Document Yj523MLQJzjBBy1ggg7nXRZEV

Nov. 15, 1938. c. b white 2,136,988 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MINERAL WOOL < Filed Deo. 12, 1936 '" " If V, tV. fc. / I'A'-vfefe- ^yvuc^vtot' (ClarenceJ5.~H7iHe /J) U*Ot*t44J MTC 016979 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 2,136,988 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2488,988 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUC ING MINERAL WOOL Clarence B. White, Philadelphia, Pa. Application December 12,1936, Serial No. 115,629 ' 3 Claims. (CL 83--91) This invention relates to the production of mineral or rock wool which Is made by subjecting a stream of molten rock or molten slag to a blast of steam as it Is drawn from a cupola or furnace. 6 thereby disintegrating the molten globules and spinning them out into a fibrous wool-like mass. The blast to which the slag stream is subjected breaks the slag into small separated globules, each of which, in leaving the mother stream, 16 string out into a fiber. If the globule is too large it will lose its velocity before the fiber is entirely spun out. The unspun head forms one of the most objectionable forms of shot. The shot are so small and numerous and so intimately com16 mingled with the fibers that separating them at any time is a task which is costly and destructive of the wool. Various means have been tried for the purpose of spinning the fibers without leav ing shot or heads of any appreciable size by regu86 latlng the blast of air, steam or the like but with out very much success. Low velocity blasts leave much of the slag unspun and high velocity blasts hit the slag so suddenly that a large percentage of spheroids are torn from the stream without A properly forming any fiber. The principal object of my invention is to pro vide a method for Initially disintegrating the molten slag into a spray or shower of fine globular particles and then impelling the stream of minute 80 molten particles into the path of a blast which spins all of the globules into fluffy woolly fibres or filaments without leaving any shot or heads. My method of producing mineral or rock wool free from shot and the manner in which it is 35 accomplished will be understood from the follow ing description in connection with the accom panying drawing, in which-- Figure 1 is schematic view showing in eleva tion an apparatus embodying my invention; and 40 Figure 2 is a top plane view of the same. In carrying out my invention in the embodi ment shown, I provide a rotary disk 3, preferably frusto-conical, which is mounted upon a vertical shaft 4 driven by a suitable motor 5. The disk 46 is so positioned that the molten slag stream 2 flowing from the crucible or furnace 6 through the discharge spout 7, strikes the peripheral sur face of the disk. The Impact of the stream with the rapidly rotating disk disintegrates the liquid 50 slag and breaks it up into a spray of fine globules which are expelled by centrifugal force and pro jected in a shower into the path of the blast of steam issuing from a plurality of nozzles or steam jets 8 connected to a steam supply. The disk M may be driven at any suitable speed from 1000 to 3000 R. P. M. and is so coordinated with the velocity of the steam that the shower of liquid slag globules will enter the blast at the proper angle to produce the desired result of complete fllamentation entirely free from shot or heads. 5 In the method of producing rock wool or min eral wool, heretofore, the steam Jet has been directed into the slag stream as it Issued from the spout of the furnace or crucible. The high velocity blasts hit the slag so suddenly that a 10 large percentage of the spheroids are torn from the stream without apparently forming any fibers or in such manner that only partially spun fibers result. By initially subjecting the molten slag stream to a disintegrating process so that the 16 liquid slag is broken up into drops or minute globules which are then projected in a shower of separate particles into the path of the steam jets, the full force of the blast is. directed uni formly against each of the individual preformed 20 particles. This results in uniformity as to size and texture of the fibers and ensures a complete fllamentation of every globule while it is in the molten state. The two stages or steps of my process thus coact to eliminate the defects of 26 prior methods and to produce a superior product of mineral wool. I have indicated that the speed of the rotary slag disrupting disk 8, may be varied by con trolling the speed of the driving motor 5, and that 36 the velocity of the steam jets issuing from the nozzles 8 may be controlled by the valves 10. The angular relation of the nozzles may be adjusted to produce the desired configuration and area of the blast to coact most efficiently with 35 the spray of comminuted globules of liquid slag as it is projected by centrifugal force from the surface of the rapidly rotating disk. I claim: 1. The method of producing mineral wool from 40 molten slag, which consists in interposing an annular upwardly inclined rotating surface into a freely falling stream of molten slag to thereby disintegrate the stream into a spray of com minuted particles and projecting the spray into 45 a gaseous stream traveling at high velocity trans verse to the path of the projected spray. 2. In an apparatus for producing mineral wool, means for supplying a stream of freely falling molten slag, a rotary device having an impinging 60 surface positioned to intercept said stream at an angle thereto, means for rotating said device at any desired speed to thereby disintegrate the slag and project a spray of the resulting par ticles, and means for directing a gaseous blast 56 MTC 016980 2 ft,180,M transverse to said spray to cause the filamentstioa at said particles. ' 3. In an apparatus for producing mineral wool from molten slag, means for supplying a freely 3 falling stream of fluid slag, a rotating device having an annular surface Inclined to the path of said stream and positioned to receive the im pact of the stream to thereby disintegrate the slag and project It by centrifugal action Into a spray of comminuted particles, and means for projecting a plurality of steam Jets transverse to said spray to thereby cause the fllamentatlon of said particles. CLARSNCK & WH1TK. MTC 016981 Sept 7, 1943. d. c. drill etal 2,328,714 APPARATUS AND METHOD WHEREBY IMPROVED MINERAL WOOL FIBERS AND PRODUCTS MAT BE MADE Filed March 19, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Daniel C. Dtill Catlton C. Davie INVENTORY BY <2. attorney. NlTC 016982 Sept 7, 1943. d. c drill etal 2,328,714 APPARATUS AND METHOD WHEREBY IMPROVED MINERAL WOOL FIBERS AND PRODUCTS MAY BE MADE Filed March 19, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MTC 016983 Sept 7, 1943. d. c. drill et al 2,328,714 ' APPARATUS AMD METHOD WHEREBY IMPROVED MINERAL WOOL FIBERS AND PRODUCTS MAY BE MADE Filed March 19, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Tiber Diameter vs. Temperature F. BATCH 230 WHEEL NO. 10 70 eo . .a so *4 MI40 U, 10 J i 2400 . 2500 2400 `\ ` 2700 \ 2800 .- 2900 Temperature `F N vyhreddiry Temperature JTgr- BY Desired Diameter 5000 Daniel C. Dritt Carlton C. Davis INVENTOR<3 ATTORNEY. MTC 016984 Sept 7, 1943. d. c. drill et al 2,328,714 APPARATUS AMS METHOD WHEREBY IMPROVED MINERAL WOOL FIBERS AND PRODUCTS MAY BE MADE Filed March 19. 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY. MTC 016985 Patented Sept. 7, 1943 2,328,714 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2428,714 APPARATUS AND METHOD WHEREBY IM PROVED MINERAL WOOL FIBERS AND PRODUCTS MAY BE MADE Daniel C. Drill and Carlton C. Davis, Wabash, IntL, assignors to American Rock Wool Cor poration, Wabash, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application March 18,1941, Serial No. 384,222 10 Claims. (CL 83--91) This Invention generally relates to apparatus vantages by adding fluxes and other substances and methods whereby Improved mineral wool to the slag and wool rock raw materials, by pro fibers and mineral wool products may be made viding improved methods of melting these ma from any suitable molten mineral materials such terials and by devising various types of blow as wool rock, slag, or glass. It more particu- g caps, but they have been at last forced to the larly relates to the provision of ways and means conclusion that in commercial production the adapted to Improve rock and slag wool products slag and rock wool manufacturers must accept! and thereby aid the manufacturers of these prod the fact that the viscous irregularities of the ucts. In the heat insulating field there is a well molten wool rock and slag streams will continue, recognized distinction between the terms "min- jo in spite of all that can be done. For this rea eral wool" and "glass wool." Both of these prod son the applicants maintain that the most feasi ucts are formed by shredding suitably molten ble angle of attack on this problem is to pro mineral materials into siliceous artificial fibers. vide apparatus and methods adapted to shred In producing mineral wool, the raw materials mineral wool