Abstract: Embodiments of a leno weave mesh of the present invention generally include a plurality of high-temperature weft yarns, high-temperature warp yarns, and low melting point warp yarns; wherein each low melting point warp yarn is intertwined with a high-temperature warp yarn, each intertwined pair of warp yarns is positioned such that the low melting point warp yarn and high-temperature warp yarn are disposed alternatingly on either side of the woven mesh at intersections of the weft and warp yarns, and the woven mesh is heated whereby the surfaces of the low melting point warp yarns adhere to the surface of the high-temperature warp yarns and said high-temperature weft yarns at contact points there between. An intumescent coating system employing embodiments of the mesh, and a method of providing thermal protection to a substrate utilizing the intumescent coating system, are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a leno weave mesh of the present invention generally include a plurality of high-temperature weft yarns, high-temperature warp yarns, and low melting point warp yarns; wherein each low melting point warp yarn is intertwined with a high-temperature warp yarn, each intertwined pair of warp yarns is positioned such that the low melting point warp yarn and high-temperature warp yarn are disposed alternatingly on either side of the woven mesh at intersections of the weft and warp yarns, and the woven mesh is heated whereby the surfaces of the low melting point warp yarns adhere to the surface of the high-temperature warp yarns and said high-temperature weft yarns at contact points there between. An intumescent coating system employing embodiments of the mesh, and a method of providing thermal protection to a substrate utilizing the intumescent coating system, are also provided.

Abstract: A cord material suitable for use in lined textile structures with a gliding component includes a plurality of uniform strands, and a deviant strand. The deviant strand is different from the uniform strands in some characteristic affecting aerodynamic or hydrodynamic properties of the cord, such as size or surface properties. Each uniform strand can have a substantially equal cross section area, while the deviant strand has a cross section area at least five times greater than one of the uniform strands. The strands can be braided or woven together. A major benefit of the material can be that vibration induced drag is significantly reduced or eliminated in lines made with the material. Another advantage is that lines made from the material can have more consistent, predictable line drag, which can improve the quality of handling.

Abstract: An improved kernmantle cord in part comprises 550-Paracord manufactured to exceed MIL-STD-C-5040H Type III. The improved kern at the core includes three nylon fibers in each of seven yarns, one continuous filament of waterproofed paraffin-waxed jute twine fiber tinder, one continuous abrasion-resistant nylon or fluorocarbon monofilament, and one continuous copper wire. The monofilament is strong enough for 50# test, yet small enough not to adversely impact the pliability of the cord as a whole. The copper wire itself may be multistrand or braided to improve flexibility or solid to provide more body. The mantle sheathing is of woven nylon and provides abrasion resistance for the whole cord, and functions as an electrical insulator for the copper wire and fireproofing for the paraffin-waxed jute twine fiber tinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber cable net including: one elongated optical fiber cable having a front end portion repeatedly moved upward and downward from the lower end portion of the left side of a bee hive-like section along a line forming the bee hive-like section, the optical fiber cable being wound by a plurality of times onto pre-disposed portions where it meets the pre-disposed portions and being moved upward or downward, so that if the front end portion of the optical fiber cable reaches the lower end portion of the right side of the bee hive-like section, the front end portion of the optical fiber cable is sequentially passed through the respective net eyes of the right side of the bee hive-like section, the respective net eyes of the upper side thereof and the respective net eyes of the left side thereof.

Abstract: A method is presented for making a composite material from strips comprising longitudinal fibers and a binder or resin, which material comprises a number of layer assemblies one on top of the other. Each layer assembly comprises m sets (with m at least 2) of parallel strips each extending in a different direction, Each layer assembly is manufactured by successive steps of depositing groups of parallel strips according to a well defined pattern (without longitudinally interweaving strips with previously deposited strips). Before completing a layer assembly, with the exception of the last layer assembly, by depositing its last group of parallel strips, the first group of parallel strips of the following layer assembly is already deposited. A composite material manufactured with such a method is presented too.

