Abstract: A method of making a tank for storing fluid that includes generating a resinated braid layer on an elongated liner having a plurality of successively alternating rigid and flexible portions along the length of the liner. Generating the resinated braid layer on the liner includes feeding the liner into a braiding machine and applying resin to a plurality of fibers during a braiding process to generate a resinated plurality of fibers and generating, over a length of the liner, by the braiding machine, the resinated braid layer defined by the resinated plurality of fibers.

Abstract: A matrix supply is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The matrix supply may include a matrix chamber configured to fluidly communicate a liquid matrix with a print head of the additive manufacturing system. The matrix supply may also include a supply conduit fluidly connected to the matrix chamber, a valve disposed within the supply conduit, and an inlet configured to pass a continuous reinforcement through the matrix chamber to the print head of the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrugated plastic composite spring for a vehicle suspension and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same. The apparatus includes a corrugated extrusion part, a braiding part, and a pultrusion part. The corrugated extrusion part forms a preform having a hollow corrugated structure. The braiding part weaves a three-dimensional woven fabric on the preform. The pultrusion part impregnates the three-dimensional woven fabric with thermosetting resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrugated plastic composite spring for a vehicle suspension and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same. The apparatus includes a corrugated extrusion part, a braiding part, and a pultrusion part. The corrugated extrusion part forms a preform having a hollow corrugated structure. The braiding part weaves a three-dimensional woven fabric on the preform. The pultrusion part impregnates the three-dimensional woven fabric with thermosetting resin.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality fiber reinforced resin member that enables a longitudinal yarn to be laid out, without slipping, around an outer periphery of a mandrel having at least a bent portion, thus allowing both the longitudinal yarn and a diagonal yarn to be evenly laid out, and a method of manufacturing the fiber reinforced resin member, as well as an apparatus manufacturing a fiber fabric for the fiber reinforced resin member. A fiber reinforced resin member 1 includes an elongate fiber fabric formed by braiding a plurality of longitudinal yarns Q, . . . extending in a longitudinal direction of the fiber fabric and a plurality of diagonal yarns P, . . . inclined at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal direction, the fiber fabric being impregnated with resin that is then hardened. The fiber reinforced resin member 1 has at least a bent portion 1?. The longitudinal yarns Q, . . .

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality fiber reinforced resin member that enables a longitudinal yarn to be laid out, without slipping, around an outer periphery of a mandrel having at least a bent portion, thus allowing both the longitudinal yarn and a diagonal yarn to be evenly laid out, and a method of manufacturing the fiber reinforced resin member, as well as an apparatus manufacturing a fiber fabric for the fiber reinforced resin member. A fiber reinforced resin member 1 includes an elongate fiber fabric formed by braiding a plurality of longitudinal yarns Q, . . . extending in a longitudinal direction of the fiber fabric and a plurality of diagonal yarns P, . . . inclined at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal direction, the fiber fabric being impregnated with resin that is then hardened. The fiber reinforced resin member 1 has at least a bent portion 1?. The longitudinal yarns Q, . . .

Abstract: A filament rope may be produced continuously by the method and apparatus of this invention. In an upper portion of a frame of the apparatus is a unit having strand carrying spools that move about to braid the strands into a core of the rope. During braiding the strands overlap to form sets of pairs of transversely aligned openings which decrease in size as the rope core is drawn away from the braiding unit by a tension wheel assembly. While the openings are still large, a filament length carried by a first cylinder passes through one pair of strand openings. The cylinder then is withdrawn and the filament length severed leaving a filament segment in that pair of openings. Next, a second filament segment is placed in the other strand opening pair by a second cylinder. After filament segment insertion a tamping tool engages the strands and inserted filament segments to promote opening size reduction and improve formation of a compressive fit by the strands on the filament segments.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.

Abstract: A braided insitu consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.

Abstract: An applicator for applying resin to fibers being braided in a tubular shape (e.g., in the manufacture of a fuse casing), the applicator having a wiping surface on which the fibers wipe as they travel to a mandrel on which they are braided, the wiping surface being defined by a surface of revolution around the mandrel and having a continuous orifice for supplying resin continuously around the wiping surface. Also disclosed is an electrical fuse including a fuse casing having a tubular wall including multiple-filament reinforcing yarns that have been braided in the tubular shape of the wall and a synthetic resin bonding the yarns together and impregnating the yarns, a pair of terminals secured to the ends of the fuse casing, and a fusible element inside the casing and connected to the terminals.

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 braid wrapping wheel or carrier is mounted for rotation about its axis and concentrically surrounds a mandrel. The carrier bears rotatable spools of filaments or fiber material about its periphery. One end of each filament is affixed to the mandrel at a point axially displaced from the plane of carrier rotation and the filaments braid about the mandrel during carrier rotation and axial shifting of the mandrel along its axis. A guide ring contacting the filaments intermediate of the spools and the filament contact area on the mandrel define a path of movement for the inclined filaments. A fixedly mounted angular guide ring concentric about the mandrel partially defines a closed plenum chamber bearing a liquid resin under pressure. The resin is fed through fine pores within the ring wall over which the filaments are trained to resin impregnate the filaments.

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.