Abstract: Apparatus is described by means of which sheet metal strip, unwound from a coil construct having a vertical axis of rotation, is fed to a strip processing station at regulated rates. The feed rate control mechanism is particularly adapted to accommodate strip that is twisted prior to existing the apparatus to enable it to enter the strip processing station in a generally surface-horizontal attitude. The apparatus is arranged to occupy a minimum amount of floor space.

Abstract: Apparatus to prevent the deposition of dirt and fine air bubbles on the flat end of a piezo-electrical crystal transducer that emits and receives ultrasonic waves consists of a body having an internal passage that angularly directs water in sweeping relation to the flat end of the crystal to keep it cleansed of air bubbles, dirt or scum. A portion of the so-directed water is diverted angularly to and away from the crystal end to thereby produce a pressure at the transducer end of sufficient magnitude to suppress the generation of air bubbles. Part of the entering water enters a vertical water column that couples the transducer to the object being measured while the cleansing portion of the stream is re-directed back into the apparatus to join that in the vertical column to create a water jet of essentially uniform velocity distribution.

Abstract: Apparatus is described by means of which sheet metal strip, unwound from a coil construct having a vertical axis of rotation, is fed to a strip processing station at regulated rates. The feed rate control mechanism is particularly adapted to accommodate strip that is twisted prior to exiting the apparatus to enable it to enter the strip processing station in a generally surface-horizontal attitude. The apparatus is arranged to occupy a minimum amount of floor space.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described which are effective for detaching a coiled strip from a wound construct containing a plurality of coiled strips interconnected by intermittently spaced tabs that bridge the parting lines between adjacent strips. The apparatus is adapted to conveniently fracture the tabs in a manner which prevents distortion or marring of the adjacent strip material. The separated strip is caused to be wound into a tighter coil to facilitate subsequent handling thereof.