Patent Grant
11939707
Prior methods of creating curvature in woven materials generally comprise weaving flat fabric (i.e., fabric having variation in at most two dimensions), cutting the flat fabric into pieces, and then stitching these pieces together, thereby imparting a three-dimensional structure to the woven article through the cutting and stitching process. Such methods may be used to build complicated geometry in clothing, but have a number of downsides or limitations. For instance, the amount of labor involved tends to increase with complexity of the three-dimensional geometry, making existing methods less efficient. Also, clothing with complex geometry tends to require a greater number of seams, and the seams created by the cutting and stitching process can be detrimental to structural performance. Moreover, cutting and stitching of flat fabric may generate a substantial amount of waste in the manufacture of woven products. Within the apparel industry alone, it has been estimated that at least 15% of flat woven fabric is discarded during the cutting operation. Thus, there is a need for systems and methods that can efficiently manufacture irregularly shaped woven fabrics with topographical three-dimensional structure having improved structural performance, and with reduced material wastage.
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for manufacturing irregularly shaped woven fabrics with topographical three-dimensional structure. The systems and methods described herein may provide a variety of benefits compared to prior systems and methods of weaving, which generally comprise weaving flat fabric, cutting the flat fabric into pieces, and stitching these pieces together. For instance, the systems and methods described herein may reduce the number of seams or discontinuities (and therefore structural weaknesses) in a woven material, reduce the generation of waste from the process of manufacturing a woven material, impart better resistance against the elements (such as wind, rain, cold, or sun) to a woven material due to the reduced number of seams or discontinuities, improve the comfort or fit of a woven material, or allow for customization of fit of a woven product to a specific user of the woven material.
The systems and methods described herein generally operate by altering heddle positions independently to impart three dimensional structure on a woven fabric. Weft yarn may be woven into a set of warp yarns, each of the warp yarns having been individually raised or lowered to form a particular local topography, essentially locking the weave into an intended three-dimensional form. This may be accomplished by not only shedding heddles opposite of neighboring heddles, but also by varying heddle position within a shedding group. The systems and methods described herein may be used to produce textile products, such as garments, personal protective equipment, or outdoor goods.
In a first aspect, an industrial seamless woven material may be variable in each of its 3 dimensions. In some embodiments, the woven material may comprise a complete product. The woven material may comprise a partially finished product. The partially finished product may form a portion of a complete product. The woven material may comprise an article of clothing. The article of clothing may be selected from the group consisting of: a shirt, a shirt arm, a jacket, a jacket arm, a vest, a bulletproof vest, a pair of pants, a pant leg, a pair of shorts, a shoe, a sock, an undergarment, a pair of panties, a pair of boxers, a pair of briefs, a pair of boxer briefs, a bra, a sports bra, a headband, a hat, a helmet, a bulletproof helmet, a scarf, a leg brace, a knee brace, an ankle brace, an arm brace, a wrist brace, a shoulder brace, a back brace, a neck brace, a suit, a tie, a dress, a skirt, a poncho, a glove, a backpack, and a snowsuit. The woven material may comprise a recreational product. The recreational product may be selected from the group consisting of: a canoe, a kayak, a bicycle, a boat, a ski, a ski pole, a hiking pole, a hammock, a tent, a sleeping bag, a parachute, a net, a snowboard, a wakeboard, a skateboard, a tennis racquet, a table tennis racquet, a badminton racquet, a baseball bat, a baseball glove, a bow, an arrow, a cart, a case, a golf club, hunting equipment, a fishing rod, a cart, a case, a door, and a home installation. The woven material may comprise a biomedical device. The biomedical device may be selected from the group consisting of: a stent, a prosthetic, a crutch, a wheelchair, a cochlear implant, a suture, a vascular graft, a spinal repair, a tendon replacement, a ligament replacement, a containment sleeve, and a heart valve. The woven material may comprise a product selected from the group consisting of: a satellite, a rocket, an aircraft, a car, housing, and a wind generator blade. The woven material may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, silk, hemp, ramie, asbestos, coir, pina, sisal, jute, kapok, rayon, viscose, lyocell, linen, flax, acetate, triacetate, spandex, modal, polypropylene, acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, carbon fiber, and fiberglass. The woven material may comprise an average thread density of at least 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 ends per inch. The woven material may comprise only warp threads and weft threads. The warp threads and the weft threads may be interwoven at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. The woven material may not comprise a knit material. The woven material may not comprise a non-woven material. The first aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a second aspect, an actuator system configured to be used in combination with a loom may comprise: (a) a plurality of motors; and (b) a plurality of couplings coupled to the plurality of motors, wherein the plurality of couplings are arranged in a configuration that allows one or more heddles of the loom to be individually controlled and actuated continuously between a plurality of positions. In some embodiments, each motor may be mechanically coupled to one coupling. Each motor may be coupled to one heddle. Each coupling may reduce an angular velocity imparted to one or more coupled motors, the angular velocity associated