GB925185A - Method and apparatus for forming fibres of heat softenable mineral material such as glass - Google Patents

Abstract

925,185. Glass fibre manufacture. OWENCORNING FIBERGLAS CORPORATION. Jan. 12, 1962, No. 1294/62. Class 56. Apparatus for forming fibres of glass or other heat-softenable mineral material comprises means for feeding spaced groups of streams of the heat-softened material downwardly from a supply into stream receiving passages formed in a blower disposed adjacent and beneath the means for feeding the streams, a stream receiving passage for each group of streams and the blower having chambers from which gas under pressure is discharged as high-velocity blasts into each passage through vertically spaced orifices formed in opposite walls of each passage, and means for preventing the flow of air into each passage from the side of the passage in which the uppermost orifice is formed. Molten glass, contained in an electrically heated feeder 14 fitted with a screen 21, Fig. 3, is fed through two rows of tips 18 and 20 into passages 84 where it is blasted by high-velocity steam or other gases issuing through nozzle orifices 88 and 92. The two rows of tips 18 and 20 may be replaced by two double rows. In another embodiment, Fig. 7, baffles 160 and 168 are used for controlling and redirecting the flow of blast induced air. The portion of this induced air passing through passages 170 cools the streams of glass in the region of the tips 18<SP>1</SP> and 20<SP>1</SP>. Alternative forms of baffles comprise wedges 180, Fig. 8, and abutments 190, Fig. 9. After blasting, the streams pass into a fibre forming hood fitted with applicators for spraying binder or coating material on to the fibres and at the bottom of which hood there is a reticulated pervious endless belt conveyer with a suction chamber immediately below.