Abstract: A method of weaving a three-dimensional article by which, an area arranging carrier members (1) in the form of a matrix is segmented into a plurality of rectangular blocks (G1 to G6) to choose prescribed blocks therefrom, and then a basic weaving operation is sequentially and alternately performed with respect to the prescribed blocks. According to the weaving method, it is possible to easily weave many kinds of three-dimensional articles (2) having different sectional forms. An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article having, first guide means (16) for guiding the movement in row direction of the carrier members (1) and second guide means (17) for guiding the movement in column direction of the carrier members (1), so that the carrier members (1) are smoothly moved in the row and the column directions by the first and the second guide means (16 and 17).

Abstract: Apparatus for braiding an article from a plurality of fibers, comprising a plurality of flexible annular members of substantially the same size which are disposed side-by-side in axially aligned relation and have means for supporting fiber carriers for axial movement relative thereto. The annular members are mounted for circumferential movement about a common central axis relative to each other. A plurality of rows of fiber carriers are mounted on the annular members for axial movement relative to the annular members. Actuating means are provided to move the annular members and to move the rows of fiber carriers axially in a predetermined manner to intertwine the fibers.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of movable support members that are arranged side-by-side and collectively form a quadratic carrier surface, such as a cylindrical carrier surface. A plurality of fiber strand carrier members are movable on the carrier surface to intertwine the fiber strands. Each fiber strand extends from its carrier member along an axis that intersects the axes of the other fiber strands at a generally common consolidation point near a fiber gathering device that gathers the fiber strands from the carrier members. The carrier members are generally equidistant from the fiber consolidation point as a result of moving on the quadratic carrier surface so that the gathering device can maintain a generally constant tension in the fiber strands regardless of their position on the carrier surface.

Abstract: The method involves braiding a plurality of fiber bundles, each comprising a reinforcing fiber overwrapped by a plurality of glass or metal matrix-forming fibers, to form a 3D braided preform having stuffer fiber bundles extending longitudinally therethrough and heating the preform at a temperature and applying pressure to form the matrix-forming fibers into a bonded matrix in which the reinforcing fibers are disposed in a 3D braided pattern and in a longitudinal (stuffer) pattern.

Abstract: A composite implant prosthesis comprising a core constructed from a plurality of carbon fibers, a first casing formed from a braided sheath of carbon fibers and a second casing enclosing the core and first casing to define an outer surface contour for the composite implant prosthesis. The method for constructing the composite implant prosthesis includes the steps of pultruding the core from a polymer impregnated tow, braiding the first casing to the pultruded core and applying the second casing thereto. The pultruding and braiding steps are performed in a continuous process while the second casing is applied to a discrete element formed from the core.

Abstract: A composite article is made by braiding a 3D article shaped preform including non-fugative braider reinforcing fibers and fugative fibers and removing the fugative fibers to form a plurality of matrix-ingress passages in the braided preform. During impregnation of the braided preform with a matrix material, matrix material is supplied to the interior of the preform via the passages. The fugative fibers typically comprise fugative monofilaments which are substantially larger in size than the non-fugative fibers to permit one or more dimensions of the preform and thus the composite article to be increased beyond the capacity of the particular braiding apparatus employed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is braided with an apparatus having a floating yarn creel and a floating forming plate, each having movable elements. Fibers are fed from the creel through the forming plate to a forming zone where the fibers are braided by synchronous movements of said movable elements. Beaating combs may also be provided in the forming zone.

Abstract: a braided sleeve is formed from a tow of flexible filaments such as glass fibers and a rigid filament such as a stainless steel wire. The rigid filament reduces the tendency of a braided sleeve to fray at its ends, and can cause the end portions of the sleeve to taper inwardly, which can enhance the thermal insulation properties of the sleeve. The sleeve may be coated with polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fiber-reinforced plastic article having first, second, and third cylindrical portions is disclosed. A helical braid is applied along a first cylindrical portion as a first cylindrical sleeve which conforms to and encases the outside surface of said first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion is passed through the filaments forming the braid and the braid is collapsed into a first, substantially flat, double-ply braided ribbon which is then wrapped about the outer surface of the second intersecting portion. The helical braid is again applied along the first cylindrical portion and a second braided ribbon is then wrapped about the outer surface of the third cylindrical portion. The fibers are impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is cured to produce the article.

