Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for automatically and remotely detecting and indicating when any filament breaks out or other discontinuity occurs in the process of attenuating streams of filament-forming material, such as glass, into filaments and wherein a break-out or discontinuity results in an accumulation or collection of the material or glass at the region of the break-out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting strand are provided comprising: supplying a first strand segment; rotating a member to collect the first strand on the member; varying the speed of the rotatable member according to a predetermined pattern; sensing the absence of the first strand being wound around the member to identify a reference point in the pattern at the incidence of sensing the absence of the first strand; supplying a second strand segment to the member; initiating collection of the second strand upon the member having the first strand segment thereon substantially at a speed substantially corresponding to the reference point in the pattern; and continuing to rotate the member according to the pattern subsequent to the reference point to wind the second strand segment therearound.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing mineral fibers by low pressure air fiberization having a housing defining a substantially toroidal air chamber and having a substantially circular central opening, an annular slot provided around the central opening having an annular shroud affixed to the housing at the outer edge of the annular slot for confining and directing the primary jet leaving the annular slot and enabling it to be more efficiently utilized in fiberizing the mineral fibers. A cup-form spinner is mounted on a substantially horizontally oriented shaft arranged to be rotated. The spinner is mounted in front of the forward wall of the plenum and with the open end facing the forward wall. A duct is provided to direct molten slag into the spinning cup which ejects the molten slag into an air stream directed from the annular slot of the chamber and the shroud, thereby producing mineral fiber of excellent quality and in greater yield than results when the shroud is not utilized.

Abstract: A laminated wall for a feeder for supplying streams of molten glass to be attenuated into filaments is provided comprising: a refractory metal core having an oxygen impervious, precious metal sheath intimately bonded thereto by hot isostatic pressing to form a laminate, said laminate having at least one aperture extending therethrough adapted to permit said molten material to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminated wall for a feeder for supplying molten streams of glass to be attenuated into filaments comprising: providing a refractory metal core; providing oxygen impervious, precious metal sheathing material around said core, said sheathing material and said core having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; inserting oxygen impervious, precious metal elements into said apertures to form a loose assembly; and hot isostatically pressing said assembly to form said laminated wall having an oxygen impervious, precious metal sheath and inserts intimately bonded thereto.

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 reciprocating traversing apparatus discharges material onto, inspects marks, or cleans a device that it is traversing is provided that has reduced requirements for a driving motor, and has smoother traversing motion. A traversing mechanism has a driving motor with horsepower and torque requirements to maintain operational speed of the reversible traversing mechanism. The driving force to overcome inertia of the traversing mechanism when it reverses to traverse in the opposite direction is provided by a gas cylinder with extending arm. The traversing mechanism moving in a track has a gas cylinder at each end of the track. The extended arm of the cylinder engages the mechanism as it approaches one end of its traverse. The arm is depressed, and when the motor reverses the arm is extended by gas pressure to its original position. By the extension the arm accelerates the mechanism up to is operational speed.

Abstract: A method of controllably varying the dimensions of cavitated objects such as hollow spherical shells wherein a precursor shell is heated to a temperature above the shell softening temperature in an ambient atmosphere wherein the ratio of gases which are permeable through the shell wall at that temperature to gases which are impermeable through the shell wall is substantially greater than the corresponding ratio for gases contained within the precursor shell. As the shell expands, the partial pressures of permeable gases internally and externally of the shell approach and achieve equilibrium, so that the final shell size depends solely upon the difference in impermeable gas partial pressures and shell surface tension.

Abstract: The bushing (10) has a plurality of hollow bushing branches (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) open to and extending radially from a central supply space (10e), resulting in better temperature control compared to a rectangular bushing with the same number of holes.

Abstract: In a process for the production of mineral wool fibers according to the jet blast process, comprising issuing at least one melt stream from at least one opening in the base of a melting crucible into a converging-diverging drawing nozzle, flowing a gaseous blasting medium into the nozzle substantially parallel to the melt stream so as to separate the melt stream into fibers, the blasting medium being drawn into the nozzle by suction due to a drop in pressure produced between the nozzle inlet and outlet, and passing the fibers and sent blasting gas into a diffuser connected downstream of the nozzle to reduce the gas rate of flow, the improvements which comprise effecting(a) a maximum drop pressure in the inlet of the drawing nozzle;(b) a minimum drop pressure in the diverging portion of the drawing nozzle over a maximum length without separation (transition) of the laminar boundary layer;(c) the subsequent pressure conversion initially with a shock at a constant cross-section of the drawing nozzle and subseque

Abstract: An oval cooling tube for the central portion of a fiberizing bushing having a plurality of parallel cooling fins attached to the sides thereof.

