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US 8,535,801 B2Granted
Fiber for producing three-dimensional, self-interlacing composites
OwnerW. Thomas McClellaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber includes a base having a surface to be impacted by a fluid wave for propelling the fiber forward and a body having a trailing end connected to the base, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber. A locking system causes the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave.
Claims18
A fiber, comprising:
- a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said second surface having a concave shape configured to be impacted by a fluid wave such that the fiber is propelled forward;
- a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber, said body extending outward from said first surface;
- and
- a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave;
- wherein said base, said body and said engagement system are formed of fiberglass.
2 more elements
A fiber, comprising:
- a base having a surface to be impacted by a fluid wave for propelling the fiber forward, said surface of said base being formed of surfaces of two webs describing an acute angle therebetween;
- a body having a trailing end connected to said base, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber;
- and
- a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave.
1 more element
A three-dimensional self-interlacing composite, comprising:
- at least two fibers, each fiber of said at least two fibers including:
- a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said second surface having a concave shape configured to be impacted by a fluid wave such that the fiber is propelled forward;
- a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber, said body extending outward from said first surface;
- and
- a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave;
- said at least two fibers being interlinked by the locking systems of said at least two fibers.
3 more elements
A three-dimensional self-interlacing composite, comprising:
- a first fiber including:
- a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said opposing second surface configured to be impacted by a fluid wave such that the fiber is propelled forward;
- a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber, said body tapering to a tip at said leading free end, said body extending outward from said first surface;
- and
- a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave;
- at least a second fiber including:
- a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said opposing second surface to be impacted by a fluid wave for propelling the fiber forward;
- a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber;
- and
- a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave;
- the first fiber and the second fiber being interlinked by the locking systems of said first and second fibers.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.