Abstract: Method of forming a hollow, carbon/carbon composite article around an axis of symmetry, in which method a heat refractory mandrel is shaped to provide a desired inner surface configuration and tolerances of the article, and one or more plies of thermally stable carbon filaments are braided over the surface of the mandrel. The filaments have a diameter of substantially not greater than about 6 microns and a modulus of elasticity of substantially not less than about 45.times.10.sup.6 psi. The plies are then impregnated with a carbonizable liquid impregnant, and the assembly of impregnated plies and mandrel is heat treated so as to carbonize the impregnant. The resulting composite article has a high translation of the original strength of the filaments and has an inner surface defined by the outer surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are woven, knitted or braided fabric coverings having an increased abrasive resistance under vibrating conditions which are suitable for hoses, wires, tubes, harnessing, etc. where vibration under abrasive conditions causes rapid wearing of protective coverings. The resistance to these conditions is achieved by incorporating into the fabric of a flexible first yarn, a second yarn of a metal wire filament of comparable flexibility as the first yarn and forming a matrix to protect the first yarn. Also disclosed is the method of making the protective coverings from these fabrics.

Abstract: A braided mechanical compression packing including relatively low and high-strength yarns is provided with greater mechanical strength along a given diagonal direction to provide a reinforced corner by providing the higher strength yarn along only one diagonal track of the braider. This reduces extrusion of the packing from the confines of the stuffing box in which it has been sequentially installed; produces a packing with rectilinear non-symmetry having directionally different friction, for instance, to facilitate gravity return of a hydraulic ram; and lowers operating friction by reducing the overall amount of high-strength yarn in the packing braid.

Abstract: A non-symmetrical construction of braided mechanical compression packing which does not undergo undesired deformation when placed in use. This non-symmetry of construction results in longer packing life and reduced shaft wear when used to prevent leakage about rotating shafts.

Abstract: A complex braided composite structure is formed of axial and braiding yarns using an interlacing pattern which allows all braiding yarn reversals to occur outside a multi-layer array of axial yarns concurrently at one location in the pattern thus allowing free manipulation of the yarns for forming complex shapes.

Abstract: A gland packing having increased compressibility, increased allowable limit of twist, increased tensile strength, and excellent serviceability and versatility characteristics is disclosed which comprises a plurality of flexible graphite sheets cut to a width of less than 5 mm and laid in superposed relation to one another, the laid-up cut sheets being covered with a fiber material by knitting or braiding to form a knitting thread, the knitting thread being twisted. Also, a gland packing having a further increased tensile strength is disclosed wherein a plurality of strands of the knitting thread are gathered and twisted or braided. In addition, a gland packing having improved contacting and sealing properties is disclosed wherein the covering fiber material exposed on the surface of the packing is removed at least in part.

Abstract: A reinforcing structural material is provided made of a plurality of fiber assembly cords interwoven into a braid, each of the cords being comprised of a plurality of fibers, and the braids being impregnated with a bonding agent for bonding together the fibers and cords. The reinforcing braid is useful for reinforcing a fibrous inorganic composite providing a product which is light in weight but excellent in strength characteristics.

Abstract: A non-symmetrical construction of braided mechanical compression packing which includes warp yarns removed from the inner corners to prevent "popping" of these yarns during manufacture or when the packing is wrapped about a shaft. Additionally, a number of embodiments involving interior space filled with varying numbers of warp yarns at different positions produce an optimal warp density gradient in the finished braid, such that the braid has a more regular trapezoidal cross-section prior to being wound about a shaft, with the higher density occurring at the outside of the packing and tapered in density toward the inside of the packing. This non-symmetry of construction results in longer packing life and reduced shaft wear when used to prevent leakage about rotating shafts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-fused torque control catheter and a method for manufacturing such a catheter. This non-fused catheter has a stiff braid-reinforced body and a pliable non-braided tip.

