Abstract: A method of annealing a steel sheet in an annealing furnace, including: supporting and conveying a steel sheet with hearth rolls; and supporting and conveying the steel sheet with a full-ceramic hearth roll as a hearth roll located in an area where a furnace temperature is equal to or higher than 950° C., wherein a main constituent of the full-ceramic hearth roll is silicon nitride with use of an Al—Y-based sintering aid.

Abstract: An annealing furnace for annealing a strand of steel. The annealing furnace including a first heating apparatus for heating the strand during operation of the annealing furnace. A transport device advances the strand in a direction of transport through the annealing furnace during operation of the annealing furnace. The annealing furnace also includes a first cooling device for cooling the outer surface of the strand with a gas guide in the direction of transport behind the first heater, wherein the gas guide is arranged in such a manner that a gas flows along the outer surface of the strand during operation of the annealing furnace for cooling the strand.

Abstract: In quenching, where a heated steel pipe (2) is immersed in a water bath (3) in parallel with water surface for cooling a pipe outer surface, and cooling water is injected from an axial center nozzle (8) into one end of pipe for cooling a pipe inner surface, thereby rapidly cooling the entire pipe surface, reduction of strength difference along a length of the quenched pipe becomes possible by moving the nozzle (8) following the motion of the pipe axis (2), and starting injecting the water from the nozzle (8) so as for the water to reach the other pipe end at the time of the immersion of the entire circumference of the pipe outer surface. An opening (3a) preferably faces the nozzle (8) to remove the water, and the flow velocity is preferably set to 23 m/sec or more for better water flow inside the pipe (2).

Abstract: A method and system for dispensing an additive wire involves use of a lance for delivering the additive wire and determination of location data with respect to a surface of a metallurgical melt into which the lance is placed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel plate cooling method, in controlled cooling of thick-gauge steel plate, which uniformly cools steel plate over its entire length and eliminates plate warping, that is, a method of conveying and cooling the top and bottom surfaces of steel plate in a high temperature state after hot rolling while constraining the high temperature rolled steel plate by a plurality of sets or top and bottom draining rolls, wherein cooling nozzles having a large number of nozzle openings and individually or simultaneously spraying the two fluids of air and water are used to cool the steel plate, the cooling method of steel plate characterized by giving a stable pattern by driving out air trying to invade the path of flow reaching the front end of the cooling apparatus when the water which is fed is low in amount or low in pressure.

Abstract: Continuous annealing equipment contains: a heating zone, a soaking zone, and a rapid cooling zone, the rapid cooling zone having gas jet cooling equipment and is provided with at least one pair of seal rolls at each of an inlet and an outlet thereof and bridle roll units each composed of two or more bridle rolls in front of and behind itself; the bridle roll unit behind the rapid cooling zone having two or more heating rolls each having an induction heater thereinside; and the heating roll having a winding angle of 100° or more per heating roll and 380° or more in total of all the heating rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally treating a plurality of curved suture needles. The apparatus includes a conveyer for transferring the plurality of curved suture needles from a source of curved suture needles to a receiver, a housing positioned adjacent the conveyer, the housing having a first end, a second end, and an opening running from the first end to the second end, the opening aligned with the conveyer to enable the plurality of curved suture needles to pass therethrough, and a heat source located within the housing for heating the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of curved suture needles are transferred by the conveyer from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing. Also provided is a process for thermally treating a plurality of curved suture needles to enhance the stiffness and yield moment of the curved suture needles. The curved suture needles so treated have a desirable combination of stiffness, strength and ductility.

Abstract: A cold drawn carbon steel filament has a surface with traces of bismuth. The steel filament can be used as a sawing wire or as part of a steel cord. During its manufacturing the steel filament has been subjected to a controlled cooling by bringing the steel filament in contact with bismuth. Bismuth may replace lead without harming the environment.