fibers efficiently from streams hav include a major proportion of relatively impure is ing these viscous irregularities and such is one substances such as rock, slag and cinders whose of the major purposes of this invention. chemical and physical characteristics vary with Briefly, in carrying out one form of this in in wide limits. Glass wool, on the other hand, vention use is made of apparatus and methods is made from relatively pure materials such as whereby the spinning operator may glass marbles, cullet, selected sand and sodium carbonate, whose chemical and physical char acteristics are well known to the manufacturers and relatively invariable. Another distinction lies in the fact that the glass wool melts are ordinarily so high in their silica content and so high on the acid side that they may be melted in reverbertory glass tanks without materially corroding or fluxing the re fractory walls of these tanks whereas the mineral 20 2B (1) Spread the lava stream into a thin mass, sheet, or film, one end of which is highly heat ed and has a low viscosity and the other end of which Is appreciably cooler and has a rela tively higher viscosity within the fluid range, and then (2) Apply a shredding blast to the lava at the line or place on the mass or sheet having the desired viscosity. wool melted materials corrodes or otherwise de- 30 A preferred form of this invention contem stroys these walls to such an extent as render plates the employment of a spinning wheel which the cost of maintaining the operation of these glass tanks prohibitive. For this reason, in the is preferably adapted to be rotated at widely varying angular velocities and an annular steam present state of the art, mineral wool raw ma or air blast nozzle construction encircling the terials are ordinarily melted in water cooled metal 35 longitudinal axis of said spinning wheel. This lined cupolas. Now as is well known in the construction is preferably provided with a plu art, the operating temperature of the reverber rality of nozzle chambers each of which has a tory glass tanks can, in practice, be maintained circular orifice adapted to direct a circular blast and controlled within close limits but the operat downwardly around the spinning wheel in a man ing temperature of the cupolas often vary un- 40 ner adapted to shred the lava into fibers. controllably in actual practice because of condi These orifices are spaced apart from each tions beyond the control of the operator. other and are preferably either co-axial or con It is also well known that glass melts have along centric with each other and with the centerline viscosity range within which the molten glass ma of the shaft of the spinning wheel. In carrying terial may be readily fiberlzed whereas the cor- 48 out the preferred method, a stream of highly responding range of the mineral wool melts are heated lava having a low viscosity is discharged much shorter and more variable. This varia preferably through a swingably mounted trough tion is chiefly due to the chemical variations in upon the rotating wheel. the relatively impure materials used. The prob This wheel hurls the lava outwardly in a thin, lems encountered in the production of mineral 80 annular mass which usually assumes the form wool are therefore different and much more dif of a sheet or film having a plurality of fibers ficult than are those found in the glass wool extending outwardly therefrom. This mass is, in Industry. the spinning operation, projected by centrifugal The producers of mineral wool have repeatedly force beyond the periphery of the spinning wheel sought to overcome the above mentioned disad- 68 and its inner portions are, of course, relatively MTC 016986 2 2,328,714 highly heated and have a low viscosity while its A further object of our Invention is to provide outer portions are cooler and have a relatively a combined spinning wheel and a reaction tur high velocity. bine adapted to be driven at infinitely variable Suitable valve means are also preferably pro speeds. vided whereby a steam or compressed air blast G A further, object is the provision of a means may be directed through any or all of the orifices and method whereby various types of fibers may at the will of the operator at varying volumes be simultaneously produced and Intermingled and velocities. with each other in a forming blanket or batt. In beginning the spinning operation, the lava The other and further objects of our invention is discharged on the rotating spinning wheel. 10 will become apparent from the accompanying Then the operator preferably directs a shredding drawings and the following disclosure and blast through one of the orifices and observes the viscosity of the stream and the type of fibers In the drawings: being formed. If the fibers thus initially pro Figure 1 is a partly elevational and partly duced are larger in diameter than is desired, the 15 sectional view of a preferred embodiment of our operator may then shut off the steam from that invention. orifice and use the nest inner orifice whose blast Figure 2 is a top plan view taken along the will shred the lava at a higher temperature and line 2--2 of Figure 1, a lower viscosity and thereby produce fibers of Figure 3 is a partly elevational and partly smaller diameters. On the other hand, if fibers 20 sectional view taken along the line I--2 of Fig of larger diameter are desired, the operator uses ure 2, an outer blast orifice whose blast shreds the lava Figure 4 is a view taken along the line 4--4 at a lower temperature and a higher viscosity of Figure 3, and thereby produces fibers of a larger diameter. Figures 5 and 6 are broken cross sectional It will be noted that by this method, insofar 05 views showing portions of the spinning wheel as it has been described, the operator is only shaft seen in Figure 1 and parts associated there enabled to shred the fibers at spaced apart lines with. or positions on the mass, each of which have at Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view that instant a definite viscosity, and that the taken along the line 7--T of Figure 3, operator is not (insofar as has been described) :iu Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing able to shred the lava at intermediate viscosities. one of the nozzle valve constructions seen in This, however, he may do by merely swinging Figure 3, the movable trough in such a manner that it will Figure 9 is a top plan view of an alternative discharge the molten stream closer or farther form of a base plate adapted to be used in con- away, as the case may be, from the center of the 35 nectlon with the spinning wheel in Figures 1 spinning wheel. If the stream be moved to and 3, ward the center of the spinning wheel, the inner Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of an end of the molten annular mass Is moved fur alternative form of spinning wheel. ther away from each of the annular orifices Figures 11 and 12 are top plan views of alter- thereby increasing the viscosity of the lava where 40 native forms of base plates adapted to be used it is then being shredded by one of the shredding in connection with the spinning wheel shown in blasts. If the lava is moved towards the periph Figure 10, ery of the spinning wheel, the inner end of the Figure 13 is a Fiber diameter vs. Temperature lava sheet is, of course, moved nearer towards chart which in included herewith for the pur- the orifices, thereby decreasing the viscosity of 45 pose of explaining some of the features of this the mass where it is being blown by any par invention, ticular blast. Figure 14 is a fragmentary partly sectional It is also an object of this invention to provide view showing details of a modified form of a various other methods and means whereby the spinning wheel, operator is enabled to observe or otherwise learn 50 Figures 15 and 16 are top plan views of alter of the condition of the lava and vary or control nate forms of base plates which may be used the characteristics of the fibers being formed, with the spinning wheel shown in Figure 14, and but these methods and means may be better Figure 17 is a vertical partly sectional view understood after first reading the description of showing a modified form of spinning wheel. the apparatus of this invention. 55 In carrying out this invention, use is made of Another object is the provision of ways and a settling chamber 29 which in its preferred form means for producing mineral wool fibers of dif is preferably heat insulated in any suitable man ferent types and more uniform fibers of each ner (not shown) and is provided with a forami- of said types. Briefly this is achieved by vary nous conveyor 22 toward which newly formed ing the strength and the manner of the applica 60 fibers 24 may be drawn to become deposited and tion of the shredding forces employed in pro incorporated in an advancing mineral wool ducing these fibers. blanket 26 by means of any suitable suction ap A further object is the provision of an im paratus 23. proved spinning apparatus including a spinning Tills suction apparatus preferably includes a wheel, the angular velocity of which may be rap 35 suction pan 20, an intake conduit 32, a motor idly changed at the will of the operator. driven blower 24; and a discharge conduit 21 A further object is provision of spinning ap which may be operatively connected together paratus adapted to form mineral fibers by the substantially as shown or in any other suitable application of both centrifugal force and one or manner. The intake conduit 22 is provided with more fluid blasts. 