Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for steering and treating continuously running strip material. The strip material is directed by a steering assembly having a steering roll mounted to a yoke. The strip material is passed over a portion of the roll surface and is steered by pivoting the yoke so that the roll axis is caused to rotate or tilt in a plane transverse to the plane formed by the running strip material.

Abstract: A method of controlling strip temperatures of two joined metal strips of dissimilar gauges but requiring essentially the same heat treatment temperatures, is described. The normal processing temperature is higher than the temperature to which it is desired to heat the webs. The higher processing temperature is reduced to a lower temperature in response to a change in the gauge of the webs passing through the chamber in which the webs are heat treated. This lower temperature is such that the heavier gauge web will not be underheated and the lighter gauge web will not be overheated. The line speed at which the juncture of the webs passes through the chamber will simultaneously be lowered in correlated relation to the reduction of the temperature within the heat treatment chamber until such time as the juncture passes from the chamber so that the processing conditions of time and temperature can be readjusted to accommodate heat treatment of the new web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a temper-rolled profile of a cold rolled steel strip after continuous annealing, comprising subjecting the continuously annealed cold rolled steel strip simultaneously to temper-rolling and profile controlling by use of a six-high rolling mill of intermediate roll shifting type in the same production line.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing a high strength dual-phase steel strip or sheet having a chemical composition which produces a dual-phase structure composed of ferrite grains and a low temperature transformed phase when rapidly cooled from the (.alpha.+.gamma.) temperature range or from the .gamma. temperature range. The apparatus has a continuous heat treatment furnace in which the strip moves vertically and which is composed of a heating zone, a soaking zone and a cooling zone, and conventional equipment associated therewith. The cooling zone has an upper hearth roll group, a lower hearth roll group and cooling equipment for cooling the strip at a rate in the range between 1.degree. and 300.degree. C./sec. for retaining the austenite in the steel of the strip.

Abstract: During the process in which a metal strip is moved in a floating condition, the metal strip is first heated, and thereafter cooled and annealed. In heating the metal strip, the metal strip is heated so that a central portion widthwise thereof is increased in temperature more than that of both edges widthwise thereof. The metal strip is heated in a manner as described whereby a great thermal stress is not introduced in the metal strip and consequently, there is less possibility to produce wrinkles in the metal strip.

Abstract: In order to achieve a seal which is as effective as possible, there are provided at the input and output ends of a metal sheet cooling machine flaps such as flap (input flap) which are journalled in a frame of the machine to turn about an axis X--X and are actuated by jacks. Supports carried by a rigid girder ensure that these flaps do not buckle under the effect of the pressure forces created in the machine.

Abstract: In a process in which strip metal is subjected to heating while suspended as a catenary in a heating zone, the strip is passed into the heating zone in a condition in which the lower surface is slightly elongated in relation to the upper surface. The differential elongation may be due to "coil set" in the strip feed coil or may be applied by a roller leveller or equivalent mechanism during passage from a feed coil to the heating zone. The procedure is conveniently employed to control edge creep and improve flatness in stoving coated strip or in annealing operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for sealing the inlet and outlet of a continuous strip furnace so as to minimize oxygen infiltration into the furnace, prevent heat loss from the furnace and to make the seals readily accessible for repair and replacement.

Abstract: A vertical strip heating furnace includes at least two vertical direct fired heating chambers which are arranged in parallel which are communicated with each other. A separation chamber for housing inside furnace rolls at adjacent pairs of the chambers is provided in at least one location. The inside furnace rolls are separated from the main flow of the combustion gases and the temperature of the atmosphere in the chambers housing the inside furnace rolls is adjusted to within a fixed range. This strip heating furnace is capable of large capacity processing and is designed to save energy, and the inside furnace rolls are free from breakage due to thermal stress.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for continuously measuring the annealing level on wires or strips, a wire or strip is passed, in a continuous feed, over a pulley of small diameter, at a tension less than that corresponding to the elastic limit of the material of which the wire or strip is made, so as to produce permanent elongation of 0.1 to 1%, this elongation being taken as a measurement of the annealing level, and utilized to control the annealing level.