Abstract: A multiple-layer braided line having a high tensile strength composite steel core in which the innermost braided fibrous sheath layer is nylon, securely bonded to the composite steel core. An outer braided fibrous sheath is polyester formed over the inner sheath. The core is selected with a tensile strength over the desired rate load-carrying ability of the line, but less than that of the overall tensile strength of the inner and outer sheaths. The line is lightweight and has a high tensile strength and improved resistance to severing, melting and burning results, suitable for use by mountaineers, firemen and rescue workers. The line substantially eliminates backlash.

Abstract: A rope comprises of twisted textile fibers in the form of threads, yarns, twines, ply yarns or strands, which fibers consist mainly of synthetic resin, and a reinforcement made of a material which has strength properties differing from those of the textile fibers. The rope is intended for industrial use or as a safety rope, particularly as a climbing rope. In order to increase the life and the abrasion resistance of the rope when it is frequently flexed and to increase the tensile strength of the rope when it extends around a sharp edge, those threads, yarns, twines, ply yarns and strands which consist of twisted textile fibers and are disposed on the outside surface of the rope or of a core of the rope are reinforced by monofilaments of synthetic resin or metal, and/or said threads, yarns, twines, ply yarns or strands of twisted textile fibers are or a core of the rope or the entire rope is provided with a covering consisting of wound or braided monofilaments.

Abstract: This invention relates to welt cord constructions in general, and more specifically to a combustion inhibiting construction for welt cords, wherein heat conducting elements are wrapped around, and/or form the core of, the welt cord, for dissipating the heat of combustion away from the point of contact with a source of heat such as a burning cigarette.

Abstract: A rope assembly which floats on water comprises a load-bearing rope (e.g. of polyamide or polyester fibres or filaments), a layer of buoyant, substantially non-absorbent, flexible material (e.g. closed-cell plastics foam) arranged around the rope, and a flexible jacket (e.g. of polyamide, polyester or polypropylene fibres or filaments) outside the buoyant layer holding it in place, the buoyant material being present in such quantity that the rope assembly will float on water.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical member, such as a catheter, cannulae, or the like, has a monolithic construction. An inner core of plastic is passed through a conventional reinforcing apparatus, such as a conventional braiding mechanism. The braiding action is interrupted at predetermined intervals while the core continues to be fed so that straight reinforcing strand lengths are disposed on the outer surface of the inner core at predetermined lengths. The member passes through a heated sizing die to adhere the braided strand to the inner core, and a mechanical shear or rotating blade cuts the straight strand lengths off so that they are detached from the core. An over-extrusion of plastic may be provided to encapsulate the reinforcing strands. When the catheter is free of reinforcing strands it is relatively soft and flexible--such as at its tip--and where the reinforcing strands are provided it is relatively stiff. The monolithic construction ensures that components will not detach in a patient's body.

Abstract: A packing material comprises glass or other inorganic fibers in combination with organic fibers such as sintered polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) or other selected fibers with or without an impregnant, a preferred impregnant being a lubricant with a binder. Ceramic fiber or quartz fiber can be substituted for glass fiber. Specific metal disulfides or talc can be substituted for the dispersed graphite and dispersed polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) can be used as a binder for the lubricant. Aramid, polyethylene, polypropylene, graphite, carbon, vegetable, nylon or rayon fibers or filaments can be substituted for the sintered TFE fiber in combination with inorganic fiber.

Abstract: A non-symmetrical construction of braided mechanical compression packing which does not undergo undesired deformation when placed in use. This non-symmetry of construction results in longer packing life and reduced shaft wear when used to prevent leakage about rotating shafts.

Abstract: A fire retardant welt or beading cord having an aluminum foil element provided to dissipate the heat but which normally would be distorted when bent, in which cord memory is provided by an inner core formed from an elongated cylindrical, flexible member, preferably a foamed, flexible polymer.