70 a damper means 28 whereby the rate at which Another object is the provision of spinning the air and gasses are withdrawn from the blow apparatus of the character described in which chamber may be controlled by the spinning op both the centrifugal force and the power of the erator. fluid blast may be varied at the will of the op In carrying out our invention, we preferably erator. 75 make use of a plurality of hereinafter described MTC 016987 3,828,714 3 spinning wheels, each of which may be inter duit 95 is designed to be connected to any suitable changeably or alternatively used with the blow reservoirs or other sources of supply of these chamber 20 in a manner which will become ap- - treating fluids (not shown) and the branch sup parent as the specification proceeds. One of ply pipes leading from this conduit are preferably these spinning wheels is shown in Figures 1 to 5 provided with any suitable valves 100, 102, 191, 6 inclusive; the others are illustrated in Figures and 104. 9 to 12 and 14 to 17 inclusive. The cover, member 49 is provided with a side In order to more efficiently make use of these wall 105 which extends downwardly from its flat spinning wheels the blow chamber 20 is provided top portion 106 in a spaced apart relationship to with a spaced apart cover member 40 which may, 10 surround a circular upper wall portion 108 of the if desired, be formed and positioned substantially blow chamber in a manner adapted to provide as shown. This cover member, at its upper por an annular shot receiving chamber HO. The tion is provided with a large centrally positioned accumulated shot may be removed from this circular open portion 42 through which extends chamber through any suitable openings, such as a tubular shaft 44 (See Figure 3) of a spinning 15 for instance, cut away side wall portions 112 hav wheel mechanism 40. ing hinged door means 114 which may be secured This mechanism 40, which is hereinafter more in their closed position by any suitable means fully described, Includes a spinning wheel 40 116. This cover member may be supported in its which is adapted to continuously receive a stream position by any suitable means, such as, for in of lava 50 and to centrifugally spin this stream 20 stance brackets 117 which project from the walls into fibers. The spinning wheel 40 is also de of the blow chamber. signed to aid one or more steam or air blasts The circular upper wall portion 108 of the blow in shredding the molten lava from the stream chamber is preferably cylindrical in shape and into mineral wool fibers, in a manner which will may be provided at its upper end with a telescop be more fully described as this specification pro- 25 ically mounted tubular extension 118 having an ceeds. inwardly curved top portion 120. This extension Above the open portion 42, the cover member is adapted by any suitable adjustably mounted 40 is preferably provided with a lower movable supporting means 122 to be raised and lowered cover plate Of and an upper movable cover plate at the will of the operator for a purpose herein 02. The lower cover plate is slotted at 54 to pro- 30 after described. vide an elongated opening through which the The upper wall portion 108 is connected or shaft 44 extends and through which the stream Joined at its lower end to a mid-wall portion 124 of lava may be poured upon the spinning wheel. in any suitable manner, such as for lnstan e by These two cover plates are adapted to be so ad welding. Thls mid-wall portion Is preferably cir justed that the amount of air drawn into the 3g cular in shape in its upper end, but is flared out blow chamber may be controlled at the will of the wardly and downwardly in such a manner that operator. The upper cover plate 52, of course, its lower end is rectangular in shape and Joins a serves to restrict the admission of air drawn into bottom wall portion 126. This bottom wall por the chamber through the slotted portion of the tion Includes a rear wall 128, a frontwardly ex lower cover plate 51. 40 tending cover portion 110 and side walls 132, the Below the open portion 42 of the cover mem last of which may extend to the front end of the ber there is provided an annular nozzle means conveyor, substantially as shown. A frontwardly 55 which may be of any suitable construction, but extending covering plate 134 is hingedly secured preferably includes a plurality of adjacent hollow at one end to the front end of the cover portion annular chambers 61, 60, 62, and 64 which may 45 130 and its other end is adapted to ride upon a be either co-axial or concentric with each other compression roller 136 which compacts the fibers and are provided with annular orifices 66. These in the blanket 26 as this blanket leaves the set orifices are adapted to direct downwardly one or tling chamber. This compression roller is pro more circular steam or air blasts (as may be de vided with a shaft 138 which is mounted on piv sired) around the spinning wheel for the purpose go oted arms 140 which may be swingedly supported of aiding the spinning wheel In the formation of by any suitable means 142. fibers. Referring now to Figures 3 to 6 inclusive, the Each of these orifices may be provided with any alternative form of the spinning wheel mecha suitable valve means 66 whereby the volume of nism 46 includes, as has been previously Btated, blast fluid passing through these orifices may be 55 the tubular shaft 44. This shaft is closed at its controlled by the operator for a purpose herein upper end and is provided with a plurality of after described by merely adjusting their valve radially extending openings 144 (see Figure S) wheels 78. which are designed to admit steam or compressed These chambers are adapted to be operatively air or any suitable adhesives or waterproofing connected to any suitable steam or compressed- g0 fluids to the interior of the shaft. Water may air supply means (not shown) by means of a also be admitted in certain Instances for the pur main blast fluid supply conduit 72 and branch pose of cooling the spinning wheel mechanism or supply conduits 74, 76, 78, and 60. These branch reducing the temperature Inside the blow cham supply conduits are respectively provided with ber. any suitable throttle or valve means 52, 84, 16. g5 This tubular shaft Is also provided near its and 88 whereby a blast of steam or air may be di upper end with any suitable packing box con rected through any one or all of the nozzle ori struction 148 for the purpose of providing means fices 66 with the force and the volume desired in whereby the before mentioned fluids may be the spinning of the fibers. supplied to the interior of the shaft of the spin A main supply conduit, 86, having a plurality 7Q ning wheel through the openings 144. This pack of branch supply pipes 62, 94, 96 and 98 connect ing box is operatively but detachably connected ed thereto, is also provided for the purpose of to a steam or compressed air pipe 148 by a flexible treating the mineral wool with suitable fiber coupling 160 and a nipple 151 for the reason that treating liquids, such as, for Instance adhesives the spinning wheel mechanism and the other or waterproofing compounds. The supply con- 75 alternative forms of spinning mechanisms here MTC 016988 4 2,338,714 after described are adapted to be raised or low at varying angular velocities, such as for In ered by any suitable pivotally mounted lifting stance, a variable speed drive mechanism 191 and mechanism 152. This pipe 1*8 is operatively a motor 191. The shaft 195 of the speed drive connected to the main steam or compressed air mechanism Is preferably connected to the tubu- supply pipe 72 and Is preferably provided with 6 lar shaft by any suitable detachably secured any suitable throttle valve 154. clutch means 197 to permit these two shafts to A pipe 156 having a valve 158 Is operatively be disconnected from each other, when repairs connected to the adhesive or waterproofing sup are necessary or when an alternative form of ply pipe 88 and to the steam or compressed air spinning wheel is to be employed. pipe 148 In order that adhesives and waterproof 10 The spinning wheel mechanism, 46. the speed ing materials may be applied to the wool through drive mechanism 191 and the motor 193 detach the spinning wheel mechanism at the will of the ably associated therewith are bolted or otherwise operator. detachably secured to and carried by the before The tubular shaft of the spinning wheel mech mentioned lifting mechanism 152 in any suitable anism Is also preferably provided with any suit 15 manner whereby the spinning mechanism may able water Jacket 160 tor the purpose of prevent? be moved both. vertically and horizontally and lng this shaft from becoming overheated