Integrally-reinforced braided tubular structure and method of producing the same
AssigneeA&P Technology, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Atkins Head, John William Peter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of producing a generally tubular, reinforced, structure including an inner layer of braided material having a predefined indentation configuration, the method including the steps of providing a mandrel having a shape and configuration of indentations corresponding to the shape and indentation configuration of the inner layer, providing a plurality of support members in the vicinity of at least some of the indentations on the mandrel, the support members protruding a predetermined distance radially outwardly from the mandrel, depositing the inner layer over the mandrel and the support members, and removing the support members to a position in which the support members do not protrude the surface of the mandrel.
Claims46
A braid-reinforced, generally tubular, structure comprising:
- an interior;
- at least one reinforcement layer, said reinforcement layer including braided material and at least one indentation, said indentation including a recess in the direction of the interior of the structure and said braided material contacting said recess;
- and
- a plurality of reinforcement members in said indentation.
A braid-reinforced, generally tubular, structure comprising:
- an interior;
- and
- at feast one reinforcement layer, said reinforcement layer including braided material and at least one indentation, said indentation including a recess in the direction of the interior of the structure and said braided material contacting said recess.
A braid-reinforced, generally tubular, structure comprising:
- an interior;
- and
- at least one reinforcement layer, said reinforcement layer including braided material and a plurality of indentations, each of said indentations including a recess in the direction of the interior of the structure and said braided material contacting said recess.
A braid reinforced, generally tubular structure comprising:
- a mandrel including at least one indentation, said indentation including a recess in the direction of the interior of the mandrel;
- and
- at least one reinforcement layer deposited on said mandrel, said reinforcement layer including a braided material contacting said recess.
A braid reinforced generally tubular structure having an inner layer constructed according to the following process:
- providing a mandrel having a shape and configuration of indentations corresponding to the shape and indentation configuration of said inner layer;
- providing a plurality of support members in the vicinity of at least some of the indentations on said mandrel, the support members protruding a predetermined distance radially outwardly from said mandrel;
- depositing said inner layer over said mandrel and said support members;
- and
- removing said support members to a position in which the support members do not protrude above the surface of the mandrel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.