An inorganic fiber containing silica and magnesia as the major fiber components which further includes an intended strontium oxide additive to improve the thermal stability of the fiber. The inorganic fiber exhibits good thermal performance at 1260° C. and greater for 24 hours or more, retains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids. Also provided are thermal insulation product forms, methods of preparing the inorganic fiber and of thermally insulating articles using thermal insulation prepared from a plurality of the inorganic fibers.

The insulation material industry has determined that it is desirable to utilize fibers in thermal, electrical and acoustical insulating applications, which are not durable in physiological fluids, that is, fiber compositions which exhibit a low biopersistence in physiological fluids.
While candidate materials have been proposed, the use temperature limit of these materials have not been high enough to accommodate many of the applications to which high temperature resistant fibers are applied. For example, such low biopersistence fibers exhibit high shrinkage at service temperatures and/or reduced mechanical strength when exposed to service temperatures ranging from 1000° C. to 1400° C. as compared to the performance of refractory ceramic fibers.
The high temperature resistant, low biopersistence fibers should exhibit minimal shrinkage at expected exposure temperatures, and after prolonged or continuous exposure to the expected use temperatures, in order to provide effective thermal protection to the article being insulated.
In addition to temperature resistance as expressed by shrinkage characteristics that are important in fibers that are used in insulation, it is also required that the low biopersistence fibers have mechanical strength characteristics during and following exposure to the expected use or service temperature, that will permit the fiber to maintain its structural integrity and insulating characteristics in use.
One characteristic of the mechanical integrity of a fiber is its after service friability. The more friable a fiber, that is, the more easily it is crushed or crumbled to a powder, the less mechanical integrity it possesses. In general, inorganic fibers that exhibit both high temperature resistance and low biopersistence in physiological fluids also exhibit a high degree of after service friability. This results in a brittle fiber lacking the strength or mechanical integrity after exposure to the service temperature to be able to provide the necessary structure to accomplish its insulating purpose. Other measures of mechanical integrity of fibers include compression strength and compression recovery.
Thus, it is desirable to produce an improved inorganic fiber composition that is readily manufacturable from a fiberizable melt of desired ingredients, which exhibits low biopersistence, low shrinkage during and after exposure to service temperatures of 1260° C. or greater and, which exhibits low brittleness after exposure to the expected use temperatures, and which maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to use temperatures of 1260° C. or greater.
Provided is a high temperature resistant alkaline-earth silicate fiber exhibiting improved thermal stability when the inorganic fiber is exposed to elevated temperatures of 1000° C. to 1500° C. It has been found that the addition of suitable amounts of strontium to an alkaline-earth silicate inorganic fiber reduces fiber shrinkage and enhances mechanical strength beyond that of examples without strontium oxide additions. Thus, the fiber exhibits low biopersistence in physiological solutions, reduced linear shrinkage, and improved mechanical strength after exposure to expected use temperatures.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, less than about 0.3 weight percent calcia, and about 1.5 weight percent or less alumina.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 30 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, and about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, less than about 0.3 weight percent calcia, and about 1.5 weight percent or less alumina.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, and about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, less than about 0.3 weight percent calcia, and about 1.5 weight percent or less alumina.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of greater than 70 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide less than about 0.3 weight percent calcia, and about 1.5 weight percent or less of a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 30 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 30 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 30 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 30 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 30 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, less than about 0.3 weight percent calcia and about 1.5 weight percent of less of a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, less than about 0.3 weight percent calcia, and 1.5 weight percent or less of a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, about 1 about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, less than about 0.3 weight percent calcia, and a 1.5 weight percent or less of a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, less than 0.3 weight percent calcia, and 1.5 weight percent or less of a viscosity modifier.
Without limitation, and only by way of illustration, suitable viscosity modifiers that may be included in the inorganic fiber composition include alumina, boria, and mixtures of alumina and boria.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, and alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and greater than 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and greater than 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and greater than 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a mixture of alumina and boria as the viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a mixture of alumina and boria as the viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and a mixture of alumina and boria as the viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a mixture of greater than 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina and greater than 0 to about 1 weight percent boria as the viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a mixture of greater than 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina and greater than 0 to about 1 weight percent boria as the viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and a mixture of greater than 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina and greater than 0 to about 1 weight percent boria as the viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 30 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 2 weight percent alumina as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 1 weight percent boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 1 weight percent boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 1 weight percent boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 1 weight percent boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 70 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 15 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 3 weight percent of a mixture of alumina and boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 3 weight percent of a mixture of alumina and boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 72 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 28 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 3 weight percent of a mixture of alumina and boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 75 to about 80 weight percent silica, about 20 to about 25 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and from 0 to about 3 weight percent of a mixture of alumina and boria as a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, and greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier comprising alumina, boria, or a mixture of alumina and boria.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier comprising alumina, boria, or a mixture of alumina and boria.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier comprising alumina, boria, or a mixture of alumina and boria.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier comprising alumina, boria, or a mixture of alumina and boria.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber contains 1 weight percent or less calcia. According to other illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber contains 0.5 weight percent or less calcia. According to further illustrative embodiments, the inorganic fiber contains 0.3 weight percent or less calcia.
