GB939280A - Method and apparatus for forming fibres of glass and like heat softenable materials - Google Patents

Abstract

939,280. Glass fibre manufacture. OWENS CORNING FIBER-GLAS CORPORATION. Dec. 21, 1961, No. 45868/61. Class 56. Apparatus for forming glass and like fibres comprising a generally cylindrical centrifuge mounted for rotation and having a plurality of stream forming orifices in its periphery, includes a high output heater comprising an annular refractory element extending circumferentially around the centrifuge at a level above the uppermost orifices and having a generally concave surface directed towards and at least partially exposed in line of sight to the periphery of the centrifuge and a combustible gas supply manifold with means for feeding the gases for combustion along the concave surface of the element. As shown in Fig. 3, the centrifuge 60, mounted on a rotary shaft 63 by an upper slanting wall 61 and having orifices 67 in a peripheral wall 62, gives streams of glass 66 which are attenuated into fine fibres by gas blast from a manifold 64 with downwardly directed nozzle 65. Induced air is also drawn downwardly, as shown by arrows, between the nozzle 65 and a control ring 76. The shaft 63 is cooled by a jacket 74 and protected from the heat and gases by an inner ring 75. The heater comprises an annular refractory element 72 with a concave surface 73, quarter-circular in cross section, which faces towards the wall 62 and the lower part of wall 61 of the centrifuge 60. Combustible gases to heat the element 72 are passed from a manifold 68 through a passage way 69 to orifices 71 in a plate 70 adjacent the upper part of the element 72. In a modification, the rings 75, 76 are dispensed with and the heater element positioned nearer the centrifuge and extended in a continued curve to form the gap adjacent the centrifuge. In a further modification, the heater element is a semi-circle and the gases are fed to inlet orifices adjacent the outer lower edge of the element. As shown in Fig. 5, the element comprises two annular refractory elements 125, 126, having surfaces 127, cut back, and 128 curved inwardly giving a throat 129 through which the heat is directed on to thee entrifuge walls 107, 108. The elements 125, 126 are heated by gases from a manifold 120 having a fluted orifice former 121 extending through openings 122 in a refractory block 123 with a domed surface 124 to direct the flames on to the elements 125, 126. In this embodiment, the induced air current, shown in dotted arrows, is heated by a gas control heater 116. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 839,482.