Patent ID: 7077724

Claim:
An apparatus that removes scale from sheet metal, the apparatus comprising: a leveler that receives a length of sheet metal and subjects opposite top and bottom surfaces of the length of sheet metal to forces that plane the length of sheet metal with the opposite top and bottom surfaces of the length of sheet metal being substantially flat; a descaler that receives the length of sheet metal from the leveler and subjects the opposite top and bottom surfaces of the length of sheet metal to jets of high pressure water that remove scale from the opposite top and bottom surfaces of the length of sheet metal; a dryer that receives the length of sheet metal from the descaler and dries water from the opposite top and bottom surfaces of the length of sheet metal; an oiler that receives the length of sheet metal from the dryer and subjects the opposite top and bottom surfaces of the length of sheet metal to a film of oil; and, an oxide detector positioned adjacent the dryer that receives the length of sheet metal from the dryer and senses oxide scale present on the length of sheet metal.