Fabric and a process and apparatus for making the fabric

An apparatus for making a fabric from one or more fibers comprising:

• a generally hollow form about which one or more fibers are wrapped;
• conveying apparatus including at least one conveyor element traveling along said form and also about which said one or more fibers are wrapped for moving said wrapped fibers along said form;
• fiber dispensing apparatus movable about said form;
• drive apparatus coupled to said conveying apparatus for effecting movement of said at least one conveyor element;
• said fiber dispensing apparatus supporting one or more fiber sources such that said one or more fiber sources are movable with said dispensing apparatus around said form thereby allowing said one or more fibers from said one or more fiber sources to be wrapped about said form and said at least one conveyor element as said dispensing apparatus moves around said form;
• and
• separating apparatus positioned at said separating station for cutting said fabric.

A method for forming a fabric from a plurality of fibers comprising the steps of:

• providing one or more fibers;
• providing a non-planar form and at least one conveyor element which is adapted to move along said form;
• wrapping said one or more fibers about said form and said at least one conveyor element for forming a fabric;
• moving said at least one conveyor element along said form such that said wrapped one or more fibers are moved along said form;
• separating said fabric from one or both of said at least one conveyor element and said form.

A process for forming a carbon fiber fabric comprising the steps of:

• providing one or more carbon fibers;
• wrapping said one or more carbon fibers about a non-planar form;
• and
• joining portions of said one or more fibers to one another.