Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die (120) includes a die body (302) including an inlet face (306) and an exit face. The die body (302) has slot inlets (309) and a plurality of pins (320, 500) disposed between the slot inlets (309) and the exit face. The plurality of pins (320, 500) include side surfaces (322, 500B) configured to define a matrix of intersecting slots (324), wherein the matrix of intersecting slots (324) has slot exit (509) widths at the exit face. Divots (526) extend into a plurality of the side surfaces (322, 500B) between the slot inlets (309) and the exit face. Each individual divot (526) has a divot depth (D55) extending into a side surface (500A, 500B, 502A, 502B) of the side surfaces (322, 500B). A ratio between a slot exit width (W53) W53 of an individual slot (324) and the divot depth (D55) of an individual divot (526) extending into a side surface (500A, 500B, 502A, 502B) of the individual slot (324) is greater than 1.2.

Abstract: Methods of depositing an inorganic material on an extrusion die including positioning an extrusion die within a vapor deposition chamber, positioning an impedance disk over a face of the extrusion die, the impedance disk having a plurality of through holes and the face of the extrusion die having a plurality of slots defined by a plurality of extrusion die pins, and flowing one or more deposition gases through the plurality of through holes and into the plurality of slots to deposit inorganic particles on side walls of the plurality of pins. The total impedance to the flow of the deposition gases across the impedance disk and the extrusion die may be equal to a disk impedance of the impedance disk plus a die impedance of the extrusion die, and the disk impedance may be at least 40% of the total impedance to the flow of the deposition gases.

Abstract: A cleaning nozzle includes an outer housing having a central axis and an inner surface that defines an outer housing interior. An inner housing resides within the outer housing interior along the central axis and has an inner surface that defines an inner flow channel. The inner flow channel supports flow of the cleaning fluid and has a converging taper and a flow disrupter element. The nozzle assembly may include an adapter that receives a front end of the nozzle and that also holds a ferrule that supports an optical fiber having an end face. The nozzle assembly allows the nozzle to direct a jet stream of cleaning fluid to the ferrule end face and the fiber end face. The flow disrupter causes the jet stream to have a time-varying direction that enhances the cleaning of the ferrule end face and the optical fiber end face.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die body (401) including inlet (414) and exit (402) faces, and a plurality of pins (406) on the exit face (402) defining a matrix of intersecting wide slots (425) and narrow slots (427). The wide slots (425) have an exit width (W1) greater than an exit width (W2) of the narrow slots (427). The die body (401) further includes feedholes (422) at the inlet face (414) and intersecting with inlet portions (416) to the wide slots (425) and/or the narrow slots (427). Some of the pins (406) defining the wide slots (425) include a first surface indentation feature (430) that is (i) located between the inlet portion (416) and the wide slot exit and (ii) spaced away from the wide slot exit. Some of the pins (406) defining the narrow slots (427) include a second surface indentation feature (434) that is (i) located between the inlet portion and the narrow slot exit and (ii) spaced away from the narrow slot exit.

Abstract: An assembly provides electrical current to molten glass in a glass melting tank. The assembly includes a structure having an electrode that is in contact with the molten glass, and a fluid-cooled connection apparatus. The fluid-cooled connection apparatus includes a first connection element electrically connected to a current source and a second connection element electrically connected to the current source, where the first and second connection elements are spaced apart from each other; and an electrical cross-connect strut having a first end secured to the first connection element and a second end secured to the second connection element. The assembly also includes a bus bar electrically connected to the fluid-cooled connection apparatus and to an electrode. The current source provides a current to the molten glass via the structure and the electrode for heating the molten glass through resistive heating.

Abstract: Methods of depositing an inorganic material on an extrusion die including positioning an extrusion die within a vapor deposition chamber, positioning an impedance disk over a face of the extrusion die, the impedance disk having a plurality of through holes and the face of the extrusion die having a plurality of slots defined by a plurality of extrusion die pins, and flowing one or more deposition gases through the plurality of through holes and into the plurality of slots to deposit inorganic particles on side walls of the plurality of pins. The total impedance to the flow of the deposition gases across the impedance disk and the extrusion die may be equal to a disk impedance of the impedance disk plus a die impedance of the extrusion die, and the disk impedance may be at least 40% of the total impedance to the flow of the deposition gases.

Abstract: The apparatus for non-contact damping vibration of a vibrating optical fiber moving over an optical fiber path includes an air bearing and an air supply. The air bearing includes a body having an aperture defined by an inner surface and a central axis that passes through the center of the aperture and along which lies the optical fiber path. A plurality of nozzles is distributed around the inner surface and directed toward the central axis. An air conduit within the body is in pneumatic communication with the plurality of nozzles. The air supply is pneumatically connected to the air conduit and is configured to supply pressurized air to the air bearing. The pressurized air is directed through the nozzles to the vibrating optical fiber and impinges on the optical fiber to damp the vibration of the vibrating optical fiber.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die (120) includes a die body (302) including an inlet face (306) and an exit face. The die body (302) has slot inlets (309) and a plurality of pins (320, 500) disposed between the slot inlets (309) and the exit face. The plurality of pins (320, 500) include side surfaces (322, 500B) configured to define a matrix of intersecting slots (324), wherein the matrix of intersecting slots (324) has slot exit (509) widths at the exit face. Divots (526) extend into a plurality of the side surfaces (322, 500B) between the slot inlets (309) and the exit face. Each individual divot (526) has a divot san depth (D55) extending into a side surface (500A, 500B, 502A, 502B) of the side surfaces (322, 500B). A ratio between a slot exit width (W53) W53 of an individual slot (324) and the divot depth (D55) of an individual divot (526) extending into a side surface (500A, 500B, 502A, 502B) of the individual slot (324) is greater than 1.2.

