Abstract: In a process for shaping a gob in order to obtain a hollow glass article by means of an electronically-regulated and hydraulically-propelled level, the process of shaping the gob into a rough or finished product is rationally effected in a predefinable and in particular precisely reproducible manner by the fact that an electro-hydraulic servo-drive is used as a means for driving the level, and that the latter, during at least the practically total performance of the movement, is adjusted in position by means of a closed position-regulating circuit. In a device suited for this purpose the drive device of the level consists of an electro-hydraulic servo-drive and an electronic position-adjusting device for the at least approximately total movement of the level. Preferably the movement of the level in the glass article is also effected at a regulated speed and, ideally, the shaping stage is completed by a pressure-regulated forward movement of the level.

Abstract: A strand deflector used in the manufacture of continuous strands is shown and described. The deflector comprises a rigid surface which stretches across the width of the mat making machine and which is interposed between the strand feeders located above it and the mat making surface so that the strands fed toward the surface must deflect from the deflector surface before they are collected on the mat making surface. The deflector surface is adjustable in the vertical direction and the angle of deflection with respect to the flow of strand from the feeder may also be changed to any desired value.

Abstract: Heavy metal fluoride glasses are made by a process that requires high purity fluoride constituent compounds, some of which are further refined by sublimation. Handling occurs in a protective atmosphere such as argon. The charge is placed in a sealed modified optical growth furnace having the ability of atmosphere control, heat control and position control of the charge. The charge is firstly raised to its fusion temperature, then to an admixture temperature, and finally to a higher temperature. The charge is immediately removed from the heating source and quickly cooled through the critical crystallization region. The total heating and cooling time being about one to two hours. The resulting glass ingot is partially annealed. The HMFG of (Zr or Hf)F.sub.4 -BaF.sub.2 -LaF.sub.3 -AlF.sub.2 consistently exhibits low levels of both light scattering and bulk OH contact, along with very reproducible hardness, thermal parameters, and UV and IR edge absorption behavior.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an optical fiber by drawing a preform whose fabrication involves deposition of a glass on a substrate by means of a chemical reaction between gaseous reagents. According to the disclosed method, accurately controlled amounts of a gaseous reagent are produced by flash evaporating a metered flow of a liquid reagent. The disclosed method is of particular interest for the industrial production of optical fibers.

Abstract: Two mould portion carriers (14,16) are supported for pivoting movement about a column (12). Two cooling passages (44,48) pass through the column and each is connected to a passage (56,96) in one of the carriers. Each passage (56,96) in a carrier is connected to passages (82,84,86,88) in a mould portion (18) supported by the carrier (14,16) so that air under pressure supplied to the passages (44,48) in the column (12) is supplied to the passages in the mould portion to cool the mould portion. The air supply to each of the passages in the column is controllable independently so that the air supply to each mould portion is independent.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing and collecting continuous glass filaments is provided comprising: feeder means for supplying a plurality of streams of molten glass to be drawn into filaments; means for applying a liquid to said filaments; a rotatable member adapted to wind said filaments in layers therearound and to draw said streams into said filaments; distribution means for supplying a plurality of streams of gas to at least partially dry the filaments wound around said member, said streams being directed into contact with the layers along the length thereof and over a portion of the arcuate periphery of the layers; and collection means for removing the moisture containing air from around the periphery of said layers of filaments, said collection means extending along the length of said layers and over a portion of the arcuate periphery of the layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device for the sectioning of a liquid glass strand into individual fragment (gobs) to be further processed into hollow glass articles. In order to achieve a trouble-free cutting process as well as a relatively small mass of the parts moved during the cutting, combined with an increase in the production rate, the invention proposes a cutting device having a housing (2) in which a cutting unit (3) is formed by several partially overlapping cutting elements (4) disposed around the glass strand (5) which are rotatably journaled at one of their ends and connected to the planet gears 7 of a planetary gearing whose outer ring gear (8) is connected with a drive. The cutting edges of the cutting elements (4) are of curved shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming fibers from thermo-plastic material that can be liquified and drawn into elongated filaments that are subsequently cooled to form the fibers is shown wherein the system automatically accomplishes the substantially instantaneous rebirth of a fiber forming filament if there should be a breakage of any filament during an otherwise normal production run.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of thermoplastic mineral fibers is disclosed.A bushing base is formed by a flat plate in which a multitude of conduits are arranged. The upper ends of the conduits open toward the inside of the bushing and their lower ends toward a multitude of small alveoles, each alveole being in communication with the inside of the bushing by means of one of the said conduits. A continuous flat wall closes the base of each alveole, the said wall being perforated by several orifices forming a grouping of orifices.

