An apparatus is provided for producing continuous glass filaments. The apparatus comprises a feeder (20) for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous filaments, a drawing device (40) adapted to draw the streams into the filaments, and heat removal apparatus (50) located adjacent to the feeder for transferring energy in the form of heat away from a filament forming area adjacent to the feeder. The heat removal apparatus includes first and second manifolds (52a, 54) through which a cooling fluid circulates, a plurality of fins (56) having first and second ends (56a and 56b) and interface material (58). The first ends of the fins are associated with the first manifold and the second ends are positioned adjacent to the second manifold. The first ends may be fixedly connected to the first manifold. The interface material is interposed between the second manifold and the second ends to provide a path for energy in the form of heat to flow from the fins to the second manifold.
A filament forming apparatus and cooling apparatus for and method of inducing a uniform air flow between a filament forming area beneath a bushing and the cooling apparatus are disclosed. The cooling apparatus includes an air housing extending beneath the bushing. The air housing has a top wall and side walls defining an air chamber therebetween.
A cooling apparatus includes a manifold defining a fluid channel, and also includes a plurality of cooling fins connected to the manifold, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the fins includes porous material.
