharply out of the plane of the web of the mesh and enables the roll to be extremely compact.

Abstract: A method of producing a tubular lattice reinforced concrete pipe having a socket at one end including first providing a flat rectangular lattice of longitudinal and transverse members connected at their crossing points, and then forming the flat lattice into a tube; the transverse members are highly ductile and stretchable adjacent one end and this end is expanded to form the socket portion of the reinforcement.

Abstract: Method of reinforcing concrete pipe in a rotary molding method using a wire reinforcing cage having a helical strand disposed about its exterior to resist torsional forces on the cage during molding, the cage being formed from a flat sheet.

Abstract: Chain-link fencing consisting of a mesh of interlinked wire coils is flattened so as to have an overall thickness perpendicular to the plane of the mesh equal to between two and five times the diameter of the wire constituting the coils. Thereupon the flattened mesh is either rolled up into tight rolls, or is laid meander-fashion in a container. The mesh may be flattened by means of a platen press operating synchronously and immediately downstream of a fence-weaving machine that produces the mesh step-wise, or by a pair of rollers.

Abstract: A method of making a metal reinforcing strip suitable for use in reinforcing a coating applied onto a pipe comprising providing a strip of welded wire mesh having longitudinal and transverse wires, and passing the strip between a pair of rollers which deform the longitudinal wires to an extent which increases progressively across the strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing wire mesh having relatively high elongation values and high pliability wherein the wire is not annealed until after having been welded up into the mesh.

Abstract: A box spring grid which includes coil spring engaging ears and a plurality of support wires secured to the grid and each including an ear. The ends of each support wire may be reversely bent around one end coil of a coil spring. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a box spring support grid wherein ears are formed in all longitudinal wires, between each pair of transverse wires, and, subsequently, selected portions of certain longitudinal wires are removed.

Abstract: The specification discloses apparatus and a process for forming the female or bell end of welded wire reinforcing cages, particularly cages of the type used to reinforce concrete pipe. A cylindrical wire cage assembly is automatically centered and positioned within the apparatus and the bell end is formed by elongating one or more of the circumferential wires at one end of the cage. A force is applied between two points on the circumferential wires to simultaneously expand the wires and rotate the cage. A heat source is applied to a localized zone between the two points on the wire. The heat source and wire are moved relative to each other such that the heat zone moves along the wire as the force is applied. The wire is stretched under the force being applied to thereby continuously reduce the diameter of the wire and elongate the wire as it is moved relative to the heat source.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting away rivets of tensioned reinforcements which are protruding beyond the surface of a tension plate used for tensioning the reinforcements in order to increase the strength of a concrete product, characterized in that a chisel, for cutting rivets formed at the end of the tensioned reinforcements, is provided in such a manner that it can slide along the normal line of the tension plate and in contact with the surface of the tension plate, the chisel being interlocked with a fluid-pressure sliding mechanism, and further an immovable part of the mechanism is engaged with a part of the tension plate so that the counter force against the cutting by the chisel is obtained from the tension plate.

Abstract: A process for producing metal wire screens having extremely narrow slot widths. The process comprises compressing along the longitudinal axes of the supporting wires a wire screen having parallel narrowly spaced screening wires supported by parallel supporting wires and wherein the average spacing of the screening wires is larger than desired. The compression effects plastic deformation of the supporting wires whereby the desired average slot width is formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a closed loop object such as a pipe reinforcing cage from wire fabric includes an infeed carriage assembly receiving sections of wire fabric and transporting the fabric to a pair of gripping assemblies. Each gripping assembly includes rotatable gripping jaws mounted on a slide in turn positioned on a carriage for motion toward and away from each other such that opposite ends of the fabric can be brought together while rotating the gripping jaws to form a cylindrical cage. Speed control means are provided for assuring the gripping jaws advance toward each other in synchronism with the rotation of the jaws thereby forming a perfect cylindrical cage. Welding means are provided for welding the ends of the cage so formed while held in position by the gripping jaws.