Abstract: A cleaning nozzle includes an outer housing having a central axis and an inner surface that defines an outer housing interior. An inner housing resides within the outer housing interior along the central axis and has an inner surface that defines an inner flow channel. The inner flow channel supports flow of the cleaning fluid and has a converging taper and a flow disrupter element. The nozzle assembly may include an adapter that receives a front end of the nozzle and that also holds a ferrule that supports an optical fiber having an end face. The nozzle assembly allows the nozzle to direct a jet stream of cleaning fluid to the ferrule end face and the fiber end face. The flow disrupter causes the jet stream to have a time-varying direction that enhances the cleaning of the ferrule end face and the optical fiber end face.

Abstract: A cleaning nozzle includes an outer housing having a central axis and an inner surface that defines an outer housing interior. An inner housing resides within the outer housing interior along the central axis and has an inner surface that defines an inner flow channel. The inner flow channel supports flow of the cleaning fluid and has a converging taper and a flow disrupter element. The nozzle assembly may include an adapter that receives a front end of the nozzle and that also holds a ferrule that supports an optical fiber having an end face. The nozzle assembly allows the nozzle to direct a jet stream of cleaning fluid to the ferrule end face and the fiber end face. The flow disrupter causes the jet stream to have a time-varying direction that enhances the cleaning of the ferrule end face and the optical fiber end face.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of making molten glass. The apparatus includes a glass former having a slot orifice design to deliver a glass ribbon. The slot orifice design can include a transition section, a slot extension, and external structural reinforcements. In some embodiments, the orifice opening distance of the slot extension varies along the width of the orifice. In some embodiments, the orifice has an orifice opening distance that is smaller at the center of the slot extension than at the edges of the slot extension, which limits glass flow at the center of the slot extension. Also disclosed is a method of making glass using the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die body (401) including inlet (414) and exit (402) faces, and a plurality of pins (406) on the exit face (402) defining a matrix of intersecting wide slots (425) and narrow slots (427). The wide slots (425) have an exit width (W1) greater than an exit width (W2) of the narrow slots (427). The die body (401) further includes feedholes (422) at the inlet face (414) and intersecting with inlet portions (416) to the wide slots (425) and/or the narrow slots (427). Some of the pins (406) defining the wide slots (425) include a first surface indentation feature (430) that is (i) located between the inlet portion (416) and the wide slot exit and (ii) spaced away from the wide slot exit. Some of the pins (406) defining the narrow slots (427) include a second surface indentation feature (434) that is (i) located between the inlet portion and the narrow slot exit and (ii) spaced away from the narrow slot exit.

Abstract: The apparatus for non-contact damping vibration of a vibrating optical fiber moving over an optical fiber path includes an air bearing and an air supply. The air bearing includes a body having an aperture defined by an inner surface and a central axis that passes through the center of the aperture and along which lies the optical fiber path. A plurality of nozzles is distributed around the inner surface and directed toward the central axis. An air conduit within the body is in pneumatic communication with the plurality of nozzles. The air supply is pneumatically connected to the air conduit and is configured to supply pressurized air to the air bearing. The pressurized air is directed through the nozzles to the vibrating optical fiber and impinges on the optical fiber to damp the vibration of the vibrating optical fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of making molten glass. The apparatus includes a glass former having a slot orifice design to deliver a glass ribbon. The slot orifice design can include a transition section, a slot extension, and external structural reinforcements. In some embodiments, the orifice opening distance of the slot extension varies along the width of the orifice. In some embodiments, the orifice has an orifice opening distance that is smaller at the center of the slot extension than at the edges of the slot extension, which limits glass flow at the center of the slot extension. Also disclosed is a method of making glass using the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning nozzle includes an outer housing having a central axis and an inner surface that defines an outer housing interior. An inner housing resides within the outer housing interior along the central axis and has an inner surface that defines an inner flow channel. The inner flow channel supports flow of the cleaning fluid and has a converging taper and a flow disrupter element. The nozzle assembly may include an adapter that receives a front end of the nozzle and that also holds a ferrule that supports an optical fiber having an end face. The nozzle assembly allows the nozzle to direct a jet stream of cleaning fluid to the ferrule end face and the fiber end face. The flow disrupter causes the jet stream to have a time-varying direction that enhances the cleaning of the ferrule end face and the optical fiber end face.