Abstract: A method of cleaning glass volatile contaminants from the surfaces of heat transfer fins in a fin cooler of a glass fiber forming bushing assembly is disclosed. A cleaning liquid which is a dilute alcohol solution in which the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of primary and second alcohols is sprayed in a generally flat, fan shapes spray against the side and top surfaces of the cooling fins. This spray of a dilute alcohol solution removes the contaminants from the fin surfaces while not adversely affecting the glass fiber filaments being formed during running of the bushing assembly. A solution of between 0.1 to 1.0% methanol or ethylene glycol in water has been found to be particularly satisfactory in removing boron oxide contaminants from the fin surfaces.

Abstract: A self purging fin cooler for use with a glass fiber forming bushing assembly is disclosed. A fin cooler header block is provided with a flow channel for coolant flow and a separate flow channel for cleaning liquid flow. A plurality of cleaning liquid distribution passages extend from the cleaning liquid flow channel to spray nozzles positioned between adjacent cooling fins that extend outwardly from the header block. Each spray nozzle produces a flat, fan shaped spray of cleaning liquid which removes contaminants that accumulate on the tops and sides of the cooling fins. A flow control valve assembly and frequency and duration timers are utilized to provide a controllable cleaning liquid spray frequency and duration. During non-spray periods a low volume of cleaning liquid to the spray nozzles insures that the nozzles will not become clogged.

Abstract: A flat plate bushing is described which eliminates extensive precious metal use in drain and/or production bushings. The bushing utilizes a novel arrangement of insulation members and support plates that allow the bushing to be electrically heated and a novel method of connecting the bushing to a power source using the bushing face plate as the connection point is also shown.

Abstract: A fin cooler clamp useable to quickly release and attach a fin cooler to a bushing frame is disclosed. A fin support bracket having a downwardly acing U-shaped channel is attachable to the bushing frame. A fin adjusting housing snap fits into the channel and can be quickly removed therefrom. A fin attaching block is adjustably carried at the forward end of the fin adjusting housing, and a fin block, to which the header block of the fin cooler is secured, is attached to the fin attaching block. Adjusting screws are provided to vary the inclination of the cooling fins, to tilt the fins from a vertical plane and to move the fin cooler along the length of the bushing assembly in either direction.

Abstract: A method of equalizing production on a split fiber glass forming bushing is described involving averaging the temperature measured across a bushing face plate, and controlling the power input to the bushing in response to that measured average. The two halves of the bushing are controlled by placing a variable resistor in the power supply lines to the bushing and adjusting current input to the sides in response to variations in weight or yardage measured for the two strands produced by the split bushing.

Abstract: Novel glass fibers are described which contain 58 to 60 percent SiO.sub.2, 11 to 13 percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 21 to 23 percent CaO, 2 to 4 percent MgO and 1 to 5 percent TiO.sub.2. The fibers also have a seed count of 5 seeds or less per cc of glass and an electrical leakage value of 2.8 nanoamperes or less as measured by a test described in the specification.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and winding strands formed of filaments to achieve good split efficiency on removal of the plurality of strands from the package for further processing, and to produce a package of wound strands having good edges.The apparatus has a filament forming means, gathering means to gather the filaments into a plurality of strands, rotatable winder to attenuate and wind the strands, a traverse vehicle guide, reciprocating means, and contacting means. The traverse vehicle guide has a base and angularly opposing sides that converge toward each other with one side being longer than the other. The sides do not touch each other and thereby form an opening for placement of the strands into a containment area formed by the angularly opposing sides and the base. The traverse guide deposits the strands in essentially uncrossed, side-by-side relation, and cooperates with the contacting means at each end of a layer to deposit the strands in grouped relationship.

Abstract: Fiber glass forming bushings are described which contain baffle arrangements which are positioned below the bushing flange and direct glass flows inside the bushing to trap stones in the molten glass. The baffles are arranged to divert glass entering the bushing in inward and upward directions to give the stones ample time to settle on the baffles before the glass reaches the bushing orifices.

