Abstract:
A fiber tow and methods for separating a fiber tow are disclosed. The fiber tow may include adjacent filaments and a polymer coating covering at least a portion of the adjacent filaments. The polymer coating may include a polymer that is configured to contract in a direction generally parallel to the adjacent filaments and expand in a direction generally perpendicular to the adjacent filaments. The polymer coating may contract/expand in response to an energy source, such as heat or a UV light source. The methods may include coating at least a portion of a plurality of filaments with a polymer, bundling the filaments into a fiber tow, and exposing the fiber tow to an energy source to contract the polymer in a direction generally parallel to the filaments and to expand the polymer in a direction generally perpendicular to the filaments. The filaments may be carbon fiber filaments.
Abstract:
A longitudinally stretchable and transversely compressible member is made by coating each of a bundle of generally parallel, continuous, non-interengaged strands with a vaporizable material (blowing agent), applying a thermosetting elastomeric material to the bundle so as to impregnate and surround the bundle and to separate the strands. A vapor impermeable skin is formed on the surface and the vaporizable material vaporized to form randomly disposed voids and to cause the strands to take an undulating path.
Abstract:
A minimum weight suspension line in the form of a braided filament rope is used in parachute apparatus to interconnect a payload with a canopy. To achieve the minimum weight characteristics of the suspension line, additional filament material is braided into the rope at the points of attachment to the canopy and the payload for increasing the strength of the line attachment point so that it is at least equal to the basic strength of the suspension line.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knotless cord capable of sufficiently exhibiting the tensile strength of a fibrous material. SOLUTION: This knotless cord 1 is equipped with a sleeve 2 and the fibrous material 3 inserted into the inside of the sleeve 2, and the sleeve 2 and the fibrous material 3 are joined by tightening the sleeve 2 by imparting a tension in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 2. Also, the knotless cord 1 is provided with that a coming-out preventing part 4 is separated to at least 2 positions of coming out-preventing parts (a first coming out-preventing part 4a and a second coming-out preventing part 4b) so as to prevent the coming out of the fibrous material 3 from the sleeve 2. Thus, while preventing the coming out of the fibrous material 3 from the sleeve 2, the stress formed by imparting the tension is dispersed to the whole of the fibrous material 3 so as to moderate stress concentration at each of the coming out-preventing parts 4a, 4b. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A mooring member comprises a rope configured for extending between a vessel floating in a body of water and an anchoring device. The mooring member comprises a plurality of functional elements, wherein a first functional element is wound onto at least a portion of the rope, a second functional element is wound onto the first functional element, and so on, until an outermost functional element is wound onto a second-to-outermost functional element. The functional elements are wound in a helical configuration, and are configured to provide at least one of the following functions: damage protection, buoyancy, optical detection, sonar detection, stiffness control, and anti-fouling.
Abstract:
A rope and a method of constructing the rope. The rope may be of 12×12 braided construction and include a core for its length. The rope includes a plurality of primary strands, and each of the primary strands includes a plurality of fibers which may be made of a high-friction material. The rope also includes a secondary strand surrounded by the plurality of primary strands. The secondary strand includes a plurality of fibers which may be made of a low-friction material.
Abstract:
A rope and a method of constructing the rope. The rope may be of 12×12 braided construction and include a core for its length. The rope includes a plurality of primary strands, and each of the primary strands includes a plurality of fibers which may be made of a high-friction material. The rope also includes a secondary strand surrounded by the plurality of primary strands. The secondary strand includes a plurality of fibers which may be made of a low-friction material.
Abstract:
To provide a knotless cord that is capable of exerting sufficient tensile strength of a fibrous body. A knotless cord has a sleeve and a fibrous body inserted into the sleeve, wherein the sleeve and the fibrous body are connected to each other by applying tension in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve and then tightening the sleeve. Moreover, in the knotless cord a locking portion for preventing the fibrous body from slipping out of the sleeve is provided in at least two sections (first locking portion, second locking portion). Therefore, stress generated by applying tension is dispersed throughout the entire fibrous body, while preventing the fibrous body from slipping out of the sleeve, whereby stress concentration occurring in each locking portion is alleviated.