Apparatus and method for manufacturing glass fiber

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing a glass fiber, capable of enhancing the productivity of the glass fiber.SOLUTION: An apparatus 11 for manufacturing a glass fiber includes: a feeder 12 for circulating molten glass MG; a bushing 13 arranged below the feeder 12 and including a plurality of nozzles N for discharging the molten glass MG; and a passage member 14 arranged between the feeder 12 and the bushing 13. The passage member 14 includes a passage 15 for circulating the molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13 and a diversion wall part 17 for dividing the molten glass MG flowing from the feeder 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing glass fibers and a method for producing glass fibers. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a manufacturing apparatus including a feeder for circulating molten glass, a bushing having a plurality of nozzles for causing the molten glass to flow out, and a flow path member disposed between the feeder and the bushing is used for manufacturing glass fibers. In such a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, a plurality of glass filaments can be formed by causing the molten glass to flow out from each nozzle of the bushing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-057737 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the molten glass flowing from the feeder through the flow path member into the bushing may have temperature unevenness, for example, between the center side and the outer periphery side of the flow path of the flow path member. For example, temperature unevenness may occur in which the temperature of the molten glass flowing on the center side of the flow path is higher than the temperature of the molten glass flowing on the outer periphery side of the flow path of the flow path member. Such temperature unevenness may cause the outflow of molten glass from the nozzle of the bushing to become unstable, which may result in a decrease in the productivity of the glass fiber.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method that make it possible to increase the productivity of glass fibers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Various aspects of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method that solve the above problems will be described below. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of the first aspect includes a feeder for circulating molten glass, a bushing arranged below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles for discharging the molten glass, and a flow path member arranged between the feeder and the bushing and having a flow path for distributing the molten glass from the feeder to the bushing, the flow path member having a flow dividing wall portion for dividing the molten glass flowing from the feeder. According to this configuration, the molten glass flowing into the flow path member can be divided by the flow dividing wall portion of the flow path member, so that the flow of the molten glass flowing out of the flow path member can be changed. This makes it possible to reduce, for example, temperature unevenness of the molten glass flowing into the bushing.

[0007] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of aspect 2, in aspect 1, the bushing may have a longitudinal direction in a plan view, and the flow diverting wall of the flow path member may be disposed so as to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the bushing in a plan view. With this configuration, the molten glass diverted by the flow diverting wall of the flow path member can be caused to flow toward both ends of the bushing in the longitudinal direction. This allows the molten glass to stably flow out of the nozzles on both ends of the bushing in the longitudinal direction.

[0008] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of aspect 3, in aspect 1 or aspect 2, the flow dividing wall portion of the flow path member may be disposed so as to extend from the upper surface position to the lower surface position of the flow path member. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to further change the flow of the molten glass. This makes it possible, for example, to further reduce the temperature unevenness of the molten glass flowing into the bushing.

[0009] In the glass fiber manufacturing device of aspect 4, in any one of aspects 1 to 3, the width dimension of the lower end of the flow diverting wall may be larger than the width dimension of the upper end of the flow diverting wall. With this configuration, it is possible to cause the molten glass to flow along the flow diverting wall toward the outer periphery of the flow path member, thereby making it possible to further change the flow of the molten glass flowing out of the flow path member. This makes it possible to further reduce, for example, temperature unevenness of the molten glass flowing into the bushing.

[0010] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the flow path member may be an integrally molded refractory product. With this configuration, it is possible to easily ensure the strength of the flow path member.

[0011] The glass fiber manufacturing method of aspect 6 is a glass fiber manufacturing method including a molding step of molding a plurality of glass filaments using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus including a feeder for circulating molten glass, a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles through which the molten glass flows, and a flow path member disposed between the feeder and the bushing and having a flow path through which the molten glass flows, the flow path member including a flow dividing wall portion for dividing the molten glass. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The present invention exhibits the effect of making it possible to increase the productivity of glass fibers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus in a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the flow path member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the flow path member. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the flow path member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the flow path member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the flow path member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the flow path member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the flow path member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and the glass fiber manufacturing method will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from the actual ones. The X-axis and Y-axis in the drawings represent directions perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane, and the Z-axis represents a direction perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0015] 1 to 3, the glass fiber production apparatus 11 includes a feeder 12 that flows molten glass MG, and a bushing 13 that is disposed below the feeder 12. The glass fiber production apparatus 11 further includes a flow path member 14 that is disposed between the feeder 12 and the bushing 13.

