Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming glass fibers is disclosed. The environment below the bushing is controlled by a pair of manifolds through which a cooling fluid flows. This cooling fluid additionally is employed to cool the various apparatus surrounding the bushing. The cooling fluid enters the manifolds through a plurality of entrance connections and exits the manifolds through a plurality of exit connections. The exit connections are connected to the various elements of the bushing apparatus and allows cooling fluid to flow through these elements. The cooling fluid is then returned to the manifolds by a separate set of entrance connections, flows through the manifolds, and again exits the manifolds through another set of exit connections to return to the fluid circulation system.

Abstract: An improved method for the formation of glass fiber strands is disclosed. Air passing downwardly with the filaments is prevented from returning to the region directly below the bushing and thus prevented from causing air turbulence below the bushing. This is accomplished by venting air which strikes the floor of the filament formation level of a double level filament forming and winding operation away from the region under the bushing. By preventing air turbulence below the bushing, improved filament formation can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the formation of glass fiber strands is disclosed. One aspect of the invention includes isolating the filament formation level of a double level glass strand forming and collecting operation by creating a positive air pressure in the room containing the filament and strand formation region such that only directed conditioned air enters the room. Due to the net positive air pressure within this room, air flows from the room through any openings rather than air entering the room from the openings. In a second aspect of the invention, conditioned air is directed to each filament forming bushing horizontally at a desired flow rate to help maintain a consistent environment around the bushing and thus improve filament formation.