Abstract: A double cavity type steel slag treatment equipment by barrel method employing mandrel support comprises left and right barrel bodies, flow branching pan, mandrel, feed funnel. Between the left and right barrel bodies is disposed a flow branching pan, over which is mounted a feed funnel and below which is mounted a retaining ring. The mandrel is fixedly connected to the left and right barrel bodies and flow branching pan, supporting bearings are mounted at two ends of the mandrel, left and right barrel bodies have inner and outer portions, inner barrel body is made of grid section, one end of grid section is fixed on the end cover of outer barrel body through an insertion opening made of supporting rings, the other end of grid section is joined with the supporting ring fixedly connected on outer barrel body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for acting on the temperature of a travelling strip (4) by blowing gas or a water/gas mixture, whereby a plurality of jets of gas or a water/gas mixture, extending toward the surface of the strip and arranged in such a way that the impacts (24, 34) of the jets of gas or water/gas mixture on each surface of the strip are distributed at the nodes of a two-dimensional network, are sprayed onto each face of the strip. The impacts (24) of the jets on one face (A) are not opposite the impacts (34) of the jets on the other face (B), and the jets of gas or water/gas mixture come from tubular nozzles (23, 33) which are supplied by at least one distribution chamber (21, 31) and extend at a distance from the distribution chamber in such a way as to leave a free space for the flow of the returning gas or water/gas mixture parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip.

Abstract: A system and method for producing material characteristics are described. A magnetic treatment chamber with a high magnetic field treats workpieces; and a conveyor or transporter continuously moves the workpieces through the high magnetic field in the magnetic chamber. A frictional or mechanical engagement system extracts the workpieces through and out of the high magnetic field.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a hot rolled steel strip including a top surface cooling means provided above a hot rolled steel strip which is transferred with transfer rollers; and a bottom surface cooling means provided below the hot rolled steel strip, each of the top surface cooling means and the bottom surface cooling means including a protective member having at least one cooling water passage hole; at least one cooling water header opposing the hot rolled steel strip separated by the protective member; and cooling water jetting nozzles protruding from the cooling water header, wherein the tips of the cooling water jetting nozzles are disposed farther from the hot rolled steel strip than the surface, opposing the hot rolled steel strip, of the protective member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel plate cooling method, in controlled cooling of thick-gauge steel plate, which uniformly cools steel plate over its entire length and eliminates plate warping, that is, a method of conveying and cooling the top and bottom surfaces of steel plate in a high temperature state after hot rolling while constraining the high temperature rolled steel plate by a plurality of sets or top and bottom draining rolls, wherein cooling nozzles having a large number of nozzle openings and individually or simultaneously spraying the two fluids of air and water are used to cool the steel plate, the cooling method of steel plate characterized by giving a stable pattern by driving out air trying to invade the path of flow reaching the front end of the cooling apparatus when the water which is fed is low in amount or low in pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to metallurgical slag treatment equipments. A double cavity type steel slag treatment equipment by barrel method employing mandrel support comprises left and right barrel bodies, flow branching pan, mandrel, feed funnel. Between the left and right barrel bodies is disposed a flow branching pan, over which is mounted a feed funnel and below which is mounted a retaining ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for strip casting sheet metal and then conditioning the surfaces of the sheet metal strip to remove iron oxide scale employs first brushing the surfaces with stainless steel brushes to remove the scale without requiring pickle and oil, and then brushing the surfaces with aluminum oxide brushes to further clean and smooth the surfaces of the cast metal strip.

Abstract: A device for pickling or cleaning rolled steel strip which is moved in the form of loops through several pickling and cleaning containers arranged within a treatment line, wherein at least one strip side is subjected tot he action of a pickling or cleaning medium. For this purpose, squirting or spraying units are provided which can be switched on or off and/or are adjustable with regard to their spraying width and/or are operated with controllable squirting or spraying pressure and/or volume flow. Deflection rolls for deflecting the strip are arranged before and after the treatment line for deflecting the strip out of the horizontal strip running plane into an upright vertical strip running plane and vice versa, wherein the deflection rolls are elevated or slanted relative to the horizontal strip running plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a copper wire includes a melting furnace in which combustion is performed in a reducing atmosphere so as to produce molten copper; a holding furnace for maintaining a predetermined temperature of the molten copper supplied from the melting furnace; a casting trough for sealing the molten copper supplied from the holding furnace in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and for transferring the molten copper to a tundish; a degasser provided in the casting trough for dehydrogenating the molten copper passing therethrough; a continuous casting machine for continuously producing cast copper from the molten copper supplied from the tundish, and a cutter for cutting the cast copper into a predetermined length. The apparatus permits a dehydrogenating treatment to be performed without requiring a long moving distance of molten copper, and in which the generation of holes in solidification is suppressed, whereby high quality low-oxygen copper wire having superior surface quality can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal tempering of at least parts of the cross section over the lengthwise extension of sequentially produced profiled rolling stock from the rolling heat.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to apply a corrosion protection in the form of a zinc (or other sacrificial anodic material) tape to a tubular member such as pipe or coiled tubing to used as an underground or underwater pipeline or flow line is disclosed. The zinc tape is applied with sufficient heat and pressure to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and underlying metal pipe. This allows the zinc tape to act simultaneously as a continuous protective metal barrier to the normal scrapes and nicks the pipe experiences during installation and as a sacrificial anode. The novel apparatus preheats the zinc tape with a nozzle containing heated gas such as nitrogen as it approaches the pipe surface. At the point of contact with the pipe surface, the nozzle continues heating the tape and pipe surface while a plurality of pressure rollers exert sufficient force on the zinc tape to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and the pipe surface.