with one or more torques due to a gravitational force or a spring force imparted on one or more heddles. Each coupling may comprise a gear reduction component and a pulley system. The pulley system may be threaded or non-threaded. The gear reduction component may be disposed between a motor and the pulley component. The gear reduction component may comprise at least two gears of different pitch diameters or different numbers of teeth. The gear reduction component may reduce a torque-induced turning of a motor. The gear reduction component may comprise a 10:1, 20:1, 50:1, or 100:1 gear reduction ratio. The couplings may allow the motors to be actuated in a controlled manner during an operation of the heddles. The configuration of the plurality of couplings may enable power consumption to be reduced by obviating a need to provide a continuous torque to the one or more heddles during one or more passes of a weft thread across the loom. The system may be configured to draw an electrical power of at most 1 Watt (W), 2 W, or 5 W for one or more of the motors. Each motor may be selected from the group consisting of: brushed direct current (DC) motors, brushless DC motors, servo motors, and stepper motors. Each motor may be configured to move each heddle along one or more axes of a heddle plane of the loom. The system may further comprise a plurality of electronic controllers configured to output electrical signals to the plurality of motors for controlling motion of the motors to effect changes in position of the one or more of the heddles. The plurality of positions may comprise two or more discrete positions along a longitudinal axis of the heddle plane. The plurality of positions may comprise at least three discrete positions along a longitudinal axis of the heddle plane. A distance between two adjacently spaced discrete positions may be at least about 0.01 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, or 10 mm. A distance between two adjacently spaced discrete positions may range from about 0.01 mm to about 10 mm. The second aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a third aspect, an actuator system configured to be used in combination with a loom may comprise a plurality of electronic actuation modules operably coupled to one another, wherein one or more of the modules are independently replaceable without affecting operation of the remaining modules or without requiring disassembly of one or more of the remaining modules. In some embodiments, one or more of the modules may be configured to be replaceable prior to or during an operation of the loom. Each module may comprise: (a) one or more motors; (b) one or more couplings mechanically coupled to the one or more motors and one or more heddles of the loom; or (c) one or more electronic controllers configured to output electrical signals to the one or more motors controlling motion of the motors to individually effect changes in position of each of the heddles. Each module may comprise: (a) a plurality of motors; (b) a plurality of couplings, each coupling mechanically coupled to one motor and one heddle; and (c) a plurality of electronic controllers, each electronic controller configured to output an electrical signal to one motor, the electrical signal controlling a motion of the motor, the motion of the motor controlling a position of the heddle. The third aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a fourth aspect, an actuator system configured to be used in combination with a loom may comprise: (a) a plurality of actuation modules each comprising: (i) one or more motors; and (ii) one or more couplings mechanically coupled to the one or more motors and one or more heddles of the loom; and (b) one or more electronic controllers configured to output electrical signals to the one or more motors for controlling motion of the motors to individually effect changes in position of each of the heddles; wherein the one or more electronic controllers are positioned in proximity to the one or more actuation modules. In some embodiments, the one or more electronic controllers may be positioned above, below, in front of, or behind the one or more modules. The one or more electronic controllers may be located within a distance no greater than a height of the loom from the one or more modules. The one or more electronic controllers may be detachably coupled to the one or more modules. The one or more electronic controllers may be affixed to the one or more modules. The fourth aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a fifth aspect, a heddle system to be used in combination with a loom may comprise a plurality of heddles each individually controllable and configured to move continuously between a plurality of positions along one or more axes. In some embodiments, the one or more axes may be located along a heddle plane of the loom. Each heddle may be configured to individually control a position of a warp string. Individual movement of each heddle between the plurality of positions may define a curved, curvilinear, or non-linear profile of a corresponding warp string along the heddle plane of the loom. The curved, curvilinear, or non-linear profile of the plurality of warp strings may enable 3D variations in local geometry of a woven material produced by the loom. The curved, curvilinear, or non-linear profile may have a symmetrical shape. The curved, curvilinear, or non-linear profile may have a non-symmetrical or irregular shape. The woven material comprising the 3D variations in local geometry may be produced by (1) passing a weft string under or above the curve of warp strings and (2) beating the weft string into a tight interwoven mesh with the plurality of warp strings. The fifth aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a sixth aspect, a loom may be configured to weave an industrial seamless woven material variable in each of its 3 dimensions. The sixth aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a seventh aspect, a loom may be configured to weave a complete woven material, the loom having an overall footprint of at most 20 m3, 10 m3, 5 m3, 2 m3, or 1 m3. The seventh aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In an eighth aspect, a loom may be configured to weave a complete woven material, the loom