Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the cooling members located beneath fiberizing bushings is disclosed having the capability of moving each cooling member, or one portion of each cooling member, in a generally vertical direction, and/or in a lateral and/or tilting direction. Also disclosed is a process of using the apparatus to make fibers from molten material including molten glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.

Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using the apparatus to automate a labor intensive portion of the process of making continuous fiber products, like chopped glass fiber. In this process many fiberizers are used, each fiberizer forming as many as several thousand fibers. Fibers break frequently requiring the fiberizers to be restarted and this has always been a labor intensive part of the process. Apparatus for getting the fiberizers ready to restart quickly and for forming a fiber strand, apparatus for gripping the strand, breaking it and transporting it to strand pulling and processing equipment and apparatus for moving a newly started strand into a desired position on an optional strand separating and guiding means, and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using the apparatus to automate a labor intensive portion of the process of making continuous fiber products, like chopped glass fiber. In this process many fiberizers are used, each fiberizer forming as many as several thousand fibers. Fibers break frequently requiring the fiberizers to be restarted and this has always been a labor intensive part of the process. Apparatus for getting the fiberizers ready to restart quickly and for forming a fiber strand, apparatus for gripping the strand, breaking it and transporting it to strand pulling and processing equipment and apparatus for moving a newly started strand into a desired position on an optional strand separating and guiding means, and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device and method for detecting fiber breakouts and fiber restarts in processes or systems for making fibers from a molten thermoplastic material. In these processes the running fibers induce ambient air into the array of hot fibers close to the nozzles where the fibers are formed, but this air flow essentially ceases when the fiber breaks out. A thermocouple junction located in the path of this airflow will sense temperature changes caused by fiber breakouts and fiber starts. The present invention simplifies and increases the accuracy of prior art sensor systems by eliminating hardware holding this thermocouple and instead uses one or more small holes in a bushing frame plus the refractory used to hold the fiberizing bushing in the frame to hold the thermocouple in the appropriate place.

Abstract: A wheel assembly, system and method utilizing said wheel assembly are disclosed for directing filaments, strands and the like in such a manner that minimizes the wraparound of such on the wheel assembly. The wheel includes a rotatable, generally disc shaped hub having walls for supporting a plurality of rods about the hub's peripheral edge. The rods are secured to the walls of the hub such that each rod traverses the peripheral edge. The rods are also spaced from one another and arranged so as to define an annular gathering or traveling path upon which said filaments, strands and the like are directed as the wheel rotates. The spacing between the rods is such that the gathering or traveling path is at least 50% discontinuous.