Abstract: The carbon content in molten steel is adjusted to be a value not lower than 0.001%, and a thin steel strip is made from this molten steel using a twin drum type continuous casting apparatus by means of direct casting. The thus obtained slab is given a reduction of not lower than 10%. The coagulated steel strip is cooled to a temperature not higher than the temperature determined by a function of the carbon content, cooling speed and ratio of reduction of in-line. After that, the steel strip is reheated and then cooled again to a temperature not higher than the temperature determined by the function of the carbon content. Then the cooled steel strip is coiled. In the above process, a metallic sheet, the surface of which is smooth and the metallic structure of which is fine, can be produced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seamless steel pipe having excellent properties with high productivity in on-line processing, and an apparatus in which includes casting and heat treatment unit on-line. In the method the following steps (1) to (6) are successively performed. (1) A round billet is produced by continuous casting machine 1. (2) The billet is cooled to a temperature not higher than a Ar.sub.1 point, then heated and soaked in a furnace 3. (3) The billet is pierced by a piercer 5 at a strain rate of not higher than 200/sec and made into a hollow shell. (4) The hollow shell is elongated and finish rolled to make into a seamless steel pipe at an average strain rate of not lower than 0.01/sec and with a reduction ratio of not lower than 40%, and finishing the rolling at a temperature from 800.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C. (5) The seamless steel pipe is cooled to a temperature not higher than the Ar.sub.3 point at a cooling rate of not lower than 80.degree. C./min.

Abstract: Compact rolling block comprising at least one rolling mill stand having a horizontal axis and at least one rolling mill stand having a vertical axis, two end rolling mill stands having the same axis and being separated by a central rolling mill stand having an axis substantially at 90.degree. to the axes of the two end rolling mill stands, the end rolling mill stands (11, 13) being positioned beside each other and close together, each being associated with its own container (42) which surrounds them at least partly, at least one container (42) being movable, there also being included at least one upstream containing housing (30a), and a downstream containing housing (30b), at least one containing housing (30) being movable.

Abstract: In-line flat-rolled steel cleansing and finishing methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable flat-rolled steel, as supplied with surface areas contaminated with iron fines and other debris from gauge reduction operations, to be continuously processed in-line, free of interruptions for cleansing purposes. Continuous-strip methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable in-line continuous-strip cleansing in a manner which decreases iron fines carried by strip surfaces to a desired level while providing for continuous uniform cleansing. Carry-over of iron fines from the cleansing operations so decreases such that iron content of a coating means is decreased resulting in improved corrosion-protection coating. Diminishing iron content in a hot-dip galvanizing bath increases efficiency of aluminum additions and diminishes iron-aluminum dross.

Abstract: A planar sheet of structurally hardened aluminum alloy, having, after quenching and aging, mechanical strength which varies continuously in a particularly defined direction of the planar sheet. The planar sheet is produced in a process comprising quenching and final aging, where the final aging comprises heating for a defined period of time a first portion of the plate or sheet including a first edge to a first temperature T and a second portion of the plate or sheet including an opposite edge to a second temperature t<T.

Abstract: A method of guiding a steel strip during its passage through a continuous strip treatment plant equipped with a series of treatment stations, wherein the travel direction and/or travel track of the strip can be adjusted as desired and/or the strip is turned over as desired for making it possible to carry out a visual inspection of the strip. The method includes introducing the strip into a strip turning tower and guiding the strip, similar to a vertical looping storage unit, over vertically spaced-apart upper and lower guide rollers in order to twist the strip from roller to roller by a certain angle, such that any desired twisting angle can be adjusted between strip entry and strip exit of the strip turning tower.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous heat treating advancing continuously formed pipe in a restricted space with minimal deformation of the pipe during the heat treatment comprising a pipe feeder; curved rollers for receiving the pipe and advancing the pipe there around. A heat chamber for housing the curved rollers. A heat source for providing heat to the heat chamber and the pipe. A first deforming element for deforming the pipe into a curve for following the curve rollers and for directing the pipe to transverse across the rollers as the pipe is advanced around the rollers. A second deforming means for receiving and deforming the said pipe as it exists from the rollers into a substantial straight line and a take-up roller for receiving the pipe as it comes through the second deforming means.

