Abstract: A method for producing asphalt fibers includes supplying molten asphalt to a rotating asphalt spinner, centrifuging asphalt fibers from the asphalt spinner, and collecting the asphalt fibers. The molten asphalt is supplied to the asphalt spinner at a temperature within the range of from about 270.degree. to about 500.degree. F. Also disclosed is a method for integrating asphalt with reinforcement fibers including the steps of establishing a downwardly moving veil of reinforcement fibers, such as glass fibers, and centrifuging asphalt fibers from a rotating asphalt spinner positioned within the veil of reinforcement fibers to integrate the asphalt with the reinforcement fibers. A method for making an asphalt roofing shingle includes the steps of assembling together a mat of asphalt fibers with a mat of reinforcement fibers, coating the assembled mats to form an asphalt coated sheet, applying granules to the asphalt coated sheet, and cutting the asphalt coated sheet into roofing shingles.

Abstract: A method is provided for releasing a thin foil workpiece from adherence with a resilient surface to which it adheres due to compression occurring in a forming operation. The method includes the steps of applying pneumatic pressure greater than ambient pressure between the first forming element and the workpiece while the workpiece remains held by compression. Thereafter, a second surface of a second forming element is separated from contact with the thin foil workpiece, removing compression, and rapid or shock release of the thin foil workpiece from its adherence to the resilient surface ensues. An alternative method is further provided.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product comprises irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: A method for making dual-glass fibers includes supplying first and second molten glass to a rotating spinner having an orificed peripheral wall, where the first glass has a higher viscosity than that of the second glass, centrifuging the first and second glasses through the orifices as molten dual-glass streams, maintaining the dual-glass streams at a temperature sufficient to enable the second glass to flow around the first glass, and cooling the dual-glass streams to make dual-glass fibers.

Abstract: Improved insulating modular panels are manufactured to incorporate into each insulating modular panel at least one vacuum insulation panel. Vacuum insulation panels are conveyed seriatim toward a pultrusion die which ultimately produces the insulating modular panels as a continuous block. Joint spacings or gaps between adjacent vacuum insulation panels and sides of the vacuum panels are filled with foam or preformed filler material to form a substantially continuous inner core which has substantially continuous side edges. Reinforcement material is applied to the inner core. The reinforcement material can be impregnated with resin prior to its application to the inner core or resin may be injected into the pultrusion die. In either event, a continuous elongated block of insulating modular panels emerges from the pultrusion die. The continuous elongated block is severed at joint spacings or gaps between adjacent vacuum insulation panels to form insulating modular panels of desired sizes from the block.

Abstract: An apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a distributor having orifices in the peripheral wall and nested within a rotary spinner. The distributor is divided into a series of generally vertically-aligned compartments by baffles positioned circumferentially around the interior of the peripheral wall, with the orifices communicating with the compartments. First and second molten thermoplastic materials are supplied to the distributor and centrifuged as alternating thin layers to the face of the spinner. The spinner is also rotated to centrifuge dual component fibers through the orifices in the peripheral wall of the spinner.

Abstract: An insulation assembly of the invention includes a central roll of compressed, rolled insulation material and six peripheral rolls of compressed, rolled insulation material surrounding the central roll, all of the rolls having longitudinal axes in parallel, each of the rolls being individually restrained, and the entire assembly being enclosed in a wrapper.

Abstract: An apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having peripheral and bottom walls. The spinner includes orifices located on the peripheral wall thereof for centrifuging the dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into a series of generally vertically-aligned compartments by baffles positioned circumferentially around the interior of the peripheral wall. A first divider is provided in the spinner for directing the first molten thermoplastic material into alternate ones of the compartments, and a second divider is provided for directing the second molten thermoplastic material into the remaining ones of the compartments so that adjacent compartments contain different thermoplastic materials. Passages are located in each of the compartments through which the respective molten thermoplastic materials flow to the orifices on the peripheral wall of the spinner.

Abstract: A conformable insulation assembly is provided and includes a mineral fiber batt of a binderless fibrous material of substantially long fibers. The insulation assembly is capable of conforming and expanding its shape to an area into which it is installed better than prior art insulation assemblies.

Abstract: A pair of forming elements incorporate features which restrain a thin foil workpiece without requiring high or excessive clamping pressures. A retaining step is provided in the second forming element having the forming cavity. It has been found that thin foil workpieces bent over and engaged by contact with the retaining step are secured against slippage with reduced clamping pressures. Moreover, the thin foil workpieces exhibit material draw during forming without the excessive lateral pressure between clamping surfaces that causes wrinkles. Substantially wrinkle-free flanges remain in the formed article.

