Abstract: Apparatus for cooling strip includes a path of travel for the strip and cooling apparatus having a plurality of elongated gas nozzles within which are disposed water nozzles such that the water nozzles will have a discharge outlet within the gas nozzles and discharge water in generally the same direction as said gas discharge. In a preferred embodiment, the gas enshrouds the water and establishes a cocurrent two-fluid stream which impinges upon the strip moving by the cooling apparatus. Subsequently, heat transfer is enhanced by the air and water dynamics which are provided after impingement by fluid flow fields. The gas nozzles and water nozzles may be coaxial and in one embodiment are each circular. In one embodiment, containment gas is caused to impinge on the strip at a position longitudinally displaced from the regions of impingement of the cocurrent two-fluid stream on the strip so as to resist undesired flow of water.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying treatment gas, such as for cooling, heating, wiping or drying is provided by a gas handling unit which has a body portion for receipt and discharge of the gas and a plurality of elongated nozzles which may be (a) rigid nozzles, or (b) flexible nozzles which assume a substantially rigid projecting position when gas is flowing through the nozzle and a collapsed retracted or partially collapsed position when gas is not flowing. The unit may discharge gas in more than one direction. Certain preferred arrangements of nozzles are provided. The nozzles preferably have an inlet portion which is of greater cross-sectional area than the outlet portion and may have an inlet portion which is generally cylindrical cooperating with a generally conical outer discharge portion. In a preferred embodiment, the gas treatment apparatus may be employed in cooling metal coils. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling, heating, wiping, or drying a strip such as a metal strip has either a first cooling unit employed alone or first and second cooling units disposed in relative spaced relationship with a path therebetween for movement of the strip. Each air handling unit has a hollow body portion and a plurality of elongated projecting gas discharge nozzles. The first and second air handling units respectively discharge gas on the surfaces of opposite sides of the strip and also serve to define a spent gas exhaust region. The system may also be employed to resist undesired strip instability. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: A battery charger adapted for connection to a standard 12 volt vehicle battery through a cigarette lighter socket includes a transistorized saturable-transformer DC to AC inverter and an AC to DC rectifier for generating a potential higher than the potential from said 12 volt vehicle battery. An integrated circuit pulse width modulated current control is used to control charging current flow to a second battery to be charged and to maintain charging current at a safe level.