Abstract: A feeder system for the production of glass filaments is provided with a shallow layer of molten glass over the discharge wall in combination with a flow control means adapted to regulate the depth of the layer to provide dripless and non-dripless operation as desired. Preferably, the feeder is rendered non-dripless when the restart of filament formation from the idled orifices is desired.

Abstract: A feeder for the production of glass filaments is provided with a shallow layer of glass over the discharge wall in combination with a fluid filled cavity capable of being pressure regulated to render the operation dripless or non-dripless as desired. Preferably, the feeder is rendered non-dripless when the restart of filament formation from idled orifices is desired.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to method and apparatus for facilitating the withdrawal of strand from the interior of a wound package a strand comprising biasing a movable manifold means against a portion of the arcuate periphery of the package, the manifold means having an apertured section in contact with the package; and drawing a vacuum in the manifold means effective to retain the strands at the periphery of the package until withdrawn to facilitate the complete withdrawal of the strand from the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating the portion of an electrode protruding from a glass melting furnace is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention describes an electrical resistance heated device. A second embodiment discloses a gas and air fired infrared heater device. Both devices allow the electrode to be heated to an elevated temperature without oxidation of the electrode thereby allowing the electrode to be forced into the furnace without damage to the furnace or the electrode.

Abstract: A feeder for the production of glass filaments is provided with a mechanical valve means to render the operation dripless or non-dripless as desired. Preferably, the feeder is rendered non-dripless when the restart of filament formation from idle orifices is desired.

Abstract: The bushing balance controller is an electronic device which measures the voltage drop across each segment of a multiple segment glass fiber forming bushing and measures the current flow in the bushing. The device uses these measurements to produce error signals proportional to the difference in the set point temperature and the instantaneous temperature of each segment of the bushing. The device diverts current from each segment of the bushing whose error signal is greater than the average of the error signals for all segments of the bushing. The device also sums all error signals and passes this signal to a bushing controller which adds current to the bushing when the sum of the error signals falls below a preset value.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing bushings in a glass melting furnace is disclosed. A support attached to the furnace holds the bushings beneath an opening in the forehearth. A replacement bushing is placed in the framework, translated next to the operating bushing, brought to operating thermal condition and then both bushings are translated until the replacement bushing is beneath the opening in forehearth. This eliminates the need to freeze the molten glass within the bushing.

Abstract: An apparatus for fiberizing molten mineral material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spinner to fiberize the material into fibers, a high velocity blower to attenuate the fibers, an air gap between the spinner and the high velocity blower through which ambient air is drawn and a flow controller over a portion of the air gap to redirect flow of the ambient air.

Abstract: An interface selector connecting a plurality of field digital devices to a single digital receiving device is disclosed. The interface selector provides a means for the digital receiving device to select which field digital device is to transmit valid data. Circuitry is provided to disable all other field digital devices. Signal lines are provided for the digital receiving device to verify that only one field digital device is transmitting data. Circuitry is also provided to prevent transmission of data if all field digital devices are selected simultaneously.

Abstract: Pairs of electrodes are symmetrically placed about the bend of a forehearth of a glass melting furnace. The electrodes are connected to the dual secondary windings of a step down transformer such that the firing paths of the electrodes cross each other in the molten material. The flow of the material across the firing paths coupled with the electrodes being connected to the dual secondaries of a common step-down transformer prevents hot spots and produces a balanced current flow across both firing paths.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a roving winder compares the number of strands of material actually being wound to a number of strands which should be wound into a roving. The controller stops the winding process if the two numbers are not equal. The use of a microprocessor allows not only the comparison but also generation of a control signal and a means to communicate the process information to a host computer.

