The present invention relates to a braiding machine with at least two impellers for displacing at least one clapper, wherein the clapper is made at least partially of a ferromagnetic material and wherein each of the impellers has at least one clapper receiver comprising a plurality of electromagnets, wherein the electromagnets enclose a partial circumference of the clapper of about 50 to about 120.

The present invention relates to a braiding machine with at least two impellers for displacing at least one clapper, wherein the clapper is made at least partially of a ferromagnetic material and wherein each of the impellers has at least one clapper receiver comprising a plurality of electromagnets, wherein the electromagnets enclose a partial circumference of the clapper of about 50 to about 120.

Systems and methods for forming a tubular braid are disclosed herein. A braiding system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an upper drive unit, a lower drive unit, a mandrel coaxial with the upper and lower drive units, and a plurality of tubes extending between the upper drive unit and the lower drive unit. Each tube can be configured to receive individual filaments for forming the tubular braid, and the upper and lower drive units can act in synchronization to move the tubes (and the filaments contained within those tubes) in three distinct motions: (i) radially inward toward a central axis, (ii) radially outward away from the central axis, and (iii) rotationally about the central axis, to cross the filaments over and under one another to form the tubular braid on the mandrel.

Systems and methods for forming a tubular braid are disclosed herein. A braiding system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an upper drive unit, a lower drive unit, a mandrel coaxial with the upper and lower drive units, and a plurality of tubes extending between the upper drive unit and the lower drive unit. Each tube can be configured to receive individual filaments for forming the tubular braid, and the upper and lower drive units can act in synchronization to move the tubes (and the filaments contained within those tubes) in three distinct motions: (i) radially inward toward a central axis, (ii) radially outward away from the central axis, and (iii) rotationally about the central axis, to cross the filaments over and under one another to form the tubular braid on the mandrel.

A braid separation apparatus for separating rope strands of a braided rope, thereby allowing reuse of the separated rope strands, is provided and may include an input assembly configured to move a braided rope made of at least three rope strands, into the apparatus. Further, the apparatus may comprise three or more winding carriers, each being coupled to one of the rope strands. The winding carriers configured to move about each other in serpentine path such that rope strands of the braided rope are separated. Each winding carrier may comprise a spool which is connected to the rope strand coupled to the winding carrier. Each winding carrier may further comprise a torque creating unit configured to provide a torque on the spool and to cause the spool to rotate such that the rope strand is wound around the spool.

A braid separation apparatus for separating rope strands of a braided rope, thereby allowing reuse of the separated rope strands, is provided and may include an input assembly configured to move a braided rope made of at least three rope strands, into the apparatus. Further, the apparatus may comprise three or more winding carriers, each being coupled to one of the rope strands. The winding carriers configured to move about each other in serpentine path such that rope strands of the braided rope are separated. Each winding carrier may comprise a spool which is connected to the rope strand coupled to the winding carrier. Each winding carrier may further comprise a torque creating unit configured to provide a torque on the spool and to cause the spool to rotate such that the rope strand is wound around the spool.

A braid separation apparatus for separating rope strands of a braided rope, thereby allowing reuse of the separated rope strands, is provided and may include an input assembly configured to move a braided rope made of at least three rope strands, into the apparatus. Further, the apparatus may comprise three or more winding carriers, each being coupled to one of the rope strands. The winding carriers configured to move about each other in serpentine path such that rope strands of the braided rope are separated. Each winding carrier may comprise a spool which is connected to the rope strand coupled to the winding carrier. Each winding carrier may further comprise a torque creating unit configured to provide a torque on the spool and to cause the spool to rotate such that the rope strand is wound around the spool.