Braiding device for braiding wide tapes

Abstract

To provide a braiding apparatus for braiding a broad tape.SOLUTION: Each bobbin 110 is configured to move in a circumferential direction around a braiding wheel and includes a spool 305 and first and second pulley assemblies. The spool holds a tow 115 formed from a braiding material. The first pulley assembly 310 is coupled to the spool at a first distance from the spool. The first pulley assembly is configured to facilitate passing the tow over a pulley of the first pully assembly. The second pulley assembly 315 is coupled to the spool at a second distance shorter than the first distance. The second pulley assembly is configured to facilitate receiving the tow from the first pulley assembly in order to form a braiding tube, and passing the tow over a pulley of the second pulley assembly and toward a section of the braiding apparatus at which a plurality of tows are combined together.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates generally to a process for weaving together braiding materials to form braided products such as braided tubing. In particular, this application describes a braiding apparatus for braiding broad tape.

Background Art

[0002] A braiding machine is a device that weaves or spins together several strands (e.g., three or more strands) of braiding materials such as yarns, wires, tapes, etc. to form braided products such as ropes, reinforced hoses, wire covers, etc. A typical braiding machine includes a wheel configured to guide the strands from several regions around the wheel towards a central region of the wheel to form a braided product. The rotation of the wheel spins / weaves these strands together.

[0003] Most braiding materials have a relatively small cross-section. For example, the width of a tape-like braiding material is typically 1 / 4 inch or less. The relatively small width limits the size of the braided tubing formed from such materials to less than 5 inches in diameter. Braiding a tape-like material having a relatively large width (e.g., greater than 1 / 4 inch) presents many difficulties, partly because larger materials tend to be stiffer and thus more difficult to spin.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first embodiment, a braiding apparatus for forming braided tubing comprises a braiding wheel and a plurality of bobbins. The bobbins are configured to move circumferentially around the braiding wheel. Each bobbin includes a spool, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The spool is configured to hold tows formed from braiding material. The first pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a first distance from the spool. The first pulley assembly is configured to facilitate the passage of cross tows through the pulleys of the first pulley assembly. The second pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a second distance less than the first distance. The second pulley assembly is configured to receive tows from the first pulley assembly and to facilitate the passage of cross tows through the pulleys of the second pulley assembly for forming braided tubing, so that multiple tows can move toward a section of the braiding apparatus together.

[0005] In a second embodiment, a bobbin for a braiding tool comprises a spool, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The spool is configured to hold a tow formed from braiding material. The first pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a first distance from the spool. The first pulley assembly is configured to facilitate the passage of a crossover tow through the pulleys of the first pulley assembly. The second pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a second distance less than the first distance. The second pulley assembly is configured to receive a tow from the first pulley assembly to form braided tubes, and to facilitate the passage of a crossover tow through the pulleys of the second pulley assembly, so that multiple tows can be brought together toward a section of the braiding device.

[0006] In a third embodiment, a method for manufacturing braided tubing includes arranging a plurality of bobbins circumferentially around a braiding wheel of a braiding device. Each bobbin includes a spool, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The spool is configured to hold a toe formed from braiding material. The first pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a first distance from the spool. The second pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a second distance less than the first distance. The method further includes moving the toes held on the spool across the pulleys of the first pulley assembly, then across the pulleys of the second pulley assembly, and then sewing the toes toward a section of the braiding device where the plurality of toes come together, in order to form braided tubing. The plurality of bobbins move around the braiding wheel, thereby forming braided tubing.

[0007] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the claims and are incorporated herein by reference and constitute part of this specification. The detailed description and the exemplary embodiments described herein are helpful in illustrating the principles defined by the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This shows a knitting apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 2A] This shows braided pipes formed by a braiding device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2B] The tow profile of a braided tube according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] This shows a bobbin of a knitting device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4A] A first pulley assembly of a bobbin according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 4B] A second pulley assembly of a bobbin according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 4C] The first and second pulley assemblies coupled to the bobbin rod according to one embodiment are shown. [Figure 4D] The first and second pulley assemblies coupled to the bobbin rod according to one embodiment are shown. [Figure 5] This document shows a system for controlling the braking action of a bobbin according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This shows the operation performed by a knitting device according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This shows bobbins arranged around a braided wheel according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This document describes a method for manufacturing braided pipes according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] One embodiment shows a computer system that may form or implement any part of any of the systems or devices disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and / or methods are described herein. Terms such as “embodiment” and “exemplary” as used herein are understood to mean “acting as one embodiment, example, or illustration.” Any embodiment, configuration, and / or feature described herein as “embodiment” or “exemplary” is not necessarily construed to be more favorable or advantageous than any other embodiment unless otherwise described herein. Accordingly, other embodiments, configurations, and / or features may be utilized, and other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter presented herein.

[0010] Therefore, the embodiments described herein are not intended to be limiting. It will be readily apparent that the embodiments of this disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of configurations.

[0011] Furthermore, unless the context suggests otherwise, the features shown within each of the drawings can be used in combination with each other. Therefore, it should be understood that the drawings should be viewed broadly as embodiments of components of one or more overall embodiments, and that not all shown features are necessarily required for each embodiment.

