Abstract: The present invention concerns a tip plate module for use in a bushing assembly for the production of glass fibers, said tip plate module comprising side walls surrounding at least a portion of the perimeter of a tip plate (11) forming the floor of the module, said tip plate forming a convex polygon, characterized in that, said polygonal tip plate comprises at least five edges (N?5), preferably at least six edges (N?6), more preferably it comprises six edges (N=6). The present invention also concerns a bushing assembly comprising at least one such tip plate module.

Abstract: A bushing system includes a bushing having a bottom plate with a plurality of holes from which filaments are drawn. At least one elongated support extends through the bushing generally along a longitudinal axis to hold and stabilize the bushing. To handle the harsh conditions under which the bushing is subjected, the support comprises an alumina-based ceramic that generally resists sagging or excessive expansion and contraction during heating and cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing fibres comprising a melting furnace, a crucible within said furnace comprising at least one orifice (6) and at least one induction coil (4) for heating the melting furnace and the crucible. In a typical system according to the invention, the crucible comprises at least a first part (1) made of graphite and comprising said at least one orifice (6). The invention also relates to the use of the system as well as to a method for manufacturing fibres and to said fibres.

Abstract: A cooling bushing flange having a reduced amount of precious metal is provided for a glass fiber production apparatus. The flange includes a first portion formed of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy extending outwardly from a bushing and a second portion formed of a non-precious metal. The non-precious metal portion of the flange may be affixed to the precious metal portion by known metal bonding methods. A cooling tube is positioned on the non-precious metal portion to create a thermal seal and prevent molten glass from leaking from the interface of the bushing block and bushing. The precious metal portion of the inventive flange is a fraction of the size of precious metal present in conventional bushing flanges. By reducing the amount of precious metal incorporated in the flange, a significant reduction in the overall cost of the bushing and in the manufacture of glass fibers can be obtained.

Abstract: A filament forming apparatus has a bushing that includes a high palladium content screen along with structural components and non-structural components. The structural components are formed of a first material having a high creep strength and the ability to withstand corrosive effects of molten mineral materials. The non-structural components are formed of at least a second material that is different from the first material.

Abstract: A filament forming apparatus has a bushing that includes structural components and non-structural components. The structural components are formed of a first material having a high creep strength and the ability to withstand corrosive effects of molten mineral materials. The non-structural components are formed of at least a second material that is different from the first material.

Abstract: In a known method for coating a crucible for use at a high working temperature in a crucible drawing method for quartz glass, a base body wall of tungsten has applied thereto a protective layer containing a coating metal consisting of the group selected from iridium, rhenium, osmium and ruthenium. Starting therefrom, to provide a method for producing such a component exhibiting high corrosion resistance to the quartz glass melt at low material costs, it is suggested according to the invention that the protective layer should be produced from a layer material which contains tungsten and the coating metal, and in which the amount of the coating metal should be dimensioned such that it exceeds the limit amount of a coating metal-rich phase boundary of a solid mixture phase of tungsten and the coating metal, with the solid mixture phase being thermodynamically stable at the working temperature, by not more than 25 at. % (based on the total amount of tungsten and the coating metal in the layer material).

Abstract: A low viscosity E-glass composition including SiO2 in an amount ranging from 52-54 weight percent, Al2O3 in an amount ranging from 12-14 weight percent, F2 in an amount ranging from 0-1.0 weight percent, Fe2O3 in an amount ranging from 0 to 0.8 weight percent, Na2O in an amount ranging from 0-2.0 weight percent, K2O in an amount ranging from 0-2.0 weight percent, CaO in an amount ranging from 16-23 weight percent, MgO in an amount ranging from 0-3.0 weight percent, Li2O in an amount ranging from 0-3.0, TiO2 in an amount ranging from 0-1.5 weight percent, ZnO in an amount ranging from 0-4.0 weight percent, and B2O3 in an amount ranging from 8.0-10 weight percent is provided. The glass composition has a log 3 viscosity temperature between 1750 and 2150° F. and a ?T temperature greater than 50° F.

