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An apparatus, and method for laying up structural filaments. The apparatus includes an openable race providing a circular path for a carrier bearing a filament source. The carrier moves circumferentially within the race and may be formed as a centerless wheel. The carrier may be formed in sections

An apparatus, and method for laying up structural filaments. The apparatus includes an openable race providing a circular path for a carrier bearing a filament source. The carrier moves circumferentially within the race and may be formed as a centerless wheel. The carrier may be formed in sections to facilitate opening of the race to insert a workpiece.

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What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for laying up filaments, the apparatus comprising: a race comprising a fixed portion secured to a support structure and defining a first arcuate path forming a first angular portion of a circular path, and a hinged portion, hingedly secured to the fixed portion a

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for laying up filaments, the apparatus comprising: a race comprising a fixed portion secured to a support structure and defining a first arcuate path forming a first angular portion of a circular path, and a hinged portion, hingedly secured to the fixed portion and defining a second arcuate path forming a second angular portion of the circular path; a carrier forming a circular structure positioned within the circular path, the carrier comprising a first carrier portion sized to occupy a substantial portion of the first arcuate path and a second carrier portion sized to occupy a substantial portion of the second arcuate path; a driver secured to the fixed portion and sequentially engaging the first and second carrier portions to move the first and second carrier portions within the circular path; and at least one filament source secured to at least one of the first carrier portion and the second carrier portion. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filament is carbon fiber. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first carrier portion and second carrier portion each comprise a grippable outer edge. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the grippable outer edge comprises gear teeth. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second angular portion are each approximately 180 degrees. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier forms a non-circular structure. 7. A method for laying up a filament, the method comprising providing a race comprising a fixed portion secured to a support structure and defining a first arcuate path forming a first angular portion of a circular path, a hinged portion, hingedly secured to the fixed portion and defining a second arcuate path forming a second angular portion of the circular path; providing a carrier forming a circular structure positioned within the circular path, the carrier comprising a first carrier portion sized to occupy substantially all of the first arcuate path and a second carrier portion sized to occupy substantially all of the second arcuate path; providing a driver secured to the fixed portion and sequentially engaging the first and second carrier portions to move the first and second carrier portions within the circular path; providing at least one filament source secured to at least one of the first carrier portion and the second carrier portion; rotating the hinged portion to open the race; positioning a work piece within the race; rotating the hinged portion to close the race; securing an initial portion of filament from the filament source to the workpiece; and activating the driver to cause the filament source to rotate about the workpiece. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the workpiece is T-shaped, having first, second, and third branches secured at an apex, the method further comprising positioning the first branch within the race; rotating the hinged portion to open the race; positioning the second branch within the race; and rotating the hinged portion to close the race. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, positioning the apex within the race and winding filament thereabout.