[0012] Furthermore, any enumeration of elements, blocks, or steps in this specification or in the claims is for clarity only. Therefore, such enumeration should not be construed as requiring or intending that these elements, blocks, or steps adhere to a particular arrangement or be performed in a particular order.

[0013] Furthermore, the terms “substantially” or “about” as used herein mean that the described characteristics, parameters, or values ​​do not need to be strictly realized, but deviations or variations may occur, including, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limits, and other factors known to those skilled in the art, that do not negate the effects that the characteristics are supposed to produce.

[0014] Introduction As mentioned above, braiding tape-like materials with relatively large widths (e.g., exceeding 1 / 4 inch) presents many difficulties because larger materials tend to be stiffer and therefore more difficult to spin. This, in turn, limits the size of most braided tubes or products formed from tape-like materials to relatively small diameters, such as less than 5 inches.

[0015] Disclosed herein are embodiments of a braiding apparatus that facilitates the manufacture of braided tubular articles or products having a relatively large diameter, such as braided tubular articles having a diameter up to and exceeding 10 inches. Generally, the braiding apparatus includes a braiding wheel and a plurality of bobbins disposed circumferentially around the braiding wheel. As will be described in more detail below, each bobbin includes a spool, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The spool is configured to hold a tow formed from braiding material. As used herein, the term "tow" corresponds to one or more finer threads that are spun together to form the braiding material.

[0016] The first pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a first distance from the spool. The first pulley assembly is configured to facilitate passage of the tow across the pulley of the first pulley assembly. The second pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a second distance less than the first distance. The second pulley assembly is configured to receive the tow from the first pulley assembly and facilitate passage of the tow across the pulley of the second pulley assembly and toward a section of the braiding apparatus where multiple tows are combined to form the braided tubular article.

[0017] In some embodiments, each bobbin includes one or more rods coupled to the spool at a first end. The rods couple the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly to the spool. In one embodiment, the first pulley assembly is fixed to a second end of the rod and the second pulley assembly is slidably coupled to the rod. In some embodiments, an elastic member is disposed on at least one of the plurality of rods between the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly. The elastic member facilitates controlling the amount of tension on the tow.

[0018] In some embodiments, each bobbin includes a brake. The brake is coupled to the spool and is configured to prevent or slow the rotation of the spool when engaged. In an embodiment, each bobbin includes a switch configured to activate when the distance between a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly exceeds a predetermined distance. Activation of the switch causes the brake to engage.

[0019] In some embodiments, each bobbin includes a mount configured to couple the bobbin to a knitting wheel. In some embodiments, every other bobbin circumferentially disposed around the knitting wheel further includes an elongate member coupling the spool to the mount. The elongate member facilitates reducing the space between adjacent bobbins and thus facilitates increasing the number of strands spun together for a knitting wheel of a particular diameter.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a knitting apparatus 100. As shown, the knitting apparatus 100 includes a knitting wheel 105 and a plurality of bobbins 110 configured to move circumferentially around the knitting wheel 105. In one embodiment, the knitting wheel 105 has a circular shape. One embodiment of the knitting wheel 105 has a diameter of 80 inches or more. One embodiment of the knitting wheel 105 includes a track assembly disposed around the periphery that facilitates moving a first set of bobbins 110 in a clockwise direction and a second set of bobbins 110 in a counterclockwise direction so as to alternate the movement of the bobbins 110. One embodiment of the knitting wheel 105 is mechanically coupled to a motor 125, the motor being configured to move the bobbins 110 within the track assembly of the knitting wheel 105.

[0021] The bobbins 110 are uniformly distributed around the periphery of the braiding wheel 105. As described above, each bobbin 110 is configured to release the tow 115. The tow 115 is spun together in the central area in front of the braiding device 100 to form braided tubes 120 by rotating the braiding wheel 105.

[0022] Figures 2A and 2B show embodiments associated with the braided tubing 120. Referring to the drawings, in one embodiment, the tow 115 of the braided tubing 120 corresponds to a flat / tape-like material. One embodiment of the tow 115 is formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape. One embodiment of the tow 115 has a width W of 1 / 2 inch or more and a thickness T of about 0.005 inches. In one embodiment, to form a braided tubing 120 having a diameter of 10 inches, 46 tows 115 having a width of 1 / 2 inch are spun together at a pitch or angle of 45 degrees.

[0023] In some cases, the tow 115 is formed from multiple segments that are joined together. For example, in one embodiment where the tow 115 is made from a prepreg material, the tow 115 is joined together by welding or melting the ends of multiple segments. This facilitates the formation of a tow 115 having a length of any choice. This, in turn, facilitates the formation of a braided tubing 120 having a length of any choice. For example, one embodiment of a braided tubing 120 formed by the operation disclosed herein is longer than 10 feet.

[0024] Figure 3 shows one embodiment of the bobbin 110. Referring to the drawing, the bobbin 110 includes a spool 305, a first pulley assembly 310, and a second pulley assembly 315. Some embodiments of the bobbin 110 include a mount 330 that facilitates mounting the bobbin 110 to the mounting area of ​​the braiding wheel 105.