According to certain embodiments, the inorganic fiber contains substantially no alkali metal oxide.
According to certain embodiments, provided is a high temperature resistant inorganic fiber which exhibits a linear shrinkage of about 10% or less when exposed a use temperature of 1260° C. or greater for 24 hours or longer, and which maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids.
According to certain embodiments, the high temperature resistant inorganic fiber exhibits a linear shrinkage of about 5% or less when exposed a use temperature of 1260° C. or greater for 24 hours or longer, and which maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids.
According to certain embodiments, the high temperature resistant inorganic fiber exhibits a linear shrinkage of about 4% or less when exposed a use temperature of 1260° C. or greater for 24 hours or longer, maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids.
According to certain embodiments, provided is a high temperature resistant inorganic fiber which exhibits a linear shrinkage of about 10% or less when exposed a use temperature of 1400° C. or greater for 24 hours or longer, and which maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids.
According to certain embodiments, the high temperature resistant inorganic fiber exhibits a linear shrinkage of about 5% or less when exposed a use temperature of 1400° C. or greater for 24 hours or longer, and which maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and exhibit low biopersistence in physiological fluids.
According to certain embodiments, the high temperature resistant inorganic fiber exhibits a linear shrinkage of about 4% or less when exposed a use temperature of 1400° C. or greater for 24 hours or longer, maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, provided is a method for preparing a high temperature resistant inorganic fiber having a use temperature of 1260° C. or greater, which maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids. The method for preparing the fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia and strontium oxide, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, and about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, about 0.3 weight percent or less calcia, and 1.5 weight percent or less alumina, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, about 0.3 or less calcia, and 1.5 weight percent or less of a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 5 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 4 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, greater than 0 to about 3 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
According to certain illustrative embodiments, the method for preparing the inorganic fiber comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising about 65 to about 86 weight percent silica, about 14 to about 35 weight percent magnesia, about 1 to about 2 weight percent strontium oxide, about 0.3 weight percent or less calcia, greater than 0 to about 11 weight percent zirconia, and 1.5 weight percent or less of a viscosity modifier, and producing fibers from the melt.
Without limitation, the viscosity modifier that is added to the melt of ingredients to prepare the inorganic fiber may be selected from alumina, boria, and mixtures of alumina and boria. The viscosity modifier is included in the melt of ingredients in an amount effective render the melt fiberizble.
Also provided is a method of thermally insulating an article with fibrous insulation prepared from a plurality of the presently disclosed high temperature resistant low biopersistent inorganic fibers of any of the above disclosed illustrative embodiments. The method includes disposing on, in, near or around the article to be thermally insulated, a thermal insulation material comprising a plurality of the inorganic fibers.
Also provided is an inorganic fiber containing article, as described above, comprising at least one of bulk fiber, blankets, blocks, boards, caulking compositions, cement compositions, coatings, felts, mats, moldable compositions, modules, papers, pumpable compositions, putty compositions, sheets, tamping mixtures, vacuum cast shapes, vacuum cast forms, or woven textiles (for example, braids, cloths, fabrics, ropes, tapes, sleeving, wicking).
In order for a glass composition to be a viable candidate for producing a satisfactory high temperature resistant fiber product, the fiber to be produced must be manufacturable, sufficiently soluble (ie, having low biopersistence) in physiological fluids, and capable of surviving high temperatures with minimal shrinkage and minimal loss of mechanical integrity during exposure to the high service temperatures.
The present inorganic fiber exhibits low biopersistence in physiological fluids. By "low biopersistence" in physiological fluids, it is meant that the inorganic fiber at least partially dissolves in such fluids, such as simulated lung fluid, during in vitro tests.
Biopersistence may be tested by measuring the rate at which mass is lost from the fiber (ng/cm2-hr) under conditions which simulate the temperature and chemical conditions found in the human lung. This test consists of exposing approximately 0.1 g of de-shotted fiber to 50 ml of simulated lung fluid (SLF) for 6 hours. The entire test system is maintained at 37° C., to simulate the temperature of the human body.
After the SLF has been exposed to the fiber, it is collected and analyzed for glass constituents using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy. A "blank" SLF sample is also measured and used to correct for elements present in the SLF. Once this data has been obtained, it is possible to calculate the rate at which the fiber has lost mass over the time interval of the study. The fibers are significantly less biopersistent than normal refractory ceramic fiber in simulated lung fluid.
"Viscosity" refers to the ability of a glass melt to resist flow or shear stress. The viscosity-temperature relationship is critical in determining whether it is possible to fiberize a given glass composition. An optimum viscosity curve would have a low viscosity (5-50 poise) at the fiberization temperature and would gradually increase as the temperature decreased. If the melt is not sufficiently viscous (i.e. too thin) at the fiberization temperature, the result is a short, thin fiber, with a high proportion of unfiberized material (shot). If the melt is too viscous at the fiberization temperature, the resulting fiber will be extremely coarse (high diameter) and short.
Viscosity is dependent upon melt chemistry, which is also affected by elements or compounds that act as viscosity modifiers. Viscosity modifiers permit fibers to be blown or spun from the fiber melt. It is desirable, however, that such viscosity modifiers, either by type or amount, do not adversely impact the solubility, shrink resistance, or mechanical strength of the blown or spun fiber.
One approach to testing whether a fiber of a defined composition can be readily manufactured at an acceptable quality level is to determine whether the viscosity curve of the experimental chemistry matches that of a known product which can be easily fiberized. Viscosity-temperature profiles may be measured on a viscometer, capable of operating at elevated temperatures. In addition, an adequate viscosity profile may be inferred by routine experimentation, examining the quality of fiber (index, diameter, length) produced. The shape of the viscosity vs. temperature curve for a glass composition is representative of the ease with which a melt will fiberize and thus, of the quality of the resulting fiber (affecting, for example, the fiber's shot content, fiber diameter, and fiber length). Glasses generally have low viscosity at high temperatures. As temperature decreases, the viscosity increases. The value of the viscosity at a given temperature will vary as a function of the composition, as will the overall steepness of the viscosity vs. temperature curve. The present fiber melt composition possesses a viscosity profile of a readily manufacturable fiber.
Linear shrinkage of an inorganic fiber is a good measure of a fiber's dimensional stability at high temperatures or of its performance at a particular continuous service or use temperature. Fibers are tested for shrinkage by forming them into a mat and needle punching the mat together into a blanket of approximately 4-10 pounds per cubic foot density and a thickness of about 1 inch. Such pads are cut into 3 inch×5 inch pieces and platinum pins are inserted into the face of the material. The separation distance of these pins is then carefully measured and recorded. The pad is then placed into a furnace, ramped to temperature and held at the temperature for a fixed period of time. After heating, the pin separation is again measured to determine the linear shrinkage that pad has experienced.