Abstract: A refractory article including a bushing block having a body comprising an opening extending through the body, wherein the bushing block is formed from a composition comprising a primary component comprising tin oxide. The composition for forming the bushing block body can further include at least one additive selected from the group of additives consisting of a corrosion inhibitor, a sintering aid, and a resistivity modifying species, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A reinforcement device, especially for the bottom of a bushing having a multitude of holes from which filaments, e.g., glass filaments, are drawn, including a reinforcement piece that includes a hollow first part defining at least one receiving housing and a second part that extends at least partly over the length of the hollow part, and also at least one stiffener inserted into the receiving housing of the hollow part. The cross section of the stiffener is substantially identical to the internal cross section of the hollow part.

Abstract: A filament forming apparatus has a bushing that includes a high palladium content screen along with structural components and non-structural components. The structural components are formed of a first material having a high creep strength and the ability to withstand corrosive effects of molten mineral materials. The non-structural components are formed of at least a second material that is different from the first material.

Abstract: Electrical resistant bushings and methods for making fibers such as glass fibers by passing molten glass through these bushings to form fibers wherein the bushings have novel ears for attaching to electrical terminal clamps bringing electrical current to the bushing are disclosed. The novel ears have at least one generally V shaped notch at or near the unattached end of the ear to produce an improved temperature profile on the tip plate of the bushing. One preferred bushing of the invention has ears having 5 generally V shaped notches therein.

Abstract: Spinner discs for use in the fiberization of glass in rotary fiberization processes are made of intermetallic compounds of aluminides of nickel (Ni3Al and NiAl).

Abstract: A plurality of different structural members for reinforcing a plate-like structure, such as a bushing tip plate for intended use in forming fibers from a fluid material supplied to a bushing assembly, are disclosed. Each reinforcing member includes a body having a first portion for attachment to the structure and a second portion having a profile with a variable height including at least one apex. The body may be integrally formed of a single piece of material, or two or formed from more separate pieces of material bonded or secured together. The body may be T-shaped, L-shaped, or F-shaped in cross-section. The second portion of the body may have an inverted V-shaped profile, an inverted W-shaped profile, or an arcuate profile. The at least one apex may be located at the midpoint or elsewhere along the length of the body.

Abstract: A bushing assembly/support structure arrangement is provided. The arrangement comprises a bushing assembly and a support structure. The bushing arrangement includes a bushing main body comprising at least first and second side walls and a tip plate extending between the side walls. The tip plate contains a plurality of orifices through which molten mineral material flows prior to being attenuated into fibers. The bushing assembly further comprises a first support rail coupled to the main body first side wall, and at least one first bracket having an intermediate member coupled to the main body first side wall. The support structure comprises a bushing frame, and at least one first support strap. The support strap has a first end fixedly coupled to the bushing frame and second end extending toward a first location on the support rail adjacent the first bracket for supporting the bushing assembly.

Abstract: The double crucible for a glass drawing method has a heatable outer crucible (1) and an inner crucible (2) surrounded by the outer crucible (1), which is heatable separately from the outer crucible (1). Both crucibles (1,2) have an outlet nozzle (1a, 2a) for the glass to be drawn. To make glass fibers from heavy metal oxide glass (HMO-glass) with higher quality and comparatively simple crucible features, the outlet nozzle (1a) of the outer crucible (1) extends a certain distance beyond the outlet nozzle (2a) of the inner crucible (2). Surfaces of the outlet nozzles coming in contact with the glass melt are polished and are provided on a material, which has a reducing action on heavy metal glass in the melt in all cases. These surfaces also have sufficient mechanical strength for and chemical inertness to heavy metal oxide glass.

Abstract: The invention discloses a multifunctional apparatus and method to manufacture mineral (basalt) fibers to be drawn/attenuated into a continuous strand made from natural rock basalts with and without supplemental minerals. More specifically this invention discloses apparatus designed to manufacture a high quality continuous amorphous mineral (basalt) fibers with flexible/ductile properties from 7 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m in diameter without traces of crystalline phases which are suitable for a variety of industrial applications.