[0025] One embodiment of the spool 305 is configured to hold a tow 115 formed from braided material. For example, one embodiment of the spool 305 includes a cylindrical region around which the tow 115 is wound. One embodiment of the cylindrical region has a diameter of 1 inch and a length of 3 inches. One embodiment of the spool 305 includes side walls to facilitate winding a 150-foot tow 115 onto the spool 305. One embodiment of the spool 305 is configured to rotate around the shaft of the bobbin 110 to release the tow 115. In some embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the rotation of the spool 305 is stopped or slowed by the application of a brake that applies a braking force to the spool 305.

[0026] In one embodiment of the first pulley assembly 310, it is coupled to the spool 305 at a first distance D1 from the spool 305. In one embodiment, the first distance D1 is between 5 inches and 15 inches. The first pulley assembly 310 is configured to facilitate the passage of the tow 115 across the pulleys of the first pulley assembly 310. For example, in one embodiment, the tow 115 is pulled up from the spool 305 across the pulleys.

[0027] The second pulley assembly 315 is coupled to the spool 305 at a second distance D2 less than the first distance D1. In one embodiment, the second distance D2 is between 2 inches and 5 inches. The second pulley assembly 315 is configured to receive tows 115 from the first pulley assembly 310 to form braided tubing 120, and to facilitate the passage of the tows 115 across the pulleys of the second pulley assembly 315 toward a section of the braiding device 100 where multiple tows 115 come together.

[0028] Figures 4A to 4D show embodiments of the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315. As shown, one embodiment of the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 includes a frame 405 and a pulley 410.

[0029] One embodiment of the frame 405 is formed from a rigid material such as metal or a metal alloy. Another embodiment of the frame 405 is formed from a rigid thermoplastic material. One embodiment of the frame 405 has a square or rectangular shape. One embodiment of the frame 405 defines an opening in a central region sized to receive a pulley 410.

[0030] One embodiment of the pulley 410 is configured to receive the tow 115 described above. For example, one embodiment of the pulley 410 has a central section with a width greater than the width W of the tow 115. One embodiment of the pulley 410 includes side walls with a height greater than the thickness T of the tow 115. In one embodiment, the profile of the central section is configured to match the profile of the tow 115. For example, one embodiment of the profile is flat to match the flat profile of the tow 115 described above. Another embodiment of the profile is curved to match the curved / circular profile of the tow 115. In one embodiment, the pulley 410 is rotatably coupled to the frame 405 via a shaft.

[0031] As described above, one embodiment of the bobbin 110 includes at least one rod 320, and in some embodiments, a pair of rods 320. Embodiments of the rod 320 are coupled to the spool 305 at a first end. The rod 320 is also coupled to a first pulley assembly 310 and a second pulley assembly 315, thereby coupling the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 to the spool 305. For example, one embodiment of the frame 405 of the first pulley assembly 310 and the frame 405 of the second pulley assembly 315 includes one or more rod channels 415 through which the rod 320 passes or engages. One embodiment of the rod channel 415 corresponds to a cylindrical notch having a diameter configured to match or with a margin of the diameter of the rod 320.

[0032] In one embodiment, the rod channel 415 of the first pulley assembly 310 is positioned near the end of the frame 405 of the first pulley assembly 310, and the rod channel 415 of the second pulley assembly 315 is positioned near the middle region of the frame 405 of the second pulley assembly 315. As shown in Figure 4C, this arrangement of the rod channel 415 offsets the first pulley assembly 310 from the second pulley assembly 315 and facilitates winding the tow 115 around the pulley 410 of the first pulley assembly 310 and the pulley 410 of the second pulley assembly 315.

[0033] In one embodiment, a first pulley assembly 310 is fixed to the end of a rod 320, and a second pulley assembly 315 is slidably coupled to the rod 320. For example, one embodiment of the frame 405 of the first pulley assembly 310 includes a threaded channel 427 extending perpendicularly toward the rod channel 415. The threaded channel 427 is configured to receive a threaded fastener configured to fix the rod 320 within the rod channel 415. The fastener is screwed into the threaded channel 427 and presses against the side of the rod 320 to fix the frame 405 to the rod 320. In another embodiment, the end of the rod 320 is threaded, and the rod channel 415 of the first pulley assembly 310 is threaded to facilitate screwing the end of the rod 320 into the rod channel 415.

[0034] In one embodiment, the frame 405 of the second pulley assembly 315 is configured to move or slide freely along the rod 320. In this regard, the rod channel 415 of the second pulley assembly 315 includes a bearing surface that facilitates the smooth longitudinal movement of the second pulley assembly 315 along the rod 320. In one embodiment, the bearing surface corresponds to a relatively "soft" metal such as brass. In some embodiments, rolling bearings or other types of bearings are used to facilitate the longitudinal sliding of the second pulley assembly 315 along the rod 320.

[0035] As described above, one embodiment of the bobbin 110 includes one or more elastic members 420. Embodiments of the elastic member 420 are positioned between a first pulley assembly 310 and a second pulley assembly 315. The elastic member 420 is configured to bias the second pulley assembly 315 away from the first pulley assembly 310. In doing so, the elastic member 420 facilitates the control of the amount of tension on the tow 115. For example, when the tension on the tow 115 decreases instantaneously, the elastic force of the elastic member 420 on the second pulley assembly 315 causes the second pulley assembly 315 to move away from the first pulley assembly 310, taking up any slack in the tow 115 that may result from the instantaneous decrease in tension. Conversely, when the tension on the tow 115 increases instantaneously, the second pulley assembly 315 is permitted to move toward the first pulley assembly 310 in order to reduce the tension on the tow 115.