In one such test, the length and width of the fiber pieces were carefully measured, and the pad was placed in a furnace and brought to a temperature of 1260 or 1400° C. for 24. After cooling, the lateral dimensions were measured and the linear shrinkage was determined by comparing "before" and "after" measurements. If the fiber is available in blanket form, measurements may be made directly on the blanket without the need to form a pad.
Mechanical integrity is also an important property since the fiber must support its own weight in any application and must also be able to resist abrasion due to moving air or gas. Indications of fiber integrity and mechanical strength are provided by visual and tactile observations, as well as mechanical measurement of these properties of after-service temperature exposed fibers. The ability of the fiber to maintain its integrity after exposure to the use temperature may also be measured mechanically by testing for compression strength and compression recovery. These tests measure, respectively, how easily the pad may be deformed and the amount of resiliency (or compression recovery) the pad exhibits after a compression of 50%. Visual and tactile observations indicate that the present inorganic fiber remains intact and maintains its form after exposure to a use temperature of at least 1260 or 1400° C.
According to certain embodiments, the low shrinkage, high temperature resistant inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of a melt containing magnesia and silica as the primary constituents. The low biopersistent inorganic fibers are made by standard glass and ceramic fiber manufacturing methods. Raw materials, such as silica, any suitable source of magnesia such as enstatite, forsterite, magnesia, magnesite, calcined magnesite, magnesium zirconate, periclase, steatite, or talc. Strontium may be included in the fiber melt as SrO and/or SrCO3. If zirconia is included in the fiber melt, any suitable source of zirconia such as baddeleyite, magnesium zirconate, zircon or zirconia, are introduced into a suitable furnace where they are melted and blown using a fiberization nozzle, or spun, either in a batch or a continuous mode.
The inorganic fiber comprising the fiberization product of magnesia and silica is referred to as a "magnesium-silicate" fiber. The low shrinkage, high temperature resistant inorganic fiber also comprises a strontium oxide-bearing raw material component as part of the fiber melt chemistry.
According to certain embodiments, the present inorganic fiber has an average diameter of greater than 2 microns.
According to certain embodiments, the present inorganic fiber exhibits low shrinkage and good mechanical strength at temperatures from about 1100° C. to about 1500° C., and low biopersistence.
According to certain embodiments, the present inorganic fiber exhibits low shrinkage and good mechanical strength at temperatures from about 1260° C. to about 1500° C., and low biopersistence.
According to certain embodiments, the present inorganic fiber exhibits low shrinkage and good mechanical strength at temperatures from about 1260° C. to about 1400° C., and low biopersistence.
According to certain embodiments, the present inorganic fiber exhibits low shrinkage and good mechanical strength at temperatures from about 1400° C. to about 1500° C., and low biopersistence.
In addition to magnesia, silica and strontium oxide, the magnesium-silicate fiber containing a strontium oxide addition may contain calcia impurity. In certain embodiments, the fiber does not contain more than about 1 weight percent calcia impurity. In other embodiments, the fiber contains less than 0.5 weight percent calcia impurity. In other embodiments, the fiber contains less than 0.3 weight percent calcia.
The magnesium-silicate fibers containing an intended strontium oxide addition exhibit a linear shrinkage after exposure to a service temperature of 1400° C. for 24 hours of about 10 percent or less. In other embodiments, the magnesium-silicate fibers containing an intended strontium oxide addition exhibit a linear shrinkage after exposure to a service temperature of 1400° C. for 24 hours of about 5 percent or less. In other embodiments, the magnesium-silicate fibers containing an intended strontium oxide addition exhibit a linear shrinkage after exposure to a service temperature of 1400° C. for 24 hours of about 4 percent or less.
The magnesium-silicate fibers containing an intended strontium oxide addition are useful for thermal insulating applications at continuous service or operating temperatures of at least 1260° C. or greater. According to certain embodiments, the magnesium-silicate fibers containing strontium oxide are useful for thermal insulating applications at continuous service or operating temperatures of at least 1400° C. and it has been found that the magnesium-silicate fibers containing the strontium oxide addition do not melt until they are exposed to a temperature of 1500° C. or greater.
The inorganic fibers may be prepared by fiber blowing or fiber spinning techniques. A suitable fiber blowing technique includes the steps of mixing the starting raw materials containing magnesia, silica, strontium oxide, viscosity modifier, and optional zirconia together to form a material mixture of ingredients, introducing the material mixture of ingredients into a suitable vessel or container, melting the material mixture of ingredients for discharge through a suitable nozzle, and blowing a high pressure gas onto the discharged flow of molten material mixture of ingredients to form the fibers.
A suitable fiber spinning technique includes the steps of mixing the starting raw materials together to form a material mixture of ingredients, introducing the material mixture of ingredients into a suitable vessel or container, melting the material mixture of ingredients for discharge through a suitable nozzle onto spinning wheels. The molten stream then cascades over the wheels, coating the wheels and being thrown off through centripetal forces, thereby forming fibers.
In some embodiments, the fiber is produced from a melt of raw materials by subjecting the molten stream to a jet of high pressure/high velocity air or by pouring the melt onto rapidly spinning wheels and spinning fiber centrifugally. The strontium oxide is provided as an additive to the melt, and a suitable source of the strontium oxide raw material is simply added at the proper amount to the raw materials being melted.
The addition of a strontium oxide as a component of the raw materials which are fiberized results in a decrease of linear shrinkage of the resulting fiber after exposure to the use temperature.
In addition to the strontium oxide bearing containing compound, the viscosity of the material melt of ingredients may optionally be controlled by the presence of viscosity modifiers, in an amount sufficient to provide the fiberization required for the desired applications. The viscosity modifiers may be present in the raw materials which supply the main components of the melt, or may, at least in part, be separately added. Desired particle size of the raw materials is determined by furnacing conditions, including furnace size (SEF), pour rate, melt temperature, residence time, and the like.
The fiber may be manufactured with existing fiberization technology and formed into multiple thermal insulation product forms, including but not limited to bulk fibers, fiber-containing blankets, boards, papers, felts, mats, blocks, modules, coatings, cements, moldable compositions, pumpable compositions, putties, ropes, braids, wicking, textiles (such as cloths, tapes, sleeving, string, yarns, etc. . . . ), vacuum cast shapes and composites. The fiber may be used in combination with conventional materials utilized in the production of fiber-containing blankets, vacuum cast shapes and composites, as a substitute for conventional refractory ceramic fibers. The fiber may be used alone or in combination with other materials, such as binders and the like, in the production of fiber-containing paper and felt.
The fiber may be easily melted by standard glass furnacing methods, fiberized by standard RCF fiberization equipment, and is soluble in simulated body fluids.
A method of insulating an article using a thermal insulation containing the disclosed magnesium-silicate fibers is also provided. The method of insulating an article includes disposing on, in, near, or around the article to be insulated, a thermal insulation material that contains the magnesium-silicate fibers containing an intended strontium oxide addition.
The high temperature resistant inorganic fibers are readily manufacturable from a melt having a viscosity suitable for blowing or spinning fiber, are non-durable in physiological fluids, exhibit good mechanical strength up to the service temperature, exhibit excellent linear shrinkage up to 1400° C. and above, and improved viscosity for fiberization.