Abstract: A fiber-forming bushing comprises a tip plate and a lateral support. The tip plate comprises at least two tip sections and the section spacing between the tip sections. The lateral support extends laterally along the section spacing.

Abstract: Spinner discs for use in the fiberization of glass in rotary fiberization processes are made of intermetallic compounds of aluminides of nickel (Ni3Al and NiAl).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bushing baseplate, and to a bushing baseplate. The bushing baseplate is characterized in that it comprises tips (18) constituted by hollow tubular elements of outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of holes (16) in the plate (12) forming the bushing baseplate, which tips are subjected to a step of being expanded radially relative to their axes. The method is simpler and less expensive.

Abstract: A furnace component having a tungsten-based substrate whose surface is protected by a rhenium-based layer in order to render the component less reactive to quartz, glass and other forms of silica. The layer preferably consists essentially of rhenium or rhenium with alloying additions of tungsten. The substrate may be formed of concentric layers of different tungsten-based alloys in order to tailor the physical and mechanical properties of the component. A preferred method of forming the rhenium layer is to wrap the substrate with a rhenium-based wire, and then heat the wire and substrate to sinter and bond the wire to the substrate. Alternatively, the substrate and rhenium layer can be formed by isostatic pressing. Both methods are performed so that the substrate and layer have densities of at least about 96% of their respective theoretical densities.

Abstract: An insulating flow block having a plurality of bores extending therethrough to permit the flow of molten fiberizable material through the block, a bushing assembly having a bushing block with one or more bores extending through a peripheral region thereof to divert a portion of a supply of molten fiberizable material from a central region of the bushing block to the peripheral region of the bushing block, and a bushing positioned in general registry with the bore of the peripheral region of the bushing block to facilitate the flow of molten fiberizable material to a peripheral region of the bushing is disclosed.

Abstract: A durable, corrosion-resistant glass fiber spinner is prepared by applying as a barrier layer a uniform layer of an alloy, compatible with the material of the spinner, on the walls of the spinner bores. A layer of platinum group metal is applied over the barrier layer.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for forming fibers from a supply of molten fiberizable material has: (a) a bushing block having an insulating body with a bore extending therethrough and (b) an electrically conductive bushing positioned adjacent to the bushing block to receive molten fiberizable material from the bore. The bushing includes a flange having bonded to an upper surface thereof a primary layer of an electrically insulating material with a bulk density of greater than 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter. The electrically insulating material is positioned adjacent to the liner on the lower surface of the body of the bushing block and is in contact with the molten fiberizable material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing continuous glass filaments. The apparatus comprises a feeder (20) for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous filaments, a drawing device (40) adapted to draw the streams into the filaments, and heat removal apparatus (50) located adjacent to the feeder for transferring energy in the form of heat away from a filament forming area adjacent to the feeder. The heat removal apparatus includes first and second manifolds (52a, 54) through which a cooling fluid circulates, a plurality of fins (56) having first and second ends (56a and 56b) and interface material (58). The first ends of the fins are associated with the first manifold and the second ends are positioned adjacent to the second manifold. The first ends may be fixedly connected to the first manifold. The interface material is interposed between the second manifold and the second ends to provide a path for energy in the form of heat to flow from the fins to the second manifold.

Abstract: A spinner for centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material is disclosed. The spinner includes a generally annular peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a plurality of eyelets mounted in the apertures, each eyelet having multiple orifices formed therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing an endless thermoplastic material, such as yarn or tape, and winding the material into a package. A physical parameter of the package, such as its diameter or weight, is monitored, and a control signal is generated which is a function of the monitored physical parameter. The control signal is then compared to a predetermined reference signal, and an output signal is generated when the difference between the control signal and the reference signal exceeds a predetermined deviation. The output signal thus represents the quality of the material in the package, and it may be used to permit classification of the final product or to control the operating conditions of the apparatus so as to maintain a desired quality level.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant fiberglass spinner is prepared by applying consecutive, alternating layers of chromium and nickel to the bores of the spinner, and thereafter thermally interdiffusing the chromium and nickel to form a corrosion-resistant coating.