having a maximum linear dimension of at most 5 m, 2 m, or 1 m. The eighth aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a ninth aspect, a loom may comprise a plurality of individually controllable heddles, the loom configured to weave fabric along a two-dimensional (2D) variable heddle plane to produce an article of clothing, wherein the loom is configured to weave a three-dimensional (3D) pattern of fabric without requiring cutting or stitching of 2D patterns of fabric to produce the article of clothing. In some embodiments, the weaving of the fabric may comprise controlling each heddle to individually raise or lower each warp thread of a plurality of warp threads on the 2D variable heddle plane, and weaving a weft thread above, below, or through the plurality of warp threads to lock the fabric into a desired 3D form. The plurality of heddles may be individually configured to move continuously between a plurality of positions along an axis of a heddle plane. Each heddle may be configured to move independently of the other heddles. The loom may further comprise an actuation system configured to individually move each heddle. The actuation system may comprise a plurality of motors. Two or more of the heddles may be configured to move relative to one another, and the relative positions between the two or more heddles may be controllable to define local warp tangent angles of the warp threads that moved by the heddles. The weaving of the fabric along the 2D heddle plane may comprise control of the local warp tangent angles to produce the article of clothing having a desired 3D form. The ninth aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, or tenth aspects described herein.
In a tenth aspect, a method for producing a product that is variable in each of its 3 dimensions may comprise: (a) providing a loom comprising a plurality of individually controllable heddles; (b) controlling each heddle to individually raise a lower each of a plurality of warp threads; and (c) weaving a weft thread above, below, or through the plurality of warp threads in a transverse manners across the heddle to lock the fabric into a desired 3d form, thereby producing the product. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise controlling movement of two or more of the heddles relative to one another to define local warp tangent angles of the warp threads that are moved by the two or more heddles. The tenth aspect may be optionally combined with any other aspect described herein, such as any 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, or ninth aspects described herein.
Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure. For example, various aspects of the disclosure may be applied to any other types of systems and methods for weaving materials to form three dimensional structures. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.
The novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (“Figure” or “FIG.” as used herein), of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and disclosure to refer to the same or like parts.
Described herein are systems and methods for producing seamless woven materials that are variable in each of their 3 dimensions. The systems and methods generally operate by altering heddle positions independently to impart three dimensional structure to a woven fabric. Weft yarn is woven into a set of warp yarns that have been individually raised or lowered along a particular cross section, essentially locking the weave into an intended 3 dimensional form.
As used herein, the terms “string”, “thread”, and “yarn” are used interchangeably.
As used herein, the terms “warp string” and “weft string” refer to the two basic components used to turn string into a woven article. The term “warp string” refers to a lengthwise or longitudinal string that is held stationary in tension on a loom during a pass of a “weft string” along a direction substantially transverse to the direction along which tension is placed on the warp string. The term “weft string” refers to a string that is woven above and under the warp strings that comprise the woven article, such that that warp and weft string are held together with a length of the warp threads being substantially perpendicular to a length of the weft threads.
The loom may comprise a plurality of heddles, each of which may be individually raised or lowered along one or more axes of a heddle plane of the loom. Each of the heddles may be moved to a plurality of discrete positions along a longitudinal axis of the heddle planes, as described herein (for instance, with respect to
For instance, as shown in
The total differential distance between a top most heddle and a bottom most heddle may be at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 20 mm, at least 30 mm, at least 40 mm, at least 50 mm, at least 60 mm, at least 70 mm, at least 80 mm, at least 90 mm, at least 100 mm, at least 200 mm, at least 300 mm, at least 400 mm, at least 500 mm, at least 600 mm, at least 700 mm, at least 800 mm, at least 900 mm, at least 1 m, at least 2 m, at least 3 m, at least 4 m, at least 5 m, at least 6 m, at least 7 m, at least 8 m, at least 9 m, or at least 10 m, or a distance that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
In one embodiment, individual heddles or subsets of heddles are moved to different positions. Such different positions may be at different heights, such that they lie along or form a curved, curvilinear, or non-linear profile on the heddle plane. Two or more of the positions may be staggered relative to one another. Two or more of the positions may lie along a transverse axis of the heddle plane. Two or more of the positions may lie along a line that traverses non-orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the heddle plane, such as in an upward-sloping or downward-sloping manner along the heddle plane. A plurality of positions may lie in a zig-zag fashion or profile along the heddle plane. A variety of different profiles may be achieved by modulating the positions of individual heddles on the heddle plane. In some instances heddles are arranged into sets, each with at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, or more heddles that are moved together, through at least some steps in the weaving process.