Inorganic fiber with improved shrinkage and strength


Notification controls regarding television viewing are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, a notification condition can be created and by one or more components of a notification system. Actions regarding viewing of television content are then monitored and compared with the notification condition. Once the notification condition is satisfied, a notification is sent, which can be in real time or near-real time, as the television is being watched. Notification conditions may be satisfied with any of a variety of triggers, and the notifications can be sent in a variety of forms to any of a variety of devices. The notification system can redirect a television to a predetermined television channel and/or request authorization to access certain content. Notification controls can be created, viewed, and/or managed using any of a variety of devices.

Parental controls of modern televisions and/or television receivers enable consumers to restrict what is viewed on a television, often requiring a password to be entered to view restricted television programming. However, password protection and similar techniques can be hacked and/or otherwise bypassed, and provide little or no information to a consumer regarding what restricted programming is accessed or if any attempts were made to access restricted programming. Moreover, creating and managing parental controls are often confined to the television on which the parental controls are to be implemented.

Notification controls for television viewing


An optimal selection or decision strategy is described through an example that includes use in dialog systems. The selection strategy or method includes receiving multiple predictions and multiple probabilities. The received predictions predict the content of a received input and each of the probabilities corresponds to one of the predictions. In an example dialog system, the received input includes an utterance. The selection method includes dynamically selecting a set of predictions from the received predictions by generating ranked predictions. The ranked predictions are generated by ordering the plurality of predictions according to descending probability.

In many software applications, statistical classifiers are used to predict potential outputs. A statistical classifier assigns a probability distribution on all potential outputs. The system can select the top n outputs with highest probabilities. This is called n-best selection method, which has been used in speech recognition, natural language understanding, machine translation and other applications. Traditionally n is a fixed number.
Dialog systems are systems in which a person speaks or otherwise enters input to a computer in natural language, in order to accomplish a result. With the rise of microprocessor-controlled appliances and equipment, dialog systems are increasingly used to facilitate the man-machine interface in many applications such as computers, automobiles, home appliances, phone-based customer service, and so on. Dialog systems process the query and access one or more databases to retrieve responses to the query. Dialog systems may also perform other actions based on the request from the user. In order to provide meaningful results with as little user interaction as possible, dialog systems should be designed and implemented to accommodate large variations in the content and format of the queries, as well as the content and format of the responsive data.
Typically, a dialog system includes several modules or components, including a language understanding module, a dialog management module, and a response generation module. In the case of spoken dialog systems, a speech recognition module and a text-to-speech module are included. Each module may include some number of sub-modules. When statistical approaches are used in one or many of these modules, multiple result candidates may be produced. When multiple candidates are produced in conventional systems, the number of candidates is fixed as one of the static parameters.
A persistent issue in modern dialog systems is coverage and the fact that they rely on static rules, data structures and/or data content to process and return responses to user queries. Regardless of how comprehensive a dialog system is, it can never exhaust all the possibilities that people speak. To build a robust system, there is a need for dialog systems that include built-in adaptive components that can be easily trained and updated as new data are collected. Consequently, there is a need for a dialog system that can dynamically store utterances the system does not understand, and use data of these stored utterances to subsequently re-train the system. This eliminates the wasteful effort of training the system on data it already understands.

Method and system of optimal selection strategy for statistical classifications


An exhaust gas-cooling device for use on an exhaust gas conveyance system of a vehicle having an exhaust gas passageway to emit exhaust gases from an engine to an outlet includes an exhaust passageway pipe in fluid communication with the engine, and a micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe in fluid communication with and located downstream of the exhaust passageway pipe. The micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe defines the outlet of the exhaust gas-cooling device and has at least one aperture disposed on a pipe body of the micro-venturi mixing chamber for introducing ambient air into the micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe.

The present invention relates generally to exhaust gas conveyance systems in vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exhaust gas-cooling device for reducing the temperature of exhaust gases emitted from a vehicle's engine.
Exhaust gas conveyance systems on vehicles frequently emit exhaust gases with extremely high temperatures. The high temperatures can be achieved from routine engine operation, particularly on larger vehicles. Further, the high temperatures can also be achieved during a regeneration event, where collected particulate matter that is trapped in a particulate filter is oxidized. During both routine operation and regeneration events, the vehicle's operating environment can be subjected to undesirable high temperatures.
The conventional method of cooling exhaust gases is an "in-can" or "in-muffler" venturi device. In the path of exhaust gas flow, the venturi device is located downstream of the muffler and upstream of the tailpipe, and uses ambient air to lower the overall temperature of the gases emitted from the tailpipe. In the venturi device, a "cold pipe" draws in ambient air, and sits within a "hot pipe" that forms the path of flow of the exhaust gases. The exhaust gases travel within the hot pipe and around the cold pipe. As the exhaust gases travel around the cold pipe, the exhaust gases are cooled. At an outlet of the cold pipe, the ambient gases and the exhaust gases are mixed in the tailpipe for further cooling. However, new emissions laws require that the exhaust gas temperatures be lowered beyond the capabilities of the conventional in-muffler venturi device.
Thus, there is a need for an improved exhaust gas-cooling device that can adequately reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas to meet increasingly stringent emissions requirements.
There is also a need for an improved exhaust gas-cooling device that can be easily provided on most exhaust gas conveyance systems with little modification to the existing exhaust gas conveyance system.

