Nanofiber yarn spinning system

Abstract

Systems for fabricating nanofiber yarn at rates of at least 30 m/min (1.8 kilometers (km)/hour (hr)) using a “false twist” nanofiber yarn spinner and a false twist spinning technique are disclosed. In a false twist spinning technique, a twist is introduced to nanofibers in a strand by twisting the nanofibers at points between ends of the strand. This is in contrast to the “true twist” technique where one end of a strand is fixed and the opposing end of the strand is rotated to introduce the twist to intervening portions of yarn.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nanofiber spinning system comprising:
 a first yarn winding device configured to receive a first false twisted nanofiber yarn;   a twist belt configured to rotate and provide a first twisting surface, the first twisting surface having a first contact with a first untwisted nanofiber yarn; and   a first guide configured to provide a first tension to the first untwisted nanofiber yarn and to have a first alignment of the first untwisted nanofiber yarn with reference to the first contact and the first yarn winding device,   wherein   the first alignment, the first contact, and a rotation of the twist belt twist the first untwisted nanofiber yarn, and   the first untwisted nanofiber yarn between the first contact and the first yarn winding device becomes the first false twisted.   
     
     
         2 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first guide is selected from a hoop, a hook, or a post.   
     
     
         3 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second yarn winding device configured to receive a second false twisted nanofiber yarn;   a second contact between a second twisting surface of the twist belt and a second untwisted nanofiber yarn; and   a second guide configured to provide a second tension to the second untwisted nanofiber yarn to have a second alignment of the second untwisted nanofiber yarn with reference to the second contact and the second yarn winding device and to prevent a drift of the second untwisted nanofiber yarn into the first untwisted nanofiber yarn in a rotation direction of the twist belt,   wherein   the second alignment, the second contact, and the rotation of the twist belt twist the second untwisted nanofiber yarn, and   the second untwisted nanofiber yarn between the second contact and the second winding device becomes the second false twisted nanofiber yarn.   
     
     
         4 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 3 , wherein
 the second guide is selected from a hoop, a hook, or a post.   
     
     
         5 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third yarn winding device configured to receive a third false twisted nanofiber yarn;   a third contact between a third twisting surface of the twist belt and a third untwisted nanofiber yarn; and   a third guide configured to provide a third tension to the third untwisted nanofiber yarn to have a third alignment of the third untwisted nanofiber yarn with reference to the third contact and the third yarn winding device and to prevent a drift of the third untwisted nanofiber yarn into the first untwisted nanofiber yarn or the second untwisted nanofiber yarn in a rotation direction of the twist belt,   wherein   the third alignment, the third contact, and the rotation of the twist belt twist the third untwisted nanofiber yarn, and   the third untwisted nanofiber yarn between the third contact and the third winding device becomes the third false twisted nanofiber yarn.   
     
     
         6 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 5 , wherein
 the third guide is selected from a hoop, a hook, or a post.   
     
     
         7 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from each other, both of the first wheel and the second wheel being configured for rotation, wherein   the twist belt is configured to be disposed around the first wheel and the second wheel and to follow a rotation of the first wheel and the second wheel.   
     
     
         8 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one densification station and at least one dryer, the at least one dryer being configured between the at least one densification station and one of the first guide, the second guide, or the third guide.   
     
     
         9 . The nanofiber spinning system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one densification station comprises a container and a solvent within the container.