Abstract: The present invention is an auxiliary heated bushing block for a fiber forming furnace. The bushing block fits below an opening in the bottom of a forehearth of a glass melting furnace. A non-circular opening through the bushing block allows molten material to flow into a fiber forming bushing. Electrical resistance heater elements protrude through the ends of the bushing block into the non-circular opening into contact with the molten material. Each electrical resistance heater element has associated with it a separate adjustable power supply to provide individually variable power to each electrical resistance heater element. By varying the power settings of each power supply, the molten material as it flows through the non-circular opening of the bushing block can be selectively thermally conditioned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a dust inhibitor consisting of a 50% oil, 50% water emulsion in a ratio of 0.5% by weight to milled fiberglass blowing wool is disclosed. The apparatus senses the weight of fiberglass being milled and selectively and automatically sprays the emulsion on the fiberglass as it is being transported through the production system.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace which uses Joule effect heating between electrodes, has a parallel attachment of electrodes to a single power source. The electrodes are arranged in rows of four electrodes across the width of the furnace. Multiple rows of electrodes spaced along the length of the furnace are used. The electrodes within a row are connected in a parallel format such that the current flow within a row can only be between two electrodes which are adjacent to each other. A current limiting controller and thermal currents within the molten glass balancing the temperature within the molten glass.

Abstract: The bushing temperature measurement device is a microprocessor based sensor which determines the temperature across a multi-segment electrical resistance heated glass fiber producing bushing. The temperature change is determined by calculating the change in resistance of each segment of the bushing by sensing the voltage drop across that segment and dividing by the current flowing in that segment. All measurements of voltage and current are taken simultaneously and averaged over several cycles. The microprocessor, through appropriate output circuitry, alerts other process controls to eliminate any change in temperature.

Abstract: A panel assembly for terminating a plurality of thermocouple leads is disclosed. The panel assembly has sufficient mass that it can stabilize at the temperature of the surrounding air. All thermocouple termination posts are of a common metal such as copper so that all subsequent leads can be copper and thereby reduce termination errors due to subsequent thermoelectric effects. A temperature measuring device is embedded in the mass of the panel assembly for measuring the temperature of the termination points of the thermocouple leads. Recorder jacks are provided so that an external recorder may record the outputs of the thermocouple.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the position of an electrode in relation to the upper surface of a body of molten glass in an arc glass-melting furnace comprising providing an alternating current of constant effective magnitude to the electrode, sensing the effective voltage supplied to the electrode, determining if the sensed voltage is within a predetermined range of voltages, and modifying the position of the electrode if the sensed voltage is not within the predetermined range of voltages.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous compensation of a plurality of thermocouple signals where the thermocouple leads are terminated to dissimilar metals without using individual ice junctions for compensation of each thermocouple signal is disclosed. The thermocouple leads are all terminated to individual connectors as reference junctions which are held at the same temperature by a block of metal which stabilizes thermally with its environment. The temperature of the metal block is measured by an integrated circuit temperature transducer which produces an analog electrical signal proportional to the temperature detected. This signal is digitized and a microprocessor calculates the temperature of the metal block which is placed on a first data bus. Additional microprocessors are connected to the individual thermocouple leads. These microprocessors convert the thermocouple signals into an uncorrected digital temperature.

Abstract: The purpose of this monitor is to detect a failure in either the computer or the monitor itself. The computer supplies an output to the monitor which toggles at a preselected first frequency. The monitor includes a mechanism for sensing if the output of the computer is toggling at a frequency outside a preselected range of frequencies. A test circuit generates periodic test pulses and a clock circuit generates timing pulses. A latching mechanism changes from a first state to a second state in response to the sensing mechanism sensing that the first frequency of the computer is outside said preselected range. A bistable mechanism is coupled to the latching mechanism and generates a second frequency only if the latch mechanism is in its first state and if the test pulses and timing pulses are present at the bistable mechanism. The failure of the monitor to generate the second frequency indicates a failure of the computer or the monitor.

Abstract: A frame for being seated upon the fabric carries first and second spaced apart sensors capable of detecting the leading front of an acceleration wave as it passes each sensor. The first and second sensors each have an output, responsive to the presence of the acceleration wave, which can be coupled to a timer for measuring the time of flight of the acceleration wave between the two sensors. The velocity of the acceleration wave being determined by dividing the time of flight by the distance separating the sensors. An acceleration wave generating mechanism may also be carried by the frame and can include a solenoid oriented so that its armature impacts the fabric perpendicular thereto. Preferably the solenoid is energized by a pulse controlled by a solenoid energizing circuit. A noise immunity circuit connected to the sensors aids in discriminating against noise and transients.