International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC


A voice interaction system capable of appropriately handling a situation to effectively prevent a response error from occurring. A speech acquisition unit 102 acquires user speech. A feature extraction unit 104 extracts a feature of the acquired user speech. A response determination unit 120 determines a response corresponding to the extracted feature using any one of a plurality of learning models. A response execution unit 130 performs control in order to execute the determined response. A response error determination unit 140 determines whether the executed response is an error. A learning model selection unit 150 selects the learning model from the plurality of learning models stored in a learning model database 160 according to a result of the determination by the response error determination unit 140. The response determination unit 120 determines the response using the selected learning model.

The present disclosure relates to a voice interaction system, a voice interaction method, and a program and in particular to a voice interaction system, a voice interaction method, and a program for having a conversation with a user by using a voice.
A technique for enabling a user to enjoy a daily conversation with a voice interaction apparatus such as a voice interaction robot (voice interaction system) is becoming widespread. A voice interaction robot according to this technique analyzes phonological information of a voice uttered by a user and executes a response according to a result of the analysis. Here, the voice interaction robot determines a response using a learning model.
Regarding the above technique, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-352154 discloses an emotional state reaction operation apparatus which evaluates an emotional state of a user from a voice uttered by the user and executes an appropriate corresponding operation. The emotional state reaction operation apparatus according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-352154 includes phoneme feature quantity extraction means for extracting a feature quantity related to a phoneme spectrum of voice information, state determination means for determining an emotional state of the voice information based on a state determination table prepared in advance, and corresponding action selection means for inputting the emotional state and determining a corresponding action process based on a corresponding action selection table prepared in advance. The emotional state reaction motion apparatus according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-352154 further includes an emotional state learning table and emotional state learning means. The emotional state learning means acquires a relation between the phoneme feature quantity and the emotional state using a predetermined machine learning model based on the emotional state learning table and stores a result of the learning in the state determination table. The state determination means determines an emotional state according to the machine learning model based on the state determination table.

Voice interaction system for interaction with a user by voice, voice interaction method, and program


A blower assembly includes a first tubular duct in pneumatic communication with a second tubular duct arranged in a generally oblique orientation relative to one another. A thermostatic switch effects actuation of a plurality of blower fans mounted at an entrance opening at a lower distal end of the first tubular duct to direct heat through the first and second tubular ducts. V-shaped spring plates mounted within side walls of the first tubular duct receive the respective first and second legs of a base assembly mounting the logs to be heated. An optional moisturizing and deodorizing dispenser assembly is mounted to the second tubular duct structure for dispersion throughout a room environment.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to heat directing apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved blower apparatus for gas heated logs to direct heat relative to a room in an environment typically utilizing gas heated logs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of gas fired logs is conventionally utilized where individuals are not availed of suitable fire wood for heating purposes or are indifferent to the requirement to clean and maintain such conventional fireplace structure. Heat exchanger apparatus has been availed in the prior art to direct heat relative to a room environment such as indicated in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,332,236; 4,381,759; 4,928,667; and 4,078,542.
The prior art has heretofore been typically arranged relative to conventional fireplaces to position blowers and the like in a spaced orientation relative to such log structure to be heated. The instant invention is arranged for cooperation with gas fired logs, wherein heat is to be directed into the duct work as set forth by the instant invention to maximize heat to be directed into a room environment.


Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for processing alarm signals are presented. In some embodiments, a mobile device may be registered with a security system that is installed at a premises. Subsequently, an alarm trigger associated with the security system may be received. Based on receiving the alarm trigger, the location of the mobile device may be determined. A response to the alarm trigger then may be determined based on the location of the mobile device.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to hardware and computer software that may be used with or implemented by home security systems. In particular, various aspects of the disclosure relate to processing alarm signals, such as alarm signals that may be generated and/or received by a home security console or other security system controller device from one or more sensors installed at a premises.
Increasingly, houses, apartments, offices, and other premises are being secured with home security systems, which are also sometimes referred to as "burglar alarms." In addition to providing those who live and work in these places with a sense of security and greater peace of mind, many security systems are also beginning to provide users with a number of other beneficial features, such as the ability to remotely control and monitor a security system even when away from the monitored premises.
Despite advances in technology, however, false alarms continue to be an issue that can frustrate users of security systems. For example, not only can false alarms be a nuisance as a result of the unwanted noise, light, and attention that may accompany them, but false alarms can also have legal and financial consequences. For instance, some municipalities may impose fines and other penalties on homeowners if emergency responders (e.g., police units, fire units, ambulances, etc.) are dispatched in response to a false alarm at a home. There remains an ever-present need to minimize resources wasted on false alarms, and to improve efficiency of home security systems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Supplemental bridging straps are used to increase the strength of a flexible metal concrete form assembly. A metal form has a flexible panel member with a perimetral flange projected laterally from one side thereof. Each of a pair of transversely opposite side sections of the flange is segmented by a plurality of longitudinally spaced V-shaped notches having their apices adjacent the one side of the panel member to provide for a lateral flexing movement of the panel member to a preselected shape. With the panel member in the predetermined shape, the segments in each of the flange side sections are connected together against relative movement to retain the predetermined shape of the panel member. In a first preferred embodiment, each flange segment is connected to an adjacent flange segment by a flexible metal strap. In a second preferred embodiment, extended flexible metal straps are used to interconnect a central flange segment to each of the pair of adjacent flange segments. The supplemental bridging straps bridge or span across adjacent flexible metal straps and the straps are interconnected to a corresponding flange segment.