Abstract: Medical devices are provided that include at least one layer that defines a proximal end, a distal end, and an expanded volume portion between the proximal and distal ends. The expanded volume portion defines a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. A first end feature including a reversible connection for attachment to a pusher member may be attached to the proximal end. The first end feature may define a first axis between its opposing ends. Similarly, a second end feature defining a second axis between its opposing ends may be located at the distal end. In the contracted state (e.g., when constrained within a delivery catheter), the first axis and the second axis may be aligned with the longitudinal axis, and in the expanded state (e.g., when deployed), the first axis and/or the second axis may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite lightweight compressor airfoil. The airfoil comprises a braided fabric embedded in a lightweight aluminum-lithium alloy. The airfoils are fabricated by forming a plurality of fiber tows by twisting filaments or fibers. The tows are then braided into a fabric. The fabric may be impregnated with an optional fugitive polymer that temporarily occupies interstices of the fabric to facilitate handling of the pre-formed braided fabric, but which is subsequently removed. The airfoil may then be formed as a MMC by one of two separate methods. In the first method, aluminum-lithium alloy is pressure augmented casting into a die that includes a preform of fabric impregnated with fugitive polymer. In a second method, a preform is formed using a tool and mandrel by impregnating fabric with aluminum-lithium alloy. Then aluminum-lithium alloy is pressure augmented cast into a die that includes the alloy-impregnated preform.

Abstract: An assembly of fibrous support preforms that makes it possible to obtain a composite-material part that includes a space (30) that originates from the assembly in which a long-member profile (32) of organic or inorganic fibers is housed and whose purpose is to fill the space (30), is characterized in that the long-member profile includes at least one metal fiber that extends over the entire length of the profile (32) so as to ensure the function of a marker that can be detected by detection element (38) that emit waves that can be modified by the marker (36).

Abstract: An assembly of fibrous support preforms that makes it possible to obtain a composite-material part that includes a space (30) that originates from the assembly in which a long-member profile (32) of organic or inorganic fibers is housed and whose purpose is to fill the space (30), is characterized in that the long-member profile includes at least one metal fiber that extends over the entire length of the profile (32) so as to ensure the function of a marker that can be detected by detection element (38) that emit waves that can be modified by the marker (36).

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for a carrier rope for use in the transport of paper webs in paper threading machine systems. The carrier rope constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a multi filament yarn assembly (A) having an initial twist, a composite yarn assembly (B) comprising mono filament yarn imparted around the multi filament yarn assembly via a second twist, wherein the multi filament yarn assembly (A) is not further twisted, a braided plait assembly (C) comprising a braid of composite yarn assemblies, and a carrier rope (D) comprising a braid of braided plait assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for a carrier rope for use in the transport of paper webs in paper threading machine systems. The carrier rope constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a multi filament yarn assembly (A) having an initial twist, a composite yarn assembly (B) comprising mono filament yarn imparted around the multi filament yarn assembly via a second twist, wherein the multi filament yarn assembly (A) is not further twisted, a braided plait assembly (C) comprising a braid of composite yarn assemblies, and a carrier rope (D) comprising a braid of braided plait assemblies.

Abstract: A knitted, woven, or braided textile ribbon including fibers and having a length and selvage edges and one or more transmission elements running the length of the ribbon in place of one or more of the fibers and integrated with the fibers to transmit data and/or power along the length of the ribbon.

Abstract: A light weight, strong and flexible, braided electrical fence rope, for fences to contain livestock and keep unwanted animals out, combines in its outer braided jacket electrically conductive elements with high strength non-conductive elements in a double helix configuration. The outer braided jacket will preferably surround an inner core of non-conductive high strength elements. The high strength non-conductive elements and the physical properties of the braided rope construction provide inherent strength and flexibility properties to the fence rope. The conductive elements in the outer braided jacket are selected to provide an effective electric shock when contacted by an animal. This electric fence rope combines barrier strength and psychological deterrence to both domestic and wild animals.

Abstract: A triaxial braided sleeve in which the axial strands are reinforcing and the bias strands are elastic. Due to the elastic bias strands, the sleeve can be used as the reinforcement in a fiber-reinforced plastic part having a tapered, curved, or other irregular shape.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent for a medical device to be introduced into a cavity of a human body, is disclosed and includes a radially expandable and axially retractable tubular body (1), characterized in that the tubular body comprises first flexible rigid filaments (2, 3) which are arranged side by side in a number at least equal to two, wound along a first helicoid direction around a longitudinal axis (4) of the tubular body, and second flexible rigid filaments (5, 6) which are arranged side by side in a number at least equal to two, wound along a second helicoid direction opposite to the first, each multiple filament wound in one of the said directions crossing multiple filaments wound in the other direction according to a plaited arrangement. Methods for reproducibly forming the stent of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A braided structure produced by strands of a braiding material consisting of multiple yarn ends of multifilament fibers oriented side-by-side or in parallel to form a generally single layer band of yarn ends and treated with a suitable forming material in order to set such orientation. The braiding material can then be used to form strands for producing a braided structure. The braided structure resulting from the braiding material of our invention has a high coverage area and a high width to thickness ratio.