by the then be rigidly secured in its desired position. incandescent lava which falls on the spinning wheel. This water Jacket may Include an inner This lifting mechanism preferably includes an inner arm member 188 and an outer arm member wall 162 and an outer wall 164 which are closed 20 766, the first of which may be detachably bolted at either end to provide a stationary annular to any suitable stationary supports 202. This water chamber 166. This water chamber is op eratively connected by a flexible Inlet conduit 168 inner arm member is preferably provided with an upper horizontally extending portion 204 which to any suitable water supply system (not shown). is adapted to slidably receive an elongated bolt A flexible water conduit 168 is also provided 25 266 which is threaded in its upper portion 208 through which the water may be discharged from and Is square in cross section in its lower portion the chamber. These flexible conduits are employed for the 210. This bolt is provided with a head 212 at its lower end for supporting the outer arm mem reason that the spinning wheel mechanism is ber 200 and Is also provided with an internally designed to be moved either vertically or hori 30 threaded disk or wheel 214 which provides means zontally at the will of the operator. whereby the bolt may be raised and lowered in a The tubular shaft 44 is rotatably connected manner which will be readily understood by re at its upper end to the water Jacket by any suit- ferring to Figure 1. -able ball bearing means 176, and is connected at The inner arm member is also provided with a its lower end to the tubular shaft by a ball or 35 lower horizontally extending arm 218 which Is roller bearing means 172. This latter mentioned provided with a square recessed portion (not ball bearing means Is adapted to rotatably sup shown) adapted to slidably but nicely receive the port the tubular shaft by having its outer shell square portion of the bolt. The outer arm mem 174 and Its inner shell 176 piece fitted respective ber 200 is provided with an inwardly and horizon- ly to the inner wall of the water Jacket and to 40 tally extending upper arm 218 and a similar lower the tubular shaft in a manner well understood arm 226 each of which are provided with square by the art. recessed portions (not shown) adapted to be The spinning wheel 48 may be made of any snugly fitted around the square portion of the suitable construction, but the preferred form elongated bolt in such a manner that the spin- shown in Figure 3 includes an upper circular spin 45 ning wheel mechanism may be prevented from ning wheel portion 178 which is integrally formed moving horizontally during the spinning opera with the tubular shaft. This wheel portion in tion except when it Is desired to shift the spin cludes a web 180, a rim 182, and a centrally po ning wheel off center for purposes yet to be de sitioned recessed portion 184. This recessed por scribed. In order to move the spinning mecha- tion is adapted to receive a centering boss 186 50 nism, it Is only necessary to slightly loosen the forming a part of a base plate 188 which Is de bolts 222 whereby the Inwardly extending arm tachably secured to the lower side of the upper Is secured to the stationary supports 202. spinning wheel portion by any suitable means, The above mentioned outer arm member 260 such as for instance, the threaded bolts 180 and Is preferably longer and extends upwardly fur- spacer washers 192. The centering boss 186 is 55 ther than the inner arm member 198 and is pro provided with any suitable openings, such as a vided with a plurality of bolt holes (not shown) plurality of slotted or re-entrant portions 194, in order that the motor 188 and the variable for the purpose of admitting steam or compressed speed drive 101 may be raised and adapted to be air into a narrow space 198 provided between the connected to the yet to be described spinning spinning wheel portion and the spaced apart base so wheel shown In Figure 17. This spinning wheel plate 188. may have a slightly longer shaft and Is espec The Inner lower surface of the rim of the upper ially adapted to be used when two or more mu spinning wheel portion 178 (see Figures 3 and 4) tually reactive adhesives are employed for pur is preferably tapered downwardly and outwardly poses yet to be described. substantially as shown. The peripheral portion 55 From the above description it will be seen that of the base plate 188 may be spaced apart from the spinning wheel mechanism may be moved but parallel to the adjacent surfaces of the upper either horizontally or vertically and supported in spinning wheel portion for the purpose of guid any desired position at the will of the operator. ing the steam, air, and any other fluids employed In order to enable the operator to determine outwardly and downwardly from the spinning 7Q the angular velocity of the spinning wheel a wheel in a manner adapted to aid in the forma speedometer 224 having a large dial may be op tion and the deposition of the fibers in a man eratively connected to the tubular shaft sub ner yet to be described. stantially as shown. This speedometer and the The spinning wheel mechanism may be driven variable speed drive together provide means by any suitable means whereby It may be rotated 75 whereby the annular velocity of the spinning MTC 016989 2.328,714 5 wheel may be held at or changed to any desired cated by the arrow 263 but alsb very definitely number of R. P. M. blows or draws the fibers backwardly as they are For the purpose of better enabling the operator being spun and thereby produces finer and/or to determine the spinning conditions a swlngably longer fibers (In a manner yet to be described) mounted window 221 may be provided whereby 5 and at the same time very substantially increases the operator may observe the conditions within the fiber producing capacity of the spinning the blow chamber and may from time to time wheel. withdraw samples of newly formed fibers for the Here It may be noted that one of the major purpose of better determining the viscous condi defects of conventional spinning wheels Is that tions of the lava and the characteristics of the io their inherent spinning capacities are small. It fibers being formed. Is- due to these low capacities, more than any In order to provide better vision any suitable other of their limitations, that the centrifugal flood light 220 may also be provided. This flood spinning method has not been generally used by light may. If desired, be mounted substantially the industry. as shown around an open portion 232 which is ] 5 Applicants believe that their "reaction turbine" provided In the walls of the blow chamber. method of obtaining a greater capacity Is In Itself Referring now to Figure 7, It will be noted that an extremely Important advance In the art, for each of the outer nozzle chambers 80. 62, 64 are the reason that this blowing of the fibers back provided with cut away portions 234 and that ward by the blast Issuing between the vanes is, In the upper portion of the cover plate, to which 2Q Itself, adapted to shred or to spin the mineral these nozzle members are fixedly secured by any wool fibers from a molten stream even when the means (not shown), is provided with aligned wheel Is stationary, and, when the wheel Is be openings 240. These openings are provided for ing rapidly rotated, the spinning capacity of the the purpose of enabling the operator to visually wheel is. In effect, added to the shredding ca- estimate or determine the temperature of the lava 25 paclty of the blast or blasts issuing from the Immediately before it is shredded by any particu wheel. lar annular blast. In practice, of course, this As has been previously mentioned, we have pro temperature should be from time to time more vided a number of alternative types of spinning accurately determined by an optical pyrometer. wheels each of which is adapted to be used in The main blast fluid supply pipe 72 Is prefer 30 one or more spinning operations. ably provided with a variable pressure regulator One such spinning wheel is shown In Figure 242 having a dial 244. This arrangement, in 10. This spinning wheel 265 Is provided with a combination with the various other throttle and shaft portion 268 which may be Identical In con nozzle orifice valves, provide means whereby both struction with the shaft portion 44 shown In Fig- the pressure and the volume of the steam blasts 35 ures 1 and 3 except that It Is connected to a dif may be regulated as may be desired by the oper ferent form of upper spinning wheel portion and ator. Is adapted to be used with a plurality of hereto A cold water pipe 248 forming a part of a cold fore undescribed base plates. Its spinning wheel water supply system (not shown) and having a portion 268 Is preferably integrally formed with throttle valve 248 may be operatively connected 40 the shaft and Includes a depressed web portion to the main steam supply pipe 72 for the purpose 270, a preferably thin outwardly extending rim of reducing the temperature of the shredding blast portion 272 and a cut-back and centrally recessed and the temperature