Process and apparatus for the production of glass fibres

摘要

In a process for the production of glass fibres in which molten glass is drawn into fibres through orifices in an electrically heated bushing, the molten glass is surrounded in heat exchange relationship with a fluid medium, such as air, which is subjected to controlled periodic vibrations. Molten glass 12 is flowed through orifice tips 16 in an electrically heated platinum bushing 14 to form inverted cones 18 from which fibres 20 are drawn. An acoustic generator 32 driven by compressed air entering through inlet 34 is spaced laterally from the bushing 14 in the same horizontal plane as the molten glass cones 18, and is positioned so as to focus the acoustic energy on the glass cones. The frequency of the energy is 16,000 to 45,000 cycles per second, that is, above the audible range. An absorption panel is positioned to absorb the acoustic energy after it has passed through the attenuation zone. The generator 32 produces air of controlled periodic vibration which provides controlled cooling of the cones and fibres. An alternative acoustic generator (Fig. 3) comprises a manifold 40 having a plurality of directional nozzles 48 which is fed with low-pressure air (not more than 5 p.s.i.) and a transducer 42 and piston 44 to vibrate at a predetermined amplitude.