Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a strip of moving metal in a hot strip mill, or the like, is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes an infrared sensor for measuring a temperature profile across a transverse section of the strip. A coolant manifold is utilized to apply coolant to the metal strip after the temperature is measured from a plurality of independently controllable outlets in the manifold transversely spaced across the strip. A controller adjusts the flow of coolant of the outlets in response to the transverse temperature measurements to selectively cool the strip in order to establish an uniform temperature profile.

Abstract: A spray bar having a plurality of nozzles and an elongated header for spraying liquid. The header is made up of a top, intermediate and bottom plate. Between the top plate and the intermediate plates are defined a plurality of independent fluid passageways coupled to individually controlled fluid operated valves having each nozzle assembly. Between the intermediate plate and the bottom plate is a liquid cavity. The nozzle are mounted in openings in the bottom plate and sealingly cooperate with the intermediate plate and extend through the liquid cavity. The flow of liquid through each of the nozzles may be independently regulated by varying a control fluid signal to enable the liquid in an application rate to be varied axially along the header.