of the blow chamber when portion 274 which may be substantially the same such reduction of temperature is desired. We as the recessed portion 184 provided In the upper have also provided throttle valves 250 and 251 45 spinning wheel portion 178 of the spinning wheel which are operatively connected respectively to 48. the blast and adhesive supply conduits 72 and The recessed portion 274 Is adapted to receive SO for the purpose of providing means whereby a centering boss 278 which forms a part of a base' the fluids and adhesives passing through these plate 280 which may be secured to the lower side conduits may be directed solely through the hol 50 of the upper spinning wheel portion In the man low shaft 44 and the spinning wheel 46 when ner which has been fully disclosed In the descrip the annular blast nozzles are not being used. tion of the spinning wheel 48. Referring now to Figure 9 we have provided an The base plate 280 Includes a web 282, an out interchangeable and alternative form of base wardly Inclined wall portion 284, and an out- plate 260 which Is particularly adapted to be 55 wardly extending rim portion 286. This rim por used Instead of the base plate 180, when It Is de tion Is preferably, although not necessarily, made sired to give a reaction turbine effect to the spin wider than the rim portion of the adjacent spin ning wheel 48 or to provide an entirely different ning wheel portion in order to provide a support and a yet to be described spinning wheel opera ing base for the steam blast Issuing between said tion or to substantially increase the fiber produc SO spinning portion and said base plate in a manner ing capacity of the spinning apparatus. which may be well understood by referring to This base plate 280 may be identical with the Figure 10. This type of spinning wheel Is adapted base plate 188 except that It Is provided at or to be used Interchangeably with the spinning adjacent its circumferential portion with a plu wheel apparatus shown In Figures 1 to 6 inclusive rality of spaced apart turbine reaction vanes 262 65 and It Is especially designed to make an efficient which may be either integrally formed with the use of the energy of the air or the steam blast 288 plate substantially as shown or may be fixedly Issuing between the upper and lower portions of secured thereto In any other suitable manner. this spinning wheel. These vanes are so formed that when the base In Figures 11 and 12 we have depicted two alter- plate 260 Is substituted for the base plate 188 70 native forms of base plates, 290 and 292 respec that they extend outwardly to, or substantially tively, each of which are adapted to be used to, the inner lower surface of the upper spinning Instead of the base plate 280 shown In Figure 10. wheel portion 178 In a manner to produce a re Each of these base plates may be Identical In action turbine effect which not only tends to drive construction with the above mentioned base plate the spinning wheel forward In the direction Indi 75 280 except that Inwardly extending blades or MTC 016990 ,9 338,714 vanes are provided which may be integrally substances are discussed In detail in the D. C. formed with their base plates intermediate of Drill et al. D. 8. Letters Patent No. 2.214,768 and their web portions and rim portions, substanti in that patent it is disclosed that when the ally as shown. mutually reactive ingredients are separately ap- The vanes 294 of the base plate 292 preferably 6 Plied or are Intermixed Immediately before appli extend upwardly and radially from its web portion cation, a far more even coating of the fibers may 299 to its rim portion 296 (see Figure 12) and the be obtained. vanes 291 of the base plate 290 (see Figure 11) are The spinning wheel 210 may be constructed in preferably of the reaction turbine type and Incline any suitable manner whereby liquids may be kept upwardly and rearwardly from its web portion to 10 separated while they are passing through the provide a reaction turbine effect. When the wheel, but it preferably includes an outer and an spinning wheel is being rotated with the base Inner tubular shaft to provide two separate fluid plate 292, the fluid or blast Issuing from the spin conduits through which fluids may be passed ning wheel is rotated with the wheel by its vanes through the wheel. 294 in the direction In which the wheel is rotating. 16 The outer tubular shaft 220 has a saucer The vanes 294 of the base plate 290, of course, shaped spinning wheel portion 222 which may be direct the steam or air blast rearwardly in much almost identical with the spinning wheel portion the same manner as do the vanes of the base 200 illustrated in Figure 14. This outer shaft plate shown in Figure 9. preferably has a water jacket (not shown) where- It should be noted, however, that both the vanes 20 by this shaft may be cooled and may be opera 294 and 291 are preferably positioned intermedi tively secured to the arm 220 of the lifting mecha ate of the rim and the web portions of their plates nism 182. This water jacket is preferably iden to permit the separated streams of gases passing tical, except in size with the water jacket 100 between their vanes to become more or less re shown In Figures 1 and 5 as is shown in Figure 17. united in the form of an annular blast when the 26 The upper end of this shaft Is secured in a gas blast fluid passes out of the spinning wheel, tight manner to an inner tubular shaft 224 by whereas, when the plate 269 Is used, the streams any suitable means, such as for Instance, by weld separated by its vanes 212 remain separated until ing. after they have passed out of the spinning wheel The outside diameter of this inner tubular apparatus. 30 shaft is appreciably smaller than the Inside diam In Figure 14 we have shown a spinning wheel eter of the outer tubular shaft for the purpose of 298 having a shaft 180 which is substantially the providing an annular conduit 228. This smaller same as the tubular shaft 44 shown in Figures 1 shaft Is provided at its lower end with a saucer and 3. This shaft is preferably integrally formed shaped portion 221 which is spaced apart from with a more or less saucer shaped upper spinning 35 the saucer shaped spinning portion of the longer wheel portion 101 to which there is operatively shaft by any suitable means such as, for instance, and detachably connected a saucer shaped base by a centering boss 220 and washer spacers 220 of plate 002 which is spaced apart from the spinning the type heretofore described. wheel portion 000 in a manner Which will be thoroughly understood by referring to Figure 14. 40 A saucer shaped base plate 222 is spaced apart from the middle saucer shaped portion 221 by The rim portion 000 of the upper spinning wheel the same method and the three saucer shaped portion SOI preferably extends slightly above the elements are rigidly secured together by any corresponding rim portion 108 of this lower base suitable means such as. for instance, by bolts 224. plate for the purpose of preventing the molten lava thrown off of the wheel from coming in 46 These outer and Inner shafts are respectively provided with suitable packing box constructions contact with and possibly being chilled by and 220 and 220 and with open portions (not shown) frozen to the rim of this base plate. This ar which may be similar to the packing box con rangement also serves the further purpose of struction 140 and the open portions 144 shown in imparting different spinning characteristics to M Figure 5. The upper end of the smaller tubular the spinning apparatus. shaft Is closed and Is provided with a preferably In Figures IS and 16 we have shown alternative detachably connected clutch 229 whereby the forms of base plates 100 and 210 which are shaft may be driven by the motor driven variable adapted to be used Instead of the base plate 202. speed drive means 191. One of the packing box The base plate 200 is provided with a plurality of ^ constructions may be connected to the flexible radially extending vanes 212 and the base plate hose ISO and the other may be connected by a 210 Is provided with vanes 214 of the reaction flexible hose 142 to a conduit 244 forming part of type. Each of these vanes are preferably located a second liquid supply system (not shown) which well within the rim portions of their base plates is adapted to provide either fluid adhesives or for the same purpose as are the vanes of the base fluid waterproofing materials. This conduit 244 plates shown In Figures 11 and 12, that is, to pro may be provided with any suitable valve 248 and vide a more even and continuous annular stream may be operatively connected to the adhesive or blast. supply conduit 80 by a connecting pipe 248 which In Figure 17 there Is depicted a spinning wheel Is also preferably provided with a valve 260. The 210 which is especially adapted to be used when M providing of two separate sources of supply and two or more mutually chemically reactive sub operatively connecting them together has several stances are to be used as a suitable waterproofing advantages. For Instance, when in the factory, or adhesive mixture or compound, such as for in the production unit is assigned to make another stance, a solution of rosin and sodium silicate product requiring the use of a different type of which react upon each other in such a manner 70 adhesive the change can often be made by merely that the mixture becomes too granular or lumpy closing and opening a few valves Instead of to be readily passed through small conduits or shutting down the production unit evenly distributed on the mineral wool fibers In a It will of course be understood that any pro settling chamber. longed interruption in production in a mineral The difficulties of applying mutually reactive 76 wool production unit Is an expensive and very MTC 016991 2,328,714 7 annoying procedure, for when these Interrup tions occur the cupola continues to pour out its ,then compressed by any suitable means, such as the compacting roller 136 that they become in white hot lava on the floor or elsewhere and effect adhered or welded together in such a man the cupola's "bottom" must be tapped to prevent ner as to provide a fibrous heat insulating board the lava from becoming frozen in the cupola. 