[0016] <Feeder> Molten glass MG obtained in a glass melting furnace (not shown) is supplied to a feeder 12 of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11.

[0017] The feeder 12 has a bottom wall W1 and a pair of side walls W2 provided on both sides of the bottom wall W1. The feeder 12 may have an upper wall W3 arranged to close an upper opening. The feeder 12 flows the molten glass MG along the Y-axis direction in the drawing.

[0018] The bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 is provided with an outlet portion F through which the molten glass MG flows downward. The outlet portion F has an outlet wall portion W1a and an outlet portion flow path FL surrounded by the outlet wall portion W1a. The outlet portion flow path FL of the feeder 12 has an outlet FLa through which the molten glass MG flows into the flow path member 14.

[0019] The feeder 12 is made of a refractory material. Examples of the refractory material constituting the feeder 12 include electrocast bricks, dense fired bricks, etc. Examples of the electrocast bricks include zirconia-based electrocast bricks, alumina-based electrocast bricks, alumina-zirconia-based electrocast bricks, and alumina-zirconia-silica-based electrocast bricks. Examples of the dense fired bricks include dense zircon bricks, dense chrome bricks, etc.

[0020] Examples of the molten glass MG supplied to the feeder 12 include E glass (glass with an alkali content of 2% or less), D glass (low dielectric constant glass), AR glass (alkali resistant glass), C glass (acid resistant glass), M glass (high elastic modulus glass), S glass (high strength, high elastic modulus glass), T glass (high strength, high elastic modulus glass), H glass (high dielectric constant glass), and NE glass (low dielectric constant glass). The density of the glass is, for example, 2.0 to 3.0 g / cm. 3 It is.

[0021] <Bushing> The bushing 13 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has a plurality of nozzles N for letting out the molten glass MG. Each nozzle N of the bushing 13 can form a glass filament GF.

[0022] 2 and 3, the bushing 13 includes a bushing body 13a to which the molten glass MG is supplied, and a base plate 13b provided at the bottom of the bushing body 13a. The bushing body 13a of the bushing 13 has an inlet 13c through which the molten glass MG flows.

[0023] The bushing 13 has a longitudinal direction in a plan view. More specifically, the bushing 13 has a rectangular shape having a long side along the Y-axis in a plan view. 3, the bushing 13 is supported by a support member S on a structure ST at a location where the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 is installed. Note that the support member S is omitted in FIG.

[0024] The bushing body 13a may have a screen for preventing foreign matter from accumulating on the base plate 13b, a terminal for electrical current, and the like. 1 to 3, a plurality of nozzles N are provided in the base plate 13b. The number of nozzle holes in the bushing 13 is preferably within a range of 100 to 10,000. The cross-sectional shape of the nozzle hole in each nozzle N in the bushing 13 may be, for example, a circular shape or a flat shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

[0025] Examples of materials for the bushing body 13a, the base plate 13b, and the nozzle N include precious metals and precious metal alloys. Precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and osmium. From the viewpoint of increasing durability, the materials for the bushing body 13a, the base plate 13b, and the nozzle N are preferably platinum or a platinum alloy. Examples of platinum alloys include a platinum-rhodium alloy.

[0026] <Flow path components> As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the flow path member 14 has two flow paths 15 for circulating the molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13. That is, the flow path member 14 has two inlets 14a through which the molten glass MG flows from the feeder 12, and two outlets 14b through which the molten glass MG flows out to the bushing 13. The two inlets 14a of the flow path member 14 are connected to the outlet FLa of the outlet portion F of the feeder 12. The two outlets 14b of the flow path member 14 are connected to the inlet 13c of the bushing 13. The two flow paths 15 of the flow path member 14 supply the molten glass MG to the bushing 13 by causing the molten glass MG to flow downward.

