Transverse Row Bushing Support for Glass Fiber Tip Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glass fiber forming systems face issues with creep in tip plates due to intense physical and thermal stresses, leading to degradation and catastrophic failures, which require frequent replacement and high usage of expensive precious metal alloys.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a tip plate supported by multiple transverse support members with rectangular or circular cross sections, made from materials like nickel-based alloys or ceramic materials, located between rows of tips to reduce stress and extend the system's lifespan, using fewer precious metals and allowing for easier replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tip plate is made from precious metal alloys to withstand intense physical and thermal stresses, then reliability is improved, but cost increases due to high price of precious metal alloys

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to creep and catastrophic failureVSAvoidamount of precious metal alloys used

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple discrete support members ( longitudinal and transverse) that can be independently positioned and secured to the tip plate. This segmentation allows precise placement of support members at critical stress points, providing targeted reinforcement with less precious metal material while maintaining overall structural reliability against creep and thermal stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines precious metal alloy tip plate with support members made from alternative materials such as ceramic, graphite, or other heat-resistant non-precious metal alloys. This composite approach allows the tip plate to maintain its essential function with minimal precious metal usage while the support members provide structural reinforcement and creep resistance, thereby reducing the total quantity of expensive precious metal alloys required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If more support members are added to reduce creep, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamelioration of creepVSAvoidnumber of support members and structural elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal and transverse support members are merged into a coordinated support system where they work together to provide comprehensive creep resistance. The support members are integrated with the existing tip plate structure and bushing frame, combining multiple support functions into a unified system that achieves reliable creep amelioration without requiring excessive individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Support members are strategically positioned at specific locations on the tip plate where creep stresses are most severe, rather than uniformly distributing support across the entire structure. This localized approach provides targeted creep resistance at critical areas (such as near aperture rows and high-stress regions) while minimizing the total number of support members required, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If precious metal alloys are used extensively to ensure system longevity, then lifespan is extended, but fabrication cost increases due to material cost and welding requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelife-span of bushing systemVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are designed as replaceable components with longer service life than the tip plate, made from cost-effective materials such as ceramic or graphite. When the tip plate eventually fails, the support members can remain in place or be easily replaced, extending the overall system lifespan while reducing fabrication costs by substituting expensive precious metal alloys with cheaper alternative materials in the support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters of the support structure from expensive precious metal alloys to alternative materials with appropriate mechanical and thermal properties for support functions. This parameter change maintains system longevity by providing adequate support and creep resistance while significantly reducing material costs and simplifying fabrication processes, as these alternative materials often require less complex welding and joining operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8443632B2Transverse row bushing support

Publication Date: 2013.05.21 JOHNS MANVILLE CORP

AI summary

According to the invention, a system for forming glass fiber from molten glass is disclosed. The system may include a tip plate, a plurality of tips, and a plurality of support members. The plurality of tips may include a plurality of rows of tips. Each of the plurality of support members may support the tip plate. Each of the plurality of support members may be located between two of the plurality of rows of tips.