5 or batt which is adapted to withstand high tem Referring once more to Figure 1, it will be peratures at which any available organic bind noted that the discharge conduit 16 of the suc ing material would be burnt or destroyed. This tion apparatus 28 is operatively connected to arrangement for maintaining a high temperature the side wall IDS of the cover member 41 by a within the blow chamber also has the advantage large pipe 354 and an annular tuyfcre-like air 10 that suitable mineral adhesive materials having discharge conduit 356. This conduit 356 com a relatively high melting point may be used as municates with the cover member 40 through any a binding substance such as aluminum silicate suitable means such as, for instance, a plurality componds, frit, or enameling materials. of spaced apart openings 351 through which the From the above description of our settling previously withdrawn air and gases may be ad mitted and more or less evenly distributed with IS chamber and its various spinning wheel attach ments, it will, of course, be readily understood in the cover member before they Anally pass into that any one of the spinning wheels may be em the Interior of the settling chamber beneath the ployed and may be rotated at various operating annular nozzle construction and above the tele speeds and held in various operating positions scopically mounted tubular extension 118. In order to provide a still more even distribu 20 in relation to the orifices of the annular nozzle construction. tion of these incoming gases around the spin It is also apparent that the power, volume, ning wheel, the cover member 46 is preferably and velocity of each shredding stream or blast provided with a downwardly and outwardly ex may be consistently controlled and maintained tending annular baffle member 358 whereby these Incoming gases may be first deflected downwardly a at any desired operating level within close lim its and that'an annular blast from the annular and then upwardly before they enter the interior blast nozzle means may be applied to the molten portions of the settling chamber proper. This mass at any desired viscosity within the fluid arrangement also has the advantage of provid range of the particular "run" or batch of molten ing means whereby any fibers having shot at tached thereto may be separated from the shot 30 materials being fiberized. This flexible construction provides many ad by reason of the outwardly projected shot strik vantages which are not found in any apparatus ing against this baffle member and it has the addi or combination of apparatus heretofore known tional advantage that any detached or loose fibers to the applicants. Among these advantages is drawn into the shot receiving chamber by any means may be carried back into the interior of 35 the fact that the annular mass or sheet, includ ing any fibers extending therefrom, may be pro the blow chamber by these Incoming gases and jected at any desired operating distance beneath become deposited on the movable conveyor. the annular orifice being used. This, of course, The pipe 354 is preferably provided with any enables the operator to subject this annular mass suitable damper means 360 which, in combina 40 or sheet to the fluid annular blast at the point tion with the damper 361 of the discharge con on the descending blast having the desired ve duit 36, enables the operator to direct any de locity inasmuch as the velocity of a blast pro sired proportion of the withdrawn gases either gressively decreases shortly after it leaves its into the outer atmosphere or back into the set orifice. It is evident that in order to shred the tling chamber. In order to provide specific means whereby an extremely high temperature 45 mass at the desired velocity, it is only necessary to provide a blast having a velocity above that at may be consistently maintained in the settling which the lava is to be shredded and then lower chamber, the pipe 354 is operatively connected to the wheel until the annular molten mass is pro a hot air or hot gas supply conduit 362 which jected against the blast at the vertical level hav is in turn connected to any suitable means (not shown) whereby a continuous stream of highly 50 ing the desired velocity. This flexible arrangement also provides means heated gases may be fed into the settling cham whereby a mixture of fibers, having different di ber. One simple way whereby these highly heat ameters and other physical characteristics may ed gases may be provided is to operatively con be obtained from the same wheel at the same nect any suitable fuel blast burner means to the conduit 362 which is preferably provided with an 55 time by moving the center or shaft of the wheel off center with respect to the center of the an inner refractory lining (not shown). It will be nular nozzle construction. When this is done, it is noted that the above described feed back and hot obvious that the blast from any one of the an air or gas supply means are adapted not only to nular nozzles may be readily applied to the an aid in maintaining the settling chamber in a highly heated condition but to also maintain 'the 00 nular mass at different temperatures and there fore at different viscosities and that since the pressure within the settling chamber at or above temperature of the annular mass decreases as it atmospheric pressure when it is desired to pre moves outwardly, fibers having relatively small vent cold air from entering into the settling diameters will be formed at the point where the chamber through the open portion in the cover member 46 or through any other openings in the 55 annular nozzle is the closest to the circumference of the wheel. It is equally evident that the oppo settling chamber. site of this statement is true. It is at times highly desirable that the interior It will also be noted that the blow chamber of the blow chamber be maintained at such a is preferably heat insulated and that various high temperature that the newly formed fibers 70 means are provided whereby the pressure and will be deposited on the movable conveyor be the temperature of the atmosphere in the blow fore these fibers have become completely solidi chamber may be widely varied. fied and while they are yet in a slightly sticky Attention is also directed to the fact that the or viscous condition. It will be found that when heretofore described base plates having turbine the fibers are deposited in this condition and are 75 vanes of the reaction type provide means where- MTC 016992 8 2,338,714 by much higher annular velocities may be Im to a blast issuing from the blast nozzle construc parted to the wheel by the force of the rearward- tion II. ly directed blast. This is particularly true If the It Is also apparent that by varying the velocity wheel be first disconnected by its clutch from and force of the blast Issuing from t.hig wheel the variable speed drive means, HI. S the period of time taken and the distance trav Attention is also called to the fact that the ersed by the molten material on its way from provision of a stream or blast suitably projected the wheel to the descending annular blast may beneath Its spinning surface materially Increases be varied In such a manner as to obtain much the fiber spinning capacity of the wheel and, the same effect as could be obtained were each when the blast is directed rearwardly from the 10 of the circular annular nozzles BS, CO, S2, and S4 wheel by any suitable means such as, for Instance, adapted to be contracted and expanded In cir blades of the reaction turbine type, that the spin cumference, as desired. ning wheel is particularly adapted to produce long As has been before mentioned, the type of fibers at a very rapid rate. spinning wheel shown In Figure 17 Is parlcularly It will, of course, be understood that each type is adapted to provide means whereby two mutually of spinning wheel herein disclosed is well adapt reactive adhesives (such as, for Instance, an ed to form mineral wool fibers either by cen aqueous solution of sodium silicate and rosin trifugal force alone or by the Joint application cut with naphtha) may be simultaneously ap of centrifugal force and one or more shredding plied to the mineral wool fibers. As has been blasts. 