The invention relates generally to concrete forms and, more specifically, to concrete forms that are flexible to an adjustable curvature for forming sections of concrete structures having curved surfaces.
Concrete construction forms are generally prefabricated by the manufacturer for use in a particular structural application such as corner forms, linear wall forms, or form parts for assembly on the job to build structures having a curved surface and the like. Thus, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,148, a form assembly enables the casting of generally curved surfaces to a particular desired curvature by the use of flexible metal sheets arranged with their side portions in an overlapping relation and having reinforcing members at such side portions that are adjustably clamped to a supporting scaffold to secure the flexible sheets in the desired curved pattern to form an arched roof. Arched roof constructions are also shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,436,543 and 2,933,056. U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,176 discloses a permanently formed wooden stud-truss that has a curved central arch section positioned between a pair of straight end sections. The central arch has transverse slots or notches the sides of which are moved into contact engagement to provide the desired curvature. Before being closed the slots are filled with an adhesive compound to maintain the central arch in permanent deflection.
A concrete form including a flexible panel having an adjustable curvature is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,763. The concrete form is flexible to conform to any desired curvilinear shape having no radius of curvature less than the design limitations of the form. A strap or tension member substantially coextensive with the length of the form and including a plurality of elongated openings is used in association with a plurality of nut and bolt combinations to hold the form in the desired curvilinear shape. Because the single strap extended the entire length of the form, the elongated openings became quite extended at the side edges of the form. Due to the length of the form and the relatively small radii of curvatures to which the flexible form could be made to conform, a single strap could not function for both positive and negative radii of curvatures. This prior art form, accordingly, required two straps, only one of which was used in any given structure of form work. A flexible concrete form that would reduce the number of loose parts and simplify use of the form is desired.
An improved concrete form having a flexible panel is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,699. Instead of a single strap, this patent teaches the use of a plurality of strap segments having a first portion fixed to a perimetral flange of the form and an opposite, free end portion that was bolted to another portion of the flange in an adjusted position to hold the form in the desired shape.
Another concrete form having a flexible panel is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,482. The single strap is replaced by a plurality of strap segments having a central portion that is bolted onto the perimetral flange and a pair of opposing, free end portions that are bolted to respective other portions of the flange in an adjusted position to hold the form in the desired shape.
While each of these flexible panel forms has wide commercial application, new advances in concrete construction have created a need for a flexible form that has a greater load strength. In particular, new concrete formulations allow for higher levels of plastic concrete to be poured into forms than before, placing a greater load on the forms that must be resisted in order to form the concrete into the desired shape. Moreover, new concrete formulations have altered physical properties that further increase the load applied to the forms. Even a modest increase in the strength of the flexible form will allow significantly higher heads of concrete to be poured and result a concomitant reduction in the time and labor required to form the concrete structure. Accordingly, there is a need for a flexible concrete form having an adjustable curvature that is capable of resisting higher plastic concrete loads.

Concrete form having adjustable curvature


In one example embodiment, a system includes a content provider configured to transmit video content including a plurality of scenes; and an apparatus configured to: receive an input including a target playing time of the video content and a condition for changing a playing speed, determine a priority value for each of the scenes based at least in part on the condition for changing the playing speed, and determine a playing speed of each of the scenes based at least in part on the determined priority value and the target playing time of the video content.

When watching video content or multimedia content via a playing terminal, e.g., a TV set, a mobile phone, a computer, etc., if a user of the playing terminal wants to skip over some parts of the video content, or if the user wants to watch some other parts of the video content slowly, the user may control a playing speed of the video content by manually operating a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, or a remote control, etc.


A motor has an axis of rotation and includes a housing, a first shaft coupled to the housing, and a second shaft coupled to the first shaft. The motor further includes a stator, a rotor coupled to the first shaft, a gearbox, and a bearing assembly coupled to the rotor. The stator includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface defines a stator bore around the axis of rotation. The rotor includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is configured to extend axially along the axis of rotation and within the stator bore, and the second arm is configured to extend radially from the axis of rotation. The first arm and the bearing assembly are positioned within the stator bore, and the second arm is positioned entirely outside of the stator bore.

The embodiments described herein relate generally to electrical machines, and more particularly, to methods and systems for coupling a motor and a gearbox together within a housing of the electrical machines.
Certain electrical machines are sometimes referred to as brushless motors. Brushless motors include both brushless AC motors and brushless DC motors and are used in a wide variety of systems operating in a wide variety of industries. Motors commonly include a stator and a rotor with each having a plurality of stacked laminations and a central bore for receiving a rotating shaft. A housing encloses the motor and the electronics that control the motor. The housing includes a pair of end frames or end caps which are coupled to opposite ends of the stator to facilitate supporting the rotor. Proper radial and axial alignment among the motor components is desired to facilitate providing free rotation of the shaft for a variety of speeds and torques.
To provide speed and torque for a given application, some electrical machines may couple the motor to a gearbox which includes the necessary gear ratio to deliver the required speed and torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. This application, however, may require numerous sizes of motors and numerous sizes of gearboxes to cover a variety of speed and torque ranges. Multiple gearbox assemblies may lead to increased inventory costs, operating costs, maintenance costs and/or replacement costs. In some electrical machines, coupling the gearbox to the input shaft and to the output shaft may increase the size and axial length of the electrical machine. Increasing the size, however, could result in space constraint issues and in increased manufacturing costs, operating costs, maintenance costs and/or replacement costs.
Moreover, if not properly dissipated, heat generated by electronics and/or other components during operation of the electrical machine can shorten the life span of various electronics and/or motor components and/or generally result in poor performance of the electrical machine. Some electrical machines couple a cooling fan to the input shaft for heat dissipation. The fan, however, in combination with conventional gearboxes may also increase the size of the electrical machine.