The individual raising or lowering of heddles to a plurality of positions may create a first local curvature 191a of the warp strings. The first local curvature may be locked into the seamless woven material by weaving one or more weft strings between the individually raised or lowered warp strings. The weft strings may be woven between the individually raised or lowered warp strings in a number of manners. For instance, the local curvature may be locked in using a one operation process. The one operation process may comprise weaving a weft string alternately between the warp strings while they are locked into their individually raised or lowered positions (such as the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth positions depicted in
Alternatively or in combination, the local curvature may be locked in using a two operation process. The two operation process may comprise a first operation of weaving a weft string under or above the individually raised or lowered warp strings (depending on whether each warp string was in a raised or lowered position). The positions of the individually raised or lowered warp strings may then be inverted (i.e., raised warp strings moved to lowered positions, and lowered warp strings moved to raised positions). The two operation process may comprise a second operation of weaving the same weft string above or under the inverted warp strings (opposite the weaving in the first operation), locking the first local curvature into the seamless woven material. Alternatively or in combination, the first and second operations may be accomplished using different weft strings.
The process of imparting local curvature into the seamless woven material may be repeated in order to produce variability in each of the three dimensions of the seamless woven material. For instance, as depicted in
Though depicted as comprising 6 heddles and 6 individually raised or lowered warp strings, the loom may comprise any number of heddles and any number of individually raised or lowered warp strings. For instance, the loom may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 heddles, or a number of heddles that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The loom may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 individually raised or lowered warp strings, or a number of individually raised or lowered warp strings that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
Though depicted as comprising 4 local curvatures, the seamless woven material may comprise any number of local curvatures (each local curvature locked into the woven material using one or more weft strings, as described herein). For instance, the seamless woven material may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 local curvatures, or a number of local curvatures that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The loom may be of a compact size. For instance, the loom may have an overall footprint of at most 100 m3, at most 90 m3, at most 80 m3, at most 70 m3, at most 60 m3, at most 50 m3, at most 40 m3, at most 30 m3, at most 20 m3, at most 19 m3, at most 18 m3, at most 17 m3, at most 16 m3, at most 15 m3, at most 14 m3, at most 13 m3, at most 12 m3, at most 11 m3, at most 10 m3, at most 9 m3, at most 8 m3, at most 7 m3, at most 6 m3, at most 5 m3, at most 4 m3, at most 3 m3, at most 2 m3, or at most 1 m3, or an overall footprint that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. For instance, the loom may have an overall footprint that is within a range from about 10 m3 to about 15 m3. The loom may have a maximum linear dimension of at most 20 m, at most 19 m, at most 18 m, at most 17 m, at most 16 m, at most 15 m, at most 14 m, at most 13 m, at most 12 m, at most 11 m, at most 10 m, at most 9 m, at most 8 m, at most 7 m, at most 6 m, at most 5 m, at most 4 m, at most 3 m, at most 2 m, or at most 1 m, or a maximum linear dimension that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. For instance, the loom may have a maximum linear dimension that is within a range from about 2 m to about 4 m.
The loom may comprise a plurality of individually controllable heddles, as described herein (for instance, with respect to
The loom system and weaving methods disclosed herein may be used to form woven materials with highly complex topographies and greater reliability (such as greater structural integrity), by manipulating materials (such as threads, fibers, etc.) via complex paths or patterns to leverage desirable material properties (such as excellent tensile strengths in certain directions). Such desirable characteristics may include delamination suppression, improved damage tolerance, impact resistance, fatigue life, improved torsional resistance, improved pull-off strength, etc. The loom system and weaving methods disclosed herein may be used, for instance, to great the seamless woven materials described herein (for instance, with respect to
The loom described with respect to
The seamless woven material may comprise any possible woven material as described in the following. The seamless woven material may comprise a complete product. The seamless woven material may comprise a partially finished product. The partially finished product may form a portion of a complete product. For instance, a plurality of three-dimensional woven materials (such as the three-dimensional woven materials produced by the looms described herein) may be stitched together to form complete products. At most 2, at most 3, at most 4, at most 5, at most 6, at most 7, at most 8, at most 9, at most 10, at most 20, at most 30, at most 40, at most 50, at most 60, at most 70, at most 80, at most 90, or at most 100 woven materials, or a number of woven materials that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values, may be needed to form a complete product. This may be advantageous over existing methods for forming the final product, which may require at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, or at least 1,000 flat two-dimensional fabric pieces to form the same or a similar complete product.