Abstract: Continuous powder metallurgy compacts are produced from metal powder (1) placed in a tapered powder consolidation region (2) of a forming die (1). The die is made to undergo ultrasonic radial vibration about the consolidation region to effect radial compaction of the powder. The powder is progressively densified as it moves through the die, due to the tapered construction of the consolidation region, and emerges from the die at sufficient density to allow handling and further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling a traveling strip of heated material. The apparatus includes a cooling header comprising an external pipe having disposed therein a plurality of internal pipes having discharge holes. The external pipe has an exit which communicates with the discharge holes, and further includes a first chamber which communicates with a source of air and a second chamber which communicates with the first chamber and the internal pipes.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing grain-oriented electrical steel strip has a groove-scribing unit, which comprises a groove-scribing roll mounted above a pressing roll, disposed on the entry side of an insulation coating unit. A bridle roll is provided above the groove-scribing roll so that the strip may be passed to the groove-scribing and insulating coating units via the bridle roll. The apparatus also has a device for guiding the travel of the bridle roll from above the groove-scribing roll to below the horizontal pass line of the strip and vice versa. A moving device attached to the bridle roll permits the bridle roll to travel up and down along the guiding device together with the strip passed therearound. When the bridle roll is positioned above the groove-scribing roll, the groove-scribing and support rolls are kept close to each other, thereby scribing grooves in the surface of the strip held between the two rolls before the strip is passed to the insulation coating unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for heating a strip of metallic material in a continuous annealing furnace and more particularly to an improvement relating to a method and apparatus for heating a strip of metallic material in a continuous annealing furnace in which annealing of the strip is continuously carried out in such a manner that a gas serving to adjust temperature of the strip, is blown toward the strip through a plurality of gas jet nozzles which are arranged on one side or both sides of the strip, wherein the temperature and flow rate of the strip are properly determined to a required level in response to the changing of the operating conditions such as the heat cycle, line speed, thickness of strip, width of strip and the like.

Abstract: A process of producing cold rolled stainless steel strip, according to the invention, includes preliminary treatment for hot rolled stainless steel strip, in which preliminary treatment, hot rolled stainless steel strip is, at first, treated through annealing and picking process and is subsequently subject cold rolling without introducing rolling mill lubricant at a reduction of more than 5%. The process of preliminary treatment for preparation of cold rolling is useful for producing high surface brightness cold rolled stainless steel strip, which can achieve both of satisfactory quality and high efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of cooling wire after it has been annealed comprising a cooling wheel which acts as a pulley for the wire downstream of the annealing apparatus, the rotatable cooling wheel having a hollow hub with a metal channel on its outside in which channel the heated wire is wrapped, the wire being cooled by the heat transfer through the metal channel wall to circulating water inside the hub, the water inside the hub kept circulating by a pair of flow passageways into and out of the hub cavity as well as by a stationary scrubber in the hub cavity which prevents the water from stagnating against the sides of the channel.

Abstract: A steel belt cooling apparatus is provided on both sides of a running steel belt. Each cooling apparatus has a gas cushion type nozzle essentially consisting of two slit nozzles which extend in the lateral direction of the steel belt with each nozzle head inclined inwardly toward the other and a flat plate between the slit nozzles. On the flat plate are a plurality of ribs extending from the slit nozzle on the upstream side to the slit nozzle on the downstream side and arranged in parallel across the width of the steel belt. The ribs may be provided such that the height of the tips of the ribs may be the same as the height of the tips of the gas cushion nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous heat treatment of wire rod comprises a tank containing a water bath maintained at a temperature of at least 75.degree. C., at least one inlet conveyor having an emergent part and a immersed part which is immersed in the water bath, and at least one outfit conveyor having an immersed part immersed in the water bath and an emergent part, the inlet conveyor having a plurality of steps inside the tank which are lower than the maximum upper level of the water bath, and at least one of the steps of the inlet conveyor having a downward inclination not exceeding 3.degree. to horizontal in the direction of conveyor movement, successive steps of the inlet conveyor being interconnected by at least one conveyor section inclined downwardly in the direction of conveyor movement at an angle not exceeding 10.degree. to horizontal. The level of the water bath is varied so that one or more of the steps of the inlet conveyor can be immersed selectively and optionally.