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 fin cooler particularly suited for use with a high pressure glass fiber forming bushing is disclosed. The fin cooler is structured to provide support for the tip plate of the bushing so that sag or creep of the tip plate which occurs due to the pressure and temperatures at which the tip plate operates, is substantially reduced. The fin cooler is provided with a cooling water conduit and an air distribution chamber. The cooling water serves to remove heat from the fins during operation of the bushing and that air flow from the chamber may be used to provide cooling when the bushing is shut down, or as needed during operation, the air flow maintaining the attenuating zone i.e. the tip plate and surrounding area at a desired temperature.

Abstract: Process for the production of silica fibers of the type in which alkali water glass is dry spun into water-containing alkali silicate fibers which are then contacted with solutions containing hydrogen ions for transforming into silica fibers, the improvement being dry-spinning glass free from non-alkaline compounds having a molar ratio of alkaline oxide to silic dry dioxide of from about 1:3 to 1:1.9 and a viscosity of about 10-700 Pa measured at 30.degree. C., at 10.degree.-50.degree. C. in a drying funnel of a temperature of more than 100.degree. C., at a discharge velocity of minimum 5 m/min.

Abstract: Process for the production of water containing water glass fibers of the type in which alkali water glass is dry spun into water containing fibers, the improvement being dry-spinning water glass free from non-alkaline compounds having a molar ratio of alkaline oxide to silicon dioxide of from about 1:3 to 1:1.9 and a viscosity of about 10-700 Pa measured at 30.degree. C., at 10.degree.-50.degree. C. in a drying funnel of a temperature of more than 100.degree. C., at a discharge velocity of minimum 5m/min.

Abstract: A self-centering device supports a generally cylindrically shaped workpiece. A pair of parallel, substantially horizontal shares are mounted within a mounting frame and traverse an opening therewithin. A pair of rolling bearings are adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the two shafts, respectively, with a first connecting rod coupled to the two bearings, so that the resulting rod and bearings can be reciprocated in the direction parallel to the axes of the shafts. In similar fashion, two other rolling bearings are adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the shafts, respectively, with a second connecting rod coupled to the latter bearings so that the resulting rod and latter bearing combinations can be reciprocated in the direction parallel to the axes of the shafts. A first connecting rod bearing is adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the first connecting rod. A second connecting rod bearing is adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the second connecting rod.

Abstract: A method of preheating glass batch pellets in which a controlled first stream of hot gases is employed to predry pellets and a second stream of hot gases is employed to preheat the pellets and in which the two streams are combined and withdrawn from the system.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softened glass wherein a body of refractory has a cavity containing heat-softened glass and a floor construction associated with the body of refractory. The floor construction includes platinum alloy means having rows of orifices for flowing glass streams from the glass in the cavity in the refractory body and members of refractory associated with the platinum alloy means disposed between regions of certain of the rows of stream flow orifices.

Abstract: A pellet preheat hopper is disclosed, the hopper being equipped with agitator means proximately coincident with the upper operating pellet level to break up pellet encrustation.

Abstract: A high pressure glass fiber forming bushing and cooperating fin cooler assembly are disclosed. The bushing is provided with a corrugated tip plate which carries the nozzles or tips through which the glass fiber is forced by a pump or other pressure creating means. Additionally, the tip plate is provided with recesses which extend across the tip plate transversely to the corrugations. A cooperating fin cooler is secured beneath the tip plate to cool the filaments and to provide support for the tip plate. The fins of the fin cooler are arranged parallel to the corrugations in the tip plate. A plurality of ceramic rods are carried by the fin cooler and extend transversely to the fins and coincident with the recesses in the tip plate. These ceramic rods are received in the recesses to provide support for the tip plate.