The seamless woven material may comprise an article of clothing. For instance, the article of clothing may comprise a shirt, a shirt arm, a jacket, a jacket arm, a vest, a bulletproof vest, a pair of pants (as shown in
The seamless woven material may comprise a recreational product. For instance, the recreational product may comprise a canoe, a kayak, a bicycle, a boat, a ski, a ski pole, a hiking pole, a hammock, a tent, a sleeping bag, a parachute, a net, a snowboard, a wakeboard, a skateboard, a tennis racquet, a table tennis racquet, a badminton racquet, a baseball bat, a baseball glove, a bow, an arrow, a cart, a case, a golf club, hunting equipment, a fishing rod, a cart, a case, a door, or a home installation.
The seamless woven material may comprise a biomedical device. For instance, the biomedical device may comprise a stent, a prosthetic, a crutch, a wheelchair, a cochlear implant, a suture, a vascular graft, a spinal repair, a tendon replacement, a ligament replacement, a containment sleeve, or a heart valve.
The seamless woven material may comprise component(s) for a satellite, a rocket, an aircraft, a car, housing, or a wind generator blade.
The seamless woven material may comprise any material that may be woven. For instance, the seamless woven material may comprise cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, silk, hemp, ramie, asbestos, coir, pina, sisal, jute, kapok, rayon, viscose, lyocell, linen, flax, acetate, triacetate, spandex, modal, polypropylene, acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, carbon fiber, or fiberglass. For woven materials comprising resins (such as woven materials made of materials such as fiberglass), the products may comprise a woven skeleton (such as a glass fiber skeleton for fiberglass) that may be impregnated with the resin and allowed to cure into a hardened form.
The seamless woven material may comprise an average thread density of at least 5, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 60, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, or at least 1,000 ends per inch (1 end per inch equals 1/25.4 ends per millimeter), or any average thread density that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The seamless woven material may comprise only warp threads and weft threads. The seamless woven material may comprise no bias threads. The seamless woven material may not or need not comprise a knit material. The seamless woven material may not or need not comprise a non-woven material. The warp threads and weft threads may be interwoven at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, approximately 85 degrees, approximately 80 degrees, approximately 75 degrees, approximately 70 degrees approximately 65 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, approximately 55 degrees, or approximately 50 degrees, or at any angle that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The term “approximately”, as used to describe angles, may be taken to mean that the angle is no more than 5 degrees larger or smaller than the specified angle.
The seamless woven material described with respect to
The seamless woven material described with respect to
The seamless woven pair of pants described with respect to
The frame 110 may be configured to support the other sub-systems of the loom.
The actuator system 120 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the frame. The actuator system may comprise a plurality of actuators, as described herein (for instance, with respect to
Non-limiting examples of actuators or actuation elements suitable for use in embodiments of the present disclosure may include motors (such as brushless motors, direct current (DC) brush motors, rotational motors, servo motors, direct-drive rotational motors, DC torque motors, linear solenoids stepper motors, ultrasonic motors, geared motors, speed-reduced motors, or piggybacked motor combinations), magnets, electromagnets, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, gears, cams, linear drives, belts, pulleys, conveyors, and the like. Non-limiting examples of spring elements that may be used for actuation or string/wire tensioning may include a variety of suitable spring types (such as nested compression springs, buckling columns, conical springs, variable-pitch springs, snap-rings, double torsion springs, wire forms, limited-travel extension springs, braided-wire springs, etc.).
The heddle system 130 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the frame. The heddle system may comprise a plurality of heddles that may be individually raised or lowered, as described herein (for instance, with respect to
The warp tension system 140 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the frame. The warp tension system may comprise a plurality of warp tensioners, as described herein (for instance, with respect to
The fabric advancer system 150 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the frame. The fabric advancer system may be configured to advance the semi-woven material in a direction away from the heddle plane as the product is being woven.
The weft system 160 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the frame. The weft system may comprise a number of components, as described herein (for instance, with respect to
The beating plane 170 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the frame. The beating plane may compact weft strings that have been woven through individually raised or lowered warp strings.
The product output area 180 may be the location of the loom in which the seamless woven material is produced.
The loom described with respect to
The loom described with respect to
The loom described with respect to
The loom described with respect to
The loom described with respect to
The loom described with respect to
The loom described with respect to
The loom described with respect to
Each coupling may comprise a gear reduction component and a pulley system. The pulley system may be threaded. The pulley system may be non-threaded. The gear reduction component may be disposed between a motor and the pulley component. The gear reduction component may comprise at least two gears of different pitch diameters or different numbers of teeth. The gear reduction component may reduce a torque-induced turning of a motor. The torque-induced turning of the motor may be associated with a torque due to a gravitational force or a spring force on a heddle coupled to the motor. The gear reduction component may comprise at least a 10:1, at least a 20:1, at least a 30:1, at least a 40:1, at least a 50:1, at least a 60:1, at least a 70:1, at least a 80:1 at least a, 90:1, or at least a 100:1 gear reduction ratio, or a gear reduction ratio that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The couplings may allow the motors to be actuated in a controlled manner during an operation of the heddles. The configuration of the plurality of couplings may enable power consumption to be reduced by obviating a need to provide a continuous torque to the one or more heddles during one or more passes of a weft thread across the loom.
