Abstract: This invention relates to a novel bushing apparatus having unique nozzles or projecting orifices for the production of round glass fibers. Particularly, it relates to a bushing having tips with cross-sections in the form of finite-sided polygons. It is shown that the use of noncircular tips to produce round fibers can result in higher tip packing densities, higher throughputs, and increased forming process stability than are now possible using the present state of the art. Tips with square cross-sections are shown to be the most preferred embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for measuring the diameter variation of an elongated cylindrically shaped object. In particular, the instant invention relates to measuring the diameter variation of a moving strand comprised of multiple textile filaments. Using lasers and charged coupled devices (hereinafter referred to as "CCD's") for sensing the diffraction and interference patterns produced when electromagnetic radiation emitted from at least one laser is partially obscured by the edges of the strand.Several methods for extracting the information contained in the diffraction pattern may be employed. One method is based upon a comparison between the measured diffraction pattern and a theoretical pattern produced by a knife edge as calculated using the Kirchhoff-Fresnel integral. Others rely upon comparing the measured diffraction pattern with patterns previously produced by cylindrical objects of known diameter and stored in a computer library.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to an improved method for controlling an industrial glass fiber-forming process. More particularly, it involves a method for controlling the thermal environment of several fiber glass bushing assemblies by the utilization of fin cooler assemblies in which a coolant is passed through the fins as part of a closed-loop pressurized system to remove heat radiated to the fins by the molten glass that emerges from the bushing. In the preferred embodiment, this liquid coolant is demineralized water operating at a pressure of somewhere between 18 and 100 psi.The use of a programmable logic controller to monitor various system parameters such a pressure, temperature and flow rate is also disclosed. The controller is programmed to take corrective action automatically upon the detection of certain triggering events in order to maintain a constant flow of coolant throughout the entire system.

Abstract: To enable conventional adapter assemblies used to accurately position a removable biosensor, to be used for measurements in the interior of the skull of small children, the disclosed is a support sleeve which ensures an axial length compensation, taking into account the thinner skull bone thickness, and at the same time ensures accurate alignment of the adapter assembly and the biosensor. The support sleeve also ensures a more even distribution of axial thrust forces when the adapter assembly and the biosensor are positioned. The support sleeve comprises an inwardly extending peripheral flange defining an annular space between the flange and a tubular element slidably inserted in the sleeve. A spring element disposed in the space assures adequate anchorage in the skull bone.

Abstract: The specification of the instant invention discloses improvements in methods for making various types of mats of fiberous material. In particular, the improvements relate to methods for making continuous fiber glass strand mats using reciprocating strand feeders and a programmable motion controller to control both the rate of reciprocation and the rate at which strand is deposited from the feeders onto a moving conveyor so as to form mats of uniform density and thickness. Electric servomotors are used to reciprocate the feeders and also deposit strand therefrom. A closed-loop feedback circuit is used to accurately monitor and control the position of the feeders with respect to the conveyor as well as the rate of strand deposition. Methods for using the programmable motion controller described herein can increase the uniformity of needled, resin-impregnated, and uni-directional fiber glass mats.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in making mats of continuous fiber strand using controlled reciprocating strand feeders. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in making continuous fiber glass strand mats having more uniform density by electronically controlling both the rate of reciprocation and the rate at which strands are deposited onto the surface of a moving conveyor while also reducing the vibration associated with the feeders. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in the production of two continuous fiber glass strand mats, one having uniform mechanical properties while the other possesses directionally dependent ones.In the preferred embodiment, brushless stepper or indexing motors are used to reverse the direction of reciprocating strand feeders quickly and smoothly so as to minimize their vibration.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus and method capable of accurately measuring fixed lengths of moving strand or yarn as it is pulled from an essentially continuous source of supply and wound onto a take-up reel by an appropriately powered winding mechanism. In its preferred embodiment, the invention is used to measure lengths of fiber glass strand unwound from forming packages and onto rotating bobbins carried on a twist-frame. Moving strand is maintained in continuous contact with a metering rim supported on an essentially frictionless layer of pressurized air thereby causing the rim to rotate. In particular, the improvement comprises means for bleeding off a portion of this pressurized air by allowing it to escape through the surface of the rim whereby any broken filaments which may break away from the strand are sloughed off from the surface of the rim before they tend to become wrapped about its circumference.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel bushing apparatus and nozzles or projecting orifices known as tips for the production of glass fibers. Particularly, it relates to a bushing having tips with cross sections in the form of finite-sided polygons. It has been shown that the use of noncircular tips to produce round fibers can result in higher tip packing densities than are now present in the art and that tips with a square cross section represent the most preferred embodiment. Still, more preferred is the embodiment which is the subject of the instant invention wherein rows of tips are interconnected by an integrally formed rib that increases the bending stiffness of the tip plate and its resistance to high temperature thermal creep.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method and apparatus for the production of hollow glass fibers using a novel tip design. It is believed that the success of the instant invention is due to the injection of pressurized gas to create a central lumen at distances farther removed from the terminus of the tip than taught possible by the prior art. This results in a more stable process and the production of hollow fibers having more uniform wall concentricity.

Abstract: This invention presents both a method and device capable of accurately measuring fixed lengths of moving strand or yarn as it is pulled from an essentially continuous source of supply and wound onto a take-up reel by an appropriately powered winding mechanism. In its preferred embodiment, the invention is used to measure lengths of fiberglass strand unwound from forming packages and onto rotating bobbins carried on a twist frame. As its principal component, the invention utilizes a lightweight, low inertia measuring rim supported on a layer of pressurized gas, such as air, so that frictionless rotation of the rim about a stationary hub is thereby made possible. Moving strand is maintained in continuous contact with the rim thereby causing it to rotate. The number of rotations is counted by electrical means and multiplied by the circumference of the rim whereby the length of strand advanced over the rim and onto the rotating bobbin is calculated.