초록 ▼

A device (80) for sealing a furnace (50) which is used to draw a fiber (52) from a rod-like preform (51) includes a housing (82) having a cavity (121) for receiving a disc (111). The disc (111) is suspended for movement in the cavity in a plane lateral to the preform that extends through a center op

A device (80) for sealing a furnace (50) which is used to draw a fiber (52) from a rod-like preform (51) includes a housing (82) having a cavity (121) for receiving a disc (111). The disc (111) is suspended for movement in the cavity in a plane lateral to the preform that extends through a center opening (116) in the disc and into the furnace. An inert gas is supplied to the cavity and directed inwardly through radially disposed passageways (118－118) in the disc (111) to impinge on the preform and split into two streams which move along the preform in opposite directions to prevent the entry of ambient air into, as well as the escape of gas from within, the furnace. The inert gas also causes the disc to be moved within the cavity to compensate for irregularities in the preform or for its misalignment from a vertical axis of the furnace, and provides a cushion so that contact between the disc and the preform is avoided.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for sealing a treating chamber into which an elongated material extends, which comprises: a disc-shaped member adjacent an entrance to the treating chamber and having an opening through which the elongated material extends into the treating chamber without contacting the disc-shaped member

Apparatus for sealing a treating chamber into which an elongated material extends, which comprises: a disc-shaped member adjacent an entrance to the treating chamber and having an opening through which the elongated material extends into the treating chamber without contacting the disc-shaped member when said opening is substantially centered about the elongated material; means for supporting the disc-shaped member for movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to the elongated material; and means for flowing a gas through the disc-shaped member into the opening and into engagement with the elongated material at an angle such that the disc-shaped member is moved in the plane relative to the elongated material to center its opening about the elongated material, and such that the gas is divided into streams that move along the elongated material in opposite directions to seal the treating chamber.