Electrical machines and methods of assembling the same


Abstract of the Disclosure Stabilizer combination for Ca/Zn-stabilized PVC molding materials, containing (a) Ca salts of saturated, straight-chain C.sub.8 -C.sub.34 fatty acids, (b) Zn salts of saturated, straight-chain or branched C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids, (c) epoxidized glycerides of unsaturated, straight-chain C.sub.16 -C.sub.22 fatty acids having an oxirane number of 6 to 8 and iodine number less than 5, and (d) ketofatty acid glycerides of general formula R.sup.1 COO--CH.sub.2 -(R.sup.2 COO)CH-CH.sub.2 -OCR.sub.3, in which the groups R.sup.1 COO--, R.sup.2 COO--, and R.sup.3 COO-- stand for residues of ketofatty acids with 16 to 22 carbon atoms and optionally residues of fatty acids with 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and 60 to 100 wt.% of the groups are derived from the ketofatty acids and 40 to 0 wt.% from the fatty acids, with a ratio of the total weight of calcium salts of component (a) and zinc salts of component (b) to the percentage by weight of the ketofatty acid glycerides of components (d) in the range 1:1 to 1:50, result in favorable transparency values of the PVC molding materials stabilized with them.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to stabilizer combinations for Ca/Zn-stabilized PVC molding compounds.
The processing of rigid PVC molding compounds by injection molding, bottle blowing, calendering or the like at relatively high material temperatures requires optimal melt flow. If the end products are required to show high transparency, PVC types having low K values, for example in the range from 55 to 63, have to be used. Establishing good melt flow properties requires relatively high dosages of lubricants. The lubricants have to show optimal compatibility with the PVC compounds because only then can glassclear products, such as bottles or films, be produced.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Known lubricants of the type mentioned above are, for example, partial esters of glycerol, such as glycerol monooleate, glycerol dioleate and glycerol monostearate, fatty alcohols having chain lengths in the range from C.sub.16 to C.sub.18, phthalic acid esters of the fatty alcohols mentioned and also hydrogenated castor oil, i.e. the glycerol ester of 12-hydroxystearic acid. These and other lubricants are described, for example, in Becker/Braun, Kunststoffhandbuch 2/1 (Polyvinylchlorid), Carl Hanser Verlag, Munchen, 1986, pages 570-586. Other lubricants for PVC molding compounds described in the prior art include dihydroxyfatty acid glycerides obtained by hydrogenation of the corresponding epoxyfatty acid glycerides (EP-A 0 166 201) and ketofatty acid glycerides of which the ketofatty acid components are derived from mixtures of 9- and 10-ketostearic acid (DE-A 33 34 600). According to EP-A 0 166 201, dihydroxyfatty acid glycerides containing impurities of glycerides of C.sub.18 ketocarboxylic acid glycerides are also suitable for stabilizing Ca/Zn-stabilized PVC molding compounds. However, the PVC molding compounds obtained in this way contain only very small quantities (at most approx. 0.08% by weight) of the ketofatty acid glycerides.
Ca/Zn-stabilized PVC molding compounds are used in particular for the packaging of foods. A typical example of this application are water bottles, particularly for so-called still waters and CO.sub.2 -containing waters. Compounds of the type in question are additionally stabilized with epoxidized triglycerides, more particularly epoxidized soybean oil. Additional co-stabilizers, for example 1,3-diketones and/or derivatives of dihydropyridine, may be used because the stabilizing effect of CaZn systems is not very pronounced. Molding compounds of this type may contain diesters of ethylene glycol with saturated, straight-chain C.sub.18 fatty acids as internal lubricant. Thus, DE-A 38 12 014 describes a stabilizer combination for Ca/Zn-stabilized PVC molding compounds containing Ca salts of saturated, straight-chain C.sub.8-18 fatty acids, Zn salts of saturated, straight-chain or branched C.sub.8-18 fatty acids, epoxidized glycerides of unsaturated straight-chain C.sub.16-22 fatty acids having oxirane values of 6 to 8 and iodine values of less than 5 and the above-mentioned ethylene glycol diesters of saturated, straight-chain C.sub.16-18 fatty acids. The compatibility of the ethylene glycol diesters mentioned above with PVC molding compounds is comparable with that of hydrogenated castor oil; i.e. PVC molding compounds treated with these lubricants have substantially the same transparency properties.
Accordingly, the problem addressed by the present invention was to provide a stabilizer combination for Ca/Zn-stabilized PVC molding compounds containing an internal lubricant which would be superior in its effect to known internal lubricants, more particularly hydrogenated castor oil and the diester of ethylene glycol with saturated straight-chain C.sub.16-18 fatty acids.

Stabilizers containing ketofatty acid glycerides for Ca/Zn-stabilized PVC molding compounds


A transverse-axis impact sprinkler has a base, pivot joint frame, water inlet pipe, front transverse watering pipe, impact guiding frame, and a pivot angle controlling mechanism. The water introduced by the water inlet pipe will firstly pass through the front transverse watering pipe, and then is sent to the water spout provided on the turning pipe portion of the impact guiding frame, to drive the front transverse watering pipe to rotate synchronously along the swing of the impact guiding frame. The impact sprinkler is of a simplified structure, has a reduced failure rate and enhanced durability and ease of use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a watering and irrigating product, and more particularly to an innovative structural design of a transverse-axis impact sprinkler.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
Based on different functions, there are many different types of watering products seen in the current market, such as hand-held water pistols, vertical sprinklers, fixed sprinklers, pendant sprinklers etc. The present invention is targeted to the structure of fixed sprinklers. This type of fixed sprinkler is to be placed on or planted in the ground, and its functional appeal is the ease of movement.
The spouting portion of fixed sprinklers also have various structural designs, such as revolving type or swinging type etc. In the case of swinging type, usually a complex gearing mechanism is used in a traditional sprinkler to control the swing of the watering pipe. However, due to the complex actuating structure, the manufacturing cost is very high. Hence, for the manufacturers, the traditional design does not have good cost-effectiveness and good industrial applicability. Moreover, the complex structure also leads to a high failure rate. Indeed, it can not meet the quality requirements for practicability and durability.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.


To provide a hydraulic control circuit for a construction machine capable of shortening a time duration from the start of an engine until the pressure of a pump oil passage reaches a required pressure. A hydraulic control circuit for a construction machine includes a hydraulic pump that is driven by an engine; a hydraulic actuator that is operated by hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump; a hydraulic pilot type control valve that controls an amount and a direction of supply of the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator from the hydraulic pump; a pump oil passage that connects the hydraulic pump and a pump port of the hydraulic pilot type control valve; a bypass oil passage that branches from the pump oil passage and extends to a hydraulic oil tank; a bypass valve that is disposed in the bypass oil passage and controls an amount of the hydraulic oil returning to the hydraulic oil tank through the bypass oil passage; and a pilot oil passage that branches from the pump oil passage and extends to a pilot port of the hydraulic pilot type control valve; an electromagnetic proportional pressure reducing valve that is disposed in the pilot oil passage and controls a pressure acting on the pilot port; a controller that controls an operation of the bypass valve and the electromagnetic proportional pressure reducing valve; and an operation implement for outputting an operation signal to the controller in response to an operation applied from an operator. The controller sets the opening area A of the bypass valve to a second opening area A1 in a state where an operation signal is not output from the operation implement after the engine has been started and the pressure of the pump oil passage has reached a required pressure P0, and sets the opening area A of the bypass valve to a second opening area A2 which is smaller than the first opening area A1 during a time duration from the start of the engine until the pressure of the pump oil passage reaches the required pressure P0.

