Method for forming glass fibers
US4488891A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 1983 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03B37/091
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A glass fiber attenuation apparatus and process wherein molten glass is supplied from a molten glass body to an orifice plate at substantially atmospheric pressure to prevent molten glass flow through an orifice at which attenuation has ceased, thus permitting continuation of the attenuation process despite breakouts at individual orifices. The preferred embodiment of the method includes the steps of cooling the orifice plate undersurface to a non-wetting temperature and delivering molten glass to the orifice plate at a pressure less than the internal, surface tension-generated pressure of any bead formed on the undersurface of the orifice plate upon attenuation cessation at that orifice. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a perforate pressure plate immersed in the body of molten glass and superimposed over the orifice plate to effect a pressure drop upon normal attenuation flow which is sufficient to reduce the pressure immediately above the orifice plate to substantially atmospheric pressure or, in any event, to a pressure less than the internal pressure of a bead or globule formed on attenuation cessation at an orifice. The orifice plate may be of either the plan…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.