[0036] One embodiment of the elastic member 420 corresponds to a helical coil and is wound around the rod 320 at the position of the rod 320 between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315. Another embodiment of the elastic member 420 is positioned between the spool 305 and the second pulley assembly 315 and is configured to bias the second pulley assembly 315 toward the spool 305.

[0037] As described above, one embodiment of the bobbin 110 includes a brake 325 coupled to the spool 305. When engaged, the brake 325 slows down or stops the rotation of the spool 305. One embodiment of the brake 325 is configured to apply a force to the spool 305 that slows down or stops the rotation of the spool 305. One embodiment of the brake 325 slows down or stops the spool 305 via magnetic induction. For example, in one embodiment, the brake 325 includes an electromagnetic coil. When energized, the electromagnetic coil induces an electromotive force on a steel material fixed to the spool 305 that slows down or stops the rotation of the spool 305.

[0038] One embodiment of the bobbin 110 includes a switch 425 configured to act when the distance D3 between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 exceeds a predetermined distance. One embodiment of the distance D3 is 2 inches. In one embodiment, the actuation of the switch 425 results in the engagement of the brake 325. For example, in one embodiment, the switch 425 is positioned on the rod 320 at a predetermined distance from the second pulley assembly 315 toward the spool 305. When the tension on the tow 115 is reduced or released (for example, when the tow 115 breaks), the elastic member 420 causes the second pulley assembly 315 to slide down the rod 320 and trigger the switch 425. The triggering of the switch 425 then results in the actuation of the brake 325.

[0039] In one embodiment, a second switch 430 is provided and configured to activate when the distance D3 between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 falls below a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, activation of the second switch 430 results in disengaging the brake 325. In one embodiment, the states of the first switch 425 and the second switch 430 control the activation and deactivation of the brake 325 so as to maintain the tension of the tow 115 within a predetermined range.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4D, in another embodiment, the bobbin 110 includes a linear position sensor 435 that detects the position of the second pulley assembly 315 along the rod 320. In this embodiment, the amount of braking force applied by the brake 325 depends on the position of the second pulley assembly 315. For example, in one embodiment, the braking force increases as the distance between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 increases. The increase in braking force increases the tension on the tow 115. The increase in tension now acts to prevent the second pulley assembly 315 from moving further away from the first pulley assembly 310. On the other hand, the braking force decreases as the distance between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 decreases. The decrease in braking force reduces the tension on the tow 115.

[0041] Figure 5 shows one embodiment of the control system 500 for controlling the braking operation described above. In some embodiments, the state of the (one or more) switches (425, 430) and / or linear position sensor 435 described above is communicated to the control system 500. One embodiment of the control system 500 includes one or more inputs for receiving signals associated with the (one or more) switches (425, 430) and / or linear position sensor 435 associated with each bobbin 110, and one or more outputs configured to communicate signals to each bobbin 110 in order to control the braking force applied by the brake 325. In one embodiment, the control system 500 controls a motor 125 that moves the bobbin 110 around the braiding wheel 105. For example, in one embodiment, when a particular state of the bobbin 110 changes, the control system 500 controls the motor 125 to stop or slow down the movement of the bobbin 110. For example, when one or more switches (425, 430) and / or a linear position sensor 435 change to a state indicating that the tow 115 is broken or jammed, the control system 500 stops the motor 125. In some embodiments, the control system 500 includes, or communicates with, a terminal that enables a worker to identify the specific bobbin 110 in which the problem has been detected.

[0042] Figure 6 shows an example of an operation performed by the knitting machine 100. One or more of these operations are performed by a control system 500 that communicates with the knitting machine 100. In this regard, one embodiment of the control system 500 includes a memory that stores instruction codes. These instruction codes cause the control system 500 to perform and / or assist in the execution of these operations.

[0043] Block 600 constitutes a braiding device 100. For example, multiple bobbins 110 are arranged circumferentially around a braiding wheel 105 of the braiding device 100. One embodiment of the braiding wheel 105 includes a track assembly arranged around its periphery to facilitate the movement of every other bobbin 110.

[0044] The braiding material / tow 115 is wound onto the spool 305 of the bobbin 110. One embodiment of the tow 115 is formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape and has a width W of 1 / 2 inch or more and a thickness T of about 0.005 inches. The tow 115 is routed and moved through the first pulley assembly 310 of each bobbin 110, through the corresponding second pulley assembly 315 of each bobbin 110, and then to the central area of ​​the braiding apparatus 100.

[0045] In block 605, the bobbin 110 is moved within the track assembly of the braiding wheel 105 of the braiding device 100 in order to begin forming the braided tubing. As described above, in one embodiment of the braiding wheel 105, it is mechanically coupled to a motor 125, which is configured to move the bobbin 110 within the track assembly of the braiding wheel 105. The movement of the bobbin 110 and thus the formation of the braided tubing 120 involves starting the motor 125. In one embodiment, a control system 500 communicates with the motor and controls it to move the bobbin 110 within the track assembly.

