Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for positioning a plurality of reinforcement strands including a spliced reinforcement strand in a desired spatial relationship prior to a forming die. The process comprises the steps of: positioning a plurality of uninterrupted reinforcement strands moving toward a forming die so that the uninterrupted strands extend from a first location upstream of the forming die to the forming die in a space-apart converging configuration; and positioning at least one spliced reinforcement strand so that it extends generally centrally through the center of the converging configuration of the uninterrupted strands. The apparatus comprises first and second guide structures.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for positioning a plurality of reinforcement strands including a spliced reinforcement strand in a desired spatial relationship prior to a forming die. The process comprises the steps of: positioning a plurality of uninterrupted reinforcement strands moving toward a forming die so that the uninterrupted strands extend from a first location upstream of the forming die to the forming die in a space-apart converging configuration; and positioning at least one spliced reinforcement strand so that it extends generally centrally through the center of the converging configuration of the uninterrupted strands. The apparatus comprises first and second guide structures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making electrical resistance measurements of individual powered electrodes within a glass heating furnace is disclosed. The powered electrodes are energized in pairs with electrical power supplied at a relatively low frequency, causing electrical currents flow between the pairs of powered electrodes through a pool of molten glass so as to generate heat therein. A single reference electrode is also provided within the furnace. Each of the powered electrodes is sequentially paired with the reference electrode to permit voltage and current measurements to be made. To accomplish such measurements, a relatively small high frequency electrical signal is supplied to the powered electrode, in addition to the relatively low frequency heating power supplied thereto. As a result, a measurement current flows between the selected powered electrode and the reference electrode.

Abstract: A bushing balance controller senses the temperature of each section of a multiple section glass fiber forming bushing by thermocouples or resistance (voltage drop) measuring techniques and injects electrical energy to all but one of the individual bushing sections and adjusts the supply of electrical energy to the entire bushing assembly thereby controlling the temperature of each individual section of the bushing. When thermocouples sensors are utilized, standard thermocouple driven temperature controllers may be utilized to provide a signal to a plurality of power packs, a primary power pack providing electrical energy to the entire bushing and smaller power packs controlling the injection of electrical energy to all but one of the bushing segments. A similar power pack and bushing control scheme accompanies the use of resistance (voltage drop) measurement techniques.