Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to fiberizable glass compositions comprising boron oxide at least one rare earth oxide in a molar ratio of rare earth oxide to boron oxide ranging from 0.01 to 0.33. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of inhibiting boron volatization from glass compositions comprising boron oxide by adding a rare earth oxide to the glass composition before melting the glass compositions. Still other embodiments of the present invention relate to glass fibers formed from the fiberizable glass compositions of the present invention, and polymeric composites and printed circuit boards made therefrom.

Abstract: An aqueous sizing composition for at least partially coating a plurality of glass fibers can comprise at least one rosin, at least one coupling agent, and at least one lubricant. The rosin can be a chemically-modified rosin. A plurality of coupling agents can be included, including combinations of coupling agents that can provide for multi-resin compatibility and desirable fiber glass strand properties. An embodiment of a fiber glass strand at least partially coated with a sizing composition may have properties particularly suited for applications that do not utilize air jet weaving.

Abstract: Mathematical relationship for ingredients for fiber glass compositions are used to identify properties of the glass. In particular the forming temperature and delta T. In one embodiment, the mathematical relationship of the ingredients is of a generic quaternary SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 and MgO glass system. The relationship of SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 and MgO of interest include RO=CaO+MgO, SiO2/CaO, SiO2/RO, SiO2/Al2O3; Al2O3/CaO; SiO2+Al2O3; SiO2—RO and Al2O3/RO or RO/Al2O3 when other ingredients or components are added to the glass batch materials to alter the forming and/or liquidus temperatures of the glass, for example Na2O, Li2O, K2O and B2O3 the following mathematical relationships are of interest, (SiO2+Al2O3)/(R2O+RO+B2O3) where RO is as previously defined and R2O=Na2O+Li2O+K2O. Each of the compositional features of the glass identified above reflects the relative balance between the fluidity (i.e. viscosity) of the glass melt and its crystallization potential.

Abstract: Mathematical relationship for ingredients for fiber glass compositions are used to identify properties of the glass. In particular the forming temperature and delta T. In one embodiment, the mathematical relationship of the ingredients is of a generic quaternary SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 and MgO glass system. The relationship of SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 and MgO of interest include RO=CaO+MgO, SiO2/CaO, SiO2/RO, SiO2/Al2O3; Al2O3/CaO; SiO2+Al2O3; SiO2—RO and Al2O3/RO or RO/Al2O3 when other ingredients or components are added to the glass batch materials to alter the forming and/or liquidus temperatures of the glass, for example Na2O, Li2O, K2O and B2O3 the following mathematical relationships are of interest, (SiO2+Al2O3)/(R2O+RO+B2O3) where RO is as previously defined and R2O=Na2O+Li2O+K2O. Each of the compositional features of the glass identified above reflects the relative balance between the fluidity (i.e. viscosity) of the glass melt and its crystallization potential.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving and delivering a solution of a solid chemical material, such as calcium hypochlorite, is described. The apparatus includes in combination: a container, a lid removably mounted on the upper end of the container, and a housing. In operation, the lid is mounted on the container, which contains solid chemical material, and both are inverted and placed on top of the housing. A nozzle within the housing extends through a hole in the lid into the internal space of the container such that dissolving fluid is charged into the container through the nozzle where it contacts the solid chemical material. A solution of chemical material is formed within the container and the solution drains through additional holes formed in the lid and is removed from the housing to a point of use.

Abstract: Mathematical relationship for ingredients for fiber glass compositions are used to identify properties of the glass. In particular the forming temperature and delta T. In one embodiment, the mathematical relationship of the ingredients is of a generic quaternary SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 and MgO glass system. The relationship of SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 and MgO of interest include RO=CaO+MgO, SiO2/CaO, SiO2/RO, SiO2/Al2O3; Al2O3/CaO; SiO2+Al2O3; SiO2?RO and Al2O3/RO or RO/Al2O3. when other ingredients or components are added to the glass batch materials to alter the forming and/or liquidus temperatures of the glass, for example Na2O, Li2O, K2O and B2O3 the following mathematical relationships are of interest, (SiO2+Al2O3)/(R2O+RO+B2O3) where RO is as previously defined and R2O=Na2O+Li2O+K2O. Each of the compositional features of the glass identified above reflects the relative balance between the fluidity (i.e. viscosity) of the glass melt and its crystallization potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coordinating or arranging services, such as automotive glass repair services for the policyholders of an insurance company, and to an apparatus for practicing the method. The method includes providing a database of service providers, obtaining service need information regarding a customer, selecting at least a portion of the service providers in the database based on the service need information, ranking the selected service providers, and choosing one of the ranked service providers to perform the service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for severing elongated material include a rotatable first roll having a first severing structure, a rotatable second roll having a second severing structure corresponding with the first severing structure for severing a length of the filament positioned between the rolls, a drive system operable to independently rotate the first roll and the second roll according to a drive command, a sensor system operable to make measurements and generate actual position signals representative of an actual current rotational position of the first roll and an actual current rotational position of the second roll, and a control system for receiving the position signals and operable to generate the drive command in accordance with predetermined control parameters and based on the actual rotational position signals, wherein the drive command synchronizes the respective rotational positioning of the first roll and the second roll.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for applying solution to a filament include an applicator for applying at least a partial coating of a solution to a filament, comprising: an applicator surface operable to at least partially coat a filament with a solution; a first container operable to supply the solution to the applicator surface, a volume of the solution in the first container corresponding to a solution level in the first container; a second container operable to contain a supply of solution in fluid communication with the solution in the first container such that the solution in the second container has a solution level indicative of the solution level of the solution in the first container; and a detector for determining the solution level within the second container, the detector operable to control an adjustment of the volume of the solution in the first container such that the solution level in the first container is maintained within a predetermined range of levels.