Abstract: The invention involves a fiber glass bushing which is provided with a plurality of tubular feed inlets, through a top cover chamber, which by means of controlled introduction of a gaseous medium allows a gaseous void to be maintained above the glass level in the bushing. The gas void allows easy removal of the bushing from the forehearth and the tubes provide a means of stopping glass flow from forehearth during bushing removal without requiring severe cooling of the surrounding ceramics. Flexibility in glass feed to the bushing for optimum conditions is also possible.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a fiber glass filament wound wheel. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a fiber glass filament wound wheel reinforced with an epoxy resin. Most specifically, the present invention is directed to a filament wound, resin, fiber glass reinforced wheel for use, for example, on a transport cart and to a method and apparatus for forming the wheel. The wheels of the invention are formed by a filament winding process wherein a continuous strand of fiber glass is coated with a suitable curable resinous binder, such as a liquid epoxy resin catalyst mixture, and is wound on a metal core between spaced side plates which are shaped to define the shape of the side walls of the finished wheel. The assembly is cured for a suitable period of time and the side plates are removed. A bearing assembly can then be inserted in the wheel in the aperture defined by the core and the wheel assembly can be placed on a transport truck.

Abstract: A method of supplying tips for a fiber forming bushing is provided which involves mating the tips to a hole in a bushing plate, applying pressure to the tip sidewalls against the plate to firmly seal them followed by a high temperature treatment to form a homogeneous metal bond.

Abstract: A process is described for improving needling efficiency in the preparation of continuous fiber glass strand needled mat involving subjecting the continuous glass strand mat to environmental treatments before and during needling to control mat moisture and temperatures. A low relative humidity and warm temperature environment is maintained during needling and the mat is exposed to similar treatment prior to needling.

Abstract: A continuous cutter ring or hoop having relatively thick, large-angle chisel teeth to bend and break attenuated glass fibers in a glass fiber chopping assembly is disclosed. The continuous cutter is an annular ring or hoop of steel or other hard material which is formed having an outer circumference provided with integral, regularly spaced, raised cutting teeth. The continuous cutter is secured on a suitable cutter wheel which cooperates with a second wheel having an elastomer cot around its circumference with the glass fibers to be severed passing between the continuous cutter and the elastomer cot. The cutter teeth are generally chisel-shaped and sever the glass fiber strand without cutting or destroying the elastomer cot. The integrally formed cutter teeth will not separate from the cutter ring and are not subject to being misaligned.

Abstract: A fiber glass bushing is disclosed which is formed with a corrugated bottom which provides a plurality of flat ridges on which are positioned orifices. The ridges are separated by grooves containing ceramic insulation and the bushing provided with means to support the bottom when glass is being drawn from the orifices.

Abstract: A bushing is described which permits the formation of filaments of different diameters simultaneously from a single molten glass source by controlling the differential in orifice sizes used in the bushing to minimize process interruptions.

Abstract: A modular molten glass column comprised of a plurality of modular glass conduits for providing glass to, for example, a high pressure glass fiber forming bushing is disclosed. The column consists of several glass modules, each of which includes a glass conduit, a heating source for the conduit, insulation for the conduit, an outer protective cover, and connectors for joining the conduit module to other similar conduit modules, a glass melting forehearth, and a glass fiber forming bushing adapted to receive glass at elevated pressures and to form filaments therefrom. The modular molten glass column supplies molten glass to the bushing without requiring any pumps or the like. Furthermore, the glass column requires substantially less energy than conventional forehearths.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing continuous strand mat which provides for more uniform density of the mat across the width of the surface on which it was prepared by using gaseous fluid directed mat edges to fold loose strands at the edges under the mat and to align the edges of the mat in a substantially straight line. The gaseous fluid, preferably air, is directed at the conveyor surface on which the mat is formed against the flow of the mat on the conveyor and in a downward direction so that portions of the mat at the sides are lifted by the air as the stray strands are folded under to form the straight edge. A further embodiment includes the formation of an edge on a continuous strand mat having an already formed substantially straight edge, during a needle operation to minimize edge waste during needling.

Abstract: A rotary forehearth for use particularly in formation of glass fiber filaments through bushings is disclosed. A stator portion of the forehearth carries the bushings and a rotor portion of the forehearth receives molten glass from a suitable supply source, mixing the glass to homogenize it and distribute it at a uniform temperature, and disperses the uniform temperature molten glass to the bushings. The rotary forehearth is heated by suitable assemblies which maintain all portions of the forehearth at a uniform teperature. A uniform heating of the rotary forehearth and a uniform mixing and temperature of the molten glass is provided with a single controller. The bushings are uniformly heated and are supplied with molten glass at a nearly constant viscosity to facilitate the formation of glass fiber filaments having substantially less variation in diameter than heretofore possible.

Abstract: A stampable thermoplastic fiber glass reinforced product is shown which contains immediately below the resin surface on both major surfaces spikes of glass fibers integral with a mat. Utilization of the spikes with reference to the laminate surface produces laminates having improved stamping characteristics.