Abstract: A method for producing fused silica including pre-heating silica sand by passing the silica sand through a gas flame, distributing the pre-heated silica sand to a furnace having an internal temperature of about 1,713° C. or greater to form molten fused silica, and cooling the molten fused silica by flowing the molten silica from the furnace into a water bath to produce fused silica particulates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a bushing assembly of the type wherein glass fibers are drawn through an orifice plate having a flat undersurface against which bulk gas is directed to effect cooling and fiber attentuation. A selectively adjustable bulk gas nozzle has a plurality of discharge conduits with valves therein which are adjustable and capable of being selectively operated to close the conduits or return the conduits to a preset open condition. The nozzle and/or a binder applicator are supported for select movement toward and away from the path of the fiber being drawn from the orifice plate. A detector senses the presence of fiber being drawn from the orifice plate and, in the event of fiber break-out, initiates a series of steps to warn the operator of the bushing assembly and, in the event the break-out condition is not corrected, shut down the drawing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a bushing assembly of the type wherein glass fibers are drawn through an orifice plate having a flat undersurface against which bulk gas is directed to effect cooling and fiber attentuation. A selectively adjustable bulk gas nozzle has a plurality of discharge conduits with valves therein which are adjustable and capable of being selectively operated to close the conduits or return the conduits to a preset open condition. Mounting means supports the nozzle and/or a binder applicator for select movement toward and away from the path of fiber being drawn from the orifice plate. A detector senses the presence of fiber being drawn from the orifice plate and, in the event of fiber break-out, initiates a series of steps to warn the operator of the bushing assembly and, in the event the break-out condition is not corrected, shut down the drawing operation.

Abstract: A precision winder having a traverse mounted in a fixed position and a spindle mounted for rectilinear movement away from the traverse in response to the growth of a package being formed on the spindle. The spindle is driven by a D.C. motor and a D.C. speed control is provided to control the speed of the motor in response to movement of the spindle away from the traverse. The main control potentiometer for the speed control is linear and adjusted in response to movement of the spindle away from the traverse by a cam proportioned to effect non-linear adjustment of the potentiometer at a rate proportional to the decrease in spindle speed required to maintain drawing speed constant as the package grows.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a bushing assembly of the type wherein glass fibers are drawn through an orifice plate having a flat undersurface against which bulk gas is directed to effect cooling and fiber attentuation. A selectively adjustable bulk gas nozzle has a plurality of discharge conduits with valves therein which are adjustable and capable of being selectively operated to close the conduits or return the conduits to a preset open condition. Mounting means supports the nozzle and/or a binder applicator for select movement toward and away from the path of fiber being drawn from the orifice plate. A detector senses the presence of fiber being drawn from the orifice plate and, in the event of fiber break-out, initiates a series of steps to warn the operator of the bushing assembly and, in the event the break-out condition is not corrected, shut down the drawing operation.

Abstract: A winder for directly drawing glass fibers and the like to form a precision wound package. The winder employs a traverse mounted in a fixed position and a spindle mounted in parallel relationship to the traverse for movement toward and away therefrom in a rectilinear path extending normal to the traverse. A sensor is provided to sense the distance between the traverse and a package of windings on the spindle, and motion imparting means for the spindle is associated with the sensor and the spindle to move the spindle relative to the traverse to maintain a substantially constant distance between the traverse and the package. As a result of the fixed position of the traverse and the constant distance maintained between the package and the traverse, the angle at which fibers are drawn onto the spindle is also maintained constant.

Abstract: An orifice plate for use in a drawing assembly of the type wherein the plate has a flat undersurface devoid of nozzles, and bulk gas is directed toward the undersurface to cool fibers being drawn through the plate. The plate is characterized in that the orifices therein are arranged in sets with the orifices in the respective sets so spaced relative to one another that, in the event of the breakage of a fiber being drawn from one of the orifices of a set, the glass supplied to the orifice will flood to and join the other of the orifices in the set prior to flooding to the orifices of other sets.

Abstract: A flow block and bushing assembly employing an orifice plate having a perforated drawing area with a planar undersurface against which bulk gas flow is directed for cooling and fiber attenuation purposes. The flow block is comprised of an interior layer of highly glass corrosion resistant material, such as zircon, and an exterior layer of highly thermal shock-resistant material. A flow passage extends through both of said layers and is lined with platinum foil. The bushing assembly is removably secured beneath the flow block and comprises a body of refractory material having a flow chamber extending therethrough in alignment with the flow passage. The flow chamber is lined with a platinum foil lining and the orifice plate is joined to the lining and extends over the lower end of the chamber.

Abstract: A control system for use in combination with a bushing assembly of the type wherein glass fibers are drawn through an orifice plate having a flat undersurface against which bulk gas is directed to effect cooling and fiber attentuation. The system controls operation in the event of fiber "break out," by lowering the temperature of the bushing assembly, increasing the rate of flow of bulk gas against the orifice plate, controlling the drawing action of the collet used to draw fibers from the plate, and spraying cooling water against the fibers being drawn from the plate. Control is effected through means of a common main control unit and manual controls are provided to permit operation of the control system to selectively control the operating mode of the system and increase the bulk flow of gas for orifice plate clearing purposes.

Abstract: An orifice plate for use in a drawing assembly of the type wherein the plate has a flat undersurface devoid of nozzles, and bulk gas is directed toward the undersurfaces to cool fibers being drawn through the plate. The plate is characterized in that the orifices therein are arranged in sets with the orifices in the respective sets so spaced relative to one another that, in the event of the breakage of a fiber being drawn from one of the orifices of a set, the glass supplied to the orifice will flood to and join the other of the orifices in the set prior to flooding to the orifices of other sets.