[0046] In block 610, if the tension of a particular tow 115 is below a threshold, block 615 applies a braking force to the bobbin 110 associated with the tow 115. As described above, one embodiment of the bobbin 110 includes an elastic member 420 positioned on the rod 320 of the bobbin 110. One embodiment of the elastic member 420 is positioned between a first pulley assembly 310 and a second pulley assembly 315, facilitating control of the amount of tension on the tow 115 by allowing the second pulley assembly 315 to move along the rod 320 to increase or decrease the amount of slack / tension on the tow 115. The braking force is applied when the distance D3 between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 exceeds a threshold. For example, the second pulley assembly 315 activates a switch 425 when the second pulley assembly 315 moves beyond a threshold amount.

[0047] As described above, one embodiment of the bobbin 110 includes a brake 325 that applies a braking force in response to the operation of a switch 425. One embodiment of the brake 325 is coupled to a spool 305. One embodiment of the brake 325 is configured to apply a force to the spool 305 that slows down or stops the rotation of the spool 305. One embodiment of the brake 325 slows down or stops the spool 305 via magnetic induction. For example, in one embodiment, the brake 325 includes an electromagnetic coil. When energized, the electromagnetic coil induces an electromotive force in a steel material fixed to the spool 305 that slows down or stops the rotation of the spool 305.

[0048] In block 620, if the tow tension changes to exceed a threshold, the braking force is released in block 625. As described above, in some embodiments, a second switch 430 is provided and configured to activate when the distance D3 between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 falls below a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, the states of the first switch 425 and the second switch 430 are used to control the activation and deactivation of the brake 325 in order to maintain the tow tension 115 within a predetermined range.

[0049] In block 620, the tow tension does not exceed a threshold, and in block 640, the movement of the bobbin 110 within the track assembly of the braided wheel 105 is stopped, and the worker is warned. In one embodiment, if the tow tension is below a threshold after the above-described braking force is applied, it may indicate that the tow 115 has broken.

[0050] As described above, in some embodiments, a linear position sensor 435 is used to determine the distance D3 between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315. In one embodiment of the control system 500, the amount of braking force applied to the spool 305 is controlled according to this distance. For example, when the distance between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 decreases, the control system 500 decreases the braking force, and when the distance between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315 increases, the control system 500 increases the braking force. In one embodiment, the amount of braking force applied is proportional to the distance between the first pulley assembly 310 and the second pulley assembly 315, and the tension on the tow 115 is maintained via closed-loop control.

[0051] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of bobbins (710A, 710B, 710C) arranged around a braiding wheel 105. In this embodiment, an elongated member 715 is used to connect the intermediate bobbin 710B within the track assembly of the braiding wheel 105. One embodiment of the elongated member 715 has a length configured to position the spool 305 of the intermediate bobbin 710B closer to the center of the braiding wheel 105. Thereafter, the spool 305 of the intermediate bobbin 710B does not interfere with the spools 305 of the adjacent bobbins (710A, 710C). For example, one embodiment of the elongated member has a longitudinal length of about 12 inches.

[0052] One embodiment of the elongated member 715 is a tubular structure formed from a rigid material such as steel. One embodiment of the elongated member 715 is removably attached to the mount 330 of the intermediate bobbin 710B. For example, one embodiment of the elongated member 715 has a first end configured to be fastened to the mount 330 of the intermediate bobbin 710 via bolts or different types of fasteners. The second end of the elongated member 715 is configured to be coupled into the track assembly of the braided wheel 105.

[0053] Figure 8 shows a method for manufacturing braided tubing 120. Block 800 includes arranging a plurality of bobbins 110 circumferentially around a braiding wheel 105 of a braiding device 100. Each bobbin 110 includes a spool 305 configured to hold a tow 115 formed from braiding material, a first pulley assembly 310 coupled to the spool 305 at a first distance from the spool 305, and a second pulley assembly 315 coupled to the spool 305 at a second distance less than the first distance.

[0054] Block 805 includes moving across the pulleys of the first pulley assembly 310, then across the pulleys of the second pulley assembly 315, and then moving the tows 115 held on the spool 305 to sew toward a section of the braiding device 100 where a plurality of tows 115 come together.

[0055] Block 810 includes moving the braided wheel 105, thereby forming the braided tubes 120.

[0056] In some embodiments, arranging a plurality of bobbins 110, each having a spool 305 for holding a tow 115 formed from a braiding material, circumferentially around a braiding wheel 105 includes arranging a plurality of bobbins 110, each having a spool 305 for holding a tow 115 formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape having a width of 1 / 2 inch or more, circumferentially around a braiding wheel 105, and the diameter of the braiding tubes 120 being 10 inches or more.

[0057] In some embodiments, moving multiple bobbins around a braiding wheel 105 to form braided tubes 120 includes moving multiple bobbins around a braiding wheel 105 to form braided tubes 120 having a diameter of 10 inches or more.

[0058] In some embodiments, each bobbin 110 further comprises at least one rod 320 coupled to the spool 305 at a first end. These embodiments include coupling the rod 320 to a first pulley assembly 310 and coupling a second pulley assembly 315 to the spool 305.

[0059] Some embodiments include fixing a first pulley assembly 310 to a second end of a rod 320 and slidably coupling a second pulley assembly 315 to the rod 320.

[0060] Some embodiments include placing an elastic member 420 on the rod 320 between a first pulley assembly 310 and a second pulley assembly 315 in order to control the amount of tension on the tow 115.

