Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass tubing is described. The apparatus for forming glass tubing comprises an endless former with an outer surface and an inner passage defining an inner surface. The apparatus for forming glass tubing further comprises two chambers from which molten glass may flow. One chamber flows molten glass to the outer surface of the endless former and another chamber flows molten glass to the inner surface of the endless former. The two flows of molten glass meet at the bottom of the former to form glass tubing.

Abstract: A hold open rod may include: an inner member; an outer member configured to have the inner member slide in and out of the outer member; a locking mechanism including a portion attached to the outer member and a portion attached to the inner member; a locking plug configured to move axially along an axis of the inner, outer members; a locking dog configured to move radially between a locking position and an unlocking position and a release cable operatively connected to the locking plug and configured to move the locking plug to the unlocking position. A method of actuating a lock mechanism on a hold open rod may also be provided.

Abstract: Push roll spools for engaging and driving softened glass tubes over a shaping mandrel. A push roll spool for use in processing a glass tube may comprise a base having first and second axially spaced ends, and multiple sheets of heat resistant material disposed on the base between the axially spaced ends, forming an axially extending stack. The stack may have a circumferential, generally U-section groove having a profile defined by the peripheral edges of multiple said sheets having different diameters. The U-section groove may be sized to engage and drive a glass tube. The U-section groove may have two contact areas at which to engage and drive a glass tube. The heat resistant material may comprise mica or a mica composition, for example mica paper or ceramic fiber millboard.

Abstract: A hold open rod system is provided. The system may include, a cylindrical bracket having a first portion with a first bore for coupling to an elongate tensile member and a second portion remote from the first portion, having a second bore for coupling to a fastener; and a tubular jacket surrounding the at least a portion of the bracket, the elongate tensile member and at least a portion of the fastener. A method of constructing a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: attaching a bracket to an end of a composite tube; attaching the composite material to an elongate tension member; operatively connecting a fastener to the elongate tension member; and extending the elongate tension member through at least part of the bracket.

Abstract: A hold open rod may include: an outer tube and an inner tube; a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the inner tube with the outer tube; a locking groove in an outer surface of the inner tube; a locking dog and an outer housing covering the locking dog and at least part of the locking mechanism, the outer housing defining a cavity to contain the locking dog when the locking dog is in the outer radial position and also having an angled inner wall configured to engage the locking dog to move the locking dog to the inner radial position when the outer housing is moved to a locking position. A method of actuating a locking rod may be provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulling roll for drawing glass sheet in a down-draw process includes a shaft member and a compliant cover assembly positioned on the shaft member. The compliant cover assembly includes at least one traction disk and at least one deflection limiting disk positioned on the shaft member. The at least one traction disk includes an annular hub and a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the annular hub. The at least one deflection limiting disk includes at least one deflection limiting element positioned on each deflection limiting disk. The at least one deflection limiting element engages at least a portion of at least one traction disk upon a predetermined amount of inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements, thereby limiting the inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements.

Abstract: A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod may include: an outer tube; an inner tube having two ends, at least one end configured to slide within the outer tube; a tube stop located at one end of the inner tube; a groove around the circumference of the tube stop; and a resilient material located in the groove, the resilient material contacting the tube stop and the outer tube. A method of reducing wear on a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: locating first resilient material between an inner tube and an outer tube; providing a locking mechanism to lock the inner tube with respect to the outer tube; and providing a second resilient material between an isolator and a collar on the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Generating a geometric playback surface with subdivisions for playing playback content. Subdividing at least one source file that includes playback content into a plurality of subdivided source files. Aggregated playback content is mapped form subdivided source files to the subdivisions of the geometric playback surface. A virtual sensor is placed on the playback surface and a portion of the mapped aggregated playback content is played based on the position of the virtual sensor on the geometric playback surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping content directly to a 3D geometric playback surface. A source file is generated that includes content in a native format. A 3D geometric playback surface to which content can be mapped is generated. A portion of the 3D geometric playback surface to map content to is determined. The content is mapped to a determined portion of a 3D geometric playback surface in a native format of the content. Content mapped to a portion of a 3D geometric playback surface in a native format of the content is played from the 3D geometric playback surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulling roll for drawing glass sheet in a down-draw process includes a shaft member and a compliant cover assembly positioned on the shaft member. The compliant cover assembly includes at least one traction disk and at least one deflection limiting disk positioned on the shaft member. The at least one traction disk includes an annular hub and a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the annular hub. The at least one deflection limiting disk includes at least one deflection limiting element positioned on each deflection limiting disk. The at least one deflection limiting element engages at least a portion of at least one traction disk upon a predetermined amount of inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements, thereby limiting the inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements.

Abstract: A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod includes an outer tube, a lock body connected to the outer tube, an inner tube, slidingly disposed within the outer tube and lock body, the inner tube having an outer surface, and a friction pad captured between the lock body and the outer surface of the inner tube. A method for damping movement of a telescoping rod is also provided. The method includes attaching the locking body to an outer tube, configuring the outer tube and the inner tube to move with respect to each other in a telescoping manner, fitting a damper between an outer diameter of an inner tube and a locking body, and fitting the damper to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the inner tube and the locking body.

Abstract: A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod may include: an outer tube; an inner tube having two ends, at least one end configured to slide within the outer tube; a tube stop located at one end of the inner tube; a groove around the circumference of the tube stop; and a resilient material located in the groove, the resilient material contacting the tube stop and the outer tube. A method of reducing wear on a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: locating first resilient material between an inner tube and an outer tube; providing a locking mechanism to lock the inner tube with respect to the outer tube; and providing a second resilient material between an isolator and a collar on the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A hold open rod may include: an inner member; an outer member configured to have the inner member slide in and out of the outer member; a locking mechanism including a portion attached to the outer member and a portion attached to the inner member; a locking plug configured to move axially along an axis of the inner, outer members; a locking dog configured to move radially between a locking position and an unlocking position and a release cable operatively connected to the locking plug and configured to move the locking plug to the unlocking position. A method of actuating a lock mechanism on a hold open rod may also be provided.

Abstract: A hold open rod system is provided. The system may include, a cylindrical bracket having a first portion with a first bore for coupling to an elongate tensile member and a second portion remote from the first portion, having a second bore for coupling to a fastener; and a tubular jacket surrounding the at least a portion of the bracket, the elongate tensile member and at least a portion of the fastener. A method of constructing a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: attaching a bracket to an end of a composite tube; attaching the composite material to an elongate tension member; operatively connecting a fastener to the elongate tension member; and extending the elongate tension member through at least part of the bracket.

Abstract: A hold open rod may include: an outer tube and an inner tube; a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the inner tube with the outer tube; a locking groove in an outer surface of the inner tube; a locking dog and an outer housing covering the locking dog and at least part of the locking mechanism, the outer housing defining a cavity to contain the locking dog when the locking dog is in the outer radial position and also having an angled inner wall configured to engage the locking dog to move the locking dog to the inner radial position when the outer housing is moved to a locking position. A method of actuating a locking rod may be provided.

Abstract: A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod includes an outer tube, a lock body connected to the outer tube, an inner tube, slidingly disposed within the outer tube and lock body, the inner tube having an outer surface, and a friction pad captured between the lock body and the outer surface of the inner tube. A method for damping movement of a telescoping rod is also provided. The method includes attaching the locking body to an outer tube, configuring the outer tube and the inner tube to move with respect to each other in a telescoping manner, fitting a damper between an outer diameter of an inner tube and a locking body, and fitting the damper to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the inner tube and the locking body.