Abstract: A rope assembly comprises a central rope, which may be composed of nylon, a plurality of flotation elements of closed cell form and buffer elements of open cell form which are disposed between and flush with the flotation elements. A protective layer, which may be formed of polyurethane, surrounds the rope and the flotation and buffer elements. The closed cell form elements may be polyethylene. The open cell form elements may be polyurethane.

Abstract: A braided packing has a number of longitudinal strands around which a braid strand is wound in a lattice pattern to form a substantially square braid. The longitudinal strands include at least two lubricant sink strands, the lubricant sink strands having a material composition and configuration to give the lubricant sink strands a higher lubricant absorbency than the other longitudinal strands and the braid strand. The packing is immersed in a lubricating fluid which is absorbed and retained in higher amounts by the lubricant sink strands, thereby providing a long-lasting source of lubricant for the overall packing during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rope for the taking along and transferring of paper webs in the manufacture on paper machines of paper and cardboard made from round-braided textile fiber material. In accordance with the invention, raised positions are distributed over the circumference of the rope at regular or irregular distances. The raised positions are generated by design measures such as the selection of a different multiple thread count in the different running directions and/or the use of twisted and laid fiber elements, and/or by the use of fibers with profiled fiber cross-sections and/or textured or crimped fiber yarns and or by the use of fibers with profiled fiber crosssections and/or textured or crimped fiber yarns.

Abstract: A method of terminating a fiber rope utilizing a device of the type which has a housing member having a frusto-conical bore in which an end portion of the rope can be wedgedly retained. The end portion of the rope has a reinforcing device incorporated therein in order to increase the tensile load capacity of the rope end portion. The reinforcing device may include a fiber type material, a length of fiber rope or a resinous compound applied to the fibers of the rope end portion.

Abstract: A mop head has a fitting, a coupler, and string. The fitting couples to the end of a handle. The coupler attaches the string to the fitting. The string is arranged in multiple loops that depend from the fitting. The string itself is made of a foam core and a protective filament covering. The foam is of the open cell type for absorbency and wringability. The filament is braided or knitted so as to completely encircle the core and to provide openings therethrough in order to allow access to the core. The covering protects the core from tearing and other mechanical damage, while maintaining the porosity of the overall string.

Abstract: A cut-resistant braided yarn and apparel knit from the yarn; the braided yarn may be constructed as a simple hollow braid, but preferably comprises a core and a covering braided on the core; the braid or the braided covering on the core of the yarn comprises three or more strands of fiber selected from high and normal-strength fibers; the core comprises a high-strength fiber core-strand and may include a stainless steel wire core-strand; the denier and number of braiding strands is such that the final diameter of the yarn does not exceed about 0.035" (thirty five thousandths of an inch).

Abstract: A composite yarn is for making braided packing for sealing pump or rotating valve shafts. The packing comprises an external layer and a core. Preferably, the external layer is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) impregnated with graphite, and the core is an aramide filament. The graphite impregnated, expanded PTFE gives the composite yarn good thermal conductivity, high capacity of friction reduction and good resistance to chemical attacks. The aramide filament has high mechanical strength. The composite yarn can be braided to form a packing where only the PTFE contacts the shaft, thus protecting it against uneven wear.

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 product and process include a first sleeve formed of interbraided first and second yarns which may be continuous E glass yarns. Warp beads formed by knitting or braiding are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the braid and introduced to the braider to form an integral part of the structure. One or more heavy denier yarns are loaded on carriers so as to cross the warp beads under relatively high tension, forcing the beads selectively to the inside or outside of the sleeve surface so as to create longitudinally extending spacers which create air gaps between the sleeve and the surface of the substrate being covered.

Abstract: A braided member has a longitudinal axis and a plurality of braided strands of structural fiber. At least one elongate member having a rigidity greater than that of the strands of structural fiber is intertwined into the braided strands parallel to the longitudinal axis of the braided member. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural fibers are selected from the group consisting of aramid, glass, and carbon fibers and the braided member is a triaxially braided tube. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elongate member is a pultruded rod having compressive strength approaching its tensile strength.