Abstract: A glass fiber composition has 52 to 62 percent by weight SiO2, 0 to 2 percent by weight NaO2O, 16 to 25 percent by weight CaO, 8 to 16 percent by weight Al2O3, 0.05 to 0.80 percent by weight Fe2O3, 0 to 2 percent by weight K2, 1 to 5 percent by weight MgO, 0 to 5 percent by weight B2O3, to 0 to 2 percent by weight TiO2, and 0 to 1 percent by weight F, and further has a log 3 forming temperature of no greater than 1240° C. based on an NIST 714 reference standard, a &Dgr;T of at least 50° C., and a SiO2/RO ratio of no greater than 2.35.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass fiber composition comprising: 52 to 62 percent by weight SiO2, 0 to 2 percent by weight Na2O, 16 to 25 percent by weight CaO, 8 to 16 percent by weight Al2O3, 0.05 to 0.80 percent by weight Fe2O3, 0 to 2 percent by weight K2O, 1.7 to 2.6 percent by weight MgO, 0 to 10 percent by weight B2O3, 0 to 2 percent by weight TiO2, 0 to 2 percent by weight BaO, 0 to 2 percent by weight ZrO2, and 0 to 2 percent by weight SrO, and further including at least one material selected from the group consisting of: 0.05 to 1.5 percent by weight Li2O, 0.05 to 1.5 percent by weight ZnO, 0.05 to 3 percent by weight MnO, and 0.05 to 3 percent by weight MnO2, wherein the glass composition has a forming temperature of no greater than 2280° F. based on an NIST 714 reference standard and a liquidus temperature of no greater than 2155° F.

Abstract: A forming tube assembly may include an adapter tube configured to extend over at least a portion of a collet of a winder; and at least one forming tube extending around at least a portion of the adapter tube. A forming package assembly may include an adapter tube; and at least one forming package extending around the adapter tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a charge/discharge voltage applied to an EC device to ensure that an appropriate voltage drop across the EC device is maintained during charge and/or discharge modes of operation. The appropriate voltage drop is determined with respect to a temperature measurement proximate the EC device. The charge level of the device is monitored using a coulomb counter circuit having a topology designed to minimize interference in the operation of the EC device.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates generally to sizing compositions, methods and apparatus for cleaning sized fiber glass strands, yarns and fabric without the use of high temperature thermal processes. More specifically, the invention relates to sizing compositions comprising a photocatalytically degradable organic material and a photocatalyst material, and methods and apparatus for cleaning photocatalytically degradable organic materials from the surface of the fiber glass strand.

Abstract: The present invention provides concrete having improved plastic shrinkage crack resistance, comprising: concrete; and non-alkaline resistant glass fibers. The present invention also provides a method of reducing plastic shrinkage cracks in concrete, comprising the steps of: combining cement, aggregate, sand, and water to form concrete; adding a desired amount of non-alkaline resistant glass fibers to the concrete; and mixing the concrete and glass fibers to disperse the glass fibers uniformly throughout the concrete, wherein the glass fibers reduce the amount of plastic shrinkage cracks of the concrete as compared to non-fiber reinforced concrete.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing trimethylene carbonate, which includes the steps of reacting 1,3-propanediol and phosgene in vapor form, providing a combination of temperature and pressure at which trimethylene carbonate is in its vapor phase, providing a residence time sufficient to react 1,3-propanediol and phosgene to trimethylene carbonate, condensing the trimethylene carbonate vapors, and isolating the condensed trimethylene carbonate. The present method advantageously does not require the use of catalysts and the associated expense of recovering and/or recycling or disposing of catalyst residues.

Abstract: A fiber glass mat adapted to reinforce thermoplastic polymeric molding material is provided with improved flow properties in the molding process without sacrificing strength and without unduly increasing loft of the mat. The improvement is achieved by needling the mat from both sides with the number of needle punches per unit area on one side being greater than that on the opposite side.

Abstract: Describes a chemical feeder that supplies treating agents, e.g., calcium hypochlorite, to a liquid stream, e.g., an aqueous stream. The chemical feeder is operated in a substantially flooded condition to provide a useful and safe pressure feeder, and optionally uses cyclonic flow to be relatively self-cleaning. One or more tablet canisters are utilized within the substantially flooded interior of the chemical feeder, and expose the lowermost tablets to the turbulent flow outside of the tablet canister. A substantially uniform chemical distribution rate over tablet life is provided by the chemical feeder.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for matching paint on a vehicle, having the steps of receiving in a central computer, from a remote terminal, vehicle identifying information relating to a specific vehicle and a first set of paint color data from a portion of the body of the vehicle. The central computer includes a processor, an electronic storage device in which a database is stored. The database includes vehicle identifying information for a plurality of vehicles, paint color data associated with respective vehicle identifying information, and paint formulations associated with paint color data. A first process by software in the computer determines a first best match paint formulation which relates submitted vehicle identifying information and submitted paint data to a paint formulation. The software in the computer determines a first best match paint formulation which is transmitted to the remote terminal.

Abstract: Describes a method for dissolving a solid chemical material, such as calcium hypochlorite, with a solvating liquid, e.g., water, in a chemical feeder operating under positive pressure wherein an inert gas, e.g., air, is injected into the solvating liquid, e.g., by use of an injector nozzle, and the resultant mixture of inert gas and solvating liquid is forwarded to the chemical feeder. Sufficient air is charged to the chemical feeder to limit the level of solvating liquid in the feeder and thereby limit the amount of solid chemical material contacted by the solvating liquid.