Braided structures of complex geometry

Abstract

A braided sleeve with complex geometry, including changes to the geometry along the braided sleeve's longitudinal axis are described. In particular, along a first portion of the braided sleeve's longitudinal axis, multiple tows are intertwined with each other. Along a second portion, one of tows is removed from being intertwined with the other tows and is relocated to an interior or an exterior of the braided sleeve. A third portion includes the removed tow being intertwined with the plurality of tows again. In this manner, the braided sleeve may provide coverage of preforms with varying diameters along the longitudinal axis of the preforms.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A braided sleeve comprising:
 a braid having a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of tows;   the plurality of tows being contiguous along the longitudinal axis;   at least some of the plurality of tows being intertwined with one or more other tows of the plurality of tows;   a set of the plurality of tows being removed from being intertwined with a remaining plurality of tows along a first portion of the longitudinal axis; and   each tow of the set of tows further being intertwined with at least one of the other tows of the set of tows along a second portion of the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         22 . A braided sleeve comprising:
 a braid including a plurality of tows, the braid having a longitudinal axis and forming a first portion, a second portion and a third portion of the braid along the longitudinal axis;   the first portion comprising the plurality of tows intertwined with each other;   the second portion comprising at least one of the plurality of tows removed from being intertwined with a remaining plurality of tows at least along a length of the second portion and being located in one of the interior or the exterior of the braided sleeve; and   the third portion comprising the removed tow intertwined with the remaining plurality of tows.