[0027] The flow path member 14 has a peripheral wall portion 16 surrounding the two flow paths 15. The flow path member 14 has a flow dividing wall portion 17 that divides the molten glass MG flowing in from the feeder 12. The flow dividing wall portion 17 is arranged so as to connect the inner surfaces of the peripheral walls portion 16 facing each other in the direction along the X-axis.

[0028] The flow diverting wall portion 17 is disposed so as to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (direction along the Y-axis) of the bushing 13 in a plan view. In the present embodiment, the flow diverting wall portion 17 is disposed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bushing 13 in a plan view (direction along the X-axis), but is not limited thereto. For example, the flow diverting wall portion 17 can also be disposed so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction of the bushing 13 at an angle other than a right angle in a plan view.

[0029] The flow diversion wall 17 is disposed so as to extend from the upper surface to the lower surface of the flow path member 14. As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, when the width dimension of the upper end of the flow diversion wall 17 is D1 and the width dimension of the lower end of the flow diversion wall 17 is D2, D2 is larger than D1. In this case, both side surfaces of the flow diversion wall 17 are formed, for example, by inclined surfaces that incline toward the outer periphery of the flow path member 14 as they extend downward.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the flow path member 14 has an inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 16, and both inner surfaces facing both side surfaces of the diversion wall portion 17 are formed by inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the outer circumferential edge of the flow path member 14.

[0031] The peripheral wall portion 16 and the flow dividing wall portion 17 of the flow passage member 14 can be made of a refractory material. Specific examples of the refractory material constituting the peripheral wall portion 16 and the flow dividing wall portion 17 include the refractory materials exemplified in the description of the feeder 12. The flow passage member 14 is preferably an integrally molded refractory product.

[0032] <Configuration other than the above> The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes an applicator and a gathering shoe, both of which are not shown. The applicator applies a liquid bundling agent to the numerous glass filaments GF drawn out from the bushing 13. The gathering shoe gathers the numerous glass filaments GF to which the bundling agent has been applied. A glass strand is obtained by bundling the numerous glass filaments GF by the gathering shoe. The glass strand is wound by a winding device, and a cake on which the glass strand is wound is obtained.

[0033] <Glass fiber manufacturing method> Next, a method for producing glass fibers will be described. The glass fiber manufacturing method includes a forming step of forming a glass filament GF using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. In the forming step, molten glass MG is supplied from a feeder 12 to a bushing 13. A flow path of the molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13 and the inside of a bushing body 13a of the bushing 13 are filled with the molten glass MG. In the forming step, the molten glass MG supplied to the bushing 13 flows out from a nozzle N of the bushing 13, thereby forming a glass filament GF.

[0034] The glass filaments GF obtained in the above-mentioned forming process are bundled to obtain a glass strand. The glass strand can be used, for example, as a chopped strand cut to a predetermined length. The glass strand can also be used as a milled fiber, a roving, a yarn, a mat, a cloth, a tape, or a woven fabric. Examples of applications of the glass strand include vehicle applications, electronic material applications, building material applications, civil engineering applications, aircraft-related applications, shipbuilding applications, logistics applications, industrial machinery applications, and daily necessities applications.

[0035] <Action and Effects> Next, the operation and effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) A glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a feeder 12 that flows molten glass MG, and a bushing 13 that is disposed below the feeder 12 and has a plurality of nozzles N through which the molten glass MG flows out. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a flow path member 14 that is disposed between the feeder 12 and the bushing 13. The flow path member 14 has a flow path 15 that flows the molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13. The flow path member 14 has a flow dividing wall portion 17 that divides the flow of the molten glass MG flowing in from the feeder 12.