Abstract: A coiler-furnace unit comprises a coiler having a heatable coiler mandrel, which is disposed in a heat insulating housing, and strip guiding means comprising pressure applying rollers for engaging a strip to be coiled at least two cylindrical guide shoes, which extend around and are engageable with the coiler mandrel. In order to avoid heat losses, at least one heat insulating shielding element is provided, which is adapted to be introduced into the annular clearance defined on one side by the guide shoes when they have been retracted from the coiler mandrel and by the pressure-applying rollers and on the other side by the coiler mandrel or the strip coiled on said mandrel.

Abstract: A "jet cooler" device for cooling and recirculating the gas forming the protective atmosphere in the cooling chambers of the furnaces for the continuous annealing of steel strips, comprises vertically arranged boxes (4) which extend in the furnace interior between successive vertically extending parallel strip sections, substantially over the whole length thereof, i.e., throughout the height of the furnace, and which have their walls (104) turned toward the facing adjacent strip sections provided with perforations (5). Associated to each vertically arranged perforated box (4) are a plurality of individual protective gas-cooling and recirculating units (6), which are distributed over the vertical extent of the respective box (4) and are attached to the outside of the furnace sidewalls (1).

Abstract: A steel strip heating furnace has a movable wall which can be positioned closer or farther away from the transverse edges of the steel in order to adjust the heat radiation applied to the opposing edges of the steel. The movable wall extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of a course along which the steel is transported through the furnace. The movable wall constitutes part of a ceiling of a furnace body and can be shifted vertically toward and away from the transverse edges of the steel so as to adjust the high-temperature heat radiation transmission area about the opposing transverse edge and thus control the heat applied to the corresponding section of the steel. Also, it is especially advantageous to provide means for cooling the movable wall so as to adjust the heat radiation therefrom. Therefore, the heating furnace can control the heat applied to the transverse edges of the steel so that the entire surface of the steel can be heated uniformly.

Abstract: Improved techniques for infra-red generating gas-fired burners to heat-treat substrates with or without the added heating effects of the hot combusted gases generated by the burners. Burners can have ceramic fiber mat held over shallow combustion mixture plenum essentially completely spanned by baffle. Mats can have folded-in edges to permit close packing. Plenum can have partition forming small ignition compartment with igniter against covering portion of mat.

Abstract: A heat treating furnace for a metallic strip, which includes a heat exchanging zone and a heating/soaking zone provided within a furnace body by dividing the furnace body with a partition wall disposed in a widthwise direction so as to transport the metallic strip in a confronting state through the heat exchanging zone. The heat exchanging zone is further provided with nozzles for jetting atmospheric gas of the heat exchanging zone onto opposite surfaces of the metallic strip being transported, an atmosphere supply duct for the nozzles, and a circulation fan so as to utilize sensible heat discharged or dissipated from the metallic strip during pre-cooling for pre-heating the metallic strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for preheating, drafting, and stabilizing in sequence a running yarn strand and including a heated shoe device, freely rotating idler rolls at each end of the heated shoe device and a fixed draw pin with the heated shoe device having two different temperature zones by which the running yarn strand is preheated prior to being drawn when passing over the fixed draw pin, and is thereafter heat stabilized.

Abstract: Steel strip is continuously annealed while successively travelling through a heating, soaking, primary cooling, overaging and secondary cooling zone in an annealing furnace. In the overaging zone, an endless steel strip is allowed to run through a passageway that extends spirally from the entry end of the overaging zone to the point where overaging is completed, at a given distance in the direction of radius. The guide strip travels at the same speed as the steel strip being processed that is delivered from the primary cooling zone. On the entry side of the overaging zone, the strip being processed is laid over the guide strip so that the two strips spirally travel through the overaging zone side by side. The processed and guide strips running together are shifted out of the spiral passageway at the point where overaging is completed. Then, the processed strip is separated from the guide strip by shifting at least one of the two strips.