[0061] Some embodiments include coupling the brake 325 to the spool 305. In these embodiments, the brake 325 prevents the spool 305 from rotating when engaged.

[0062] Some embodiments include providing a bobbin 110 having a switch configured to act when the distance D3 between a first pulley assembly 310 and a second pulley assembly 315 exceeds a predetermined amount. In these embodiments, the actuation of the switch results in the engagement of a brake 325.

[0063] Some embodiments include integrating a mount between the bobbin 110 and the braiding wheel 105.

[0064] Some embodiments involve connecting an elongated member between the spool 305 and the mount to alternating bobbins 110 arranged circumferentially around the braiding wheel 105. The elongated member facilitates reducing the space between adjacent bobbins 110.

[0065] Figure 9 shows a computer system 900 that may form or implement any part of the systems and / or devices described above. The computer system 900 may include a set of instruction commands 945. A processor 905 may execute the set of instruction commands 945, thereby causing the computer 900 to perform any of the operations described above. One embodiment of the computer system 900 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected to other computer systems or peripheral devices, for example, using a network.

[0066] In one networked embodiment, the computer system 900 may operate as a server or as a client computer in a server-client network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) environment. The computer system 900 may also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices such as personal computers or portable devices, and may execute instruction commands 945 (sequentially or otherwise) to cause the device to perform one or more operations. Furthermore, each of the systems described may include a set of subsystems that individually or collectively execute one or more sets of instruction commands to perform one or more computer operations.

[0067] The computer system 900 may include one or more memory devices 910 that are communicatively coupled to a bus 920 for communicating information. Furthermore, code capable of causing the computer system to perform the operations described above may be stored in the memory 910. The memory 910 may be random access memory, read-only memory, programmable memory, a hard disk drive, or any other type of memory or storage device.

[0068] The computer system 900 may include a display 930, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), or any other display for information transmission. The display 930 may serve as a user interface for viewing the processing results generated by the processor 905.

[0069] Furthermore, the computer system 900 may include an input device 925, such as a keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen, configured to allow a user to interact with the components of the system 900.

[0070] The computer system 900 may also include a disk or optical drive unit 915. The drive unit 915 may include a computer-readable medium 940 in which instruction commands 945 can be stored. The instruction commands 945 may reside entirely or at least partially in the memory 910 and / or processor 905 during execution by the computer system 900. The memory 910 and processor 905 may also include a computer-readable medium as described above.

[0071] The computer system 900 may include a communication interface 935 to support communication over a network 950. The network 950 may include a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof. The communication interface 935 may enable communication over any number of wireless broadband communication standards, such as IEEE standards 802.11, 802.12, 802.16 (WiMAX), 802.20, cellular standards, or other communication standards.

[0072] Accordingly, the methods and systems described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The methods and systems may be implemented in a centralized manner in at least one computer system, or in a distributed manner in which various elements are distributed across an interconnected computer system. Any type of computer system or other device suitable for performing the methods described herein may be employed.

[0073] The methods and systems described herein may also be embedded within computer program products. These programs may include all features that enable the implementation of the operations described herein, and when loaded into a computer system, they may perform these operations. As used herein, a computer program refers to a machine-executable language, code, or notation representation of a set of machine-executable instructions intended to cause a device to perform a specific function, either directly or after one or more of the following: a) conversion from one language, code, or notation to another, and b) copying of the first language, code, or notation.

