Methods and apparatuses for producing a braided dual-sided compression packing seal and methods of using the same

A method for producing a braided dual-sided compression packing seal, the method comprising:

• providing at least a first material and a second material to a plurality of carriers following at least four material paths, the material paths comprising:
• a first material path that is substantially triangular in shape,
• a second material path and a third material path that are substantially square in shape, and
• a fourth material path that is substantially triangular in shape;
• interlocking the first material with the second material along the at least four material paths to form the compression packing seal in a manner so that the first material and the second material are disposed relative to each other such that, in cross-section, the compression packing seal has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

An apparatus for producing a dual-sided compression packing seal comprising a first material and a second material, the apparatus comprising:

• a first row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a second row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a third row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials, wherein
• the horn gears of the first row of horn gears and the horn gears of the third row of horn gears are substantially the same size and are larger than the horn gears of the second row of horn gears;
• and
• one or more carriers for transferring the first material or the second material from a first horn gear to a second horn gear in the same row, or from the first horn gear to a second horn gear in an adjacent row.

An apparatus for producing a dual-sided compression packing seal comprising a first material and a second material, the apparatus comprising:

• a first row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a second row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a third row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials, wherein
• tracks defined by the first row of horn gears and tracks defined by the third row of horn gears are substantially circular, and
• tracks defined by the second row of horn gears are substantially oval;
• and
• one or more carriers for transferring the first material or the second material from a first horn gear to a second horn gear in the same row, or from the first horn gear to a second horn gear in an adjacent row, wherein
• the horn gears of the first, second, and third row of horn gears are sized and shaped to prevent collisions between the carriers.

An apparatus for producing a dual-sided compression packing seal comprising a first material and a second material, the apparatus comprising:

• a first row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a second row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a third row of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• and
• one or more carriers for transferring the first material or the second material from a first horn gear to a second horn gear in the same row, or from the first horn gear to a second horn gear in an adjacent row, wherein
• the first, second, and third row of horn gears interconnect to form at least four material paths along one or more material grooves, the material paths comprising:
• a first material path that is substantially triangular in shape,
• a second material path and a third material path that are substantially square in shape, and
• a fourth material path that is substantially triangular in shape.

An apparatus for producing a dual-sided compression packing seal comprising a first material and a second material, the apparatus comprising:

• a first column of horn gears for moving the first material;
• a second column of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a third column of horn gears for moving the first and second materials;
• a fourth column of horn gears for moving the second material;
• and
• one or more carriers for transferring the first material or the second material from a first horn gear to a second horn gear in a different column, wherein
• the first material is not present in the fourth column, and
• the second material is not present in the first column.