[0036] According to this configuration, the molten glass MG flowing into the flow path member 14 can be diverted by the flow diverting wall portion 17 of the flow path member 14, so that the flow of the molten glass MG flowing out from the flow path member 14 can be changed. This makes it possible to reduce, for example, temperature unevenness of the molten glass MG flowing into the bushing 13. Therefore, the outflow of the molten glass MG from the nozzle N of the bushing 13 is stabilized, so that the productivity of glass fibers can be increased.

[0037] (1-2) The bushing 13 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has a longitudinal direction. The flow diverting wall 17 of the flow path member 14 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 is arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the bushing 13 in a plan view. In this case, the molten glass MG diverted by the flow diverting wall 17 of the flow path member 14 can be made to flow toward both longitudinal end portions of the bushing 13. This makes it possible to stably cause the molten glass MG to flow out of the nozzles N on both longitudinal end portions of the bushing 13. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the productivity of the glass fiber.

[0038] (1-3) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the flow dividing wall portion 17 of the flow path member 14 is arranged so as to extend from the upper surface position to the lower surface position of the flow path member 14. In this case, for example, it is possible to further change the flow of the molten glass MG. This makes it possible, for example, to further reduce the temperature unevenness of the molten glass MG flowing into the bushing 13. Therefore, the outflow of the molten glass MG from the nozzle N of the bushing 13 becomes more stable, and the productivity of the glass fiber can be further improved.

[0039] (1-4) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the width dimension of the lower end of the flow diverting wall 17 of the flow path member 14 is larger than the width dimension of the upper end of the flow diverting wall 17. In this case, it is possible to cause the molten glass MG to flow along the flow diverting wall 17 toward the outer peripheral edge of the flow path member 14, thereby making it possible to further change the flow of the molten glass MG flowing out of the flow path member 14. This makes it possible, for example, to further reduce temperature unevenness of the molten glass MG flowing into the bushing 13. Therefore, the outflow of the molten glass MG from the nozzle N of the bushing 13 becomes more stable, making it possible to further increase the productivity of the glass fiber.

[0040] (1-5) In the glass fiber production apparatus 11, the flow path member 14 is preferably an integrally molded refractory product. In this case, it is possible to easily ensure the strength of the flow path member 14. Therefore, it is possible to easily increase the durability of the glass fiber production apparatus 11.

[0041] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0042] 6 to 8, the flow path member 14 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the second embodiment has one upstream flow path 15a and two downstream flow paths 15b. That is, the flow path member 14 has one inlet 14a through which the molten glass MG flows from the feeder 12, and two outlets 14b through which the molten glass MG flows out to the bushing 13. The one inlet 14a of the flow path member 14 is connected to the outlet FLa of the outlet portion F of the feeder 12. The two outlets 14b of the flow path member 14 are connected to the inlet 13c of the bushing 13.

[0043] The flow path member 14 has a peripheral wall 16 surrounding the upstream flow paths 15a and the downstream flow paths 15b. The flow path member 14 has a flow diverting wall 17 that divertes the molten glass MG flowing in from the feeder 12. The flow diverting wall 17 of the flow path member 14 is disposed so as to extend from a middle position between the upper surface position and the lower surface position of the flow path member 14 to the lower surface position. In this embodiment, the width dimension of the upper end of the flow diverting wall 17 is the same as the width dimension of the lower end of the flow diverting wall 17.

[0044] Next, the operation and effects of the second embodiment will be described. (2-1) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the second embodiment, the same actions and effects as those of (1-1), (1-2), and (1-5) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0045] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0046] 9 to 11, the flow path member 14 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the third embodiment has two upstream flow paths 15a and one downstream flow path 15b. That is, the flow path member 14 has two inlets 14a through which the molten glass MG flows from the feeder 12, and one outlet 14b through which the molten glass MG flows out to the bushing 13. The two inlets 14a of the flow path member 14 are connected to the outlet FLa of the outlet portion F of the feeder 12. The one outlet 14b of the flow path member 14 is connected to the inlet 13c of the bushing 13.

