초록 ▼

A bias-weaving machine is provided. In one embodiment, the bias-weaving machine includes a plurality of yarn carriers, each holding a yarn under tension that extends in a downstream direction towards a woven product. The yarn carriers are translatable in at least one direction other than the downst

A bias-weaving machine is provided. In one embodiment, the bias-weaving machine includes a plurality of yarn carriers, each holding a yarn under tension that extends in a downstream direction towards a woven product. The yarn carriers are translatable in at least one direction other than the downstream direction. The apparatus further includes a plurality of reeds disposed to comb the yarns in a downstream direction. The reeds have a range of motion extending between positions upstream and downstream of the yarn carriers. Embodiment of this invention may advantageously be utilized to weave three-dimensional woven products, such as textile preforms for aerospace composites.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for weaving three dimensional structures which include a plurality of warp yarns, and a plurality of bias yarns, the apparatus comprising: the warp yarns extending in a downstream direction to form a shed; a plurality of bias yarn carriers; the bias yarns extendi

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for weaving three dimensional structures which include a plurality of warp yarns, and a plurality of bias yarns, the apparatus comprising: the warp yarns extending in a downstream direction to form a shed; a plurality of bias yarn carriers; the bias yarns extending from the yarn carriers in the downstream direction; a bias shuttle configured to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of yarn carriers to translate the engaged yarn carriers substantially transversely to the downstream direction; a plurality of reeds disposed to comb the bias yarns in the downstream direction; and the reeds having a range of motion extending between positions upstream and downstream of the yarn carriers. 2. An apparatus for interweaving of yarns comprising: a plurality of yarn carriers, each carrier holding a yarn under tension, said yarns extending in a downstream direction from an end supported by the carriers, towards a woven product; a plurality of reeds disposed to comb the yarns in the downstream direction; the reeds having a range of motion extending between positions upstream and downstream of the yarn carriers; the yarn carriers translatable in at least one direction other than the downstream direction. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a plurality of warp yarns extend from a position upstream of the yarn carriers to the woven product. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said warp yarns are moveable in at least one direction other than the downstream direction to form a shed. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: said yarn carriers are moveable to form an opening among the yarns that extends from the yarn carriers to the woven product; and a fill yarn is moveable through the shed and through the opening, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the downstream direction. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said yarn carriers are translatable through the shed when the reeds are upstream of the yarn carriers. 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said yarn carriers are translatable through the shed when the reeds are upstream of the yarn carriers. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said yarn carriers are moveable to form an opening among the yarns that extends from said yarn carriers to the woven product; and a fill yarn is moveable through the opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to the downstream direction. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said yarn carriers are translatable through the shed when the reeds are upstream of the yarn carriers. 10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reeds remain in interposed alignment with the warp yarns throughout said range of motion. 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reeds are disposed upstream of the yarn carriers when the yarn carriers are translated. 12. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising a bias shuttle configured to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of yarn carriers to translate the engaged yarn carriers substantially transversely to the downstream direction. 13. The apparatus of claim 3, comprising: a bias shuttle configured to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of yarn carriers to translate the engaged yarn carriers substantially transversely to the downstream direction; and the bias shuttle being configured to translate the engaged bias fiber holders within the shed. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bias shuttle is configured to translate the engaged yarn holders to any one of a plurality of positions selected so that each of the plurality of warp yarns is disposed between two of the plurality of positions. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bias shuttle is configured to translate the engaged bias yarn holders substantially horizontally. 16. The apparatus of claim 3, comprising a plurality of heddles, each heddle configured to engage one of the plurality of warp yarns and independently translate the engaged warp yarn to form the shed. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the heddles are configured to translate the engaged warp yarns vertically between at least one upper warp position and at least one lower warp position. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of heddles are actuated by a Jacquard or dobby. 19. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each yarn holder includes a self-contained yarn tensioner. 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bias shuttle is configured to translate the yarn holders within the shed. 21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bias shuttle includes a plurality of opposable engagement members configured to opposably engage one or more of the plurality of yarn holders. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said engagement members are configured to asynchronously, alternately engage and release the yarn holders to translate the engaged yarn holders. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the engagement members each comprise a plurality of fingers having distal ends configured for disposition within the shed, said distal ends configured to releasably engage the yarn holders. 24. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of supports each defining a plane that remains interposed between adjacent ones of said warp yarns during operation of the apparatus. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said supports are each configured to releasably engage a yarn holder. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said supports are each provided with a range of motion within their respective planes. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said supports are each configured to move a yarn holder within their range of motion. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the range of motion is vertical. 29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said engagement members are configured to pass the yarn holders among said supports. 30. The apparatus of claim 4, comprising a weave shuttle configured to pass fill yarn through the shed. 31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein at least one of the weave shuttle and the yarn holders comprises a self-contained yarn tensioner. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the self-contained yarn tensioner comprises a spring operatively engaged with a release. 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the release comprises a force release. 34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the release comprises a displacement release. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a displacement trigger operatively engaged with the release. 36. An apparatus for interweaving of yarns comprising: a plurality of yarn carriers, each carrier holding a yarn under tension, the yarns extending in a downstream direction from an end supported by the carriers, to a woven product; a bias shuttle configured to releasably engage at least one of the yarn carriers to translate the at least one yarn carrier relative to at least one other of the yarn carriers, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the downstream direction; the bias shuttle including a plurality of opposable engagement members configured to opposably engage one or more of the plurality of yarn carriers; and said engagement members being configured to asynchronously, alternately engage and release the yarn carriers to translate the engaged bias yarn carriers. 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein: said yarn carriers are moveable to form an opening among the yarns that extends from said yarn carriers towards the woven product; and a fill yarn is moveable through the opening in a direction substantially orthogonal to the downstream direction.