Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a tow warp construction and a process for forming such tow warp construction where such tow warp construction has a longer life span, that is retains its useful dimensions and characteristics longer than known tow warp constructions and consequently has a longer useful life span than known tow warp constructions. Most broadly the construction of the tow warp construction of the present disclosure and process for forming such includes gradually and progressively introducing fibers from a second group of fibers (or “second group of linear elements”) into an otherwise conventional stranding process where fibers from a first group of fibers (or “first group of linear elements”) are being stranded to form strands (or “third group of linear elements”), so as to either or both increase the diameter of the strands and/or substitute the first group of fibers by fibers from the second group of fibers, so as to: a) in the first instance, increase the diameter of the formed strands and subsequently of a strength member formed of the strands, especially for increasing the diameter and strength of the tow warp's strength member in and about the splice braid zone where it connects to a towed object such as a paravane; and b) in the second instance, substitute in a predetermined region on the long dimension of the strands and subsequently in a predetermined region on a long dimension of a strength member formed of the strands fibers of higher creep and/or lower melting points by fibers of lower creep and/or higher melting points, especially for increasing the resistance of the tow warps strength member to bending fatigue.

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First Claim