Multi-component rotary spinner apparatuses, systems and methods for producing fiber from molten material

Abstract

Rotary spinner apparatuses, systems and methods for producing fibers from molten materials are disclosed. Certain exemplary embodiments include rotary spinners including a hub, a slinger, an annular member, a retaining member, and a plurality of fasteners. In certain embodiments the hub, the retaining member, and the plurality of fasteners are structured to limit axial movement of the annular member relative to the hub member and to allow radial expansion and contraction of the annular member relative to the hub member. In certain embodiments the annular member is structured to contact the hub at a plurality of contact areas and is spaced apart from the hub at a plurality of gap areas. In certain embodiments the slinger is structured to contact the hub at a plurality of contact areas and is spaced apart from the hub at a plurality of gap areas.

1 . A rotary spinner apparatus for producing fibers from molten material comprising:
 a hub member extending radially outward relative to a central axis and being rotatable about the central axis;   an annular member including a lower wall extending radially outward, a side wall extending axially upward from the lower wall, and an upper wall extending radially inward from the side wall, a first side of the lower wall contacting the hub member, a plurality of apertures being formed in the side wall;   a retaining member facing a second side of the lower wall;   a plurality of fasteners coupling the retaining member and the hub member, the retaining member, the hub member and the plurality of fasteners structured to limit axial movement of the annular member relative to the hub member and structured to allow radial expansion and contraction of the annular member relative to the hub member; and   a slinger member positioned radially inward from the annular member and extending radially outward toward the annular member, the slinger member contacting the hub member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first side of the lower wall contacts the hub member at a plurality of contact areas and is spaced apart from the hub member at a plurality of gap regions intermediate the plurality of contact areas. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of gap regions are provided by recesses defined in the hub member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the slinger member contacts the hub member at a second plurality of spaced apart contact areas and is spaced apart from the hub member at a second plurality of gap regions intermediate the second plurality of contact areas. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the second plurality of gap regions are provided by recesses defined in the slinger member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of fasteners are positioned to extend through a respective plurality of recesses defined in an inner periphery of the lower wall. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the slinger member is structured as a cup including a plurality of holes defined in a side portion of the cup. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the singer member is a disc shaped member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the retaining member and the hub member apply a clamping force on the lower wall of the annular member. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing fibers from molten material comprising:
 rotating a spinner about a central axis, the spinner including
 a hub extending radially relative to the central axis, 
 an annular member including a base portion extending radially relative to the central axis, a side portion extending axially upward from the base portion and having a plurality of apertures extending from an interior surface of the annular member to an exterior surface of the annular member, and an upper portion extending radially inward from the side portion, the base portion contacting the hub, 
 a retainer facing a second side of the base portion, 
 a plurality of fasteners coupling the retainer and the hub, and 
 a slinger positioned radially inward from the annular member and extending radially outward toward the annular member, the slinger contacting the hub; 
   directing a stream of molten material onto the slinger;   directing molten material from the slinger to the annular member through rotation of the slinger;   directing molten material through the plurality of apertures of the side portion through rotation of the annular member; and   directing a stream of elevated temperature gas toward the molten material exiting the apertures effective to attenuate the molten material into fibers;   wherein the annular member moves relative to the hub due to thermal expansion during operation.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the base portion contacts the hub at a plurality of contact areas adjacent a plurality of gap regions where the base portion does not contact the hub, and the slinger contacts the hub at a second plurality of spaced apart contact areas and is spaced apart from the hub at a second plurality of gap regions where the slinger does not contact the hub. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least a portion of the annular member is heated to at least 1800 degrees F. during operation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least a portion of the member spinner is heated to at least 2000 degrees F. during operation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of any of  claims 13  wherein the slinger moves relative to the hub due to thermal expansion during operation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the fasteners apply rotational force to the annular member during operation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the rotational force is applied to the annular member at a plurality of recesses formed in the lower portion. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A system for producing fibers from molten material comprising:
 a shaft extending along and being rotatable about an axis;   a spinner coupled with and rotatable with the shaft, the spinner including a hub, an annular member including a lower portion extending radially outward relative to the axis, a side portion extending axially upward from the lower portion and including a plurality of apertures, and an upper portion extending radially inward from the side portion, the hub contacting the lower portion at a plurality of contact areas and being spaced apart from the hub at a plurality of gap areas, and a retaining member facing a second side of the lower portion;   a dispensing member structured to direct a stream of molten material in a downward direction to the spinner; and   a plenum structured to direct a stream of elevated temperature gas toward a surface of the spinner.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the plurality of gap areas are provided by recesses defined in the hub. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  further comprising a slinger positioned radially inward from the annular member, the slinger contacting the hub at a second plurality of spaced apart contact areas and being spaced apart from the hub at a second plurality of gap areas. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the second plurality of gap areas are provided by recesses defined in the slinger. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)