Abstract: A braided preform fabrication for annular refractory articles such as an integral monolithic throat section and exit cone of a rocket motor nozzle is formed on a mandrel and includes closely spaced radially oriented carbon rods that extend to a uniform length from the mandrel surface and carbon fibers braided on the surface of the mandrel around the carbon rods in a triaxial braid whereby the fabrication has a 4-D fiber architecture. The density of the fabrication is increased by a process that is repeated four times and involves the steps of vacuum impregnation thereof with pitch, subjecting the impregnated preform to high pressure at a temperature that is gradually increased to about 700.degree. C. to convert the pitch to coke and to form the braided preform and mandrel into a billet, and producing graphitization of the braided preform by subjecting the billet to an argon atmosphere in a vacuum furnace at a temperature that is gradually increased to 2,500.degree. C.

Abstract: An overcoatable machine-made braid may be formed at high-speeds and directly from producer's low-twist, single-yarns of continuous filament, inorganic materials by this process which treats the yarn prior to or during braiding with a lubricant liquid. The treatment enables such single-yarns, which tend to be brittle, to be processed on modern high-speed braiding machines without excessive fibrillation of the yarn, duplicating overcoatable braid constructions using costlier plied twisted-pair-yarns. Additionally, the treatment enables advantage to be taken of the intrinsically greater width to depth ratio of single-yarns compared to their braid-production equivalent twisted-pair-yarns. The resulting braids are lighter in weight, have a finer hand and can be more smoothly overcoated.

Abstract: Crimping of fishing nets, particularly of the codends of fishing nets of synthetic filamentary yarn, to be subjected to severe mechanical stressing, can be considerably avoided by impregnating the nets with finish consisting of a mixture of a vinyl pyridine copolymer latex, a formaldehyde resin precondensate, formaldehyde, water and, optionally, a dye, drying the nets thus impregnated and subsequently subjecting the nets to a heat treatment at 130.degree. C. to 180.degree. C.

Abstract: A low-friction, water- and steam-resistant packing suitable for both static and dynamic applications includes inorganic fiber selected from the group consisting of chemical, electrical, structural and alkali resistant glasses, ceramic, quartz, carbon and graphite materials, and dispersed and dried, but unsintered, polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE). The packing is essentially free of wetting agent and is prepared by combining the inorganic fiber with a TFE dispersion containing a wetting agent and heating the resulting combination to a temperature high enough to decompose the wetting agent but insufficiently high to sinter the particles of the dispersion.

Abstract: A string for the stringing of rackets, bows, musical instruments and the like has a thread-like structure comprising at least one monofil of a synthetic resin mixture containing 99-86% by weight of polyvinylidene fluoride and 1-14% by weight of at least one polyacrylate. The monofil is melt-extruded and is stretch-oriented to impart improved elasticity thereto.

Abstract: A method for producing a sealed rope of braided or twisted filaments. Heat-shrinkable filaments are braided or twisted about a core of a thermoplastic material to form a rope and the rope is placed under tension and treated to cause the thermoplastic core material to melt. Simultaneously the rope is maintained at a temperature sufficient to cause the heat-shrinkable filaments to shrink but not to melt, whereby the shrinking of the filaments, while the rope is under tension, reduces the cross section of the rope and causes the material to penetrate into the openings between and to surround and seal the filaments of the rope.

Abstract: A braided packing comprises a plurality of outer core strands, braided together with a plurality of braid strands, the outer core strands extending helically along said packing and forming with the braid strands a braid having a normal twist extending helically in one direction, the braid strands extending over the core strands in a continuous helical pattern at an angle to the outer core strands and the normal helical twist of the braid, and a plurality of warp strands in rows between said braid strands extending helically in a direction opposite said braid strands. Apparatus for making the braided packing comprises a rotatable condenser adapted to grip the braid at the point to which the braid strands extend for braiding together and means for rotating the condenser. The method of braiding comprises rotating the braid at the point at which the braid strands come together.