Abstract: A feeding device has the object to ensure the supply of a continuously flowing glass strand and to divide it into predetermined gobs thus establishing the weight of the individual gob and thereafter to proceed with the final sectioning. It is known to activate the drives of the moving mechanical parts of such a feeding device by compressed air. Because of the compressibility of the air, and depending, among others, on the length of the piping, its clear cross section and the prevailing air pressure, an accurate control is not possible, especially when the masses to be moved are large. In order to avoid these disadvantages, the invention makes use of hydraulic piston units for the drive of the translatory movement of the stopper and of the pipe and the use of a hydraulic rotary piston for the rotational movement of the cutting device. The turning movement of the pipe is achieved through a hydraulic rotary piston.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for forming fibers from attenuable materials, such as molten glass, by attenuating streams of glass from the bottom of a bushing wherein the bottom has downwardly presented wall portions at upper and lower levels. According to the disclosure the upper or lower wall portions are formed into series of bosses, each having a multiplicity of orifices in the lower ball portions. Bosses with alveoles are disclosed. Filamentary material is manufactured by drawing at least one filament from each boss independently of each other boss or from separate fiber forming regions in each boss regardless of whether or not the material has flooded the bottom surface of any boss. Embodiments with one alveole per boss or plural alveoles per boss are disclosed. Where plural alveoles per boss are provided, shallow transverse grooves in the lower wall portions of the bosses may be used to separate the orifices of one alveole from the orifices of adjacent alveoles.

Abstract: The high velocity gradients associated with the shear layer or boundary layer of a supersonic gas stream, especially the potential core thereof, are applied to form fibers of a melted material projected across such gradients. Optimization of the effects of such gradients is sought by sustaining the magnitude of the gradients as long as possible by minimizing shear layer growth rate and/or stabilizing the rate of vortex formation, and by synchronizing the rate of projection of melt with the rate of vortex production. Provisions such as vortex triggering or density loading are made for reducing the shear layer growth rate. Provisions are also made for intermittently feeding melt at a rate synchronized with the rate of vortex formation. Provisions for regulating the temperature in the shear layer are made such as appropriately controlling stagnation gas temperature, causing an exothermal reaction within the gas stream, or causing combustion of the gas stream within an oxygen containing fiberization chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing a mat of continuous glass filaments at increased throughput while maintaining desirable tensile strength characteristics by means of a fluidic distribution system employing diagonally opposed Coanda effect surfaces having extensions therefrom.

Abstract: An aqueous sizing composition with a cationic lubricant, amide compound, and water soluble or dispersible polyol which is used to produce wet chopped sized glass fiber strands. The sized wet or dried chopped glass fiber strands can be used to produce non-woven glass fiber strand mat, having good tensile strength, and good flexibility and reduced tendency for static generation. The wet chopped glass fiber strands also have good flowability in bulk handling apparatus.

Abstract: A method of making complex shaped (e.g. having curved surfaces or walls) fiber reinforced glass matrix composites by injection molding is described. The injection molding can take place by heating and injecting a mixture of glass powder and chopped fibers or whiskers directly into the mold, or a billet of glass matrix material containing the chopped fibers or whiskers made with a density approximately equal to the density of the final composite can be prepared first. In one embodiment the billet is formed by admixing a polymeric binder, glass powder, and a carrier liquid with the reinforcing fibers, drying the mixture, cold pressing the mixture to less than its original volume, and hot pressing to the density desired in the final product. Either the glass powder-chopped fiber or whisker combination or the formed billet is next placed in the injection molding apparatus where it is heated at least to the softening point of the matrix glass and injected into the predetermined mold shape.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, multiple silicon nitride parts are encapsulated within a single capsule for the pressing operation. Suitable spacers placed between the parts ease separation thereof after sintering.

Abstract: A method of removing coatings from glass fibers in which the fibers are introduced into a bed fluidized by a gas at elevated temperatures, the gas converting the coatings to substances which leave the bed with the gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a laminated pack of mineral fibers comprising two sections, each having a forming conveyor, a plurality of sources of mineral fibers positioned to successively deposit the fibers onto the forming conveyor to form a layer of fibers, vacuum means to provide suction to the fibers through the forming conveyor, the suction being sufficient to force substantially all of the fibers down onto the forming conveyor, thereby crushing the bottom portion of the layer and forming a bottom surface which is smooth relative to the top surface, and means for joining the top surfaces of the layer formed in each section by diverting each layer downwardly while maintaining the suction on the layers to produce a laminated pack having as its outer surfaces the bottom surfaces of each of the two layers.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, silicon nitride preforms are assembled in a stack with spacers between the preforms. The stack is completely enveloped in refractory metal foil and then encapsulated within a single capsule for the pressing operation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, silicon nitride preforms are assembled in a stack with spacers between the preforms. A plurality of such stacks are inserted in a glass tube closed at one end. The glass is melted around each stack to encapsulate each stack in a single sealed capsule.