[0074] Furthermore, this disclosure includes embodiments as provided for in the following clauses. Article 1. A braiding device (100) for forming braided tubes (120), Braided wheels (105), and The braiding wheel (105) comprises a plurality of bobbins (110) configured to move circumferentially around the braiding wheel, and each bobbin (110) is A spool (305) configured to hold a tow (115) formed from a braided material, A first pulley assembly (310) coupled to the spool (305) at a first distance from the spool (305), wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is configured to facilitate the passage of the tow (115) across the pulleys of the first pulley assembly (310), and Braiding apparatus (100) comprising a second pulley assembly (315) coupled to the spool (305) at a second distance less than the first distance, the second pulley assembly (315) configured to receive the tows (115) from the first pulley assembly (310) to form the braided tubes (120), and to facilitate the tows (115) passing over the pulleys of the second pulley assembly (315) toward a section of the braiding apparatus (100) toward which multiple tows (115) come together. Article 2. Each bobbin (110) is The braiding apparatus (100) according to Clause 1, further comprising at least one rod (320) coupled to the spool (305) at a first end, wherein the at least one rod (320) coupled the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) to the spool (305). Article 3. The braiding apparatus (100) according to Clause 2, wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is fixed to the second end of the rod (320), and the second pulley assembly (315) is slidably coupled to the rod (320). Article 4. Each bobbin (110) further comprises an elastic member (420) positioned on the rod (320) between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315), the braiding apparatus (100) according to Clause 3, wherein the elastic member (420) facilitates the control of the amount of tension on the tow (115). Article 5. Each bobbin (110) further comprises a brake (325) coupled to the spool (305), the braiding device (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the brake (325) prevents the spool (305) from rotating when engaged. Article 6. Each bobbin (110) further comprises a switch (430) configured to act when the distance between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) exceeds a predetermined amount, the actuation of the switch (430) causing the brake (325) to engage, the braiding device (100) according to Clause 5. Article 7. A braiding apparatus (100) according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein each bobbin (110) further comprises a mount configured to connect the bobbin (110) to the braiding wheel (105), and every other bobbin (110) arranged circumferentially around the braiding wheel (105) further comprises an elongated member that connects the spool (305) to the mount (330), the elongated member facilitating a reduction in the space between adjacent bobbins (110). Article 8. A braiding apparatus (100) according to any one of the clauses 1 to 7, wherein the width of the tow (115) is 1 / 2 inch or more. Article 9. A braiding apparatus (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the diameter of the braided tubes (120) is 10 inches or more. Article 10. The braiding material is formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape, and the braiding apparatus (100) is as described in any one of the clauses 1 to 9. Article 11. A bobbin (110) for a knitting tool, A spool (305) configured to hold a tow (115) formed from a braided material, A first pulley assembly (310) coupled to the spool (305) at a first distance from the spool (305), wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is configured to facilitate the passage of the tow (115) across the pulleys of the first pulley assembly (310), and A bobbin (110) comprising a second pulley assembly (315) coupled to the spool (305) at a second distance less than the first distance, the second pulley assembly (315) configured to receive the tows (115) from the first pulley assembly (310) to form braided tubes (120), and to facilitate the tows (115) passing over the pulleys of the second pulley assembly (315) toward a section of a braiding device (100) toward which multiple tows (115) come together. Article 12. The bobbin (110) according to clause 11, further comprising at least one rod (320) coupled to the spool (305) at a first end, the at least one rod (320) coupling the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) to the spool (305). Article 13. The bobbin (110) according to Clause 12, wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is fixed to the second end of the rod (320), and the second pulley assembly (315) is slidably coupled to the rod (320). Article 14. The bobbin (110) according to Clause 13 further comprises an elastic member (420) positioned on the rod (320) between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315), wherein the elastic member (420) facilitates the control of the amount of tension on the tow (115). Article 15. A bobbin (110) according to any one of clauses 11 to 14, further comprising a brake (325) coupled to the spool (305), wherein the brake (325) prevents the spool (305) from rotating when engaged. Article 16. The bobbin (110) according to Clause 15 further comprises a switch (430) configured to act when the distance between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) exceeds a predetermined distance, wherein the actuation of the switch (430) engages the brake (325). Article 17. A mount (330) configured to connect the bobbin (110) to the braiding wheel (105) of the braiding tool, and A bobbin (110) according to any one of the clauses 11 to 16, further comprising an elongated member connecting the spool (305) to the mount (330), wherein the elongated member facilitates reducing the space between adjacent bobbins (110). Article 18. A method for manufacturing braided tubes (120), This includes arranging a plurality of bobbins (110) in a circumferential direction around the knitting wheel (105) of a knitting device (100) (800), wherein each bobbin (110) is A spool (305) configured to hold a tow (115) formed from a braided material, A first pulley assembly (310) is coupled to the spool (305) at a first distance from the spool (305), It includes a second pulley assembly (315) coupled to the spool (305) at a second distance less than the first distance, The aforementioned method further, To form the braided tubes (120), the tows (115) held on the spool (305) are advanced in a sewing manner (805) toward the section of the braiding device (100) where multiple tows (115) come together, and A method comprising moving the plurality of bobbins (110) around the braiding wheel (105) (810), thereby forming the braided tubes (120). Article 19. Arranging a plurality of bobbins (110) circumferentially around a braiding wheel (105) (800), wherein each bobbin (110) has a spool (305) for holding a tow (115) formed from braiding material, is: The method according to Clause 18, comprising arranging a plurality of bobbins (110) circumferentially around a braided wheel (105) (800), wherein each bobbin (110) has a spool (305) for holding a tow (115) formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape having a width of 1 / 2 or more, and the diameter of the braided tubing (120) is 10 inches or more. Article 20. The method according to Clause 19, wherein the method comprises moving the plurality of bobbins (110) around the braiding wheel (105) (810) to form the braided tubes (120), and the method comprises moving the plurality of bobbins (110) around the braiding wheel (105) (810) to form the braided tubes (120) having a diameter of 10 inches or more.

[0075] While the system and its operation have been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible and that equivalents can be substituted without departing from the claims. Therefore, although the method and system are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, the method and system of this disclosure are intended to include all embodiments included in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A braiding device (100) for forming braided tubes (120), Braided wheel (105), and The braiding wheel (105) comprises a plurality of bobbins (110) configured to move circumferentially around the braiding wheel, and each bobbin (110) is A spool (305) configured to hold a tow (115) formed from a braided material, A first pulley assembly (310) coupled to the spool (305) at a first distance from the spool (305), wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is configured to facilitate the passage of the tow (115) across the pulleys of the first pulley assembly (310), A second pulley assembly (315) coupled to the spool (305) at a second distance less than the first distance, wherein the second pulley assembly (315) is configured to receive the tows (115) from the first pulley assembly (310) to form the braided tubes (120), and to facilitate the tows (115) passing over the pulleys of the second pulley assembly (315) toward a section of the braiding device (100) toward which multiple tows (115) come together. A brake (325) coupled to the spool (305), which, when engaged, prevents the spool (305) from rotating, and A switch (430) configured to operate when the distance between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein the operation of the switch (430) is such that the switch (430) engages the brake (325). A knitting device (100) including a knitting apparatus.