20 previously disclosed, some adhesives are mutually It will also be understood that each of the spin ning wheels may be held stationary and that the reactive and can not, in practice, be mixed to gether in a common reservoir before they are lava may be poured, upon the spinning wheel fed through the adhesive conduits for the reason and shredded either by its own shredding blast that some of the products of reaction form or by a combination of Its own shredding blast ^5 gummy, lumpy or granular substances which do and one of the downwardly directed blasts Issu not freely flow through the conduits and can ing from the annular blast nozzle construction. Referring now more particularly to the type not be evenly coated upon the mineral wool fibers. of spinning wheel shown In Figures 1 to 5 in From the foregoing description of the various clusive, this wheel is particularly adapted to spin so elements of the apparatus of our Invention and mineral wool fibers by throwing the molten ma terial off of the wheel and thereafter subject ing it to the action of the blast Issuing from their respective functions, the operation of the apparatus may be fully understood by those skilled In the art this spinning wheel and one of the downwardly Before commercial production Is started with descending blasts Issuing from the annular blast 35 a new batch of raw materials, it will be found nozzle construction. Under these conditions the molten annular sheet or mass will, of course, be subjected on both sides to a shredding force In advantatgeous to make a short preliminary test to obtain some definite working knowledge of the viscosity and other spinning characteristics of a manner adapted to enormously Increase the these materials and it is one of the advantageous shredding capacity of the spinning wheel. It will, 40 features of our apparatus that it is particularly of course, be understood that the velocity of the adapted to be used In making such a test. Hie wheel and the particular annular blast used will exact nature of the test employed may, of course, be determined by the type of fiber It is desired be varied somewhat according to the type of to produce. wool it Is desired to produce and certain "short It will also be understood that the type of cuts" may be made, but It Is suggested that the spinning wheel shown In Figure 10, In combi 40 test be made along the lines indicated below nation with the annular blast nozzle construction, and that a record be preserved of the results of is particularly adapted to gradually accelerate the test for future reference when dealing with the molten mass in such a manner as to pro Identical or closely similar raw materials. vide a larger output of extremely long fibers with Now solely for the purpose of roughly lllus- this type of wheel. The molten mass may be ou trating one way in which one such test may be first thrown off of the wheel at a relatively low radial velocity by centrifugal force then acceler made and Its findings may be applied, let us as sume that it is desired to produce a type of fiber ated by a fluid stream Issuing from the spinning having, among its other characteristics, an aver- wheel at a relatively low or medium velocity and age diameter of 5 microns. In making this test finally subjected to a descending annular blast 68 the operator preferably first directs the molten having a somewhat higher but not sufficient stream midway between Its shaft and Its circum velocity to tear the elongated strands Into short ference and then determines, preferably op- sections. tometrlcally, the temperature of the lava stream Referring now to Figure 14 the wheel 298 is at the point where It falls on the wheel, the tern- well adapted to provide an almost Ideal distribu 00 perature of the lava at the circumference of the tion of any suitable fluid binding material on wheel, and also, as nearly as possible, the tem mineral wool fibers passed through the wheel by perature of the lava where It passes under each reason of the fact that the annular mass tends to move radially from the wheel while the binder , .of the nozzle orifices of the annular nozzles 58. 88 82, and 84 The operator should then sepa- tends to move upwardly. 06' rately apply each of the annular blasts and as This wheel also provides means whereby sub certain the approximate diameter of representa stantially the same spinning effect may be ob tive fibers formed by each blast. tained as would be obtained were additional out In Figure 13 we have shown a more or less ex- er nozzle orifices employed by reason of the fact 70 planatory chart which Illustrates how the lava that a blast Issuing from this wheel Is directed may be shredded at any temperature best adapted both upwardly and outwardly from the wheel in to produce fibers of the desired diameter. a manner adapted to cause the molten materials Now let us assume that In making this test of the annular mass or sheet to move a greater the lava Is preferably first poured on the wheel distance from the wheel before they are subjected 75 at A approximately midway between Its clrcum- MTC 016993 ,2 328,714 ference and its shaft and that the temperature or distribute lava poured upon a downwardly in of the lava and the diameters Indicated at B, C, clined conical surface. D, and E are those obtained when the lava ls- We claim: belng poured on the wheel at A. 1. Hie method of manufacturing mineral wool With the above Information at hand, the oper- s fibers from molten raw materials comprising ator notes that the diameter of representative forming a stream of said materials, shaping said fibers shredded by the blast nozzle 58 is approx stream by the application of centrifugal force into imately 4 microns and that the diameter of rep an outwardly moving thin mass or sheet, accel resentative fibers shredded by the blast nozzle erating said outward movement of said sheet or II is approximately 9 microns. He may then to mass by the application of a horizontally extend readily determine, either by Interpolation (as Is ing rapidly rotating annular outwardly directed Indicated at F) or by deduction, that the desired fluid stream directed beneath said sheet or mass shredding temperature should be approximately and thereafter changing the direction of the 2760' F. which Is 40' F. less than that under movement and Increasing the velocity of the which the fibers were shredded by the blast from 15 molten material of said sheet or mass with a the nozzle II. Inasmuch as the operator knows downwardly directed cylindrical fluid blast en that the shredding temperature of the lava circling said mass or sheet to shred said molten shredded by this blast may be decreased by mov material Into solidified mineral wool fibers. ing the lava stream inwardly, he merely applies 2. Hie method of forming mineral wool fibers the blast II and shifts the stream Inwardly until go from suitable molten materials comprising de representative fibers having approximately the positing a stream of said material on a rotating desired diameters are being produced; the body turning in one direction to form an out stream Is then held at this point (O) on the wardly moving thin mass or sheet of said mate wheel as long as the conditions remain the same, rials and thereafter subjecting said molten ma after which he will make such adjustments as 25 terials to a shredding blast directed outwardly may be Indicated in accordance with the teach with respect to said rotating body and rearwardly ings of our invention and the character of the with respect to said direction of the rotation of fibers then being formed. said body with a reactive force sufficient to drive Now should the average length of the fibers said rotating body In said direction of rotation. produced be shorter than those called, for by the 30 3. A combined centrifugal spinning and blast specification, the operator decreases the strength apparatus adapted to form mineral wool fibers of the shredding blast and makes such other from suitable molten materials by the joint ap minor adjustments as may be indicated by the plication of centrifugal force and a shredding character of the fibers being formed. If the blast, said apparatus Including a rotatably fibers are longer than desired, he, of course, re- 3S mounted spinning wheel and a plurality of an duces the velocity of the shredding blast. nular fluid blast nobles encircling the axis of Should the operator desire to render the fibers rotation of said spinning wheel, each of said more flexible, he increases the operating tem nozzles being spaced outwardly from said wheel peratures of the preferably heat insulated blow and being operatively and separately connected chamber and. If he wishes to make them more 40 to a fluid blast supply system and being adapt rigid, he decreases that temperature. The manner In which each of the various ed to direct a shredding blast around said spin ning wheel at an angle to the plane