The actuator system may be configured to draw an electrical power of at most 1 Watt (W), at most 2 W, at most 3 W, at most 4 W, at most 5 W, at most 6 W, at most 7 W, at most 8 W, at most 9 W, at most 10 W, at most 20 W, at most 30 W, at most 40 W, at most 50 W, at most 60 W, at most 70 W, at most 80 W, at most 90 W, at most 100 W, at most 200 W, at most 300 W, at most 400 W, at most 500 W, at most 600 W, at most 700 W, at most 800 W, at most 900 W, at most 1 kW, at most 2 kW, at most 3 kW, at most 4 kW, at most 5 kW, at most 6 kW, at most 7 kW, at most 8 kW, at most 9 kW, at most 10 kW, at most 20 kW, at most 30 kW, at most 40 kW, at most 50 kW, at most 60 kW, at most 70 kW, at most 80 kW, at most 90 kW, at most 100 kW, or an electrical power that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The actuator system may be configured to draw an electrical power of at most 1 W, at most 2 W, at most 3 W, at most 4 W, at most 5 W, at most 6 W, at most 7 W, at most 8 W, at most 9 W, or at most 10 W, or an electrical power that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values, for one or more of the motors. For instance, each motor may be configured to draw an electrical power than is within a range from about 1 W to about 5 W. Each motor may comprise a brushed direct current (DC) motor, a brushless DC motor, a servo motor, or a stepper motor. Each motor may be configured to move (e.g. translate) each heddle along one or more axes of a heddle plane of the loom.
The actuator system may comprise a plurality of electronic controllers. The electronic controllers may be configured to output electrical signals to the plurality of motors. The electrical signals may control motion of the motors to effect changes in position of one or more of the heddles. For instance, the electrical signals may specify instructions for the motors to turn in order to raise or lower a heddle by a particular distance. The electrical signals may specify instructions for the motors to raise or lower a heddle at a particular speed or acceleration. The plurality of positions may comprise at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000 discrete positions along a longitudinal axis of the heddle plane, or a number of discrete positions along a longitudinal axis of the heddle plane that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. A distance between two adjacently spaced discrete positions may be at least about 0.01 mm, at least about 0.02 mm, at least about 0.03 mm, at least about 0.04 mm, at least about 0.05 mm, at least about 0.06 mm, at least about 0.07 mm, at least about 0.08 mm, at least about 0.09 mm, at least about 0.1 mm, at least about 0.2 mm, at least about 0.3 mm, at least about 0.4 mm, at least about 0.5 mm, at least about 0.6 mm, at least about 0.7 mm, at least about 0.8 mm, at least about 0.9 mm, at least about 1 mm, at least about 2 mm, at least about 3 mm, at least about 4 mm, at least about 5 mm, at least about 6 mm, at least about 7 mm, at least about 8 mm, at least about 9 mm, or at least about 10 mm, or a distance that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. For instance, a distance between two adjacently spaced discrete positions may be within a range from about 0.04 mm to about 0.06 mm.
The electronic controllers may comprise software and/or hardware components. The electronic controllers may include one or more processors and at least one memory for storing program instructions. The processor(s) may be single or multiple microprocessors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or digital signal processors (DSPs) capable of executing particular sets of instructions. Computer-readable instructions may be stored on a tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory), and MO (magneto-optical), a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disk-read only memory), a DVD RAM (digital versatile disk-random access memory), or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively or in combination, the program instructions may be implemented in hardware components or combinations of hardware and software such as, for example, special purpose computers, or general purpose computers.
For instance, the electronic controllers may comprise a position sensing and feedback functionality, as described herein (for instance, with reference to
In some examples, a positional sensing system may be provided for the plurality of heddles. The positional sensing system may be used to facilitate or improve control of individual heddles. For example, a position sensor may be provided for or operably coupled to each heddle. The position sensor may include, for example, a magnetic field sensor, an optical sensor, or an inertial sensor. Each position sensor may be configured to generate signals in response to changes in position of the corresponding heddle. The signals may be indicative of the positions of the heddles relative to one another, and/or relative to the heddle plane. The signals may vary as individual heddles move between different positions along the heddle plane. The electronic controllers may be configured to receive and analyze signals from the position sensors to determine a local position of each heddle. The local position of each heddle may be computed relative to a coordinate system for the heddle plane. The electronic controllers may be configured to control motion of the motors to effect changes in position of one or more of the heddles, based on the detected positions of the heddles.