Abstract: A continuous heat treatment furnace for heat-treating a metal strip by passing the metal strip continuously through the interior of the furnace, comprising a wall of an air-permeable solid having a three-dimensional skeleton structure or net-like laminate structure satisfying the following requirement: ##EQU1## wherein .delta. stands for the thickness (m) of the air-permeable solid wall, a.sub.p the specific surface area (m.sup.2 /m.sup.3) of the air-permeable solid wall, and .epsilon. a porosity of the air-permeable solid wall, is arranged between the confronting surfaces of the strip.

Abstract: In a continuous annealing furnace, a steel strip is conveyed by conventional hearth rolls made of heat-resistant cast steel, such as HK 40. However, since the formation of buildup is frequent, conventional hearth rolls are inappropriate for long-term operation of a continuous annealing furnace. In the hearth roll of the present invention, which consists of a solid or hollow roll body and a surface layer, the surface layer containing more than 15% by weight of Nb and the balance being inorganic material, the formation of buildup is not frequest, thereby making long-term operation of a continuous annealing furnace possible.

Abstract: A method for thermal treatment of horizontal wire rings with convective heat transfer by means of circulated furnace gases, characterized in that said wire rings, particularly for thermal treatment above temperatures of 650.degree. C. are acted upon in the resting state from two sides, from the top and the bottom, with a directed flow of furnace gases in order to generate a turbulent flow condition in the center of said ring. As a result of this method, it is proper to connect wire rings for uniform thermal treatment. An apparatus for carrying out the treatment is also disclosed.

Abstract: The cooling section of an annealing furnace is described as having the capabilities of maintaining, increasing, or decreasing the temperature of a strip of metal as it passes through the section. Moreover, special means are provided for forming around the cooling device, used in the cooling of the gas impinged against the traveling strip of metal, a cold sink which traps and prevents the backflow of cooled gas through the cooling device into the section, thereby eliminating the formation in the section of undesirable cold spots which adversely affect temperature uniformity in the section.

Abstract: Helper rolls in a continuous annealing furnace are divided by a master speed hearth roll serving as the boundary into a plurality of control blocks disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the master speed hearth roll, and the speed of rotation of the master speed hearth roll is used as a reference speed. Tension of a steel strip are continuously controlled on the basis of values detected by a tension meter in the plurality of control blocks towards the inlet of the furnace for the helper rolls disposed forwardly of the master speed hearth roll and towards the outlet of the furnace for the helper rolls disposed rearwardly of the master speed hearth roll.

Abstract: A method of controlling the tension of a strip carried by a multitude of rollers disposed in four section of a furnace and driven by electric sources, one source for each section through respectives electric motors. The actual difference in tension of the strip between the inlet and outlet of each section is compared with a corresponding reference difference tension stored in a tension profile control circuit to form a tension deviation. An allotment-of-tension scheduling circuit successively receives all of actual tensions and sets a tension to each section and a correction factor. After having been amplified by the correction factor in one multiplier for each section, the tension deviation is applied to a speed regulator to control its associated allotted of tension and a tension profile within the furnace.

Abstract: A continuous strip preheat furnace and method of operation is disclosed wherein the furnace is provided with fired and unfired sections, separate exhaust stacks operably secured to each section, and means to regulate the flue gases which pass through the separate exhaust stacks to improve the operating efficiency of the furnace. The fired and unfired sections may both be vertical or horizontal, or one may be vertical and the other horizontal.

Abstract: A steel strip continuous annealing apparatus comprising: a steel strip feeder; a heating-soaking zone for heating and soaking the steel strip at a predetermined temperature; a first cooling zone for rapidly cooling the steel strip at a predetermined cooling rate; a second cooling zone for slowly cooling the steel strip or holding same at a predetermined temperature; a third cooling zone for cooling the steel strip to substantially the room temperature; and a steel strip carry-out device; wherein the first cooling zone incorporates therein forcible cooling means, the second cooling zone incorporates therein hot-cold change-over means and said forcible cooling means incorporated in the first cooling zone is provided thereon with self-cooling means; so that steel strips of various grades of steel different in required heat cycle to be applied thereto can be efficiently and stably annealed.

Abstract: The device is so improved as to decrease the tensile forces to be exerted on the band. For this purpose, the axes of the lower rollers and upper rollers, when viewed in projection on a horizontal plane, make with the perpendicular to the line of travel of the band equal and opposite angles.Application in particular in vertical band accumulating means in continuous heat treatment furnaces.