Abstract: Fiberglass insulation having improved parting strength is prepared by forming a fiberglass mat, applying an aqueous acid aluminum phosphate binder, curing the binder, and autoclaving the resultant insulation batt.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a dewar and a refrigerator/liquefier which meets the variable demands of a superconducting magnet within the dewar. The system is sized to meet average loads over a defined duty cycle, and is variably operable to meed demands. In the preferred embodiment, a first supply of fluid circulates through a "condenser" element positioned in a dewar ullage to liquefy a separate supply of fluid in the dewar, and to refrigerate a pulsed cryogenic load therein, such as a superconducting magnet. A portion of the first supply of fluid may be diverted to refrigerate a second pulsed cryogenic load, such as magnet current leads permanently connected to the magnet. The dewar includes a cold gas vapor storage chamber separate from the dewar ullage, and the chamber is preferably located within the inner core of a solenoid superconducting magnet for compact and thermally efficient design. Responsive, independent adjustment of refrigeration to pulsed cryogenic loads is made possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing insulation material within a roof structure (11). The apparatus includes a carriage (26) which is urged along the purlins (18) of the roof structure (11). A roll of insulation material (43) is mounted to the carriage (26) and dispenses a substantially continuous sheet of blanket insulation material (39) over the purlins (18) as the carriage (26) is progressively moved along the length of the purlins (18). A radiant barrier dispenser (70) dispenses a layer of radiant barrier material (72) over the dispensed blanket insulation material (39), and a cross-wise layer of insulation (86) is applied across the length of the purlins (18) in a direction normal to the direction of application of the blanket .insulation material (39). Thereafter, sheets of hard metal roofing material (24) are attached to the purlins (18) over the cross insulation (86) to form the insulated roof structure (11).

Abstract: A method for making asphalt fibers includes supplying molten asphalt to a rotating asphalt spinner at a temperature between about 270.degree. F. and about 500.degree. F., centrifuging asphalt fibers from the asphalt spinner, and collecting the asphalt fibers. A method for integrating asphalt with reinforcement fibers includes establishing a moving veil of reinforcement fibers, such as glass fibers, and centrifuging asphalt fibers from a rotating asphalt spinner positioned within the veil of reinforcement fibers such that the asphalt is integrated with the reinforcement fibers. A method for making asphalt roofing shingles includes assembling together a mat of asphalt fibers with a mat of reinforcement fibers, coating the assembled mats to form an asphalt coated sheet, applying granules to the asphalt coated sheet, and cutting the asphalt coated sheet into roofing shingles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing insulation material within a roof structure (11). The apparatus includes a carriage (26) which is urged along the purlins (18) of the roof structure (11). A roll of insulation material (43) is mounted to the carriage (26) and dispenses a substantially continuous sheet of blanket insulation material (39) over the purlins (18) as the carriage (26) is progressively moved along the length of the purlins (18). A radiant barrier dispenser (70) dispenses a layer of radiant barrier material (72) over the dispensed blanket insulation material (39), and a cross-wise layer of insulation (86) is applied across the length of the purlins (18) in a direction normal to the direction of application of the blanket insulation material (39). Thereafter, sheets of hard metal roofing material (24) are attached to the purlins (18) over the cross insulation (86) to form the insulated roof structure (11).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product includes establishing a stream of mineral fibers, directing polymeric fibers toward the stream of mineral fibers to cause intermingling of the polymeric material, and applying heat to the polymer fibers so that some of them become softened to the extent that they lose their fibrous form and become attached to the mineral fibers as non-fibrous particles, whereas some of the polymer fibers retain their fibrous form.

Abstract: This development provides crystalline unsaturated polyesters having unreacted olefinically unsaturated monomer entrapped within its crystal lattice. The crystalline polyester can be used in high performance, structural SMC products or as a size or binder for glass fiber reinforcements or mats.

Abstract: An insulation assembly and method of making is disclosed. A fiber pack is engaged along its side edges to tuck the fibers inwardly and also establish a desired width. The insulation assembly has the longitudinally extending tucks along each of its side edges and each of the side edges has a generally concave cross section.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making dual component fibers. The apparatus comprises a distributor, equipment for providing first and second thermoplastic materials to the distributor, a rotatable spinner and a rotation mechanism. The distributor has an outer casing and a divider cup fixedly positioned within the outer casing. The outer casing has first and second orifices extending through its peripheral wall. The divider cup defines with the outer casing first and second chambers for receiving first and second molten thermoplastic materials. The first orifices communicate with the first chamber and the second orifices communicate with the second chamber. The rotatable spinner includes first and second passages in its peripheral wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner includes orifices located on the peripheral wall thereof for centrifuging the dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into a series of compartments by baffles positioned circumferentially around the interior of the peripheral wall. The baffles are positioned at an angle of from about 5.degree. to about 75.degree. from vertical, and most preferably about 45.degree. from vertical. The number of orifices on the spinner peripheral wall can thus be increased to increase the throughput of fibers from the spinner while still maintaining a minimum required spacing between orifices for the structural integrity of the spinner.