[0047] The flow path member 14 has a peripheral wall 16 surrounding the upstream flow paths 15a and the downstream flow paths 15b. The flow path member 14 has a flow diverting wall 17 that divertes the molten glass MG flowing in from the feeder 12. The flow diverting wall 17 of the flow path member 14 is disposed so as to extend from the upper surface position of the flow path member 14 to an intermediate position between the upper surface position and the lower surface position. In this embodiment, the width dimension of the upper end of the flow diverting wall 17 is the same as the width dimension of the lower end of the flow diverting wall 17.

[0048] Next, the operation and effects of the third embodiment will be described. (3-1) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the third embodiment, the same actions and effects as those of (1-1), (1-2), and (1-5) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0049] [Fourth embodiment] The third embodiment of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0050] 12 and 13, the flow path member 14 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the fourth embodiment is disposed so as to connect the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall portions 16 facing each other in the direction along the Y axis. The flow dividing wall portions 17 of the present embodiment are disposed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the bushing 13 (the direction along the Y axis) in a plan view.

[0051] Next, the operation and effects of the fourth embodiment will be described. (4-1) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the fourth embodiment, the same actions and effects as those of (1-1), (1-3), and (1-5) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0052] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0053] The flow path member 14 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 is not limited to being an integrally molded refractory product, but may be formed by combining a plurality of divided refractories. The width dimension of the lower end of the flow dividing wall portion 17 of the flow path member 14 may be smaller than the width dimension of the upper end of the flow dividing wall portion 17.

[0054] The flow dividing wall portion 17 of the flow path member 14 may be provided at an intermediate position between the upper surface position and the lower surface position of the flow path member 14 . The flow path member 14 may have one or more flow dividing walls 17. For example, the flow path member 14 may have a plurality of flow dividing walls 17 adjacent to each other in the vertical or horizontal direction.

[0055] The shape of the flow dividing wall portion 17 of the flow path member 14 may be a shape extending in a plurality of directions, such as along the X-axis and along the Y-axis, in a plan view. For example, the flow path member 14 of the first embodiment has a flow dividing wall portion 17 extending along the X-axis, but it can also be combined with a flow dividing wall portion 17 extending along the Y-axis. Even in this case, the action and effect described in section (1-2) above can be obtained.

[0056] In the plan view of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the above embodiment, the outflow section F of the feeder 12 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the outflow port FLa is along the flow direction of the molten glass MG in the feeder 12 (Y-axis direction in the drawing), but is not limited thereto. For example, the outflow section F of the feeder 12 can be arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the outflow port FLa is along the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the molten glass MG (X-axis direction in the drawing). The directions in which the bushing 13 and the flow path member 14 are arranged can be changed according to the arrangement of the outflow section F.

[0057] Although the bushing 13 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the above embodiment has a longitudinal direction in a plan view, the shape is not limited to this. The bushing 13 may have, for example, a square shape in a plan view. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 11...Glass fiber manufacturing equipment 12…Feeder 13…Bushing 14...Flow path member 15...Flow path 17...Diversion wall part GF: Glass filament MG: Molten glass N…Nozzle

Claims

1. a feeder for distributing molten glass; a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles through which the molten glass flows; a flow path member disposed between the feeder and the bushing and having a flow path for flowing the molten glass from the feeder to the bushing, The flow path member has a flow dividing wall portion that divides the molten glass flowing in from the feeder.

2. The bushing has a longitudinal direction in a plan view, The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow dividing wall portion of the flow path member is disposed so as to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the bushing in a plan view.

3. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow dividing wall portion of the flow path member is disposed so as to extend from an upper surface position to a lower surface position of the flow path member.

4. 4. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a width dimension of a lower end of said flow diverting wall portion is larger than a width dimension of an upper end of said flow diverting wall portion.

5. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path member is an integrally molded refractory product.

6. A glass fiber manufacturing method including a molding step of molding a plurality of glass filaments using a glass fiber manufacturing device, The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus includes a feeder for circulating molten glass; a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles through which the molten glass flows; a flow path member disposed between the feeder and the bushing and having a flow path through which the molten glass flows, The flow path member has a flow dividing wall portion that divides the flow of the molten glass.

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