For instance,
The controller may be configured to control and track the position and/or movement of the plurality of heddles, based on positional feedback obtained from the sensors as the heddles move along the heddle plane.
An input may be initially provided to the control system. The input may comprise one or more desired positions of the plurality of heddles. The desired positions may be associated with a desired curved, curvilinear, or non-linear profile on the heddle plane. The controller may be configured to generate signals for controlling the plurality of actuators to move the heddles along the heddle plane based on the input. One or more of the heddles may be selectively activated and moved along the heddle plane. The positions of individual heddles may be determined based on sensing signals obtained by one or more position sensors. In some instances, the movements, such as the velocities and/or accelerations, of individual heddles may be determined based on sensing signals obtained by one or more speedometers, accelerometers, and the like. The sensing signals may be generated by the sensors as the heddles move on the heddle plane. The heddles may be configured to move at a speed of at least 1 mm/s, at least 2 mm/s, at least 3 mm/s, at least 4 mm/s, at least 5 mm/s, at least 6 mm/s, at least 7 mm/s, at least 8 mm/s, at least 9 mm/s, at least 10 mm/s, at least 20 mm/s, at least 30 mm/s, at least 40 mm/s, at least 50 mm/s, at least 60 mm/s, at least 70 mm/s, at least 80 mm/s, at least 90 mm/s, at least 100 mm/s, at least 200 mm/s, at least 300 mm/s, at least 400 mm/s, at least 500 mm/s, at least 600 mm/s, at least 700 mm/s, at least 800 mm/s, at least 900 mm/s, at least 1 m/s, at least 2 m/s, at least 3 m/s, at least 4 m/s, at least 5 m/s, at least 6 m/s, at least 7 m/s, at least 8 m/s, at least 9 m/s, at least 10 m/s, or a speed that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
An actual path (which may include an actual position, speed, and/or acceleration) of each individual heddle may be determined based on the sensing signals. The actual path may be compared against the input to determine an amount of deviation (if any) from the desired paths (desired position, speed, and/or acceleration) of the individual heddle. The controller may be configured to adjust the position (and/or speed or acceleration) of one or more of the heddles by adjusting a control signal (such as an electric current or voltage) to the corresponding actuator based on the amount of deviation. The controller may be configured to adjust the position (and/or speed or acceleration) of each individual heddle in this manner.
The corrections may be imparted by any feedback mechanism, such as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control mechanism. The heddle positions may be altered over time to form different two-dimensional fabric cross-sections. For instance, the heddle positions may be altered at first, second, third, fourth, and fifth points in time t1, t2, t3, t4, and t5 to form the four profiles shown in
The control system described with respect to
The heddles may assume any possible open form or profile at any point in time. For instance, the heddles may assume a form or profile characterized by arranging the heddles to lie along any single open-ended curve (such as any of those depicted in
As shown in
When, for instance, the first motor 122a is rotated, this rotation may be translated, through the first gear reduction component 125a, to the first pulley 124a, causing the first pulley to rotate. The first heddle string or wire 126a may be wound or unwound along grooves in the first pulley, depending on the direction of rotation of the first motor. Winding of the first heddle string or wire may cause a heddle to move in an upward direction, raising the associated heddle and any warp string that may be wound through the associated heddle. Unwinding of the first heddle string or wire may cause a heddle to move in a downward direction, lowering the associated heddle and any warp string that may be wound through the associated heddle. Thus, rotational motion of the first motor may raise or lower a heddle to any desired position. A similar raising or lowering of other heddles and warp strings may be caused by rotation of the second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth motors.
Absent the gear reduction components, a motor may be subject to a torque, such as a torque due to a gravitational force or a spring force on a heddle coupled to the motor. The torque may tend to cause undesired rotation of the motor, causing the heddle to move downward when such downward motion is not desired. This may be true even when the motor used is a stepper motor or servo motor. The gear reduction component may significantly slow the downward motion, allowing a weft string to be woven through individually raised or lowered warp strings associated with the heddles before the heddles are able to move an appreciable distance downward. This mode of operation may obviate the need for electrical power to be supplied at times other than when intentional heddle movement to a different position is desired. This may significantly reduce the amount of electrical power required to operate the actuator system.