Abstract: A flexible cable comprises a plurality of substantially parallel, textile core threads and an external sheath, in which cable cohesion is provided by a binder which is applied in a discontinuous manner to the threads to bond the core threads to one another to form a core. The same or additional binder is used to bond the core to the sheath. An electrical conductor element may be provided centrally of the core and the sheath preferably is braided in position about the core. In addition to the beneficial properties associated with totally impregnated cables, the cables of this invention possess a very high flexibility. These cables or ropes can be used for all applications in which flexibility and strength are the principally desired qualities including, for example, motorway crash barriers, oceanography, ballooning, and fixing floating stations in the sea.

Abstract: Fabrication techniques for making nickel boron stranded wire braze preforms are described. The techniques involve the provision of the wire material in a stranded form having a large surface to volume ratio. This general form consists of a plurality of fine wires, having the desired cross-sectional area, which may be twisted or braided to produce the preform.

Abstract: A braid, consisting of monofilaments, made of two different resins which are adapted, when heated, to fuse and mix and be subjected to polymerization or cross-linking. The braid is interposed between a thermo-retractible sleeve and conductors which are to be covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: A braided packing comprises a plurality of outer core strands, braided together with a plurality of braid strands, the outer core strands extending helically along said packing and forming with the braid strands a braid having a normal twist extending helically in one direction, the braid strands extending over the core strands in a continuous helical pattern at an angle to the outer core strands and the normal helical twist of the braid, and a plurality of warp strands in rows between said braid strands extending helically in a direction opposite said braid strands. Apparatus for making the braided packing comprises a rotatable condenser adapted to grip the braid at the point to which the braid strands extend for braiding together and means for rotating the condenser. The method of braiding comprises rotating the braid at the point at which the braid strands come together.

Abstract: A pintle wire for high load hinge connections, especially for textile webs and transmission belts, and method of making same, according to which continuous synthetic fibers are braided individually or in strands and are embedded in high wear resistant and hydrolysis resistant duroplastic material and interconnected thereby.

Abstract: A method of making threads or fibres of polytetrafluorethylene with improved heat conductibility uses thread of fibre cores enclosed by envelopes which contain fine-particle polytetrafluorethylene, a heat conducting pigment and a binder. Such threads or fibres can be used to form a sealing packing.

Abstract: A braided packing comprises a plurality of braid strands braided about a plurality of core strands, the braid strands extending and forming on the packing surface a pattern extending helically in one direction and forming with said core strands an elongated braid having a normal twist extending helically in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Improved wear and load-carrying properties result for a resin-impregnated fabric bearing wherein the bearing surface includes, as the most significant fabric component, a yarn which is a compounded bundle of sized TFE filaments and sized filaments of high-temperature nylon, in the proportion of at least no more than 50 percent TFE by volume. The yarn is loosely twisted, to the extent that after construction of a fabric with said yarn, the yarn is fully washable, to remove the sizing, down to the innermost filaments. This enables full impregnation of the fabric with synthetic resin, and curing in substantially intimate and continuous and void-free relation of the resin to all filaments within the yarn of the fabric.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a method for making fabric-lined bearing wherein the fabric is of knitted construction, from yarn consisting primarily of low-friction filaments and high-strength filaments, and wherein the exposed filaments at the bearing interface are primarily oriented to be generally transverse to the predominant direction of intended motion under load at the bearing interface.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of fiber ropes, according to which a braid with or without a core is produced, and this assembly, made of high performance, degreased fibers is impregnated by passing it through an impregnation bath, containing polyester urethanes and some aromatic isocyanate, which constitutes the reticulant, and then drying.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic rod is produced by placing resin impregnated fibres within a tube of deformable openwork construction, for example braided or knitted material, arranged so that elongation of the tube results in a decrease in its cross section, elongating the tube so that it compacts the resin and fibres and also squeezes out excess resin through the openwork tube, and then curing the resin.