Systems and methods for manufacturing fibers with enhanced thermal performance
AssigneeOwens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
InventorsManoj Kumar Choudhary, Russell Potter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method of producing fibers having property enhancing inclusions, a molten material is supplied to a fiber forming apparatus. A controlled amount of particulate is added to the molten material. The molten material with the added particulate is formed into fibers. An undissolved portion of the added particulate forms inclusions in the fibers, the inclusions having an absorption index in a 2-7 μm wavelength region that is greater than a corresponding absorption index of the material.
Claims23
A method of producing fibers having property enhancing inclusions, the method comprising:
- supplying a molten material to a fiber forming apparatus;
- adding a controlled amount of particulate to the molten material;
- and
- forming the molten material with the added particulate into fibers, such that an undissolved portion of the added particulate forms inclusions in the fibers, the inclusions having an absorption index in a 2-7 μm wavelength region that is greater than a corresponding absorption index of the material.
A glass fiber suitable for insulation, the glass fiber comprising a glass material and a plurality of inclusions within the glass material, the plurality of inclusions having an absorption index in a 2-7 μm wavelength region that is greater than a corresponding absorption index of the glass material.
A fiberglass insulation product comprising:
- a plurality of glass fibers comprising a glass material and a plurality of inclusions within the glass material, wherein the plurality of inclusions have an absorption index in a 2-7 μm wavelength region that is greater than a corresponding absorption index of the glass material;
- wherein the fiberglass insulation product has a thermal resistance greater than a thermal resistance of a comparable fiberglass insulation product produced with glass fibers formed without the plurality of inclusions.
A fiberizer assembly comprising:
- a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall through which molten mineral material passes to form mineral fibers;
- a forehearth supplying molten material to the spinner through a delivery tube;
- a burner positioned to direct hot gases toward the peripheral wall;
- a blower positioned to attenuate fiber materials exiting orifices in the peripheral wall;
- a particulate source retaining particles having a maximum diameter of approximately 1 μm;
- and
- a particulate supply port connected with the particulate source and configured to supply a controlled amount of the particles to the molten material before the molten material passes through the peripheral wall orifices.
A fiber forming apparatus comprising:
- a molten mineral collection portion configured to receive a molten mineral material;
- a fiber formation portion connected with the molten mineral collection portion and configured to produce solid fibers from the molten mineral material;
- a fiber dispensing port in communication with the fiber formation portion;
- a particulate source retaining particles having a maximum diameter of approximately 1 μm;
- and
- a particulate supply port connected with the particulate source and configured to supply a controlled amount of particulate to the molten mineral material before the molten mineral material is formed into the solid fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.