Though depicted as comprising 6 motors, 6 couplings (each comprising a gear reduction component and a pulley), and 6 heddle strings or wires, the actuator system may comprise any number of motors, couplings, and heddle strings or wires. For instance, the actuator system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 motors, or a number of motors that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The actuator system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 couplings, or a number of couplings that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The actuator system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 heddle strings or wires, or a number of heddle strings or wires that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The actuator system may comprise any number of actuator modules, as described herein (for instance, with respect to
The actuator system described with respect to
To facilitate ease of module replacement, each of the modules may be releasably coupled to and detached from the actuator system or the loom, such as via a quick release mechanism. The quick release coupling mechanism may enable a user to rapidly mechanically and electrically couple (attach) and/or decouple (remove) each module from the actuator system or the loom with a short sequence of simple motions (such as sliding motions; rotating or twisting motions; depressing a button, switch, or plunger, etc.). A quick release coupling mechanism may require no more than one, two, three, or four user motions to perform a coupling and/or decoupling action. The quick release coupling mechanism may allow one or more modules to be coupled or decoupled manually by a user without the use of tools. The arrangement of the modules in the actuator system (or arrangement with respect to the loom) may also permit a user easy access to the modules. This can be useful, for example when a module in the actuator system needs to be repaired or replaced. In contrast, conventional actuation systems used in looms generally have a large number of actuators and controllers mechanically and electrically coupled together in a serial manner or intricate fashion, which makes it cumbersome for a user to access and replace or repair individual components.
As shown in
Though depicted as comprising 4 actuator modules, the modular actuator system may comprise any number of actuator modules (which may comprise any number of motors and couplings, as described herein). For instance, the modular actuator system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 actuator modules, or a number of actuator modules that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The actuator described with respect to
As shown in
Though depicted as comprising 6 heddles, the heddle system may comprise any number of heddles. For instance, the heddle system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 heddles, or a number of heddles that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The heddle system described with respect to
Though depicted as comprising 6 heddles and 6 individually raised or lowered warp strings, the heddle system may comprise any number of heddles and any number of individually raised or lowered warp strings. For instance, the heddle system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 heddles, or a number of heddles that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The heddle system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 individually raised or lowered warp strings, or a number of individually raised or lowered warp strings that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The heddle system described with respect to
Though depicted as being arranged (for instance, by actuators described herein) to form 2D profiles within a 2D heddle plane in
For instance, as shown in
Though depicted as comprising 3 warp tensioners, 3 bobbins, 3 mounts, and 3 warp strings, the warp tension system may comprise any number of warp tensioners, bobbins, mounts, and warp strings. For instance, the warp tension system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 warp tensioners, or a number of warp tensioners that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The warp tension system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 bobbins, or a number of bobbins that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The warp tension system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 mounts, or a number of mounts that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. The warp tension system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 warp strings, or a number of warp strings that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The warp tension system described with respect to
For instance, as shown in
Though depicted as comprising 3 warp tension modules and 6 warp tensioners per module, the warp tension system may comprise any number of warp tension modules, any of which may comprise any number of warp tensioners. For instance, the warp tension system may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 warp tension modules, or a number of warp tension modules that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values. Any of the warp tension modules may comprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500, at least 600, at least 700, at least 800, at least 900, at least 1,000, at least 2,000, at least 3,000, at least 4,000, at least 5,000, at least 6,000, at least 7,000, at least 8,000, at least 9,000, or at least 10,000 warp tensioners, or a number of warp tensioners that is within a range defined by any two of the preceding values.
The warp tension system described with respect to
For instance, as shown in
The warp tension system described with respect to
The fabric advancer described with respect to
The weft system described with respect to
Many variations, alterations, and adaptations based on the method 900 provided herein are possible. For example, the order of the operations of the method 900 may be changed, some of the operations removed, some of the operations duplicated, and additional operations added as appropriate. Some of the operations may be performed in succession. Some of the operations may be performed in parallel. Some of the operations may be performed once. Some of the operations may be performed more than once. Some of the operations may comprise sub-operations. Some of the operations may be automated and some of the operations may be manual.
The method described with respect to
The method described with respect to
One skilled in the art will understand that different aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined as necessary or desire to meet different weaving, manufacturing, or material considerations or application or to produce different looms or woven materials.
While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the disclosure be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification. While the present disclosure has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed. It is therefore contemplated that the disclosure shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications, variations or equivalents. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/US2018/030000, filed on Apr. 27, 2018, which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/491,266, filed Apr. 28, 2017, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Aspects of the present disclosure may have been made with the support of the United States government under Contract number 1721773 by the National Science Foundation. The government may have certain rights in the invention(s) of the present disclosure.
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| Parent | PCT/US2018/030000 | Apr 2018 | US |
| Child | 16655112 | US |