2. Each bobbin (110) is The braiding apparatus (100) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one rod (320) coupled to the spool (305) at a first end, wherein the at least one rod (320) coupled the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) to the spool (305).

3. The braiding apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is fixed to the second end of the rod (320), and the second pulley assembly (315) is slidably coupled to the rod (320).

4. Each bobbin (110) further comprises an elastic member (420) positioned on the rod (320) between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315), the elastic member (420) facilitating control of the amount of tension on the tow (115), the braiding apparatus (100) according to claim 3.

5. The braiding apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein each bobbin (110) further comprises a mount configured to connect the bobbin (110) to the braiding wheel (105), and every other bobbin (110) arranged circumferentially around the braiding wheel (105) further comprises an elongated member that connects the spool (305) to the mount (330), the elongated member facilitating the reduction of the space between adjacent bobbins (110).

6. The braiding device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the width of the tow (115) is 1.27 cm (1 / 2 inch) or more.

7. The braiding device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the braided tubes (120) is 25.4 cm (10 inches) or more.

8. The braiding material is formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape, as described in claim 1, for the braiding apparatus (100).

9. A bobbin (110) for a knitting tool, A spool (305) configured to hold a tow (115) formed from a braided material, A first pulley assembly (310) coupled to the spool (305) at a first distance from the spool (305), wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is configured to facilitate the passage of the tow (115) across the pulleys of the first pulley assembly (310), A second pulley assembly (315) coupled to the spool (305) at a second distance less than the first distance, wherein the second pulley assembly (315) is configured to receive the tows (115) from the first pulley assembly (310) to form braided tubes (120), and to facilitate the tows (115) passing over the pulleys of the second pulley assembly (315) toward a section of a braiding device (100) toward which multiple tows (115) come together. A brake (325) coupled to the spool (305), which, when engaged, prevents the spool (305) from rotating, and A switch (430) configured to operate when the distance between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein the operation of the switch (430) is such that the switch (430) engages the brake (325). A bobbin (110), including the bobbin.

10. The bobbin (110) according to claim 9, further comprising at least one rod (320) coupled to the spool (305) at a first end, wherein the at least one rod (320) coupled the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) to the spool (305).

11. The bobbin (110) according to claim 10, wherein the first pulley assembly (310) is fixed to the second end of the rod (320), and the second pulley assembly (315) is slidably coupled to the rod (320).

12. The bobbin (110) according to claim 11, further comprising an elastic member (420) positioned on the rod (320) between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315), wherein the elastic member (420) facilitates the control of the amount of tension on the tow (115).

13. A mount (330) configured to connect the bobbin (110) to the braiding wheel (105) of the braiding tool, and The bobbin (110) according to claim 9, further comprising an elongated member that connects the spool (305) to the mount (330), wherein the elongated member facilitates reducing the space between adjacent bobbins (110).

14. The bobbin (110) according to claim 9, wherein the width of the tow (115) is 1.27 cm (1 / 2 inch) or more.

15. The bobbin (110) according to claim 9, wherein the diameter of the braided tubes (120) is 25.4 cm (10 inches) or more.

16. The bobbin (110) according to claim 9, wherein the braided material is formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape.

17. The bobbin (110) according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined amount is 5.08 cm (2 inches).

18. A method for manufacturing braided tubes (120), This includes arranging a plurality of bobbins (110) in a circumferential direction around the knitting wheel (105) of the knitting device (100) (800), wherein each bobbin (110) is A spool (305) configured to hold a tow (115) formed from a braided material, A first pulley assembly (310) is coupled to the spool (305) at a first distance from the spool (305), A second pulley assembly (315) is coupled to the spool (305) at a second distance less than the first distance, A brake (325) coupled to the spool (305), the brake (325) which, when engaged, prevents the spool (305) from rotating, A switch (430) configured to operate when the distance between the first pulley assembly (310) and the second pulley assembly (315) exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein the operation of the switch (430) is such that the switch (430) engages the brake (325) Includes, The aforementioned method further, To form the braided tubes (120), the toes (115) held on the spool (305) are advanced in a sewing manner (805) toward the section of the braiding device (100) where a plurality of toes (115) come together, and A method comprising moving the plurality of bobbins (110) around the braiding wheel (105) (810), thereby forming the braided tubes (120).

19. Arranging a plurality of bobbins (110) in a circumferential direction around a braiding wheel (105) (800), wherein each bobbin (110) is provided with a spool (305) for holding a tow (115) formed from braiding material, is The method according to claim 18, comprising arranging a plurality of bobbins (110) circumferentially around a braiding wheel (105) (800), wherein each bobbin (110) has a spool (305) for holding a tow (115) formed from a prepreg thermoplastic tape having a width of 1.27 cm (1 / 2 inch) or more, and the diameter of the braiding tubes (120) is 25.4 cm (10 inches) or more.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises moving the plurality of bobbins (110) around the braiding wheel (105) (810) to form the braided tubes (120), and the method comprises moving the plurality of bobbins (110) around the braiding wheel (105) (810) to form braided tubes (120) having a diameter of 25.4 cm (10 inches) or more.

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