# US 11,028,504 B2 · Multi-level-architecture multifiber composite yarn > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,504 B2 - Document ID: US11028504B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/953,858 - Filed: 2018-04-16 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-16 - Assignees: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Applicants: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Inventors: Xiaoming Tao; Ziheng Zhang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028504B2 ## CPC - D02G 3/44: Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed {(protective gloves A41D19/00; protective clothing A62B17/00; ropes D07B1/02)} - D02G 3/045: {all components being made from artificial or synthetic material} - D02G 3/38: Threads in which fibres, filaments, or yarns are wound with other yarns or filaments, {e.g. wrap yarns, i.e. strands of filaments or staple fibres are wrapped by a helically wound binder yarn; (D02G3/32 takes precedence)}; (covering endless core threads with fibres by using open-end spinning techniques D01H4/00) - D02G 3/404: {Yarns or threads coated with polymeric solutions} - D06M 15/564: Polyureas, polyurethanes or other polymers having ureide or urethane links; Precondensation products forming them - D06M 15/643: containing silicon in the main chain - D06M 15/693: with natural or synthetic rubber, or derivatives thereof - F03G 7/06114: {using the thermal expansion or contraction of solid materials} - F03G 7/0612: {using polymers} - F03G 7/0613: {using layers of different materials joined together, e.g. bimetals} - F03G 7/0616: {characterised by the material or the manufacturing process, e.g. the assembly (magnetic shape memory alloys F03G7/06147)} - D10B 2331/02: polyamides (D10B2331/08 takes precedence) - D10B 2331/30: polycondensation products not covered by indexing codes D10B2331/02 - D10B2331/14 - D10B 2401/04: Heat-responsive characteristics - D02G: CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS - D06M: TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract A multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn includes a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial direction, and a matrix material included with the yarn, wherein the matrix material has a second anisotropic expansion coefficient that is different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in at least one of the axial or radial directions. A method of fabricating a multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn includes infiltrating a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial directions with a matrix material having a second anisotropic expansion coefficient different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in the axial or radial direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn, comprising: a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial direction, and a matrix material included with the composite yarn, wherein the matrix material has a second anisotropic expansion coefficient that is different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in at least one of the axial or radial directions; wherein the composite yarn comprises multiple continuous filament or staple fibers dispersed in the matrix material to form a single yarn. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 1 wherein the continuous filament or staple fibers are made from material selected from a group consisting of polyimide, polyester, polyethylene, polyamide, aliphatic polyesters, polylactic acid, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), metal, ceramic, and wool. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 1 wherein the continuous filament or staple fibers are polyamide fibers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 1 wherein the continuous filaments or staple fibers are individually coated in the matrix material, prior to being combined in the matrix material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 4 wherein the individually coated filaments or fibers are combined by bundling the filaments or fibers to form bundled filaments or fibers and dipping the bundled filaments or fibers in a solution of the matrix material, and then dried to vulcanize the matrix material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 1 wherein the matrix material is selected from a group consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane), dimethicone, thermal plastic elastomeric olefin, polyurethane, ethoxyline, natural or synthetic rubber, mineral, and responsive gel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 6 wherein the matrix material is poly(dimethylsiloxane). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 1 wherein the first anisotropic expansion coefficient and/or the second anisotropic expansion coefficient is responsive to hydrothermal, electro-thermal, photo-thermal, hygral, chemical stimulation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn of claim 1 wherein the composite yarn comprises two more individually coated composite yarns included together by one of twisting, winding, plying, cabling, or braiding to form included composite yarns and then curing the included composite yarns. ### Claim 10 A method of fabricating a multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn, comprising infiltrating a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial directions with a matrix material having a second anisotropic expansion coefficient different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in the axial or radial direction; wherein the composite yarn comprises multiple continuous filament or staple fibers combined in the matrix material; and wherein the continuous filaments or staple fibers are individually coated in the matrix material, prior to being combined in the matrix material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein individually coating the continuous filaments or staple fibers comprises: dipping the individual filaments or fibers in a solution of the matrix material to form a coating on respective individual filaments or fibers, and drying the individual filaments or fibers in a drying oven to vulcanize the coating. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising bundling the individually coated filaments or fibers, and further dipping the bundled filaments or fibers into the solution of the matrix material to coat the bundled filaments or fibers, and drying the bundled filaments or fibers in a drying oven to vulcanize the coating. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising: loading the coated bundle of filaments or fibers, and twisting the coated bundle of filaments or fibers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising: coiling the twisted bundle against a tool by either further twisting, or heat setting prior to twisting in an opposite direction, or winding against a tool, and curing the coiled bundle in a curing oven. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the curing in the curing oven comprising heating the coiled bundle to 220 deg-C for one hour. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising selecting a material of the continuous filaments or staple fibers from a group consisting of polyimide, polyester, polyethylene, polyamide, aliphatic polyesters, polylactic acid, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), metal, ceramic, and wool. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the selecting comprises selecting polyamide fibers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising selecting the matrix material from a group consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane), dimethicone, thermal plastic elastomeric olefin, polyurethane, ethoxyline, natural or synthetic rubber, mineral, and responsive gel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the selecting comprises selecting poly(dimethylsiloxane). ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) A multi-fiber composite yarn produced by the method according to the steps of claim 10. ### Claim 21 A multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn, comprising: a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial direction, and a matrix material included with the composite yarn, wherein the matrix material has a second anisotropic expansion coefficient that is different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in at least one of the axial or radial directions; wherein the matrix material is selected from a group consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane), dimethicone, thermal plastic elastomeric olefin, polyurethane, ethoxyline, natural or synthetic rubber, mineral, and responsive gel. ### Claim 22 A multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn, comprising: a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial direction, and a matrix material included with the composite yarn, wherein the matrix material has a second anisotropic expansion coefficient that is different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in at least one of the axial or radial directions; wherein the composite yarn comprises two more individually coated composite yarns included together by one of twisting, winding, plying, cabling, or braiding to form included composite yarns, and then curing the included composite yarns. ### Claim 23 A method of fabricating a multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn, comprising infiltrating a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial directions with a matrix material having a second anisotropic expansion coefficient different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in the axial or radial direction; wherein the method further comprises selecting the matrix material from a group consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane), dimethicone, thermal plastic elastomeric olefin, polyurethane, ethoxyline, natural or synthetic rubber, mineral, and responsive gel.