of rotation blasts Issuing from the spinning wheels may be of said wheel, said spinning wheel being provided employed either by Itself or In combination with with an annular nozzle and a fluid conduit, said a blast from the annular nozzle construction has 45 fluid conduit being adapted for connection to a been previously described. It should be remem fluid supply system, said annular nozzle being bered, however, that by moving the stream of lava operatively and rotatably connected to said fluid Inwardly or outwardly on the spinning wheel the conduit and being adapted to direct a fluid operator Is enabled to subject the lava at various stream or blast outwardly from said wheel. temperatures to the blast Issuing from the spin- 50 4. A combined centrifugal spinning and blast nlng wheel. It should also be noted that when apparatus adapted to form mineral wool fibers a blast from a spinning wheel Is employed In from suitable molten materials by the Joint ap combination with any one of the blasts Issuing plication of centrifugal force and a shredding from the blast nozzle construction the spinning blast, said apparatus Including a rotatably capacity of the wheel Is materially Increased by 65 mounted spinning wheel and a plurality of angu reason of the fact that each side of the molten lar fluid blast nozzles encircling the axis of rota lava stream Is subjected to the action of a shred tion of said spinning wheel, each of said nozzles ding blast. being spaced outwardly from said wheel and be The foregoing details have been given for the ing operatively and separately connected to a purpose of exemplification and not limitation since numerous modifications may be made In the 60 fluid blast supply system direct a shredding blast and being adapted to around said spinning apparatus and methods herein disclosed with wheel at an angle to the plane of rotation of said out departing from the spirit of our Invention or wheel, each of said blast nozzle means being po the scope of the following claims. sitioned at different distances from the axis of In these claims it will be understood that the term "rapidly rotating" Is used to mean rotating 65 rotation of said spinning wheel, said spinning wheel being provided with a plurality of annular with a sufficiently high angular velocity and cen nozzles and a plurality of fluid conduits, said fluid trifugal force to throw the mass radially in the conduits being adapted for rotatable connection form of molten streams, which, when further to a fluid supply system, said annular nozzle attenuated oftentimes with the aid of a simul taneously applied shredding blast, may also as 70 being operatively connected to said fluid conduit and being adapted to direct a fluid stream or blast sist In the formation of said streams. This In outwardly from said wheel. terpretation Is employed to distinguish from 5. A combined centrifugal spinning and blast other methods In which the rotating surface Is apparatus adapted to form mineral wool fibers rotated quite slowly and Is chiefly used to spread 75 from suitable molten materials by the joint ap- MTC 016994 io 3,888,714 plication of centrifugal force and a shredding blast, said apparatus Including an annular blast blast, said apparatus Including a rotatably nozzle, a spinning wheel mounted on the lower mounted spinning wheel and a plurality of annu end of a vertically movable shaft having a ver lar fluid blast nozzles encircling the axis of ro tical vis and extending through said nozzle tation of said spinning wheel, each of said nozzles s and means for raising and lowering said shaft being spaced outwardly from said wheel and be to move said wheel beneath said norale In a man ing operatively and separately connected to a ner whereby material centrlfugally thrown off fluid blast supply system and being adapted to said wheel may be subjected to said shredding direct a shredding blast around said spinning blast at various operating levels beneath said wheel at an angle to the plane of rotation of said 10 nozzle, said means for raising and lowering said wheel, said spinning wheel being provided with shaft Including a support for said shaft, a sup an annular nozzle and a fluid conduit, said fluid ported arm member and a threaded means con conduit being adapted for connection to a fluid necting said support with said arm member supply system, said annular nozzle being opera whereby said support may be raised and lowered tively connected to said fluid conduit and being IS with respect to said arm member, said threaded adapted to direct a fluid stream or blast In a means including an externally threaded bolt and direction substantially opposite to the direction an internally threaded means mounted on said of rotation of said wheel. arm member and threadedly engaging said bolt 6. A combined centrifugal spinning and blast 9. Apparatus for making mineral wool fibers apparatus adapted to form mineral wool fibers 20 from a stream of suitable molten material by from suitable molten materials by the joint ap pouring said stream on a rapidly rotating body plication of centrifugal force and a shredding and centrlfugally discharging said molten mate blast, said apparatus Including a rotatably rial from said body Into the path of a descending mounted spinning wheel and a plurality of annu shredding blast said apparatus Including an an- lar fluid blast nozzles encircling the axis of ro 25 nular blast nozzle, a spinning wheel mounted on tation of said splning wheel, each of said nozzles the lower end of a vertically and horizontally being spaced outwardly from said wheel and be movable shaft having a vertical axis and extend ing operatively and separately connected to a ing through said nozzle and means for vertical fluid blast supply system and being adapted to di ly and horizontally moving said shaft to move rect a shredding blast around said spinning wheel 35 said wheel vertically and horizontally beneath at an angle to the plane of rotation of said said norale in a manner whereby the material wheel, said spinning wheel being provided with centrlfugally thrown off said wheel may be sub an annular nozzle and a fluid conduit, said fluid jected at various operating levels and positions conduit being adapted for connection to a fluid to said shredding blast beneath said nozzle. supply system, said annular nozzle being oper 35 said means for moving said shaft Including a atively connected to said fluid conduit and being support for said shaft, a pivotally mounted arm adapted to direct a fluid stream or blast in a di member and a threaded means connecting said rection substantially opposite to the direction support with said arm member whereby said of rotation of said wheel and in a manner adapt support may be raised and lowered with respect ed to drive said wheel in said direction of rota 40 to said arm member. tion. 10. Apparatus for making mineral wool fibers 7. Apparatus for making mineral wool fibers from a stream of suitable molten material by from a stream of suitable molten material by pouring said stream on a rapidly rotating body pouring said stream on a rapidly rotating body and centrlfugally discharging said molten mate- and discharging said molten material from said 45 rial from said body Into the path of a descending body into the path of a descending shredding shredding blast, said apparatus Including an an blast, said apparatus Including an annular blast nular blast nozzle, a spinning wheel mounted on nozzle, a spinning wheel mounted on the lower the lower end of a horizontally and vertically end of a vertically movable shaft having a verti movable shaft having a vertical wris and extend- cal axis extending through said nozzle and means 00 ing through said nozzle and means for moving for raising and lowering said shaft to raise and said shaft to move said wheel beneath said noz lower said wheel beneath said nozzle In a manner zle in a manner whereby the material centrlfu whereby the material centrlfugally thrown off gally thrown off said wheel may be subjected said wheel may be subjected to said shredding to said shredding blast at various operating levels blast at various operating levels beneath said 55 and positions beneath said nozzle, said mn nozzle, said means for raising and lowering said for raising and lowering said shaft Including a shaft Including a support for said shaft, a sup support for said shaft, a pivotally mounted arm ported arm member and a threaded means con member and a threaded means connecting said necting said support with said arm member support to said arm member whereby said sup- whereby said support may be raised and lowered 60 port may be raised and lowered with respect to with respect to said arm member. said aim member, said threaded means Includ 8. Apparatus for making mineral wool fibers ing an externally threaded bolt and an Internal from a stream of suitable molten materia] by ly threaded means mounted on said arm member pouring said stream on a rapidly rotating body and threadedly engaging said bolt. and discharging said molten material from said DANIEL C. DRILL. body Into the path of & descending shredding CARLTON C. DAVIS. MTC 016995