A nonwoven article includes a plurality of polycrystalline, aluminosilicate ceramic filaments entangled to form a cohesive nonwoven mat. Each of the aluminosilicate ceramic filaments in the mat has an average diameter of less than about 2 microns (μm), and the aluminosilicate ceramic filaments include an average of about 15 wt % to about 80 wt % crystalline mullite.

A yarn in which slipping of filler materials from a tubular member can be reduced while suppressing the manufacturing cost is provided. The yarn has a tubular member, and a plurality of filler materials that are formed into a strip-like shape, and is configured by loading the filler materials into the tubular member in a state where the longitudinal directions of the filler materials are made extending along the axial direction of the tubular member. In the yarn, the tubular member is configured by using wire material that is knitted so as to produce stitches. The wire material has arcuate loop portions that define parts of external shapes of the stitches. In a state where the tubular member is developed, the loop portions are expanded in a direction that is inclined with respect to a straight line that extends in the axial direction of the tubular member.

Metal alloy knit fabrics, thermal protective members formed therefrom and their methods of construction are disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature metal alloy wire that is drapable allows for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection. The metal alloy knit fabrics described herein overcome the limitations of current welded stainless steel mesh seal coverings by providing coverings that withstand higher operational temperatures than stainless steel, are wear and snag resistant, can be a separate seal layer or as a portion of an integrated seal construction, can accommodate tight curvature changes to achieve complex shapes without wrinkling or buckling, and can be joined in the knitting process, sewed or mechanically fastened, without the need for welding.

In order to manufacture a yarn in which filler materials are loaded into a tubular member, the method of manufacturing a yarn has a step of knitting a wire material to form the tubular member. In the step of knitting the wire material, knitting of the wire material is advanced by a plurality of knitting needles, which are placed substantially concentrically about a rotation axis, while revolvingly moving the knitting needles about the rotation axis. When a stitch is to be formed by the wire material, the wire material is prepared so that an arcuate loop portion, which defines a part of the external shape of the stitch, is expanded in a direction which, in a state where the tubular member is developed, is inclined with respect to a straight line that extends in the axial direction of the tubular member.

The present application pertains to a braided dual-sided compression packing seal, methods for producing and using such a seal, and apparatuses suitable for producing such a seal. The braided dual-sided compression packing seal is made up of two or more different materials that are braided together in such a way that, in cross-section, the compression packing seal has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially perpendicular to a side of the compression packing seal. Accordingly, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane, the compression packing seal may expose substantially only a first material along a first side of the seal, and substantially only a second material along a second side of the seal.

To provide an end portion sealing member for a linear motion mechanism having good lubrication characteristics and a high degree of protection against dust. An end portion seal member capable of being attached at either end of slider in linear motion mechanism comprising rail and slider, wherein said end portion seal member has support frame body arranged at an outside circumference of said rail; base fabric portion, the back surface of which is secured to an inside circumferential surface of said support frame body; and cut pile that protrudes from a front surface of said base fabric portion; wherein fiber tip portions of said cut pile are bent and made to abut the rail in such fashion as to occlude a gap between said rail and said support frame body; and lubricant has been made to be retained in advance in spaces between pile fibers of said cut pile.

Knit fabrics having ceramic strands, thermal protective members formed therefrom and to their methods of construction are disclosed. Methods for fabricating thermal protection using multiple materials which may be concurrently knit are also disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature ceramic fibers concurrently with a load-relieving process aid, such as an inorganic or organic material (e.g., metal alloy or polymer), both small diameter wires within the knit as well as large diameter wires which provide structural support and allow for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection.

A ball screw in which a nut and a male-threaded shaft provided with an arcuate continuous groove threadedly engage by way of a multiplicity of steel spheres inserted between the male threads and female threads, the end portion seal member is capable of being attached toward a front or toward a back from said nut, and has a support frame body arranged at an outside circumference of said male-threaded shaft; a base fabric portion, a back surface of which is secured to an inside circumferential surface of said support frame body; and the cut pile that protrudes in such fashion as to be directed toward said groove from a front surface of said base fabric portion; wherein fiber tip portions of said cut pile are bent and made to abut said groove so as to occlude a gap between said groove and said support body, and good lubricant is retained.

Knit fabrics having ceramic strands, thermal protective members formed therefrom and to their methods of construction are disclosed. Methods for fabricating thermal protection using multiple materials which may be concurrently knit are also disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature ceramic fibers concurrently with a load-relieving process aid, such as an inorganic or organic material (e.g., metal alloy or polymer), both small diameter wires within the knit as well as large diameter wires which provide structural support and allow for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection.

A nonwoven article comprising a two-dimensional nonwoven structure having a longest major surface dimension and a shortest major surface dimension, said two-dimensional nonwoven structure comprising a plurality of discontinuous polycrystalline, aluminosilicate ceramic fibers having a length equal to the longest or shortest major surface dimension of the two-dimensional nonwoven structure or a length in between those dimensions.