An object of the present invention is to further improve upon the strength and durability of a wire rope. A wire rope has a core rope made of steel; a covering layer, which is made of a composite resin, covering the outer peripheral surface of the core rope; and multiple side strands, which are made of steel, wound on the outer peripheral surface of the core rope covered with the covering layer. The composite resin constituting the covering layer is obtained by blending cellulose nanofibers with polypropylene serving as a matrix.

A high-strength fiber bundle sufficiently impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, without impairing mechanical strength. A high-strength fiber composite cable is produced by impregnating a bundle of carbon fibers with a matrix resin. The matrix resin is obtained by mixing, with a thermoplastic resin, such as polyphenylene sulfide, an oligomer having a weight-average molecular weight of less than 10,000, obtained by causing a reaction between an organic compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group and an organic compound having a glycidyl ether group. The matrix resin, which has a viscosity low in comparison with that of the thermoplastic resin serving as a base material, readily impregnates the bundle of carbon fibers with certainty.

A high-strength fiber bundle sufficiently impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, without impairing mechanical strength. A high-strength fiber composite cable is produced by impregnating a bundle of carbon fibers with a matrix resin. The matrix resin is obtained by mixing, with a thermoplastic resin, such as polyphenylene sulfide, an oligomer having a weight-average molecular weight of less than 10,000, obtained by causing a reaction between an organic compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group and an organic compound having a glycidyl ether group. The matrix resin, which has a viscosity low in comparison with that of the thermoplastic resin serving as a base material, readily impregnates the bundle of carbon fibers with certainty.

Control and stabilizing cables and tendons for high altitude aircraft and airships having lightweight, high strength and low CTE are disclosed, along with a method and machine for fabrication of same. The cable is comprised of a fiber prepreg tow encased in a polymer sleeve with one bobbin at each end to facilitate connections. Consolidating the fiber prepreg tow along the length of the cable using high temperature shrink tubing, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), allows for eliminating the twisting of the fiber prepreg tow, thus reducing the number of wraps around the bobbins. Eliminating the twists in the fiber prepreg tow also reduces the length of fiber needed, and therefore the overall change in length of the control cable with temperature variations is reduced. Additional cable strength can be achieved by adding and holding significant tension on the fiber prepreg tow by applying weight during the curing process.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hoisting rope, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of elongated composite members, which composite members are made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers in polymer matrix; and arranging the composite members to form an elongated row of parallel composite members, which row has a longitudingal direction, a thickness direction and a width direction, and in which row the composite members are positioned side by side such that they are parallel to each other, and spaced apart from each other in width direction of the row; and directing plasma treatment on the outer surface of the composite members; and embedding the composite members in fluid polymer material; and solidifying the polymer material wherein the composite members are embedded. The invention relates also to a hoisting rope obtained with the method and an elevator comprising the hoisting rope.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hoisting rope, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of elongated composite members, which composite members are made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers in polymer matrix; and arranging the composite members to form an elongated row of parallel composite members, which row has a longitudingal direction, a thickness direction and a width direction, and in which row the composite members are positioned side by side such that they are parallel to each other, and spaced apart from each other in width direction of the row; and directing plasma treatment on the outer surface of the composite members; and embedding the composite members in fluid polymer material; and solidifying the polymer material wherein the composite members are embedded. The invention relates also to a hoisting rope obtained with the method and an elevator comprising the hoisting rope.

A load bearing tension member for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension elements arrayed across a tension member width. The tension elements are offset from a tension member central axis, the central axis bisecting a tension member thickness and extending across the tension member width. The tension elements include a plurality of fibers extending along a length of the tension element, and a matrix material in which the plurality of fibers are embedded. A jacket at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension elements.

A load bearing tension member for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension elements arrayed across a tension member width. The tension elements are offset from a tension member central axis, the central axis bisecting a tension member thickness and extending across the tension member width. The tension elements include a plurality of fibers extending along a length of the tension element, and a matrix material in which the plurality of fibers are embedded. A jacket at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension elements.

Control and stabilizing cables and tendons for high altitude aircraft and airships having lightweight, high strength and low CTE are disclosed, along with a method and machine for fabrication of same. The cable is comprised of a fiber prepreg tow encased in a polymer sleeve with one bobbin at each end to facilitate connections. Consolidating the fiber prepreg tow along the length of the cable using high temperature shrink tubing, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), allows for eliminating the twisting of the fiber prepreg tow, thus reducing the number of wraps around the bobbins. Eliminating the twists in the fiber prepreg tow also reduces the length of fiber needed, and therefore the overall change in length of the control cable with temperature variations is reduced. Additional cable strength can be achieved by adding and holding significant tension on the fiber prepreg tow by applying weight during the curing process.

A belt includes one or more tension members extending along a length of the belt, and a jacket at least partially enclosing the plurality of tension members. The jacket includes an elastomeric material and a plurality of reinforcing elements located in the elastomeric material to improve fatigue cracking performance of the belt. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway, and an elevator belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The elevator belt includes one or more tension members extending along a length of the belt and a jacket at least partially enclosing the plurality of tension members. The jacket includes an elastomeric material and a plurality of reinforcing elements located in the elastomeric material to improve fatigue cracking performance of the belt.