Generally, a hydraulic control circuit for a construction machine such as a hydraulic shovel includes an operation implement for outputting an operation signal in response to an operation applied from an operator, and a hydraulic pilot type control valve that controls a supply amount and a supply direction of hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump to a hydraulic actuator in response to the operating signal output from the operation implement. In addition, the hydraulic control circuit for the construction machine may be provided with a bypass oil passage that branches from a pump oil passage and extends to a hydraulic oil tank, in order to adjust the pressure of the pump oil passage connecting the hydraulic pump and a pump port of the hydraulic pilot type control valve, and a bypass valve (also referred to as a bleed-off valve) that controls the amount of the hydraulic oil returning to the hydraulic oil tank through the bypass oil passage (See the Patent Document 1, for example). Generally, the bypass valve includes a bypass valve housing, a bypass valve spool movably housed in the bypass valve housing, a bypass valve spring that urges the bypass valve spool to an initial position, and a proportional solenoid that causes the bypass valve spool to move against an urging force of the bypass valve spring. The bypass valve, whose opening area is adjusted by the movement of the bypass valve spool, is configured such that usually its opening area becomes maximal at the initial position of the bypass valve spool, and its opening area gradually decreases as the movement stroke from the initial position of the bypass valve spool increases. When the operation implement is put in neutral with an operation being not applied on the operation implement, the bypass valve spool is positioned at the initial position, so that the opening area of the bypass valve is maximized, and the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump passes through the bypass oil passage and returned to the hydraulic oil tank. Accordingly, the pressure of the pump oil passage become small when the operation implement is put in neutral, and thus, energy saving is achieved. On the other hand, because the movement stroke of the bypass valve spool gradually increases as the amount of operation applied to the operation implement increases, the opening area of the bypass valve gradually becomes small, and therefore the amount of the hydraulic oil returning to the hydraulic oil tank through the bypass oil passage decreases. Accordingly, the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump is controlled by the hydraulic pilot type control valve and supplied to the hydraulic actuator.
In addition, a bypass valve may be provided in a hydraulic control circuit to which hydraulic oil is supplied from a hydraulic pump common to a pump oil passage and a pilot oil passage connected to a pilot port of a hydraulic pilot type control valve (See the Patent Document 2, for example)

Hydraulic control circuit for construction machine


A novel wear surface cover clip for use with a conventional wire dispensing reel of the type used for dispensing tie wire such as that used for tying rebar during concrete construction projects. The wear surface cover clip of the invention can be easily removably interconnected with a conventional wire dispensing reel and when once installed, markedly extends the life of the wire dispensing reel.

1.Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tools for dispensing wire. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel wear surface cover clip for covering the wear surfaces of a wire dispensing reel for dispensing tie wire used for tying rebar.
2.Discussion of the Prior Art
During construction and before pouring concrete into the concrete forms, an array of reinforcement bars, commonly known as rebar, are erected within the forms so that when the concrete is poured, the resultant structure is strengthened by the rebar. Traditionally, intersecting sections of rebar are tied together by hand with a malleable wire known as rebar wire.
During the rebar wiring process, it is common practice for the worker to continuously pull the rebar wire from a coil of wire on a reel contained within a hollow housing in a manner such that the end of the wire never leaves the hand of the worker. For example, a worker tying up a rebar slab may completely use a coil of wire without ever letting go of the pulled end of the wire.
Often, the wire dispensing reels are provided with belt receiving loops so that the reels can be mounted upon the belts of the workman so that the wire can be conveniently withdrawn from the wire coils mounted therewithin by pulling the wire out of the casing through one or more openings formed in the casing wall. Typically, the edges of the openings in the casing wall are provided with curved wear surfaces over which the wire passes as it is drawn from the dispensing reel.
As the wire is continuously removed from the reel and passes over the wear surfaces, it will tend to cause severe wear to the wear surfaces and eventually will cut one or more grooves therein of the character shown in FIG. 1. When the wire falls into one of these grooves during the rebar tying operation, the worker will experience binding as a result of the wire being pulled at an angle in a very tight groove as the worker ties from left to right. Further, as the wire is pulled from the coil, it normally tends to travel back and forth over the wear surface of the dispensing reel so that when the wire falls into a groove in the wear surface, severe binding occurs.
Tie wire used in construction typically comes in three gauges, 16.5 gauge (thinnest) used for tying smaller rebar and for 15 gauge (heavy) for tying large and heavy rebar. Tie Wire is packaged and delivered in quantity usually in heavy cardboard boxes with some type of rust inhibitor protection. Often a worker will open a box to find the coils either heavily coated in oil, completely dry or in a progressively rusted state. Experience has shown that whatever the condition of the wire, it has adverse affects on the wear surface of the tie wire dispenser with the rust acting as an abrasive addition to the wire and the oil acting as a cutting fluid.
Further contributing to the wear problems of the prior art wire dispensing reels are the materials used in the manufacture of the wire reels. Such materials range from plastic to untreated steel to sand cast aluminum all of which are well below the hardness of the malleable tie wire. As will be discussed hereinafter, the wear surface cover clip of the present invention is advantageously constructed from stainless steel because it is of its hardness, availability, cost and ease of manuafacture. However, other alloys and carbon compositions of appropriate hardness can also be used to construct the cover clip. For example, galvanized sheet metal has also proven to be acceptable.
Dispensing reels of various construction are readily commercially available from a number of sources, including Klein Tools of Skokie, Ill., and Don De Christo Concrete Accessories, Inc. of Westminster, Calif. A dispensing reel for tie wires is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,683,000 issued to its Belderwell. Reference should be made to this patent for a discussion of the construction and operation of dispensing reels of the character with which the wear surface cover clip of the present invention can be used.