Abstract: A reinforcement system for mastic intumescent fire protection coatings. Free floating hybrid mesh embedded in the coating is used to reinforce the coating. The hybrid mesh is made from a combination of high temperature and low temperature yarns.

Abstract: A solid braid structure comprising a plurality of interlocked layers is created by causing a plurality of package carriers of yarn to move along a plurality of defined serpentine paths by track modules. The track modules extend in a first direction to define a longitudinally extending path corresponding to a first layer of the braid structure and in a second direction to provide at least one crossover path between adjacent serpentine paths. The package carriers which move in the first direction create a first layer of braid and, at a crossover path, move between adjacent serpentine paths to cause the yarn forming the first layer of braid to interlock with the braid of an adjacent layer.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of fiber strand carrier members that are movable on a carrier surface defined by multiple, movable, side-by-side support members and a plurality of fiber guides affixed on the support members for dispensing axial stuffer fiber strands as the carrier members move along predetermined paths to intertwine the fiber strands from the fiber guides. The carrier members are disposed on the support members for movement therewith and for movement from one support member to abother. The fiber guides are affixed on the support members for movement only with the respective support member. The stuffer fiber strand for each fiber guide is dispensed from a spool that is carried on a respective support member or is mounted on a stationary base.

Abstract: Edge-reinforced packing is provided for steam service, with wire-reinforced secondary yarns on carriers driven along one or more diagonal tracks of a braiding machine to provide edge-reinforcing which reduces valve stem abrasion while providing sufficient resistance to high pressure, high temperature steam leakage. Wire-reinforcing only the edges of the packing minimizes the amount of reinforcing wire necessary to counteract high pressure steam and thus minimizes valve stem wear. An offset, alternating braid embodiment further reduces wire usage at the packing edges, while at the same time providing complete circumferential reinforced sealing around the valve stem. In cases where the offset braiding results in voids in the steam barrier produced by the reinforced braid, keystone-resisting technology corrects this problem. In one embodiment, the packing is a non-asbestos packing which eliminates both hardening and packing disintegration normally associated with so called "plastic-core" packings.

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: 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: 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 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 method of manufacturing an elongated braided structural member having high mechanical strength, including the steps of providing at least three primary elongated cores, parallel and spaced from one another, and helically winding a plurality of threads around said cores, at least two threads being wound around any pair of primary cores.

Abstract: Braided line is manufactured by drawing off filaments (3) from a carousel of bobbins (1) which are caused to follow interweaving paths about a common axis. The line can be tapered by cutting selected filaments at intervals and continuing the braiding with a progressively reduced manner. Each cut off filament (14) leading from the braid point (8) is kept co-axially aligned by the air flow into a suction tube (6) within the carousel while the remaining filaments (3) are braided around it. The selection and cutting of the filaments can be automated, under computer control.

Abstract: Disclosd is a pre-expanded braided sleeving made from flexible strands of either conductive or nonconductive filaments, or a combination thereof, along with entrapped warp filaments of heat shrinkable material. The warp filament material is commonly known as heat reactive material and, when briefly subjected to heat below its fusion temperature, shrinks in the order of 30% to 50% of its length and very substantially expands the sleeving thereby greatly expediting the assembly thereof over an elongated object. Thereafter the sleeving is readily contracted into a snug fit with the object upon being tensioned between its opposite ends.

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 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: Cores (a1-a4) pass through separate points in a plate (1) of the machine, over which plate thread-carrying spools (17.sub.1 -17.sub.24) are free to move. Two pairs of spools (i.e. four spools) are associated with each of the six possible pairs of the cores (a1-a4). Both spools in each pair are wound in the same direction around the corresponding pair of cores. The other two spools corresponding to the same pair of cores wind round the pair in the opposite direction. At successive steps of the method, each spool in each pair of spools is swapped with the other spool of the pair to occupy the position previously occupied by the said other spool. As a result, each pair of cores is covered by two helical windings in each winding direction.

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: Tape which is formed of generally flat construction and by braiding and which includes carrier means for electricity, light or fluid. The carrier means is contained between the yarn from which the braid is produced. The yarn may be formed from metallic, glass fiber, plastics or the like and of natural, synthetic or regenerated fibers. The carrier means comprises insulated electrical resistance or conductor wires or a combination thereof or may consist of fiber optic materials or a fluidic tube.