Wire rope incorporating fluoropolymer fiber
AssigneeGore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
InventorsNorman Clough, Robert Sassa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wire rope including at least one metal wire and at least one fluoropolymer fiber. Preferably, the fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount less than about 25 weight %, and in alternative embodiments less than 20 weight %, 15 weight %, 10 weight %, and 5 weight %. The fluoropolymer fiber is preferably PTFE, and most preferably expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The wire rope is useful in tensioned and bending applications.
Claims25
A wire rope comprising:
- (a) a plurality of strands, each said strand comprising at least one metal wire having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier;
- and
- (b) at least one fluoropolymer fiber comprising expanded PTFE;
- (c) wherein said wire rope is a high tension and bending stress application wire rope.
A wire rope comprising:
- (a) a plurality of strands, each said strand comprising at least one stainless steel wire having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier;
- (b) at least one expanded PTFE fiber;
- wherein said expanded PTFE fiber is a monofilament and is present in an amount less than about 10 weight %, and wherein said wire rope is a high tension and bending stress application wire rope.
A method of making a wire rope comprising:
- (a) providing a metal fiber having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier;
- (b) providing a expanded PTFE fiber;
- and
- (c) combining said metal fiber and said expanded PTFE fiber together to form a wire rope, wherein said wire rope is a high tension and bending stress application wire rope.
A method of increasing durability of a wire rope comprising wires having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier;
- and used in a high tension and bending stress application wire rope, the method comprising the step of incorporating at least one expanded PTFE fiber into said wire rope.
A method of increasing durability of a wire strand comprising wires having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier;
- and used in a high tension and bending stress application wire rope, the method comprising the step of incorporating at least one expanded PTFE fiber into said wire strand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.