# US 4,399,985 A · Metallurgical lance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,399,985 A - Document ID: US4399985A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/364,232 - Filed: 1982-04-01 - Granted: 1983-08-23 - Earliest claimed: 1981-04-02 - Assignees: Monoconstruction Limited - Inventors: Owen Eastwood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399985A ## CPC - B22D 1/005: {Injection assemblies therefor (features relating to gas injection, provided on closures of the sliding gate type B22D41/42; provided on pouring nozzles B22D41/58; provided on closures of the stopper-rod type B22D41/186)} - C21C 5/4613: {Refractory coated lances; Immersion lances} - C22B 9/05: Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing {also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ} - B22D: CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES (shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; metallurgical processing, selection of substances to be added to metal C21, C22) - C21C: PROCESSING OF PIG-IRON, e.g. REFINING, MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON OR STEEL; TREATMENT IN MOLTEN STATE OF FERROUS ALLOYS - C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS ## Abstract The invention relates to metallurgical lances. Normally such lances are formed by a heavy metal tube encased in a refractory sleeve and because of their relatively long length such lances flex in use thereby propogating cracks in the refractory and encouraging the growth of cracks that are otherwise formed during shock loading of the lance as it enters the bath of metal and because of differential expansion that occurs between the refractory and the tube. The object of the invention is to provide a lance of high rigidity and reduced tendancy to cracking and spalling which objective is met by a metallurgical lance having a tubular member for the passage of gas or the mixture of gases and solids, said member being encased in a sleeve of an appropriate refractory, there being arranged around the periphery of the tubular member, and spaced therefrom, a number of longitudinal reinforcing members also encased in the refractory sleeve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A metallurgical lance comprising a tubular member for the passage of a gas or a mixture of gases and solids, said member being encased in a sleeve of refractory material capable of withstanding the temperature of the molten metal into which it is immersed, there being arranged around the periphery of the tubular member, and spaced therefrom, a number of longitudinal reinforcing members also encased in the refractory sleeve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A metallurgical lance as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing members are secured to the metal tube by a number of spacer members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) A metallurgical lance as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reinforcing members are connected together in pairs, at their lower ends, such that pairs of reinforcing members lie in spaced relationship around the periphery of the tubular member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2) A metallurgical lance as in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing members are formed from relatively rigid bar or rod-like members of an appropriate metal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A metallurgical lance as in claim 3, wherein the bar or rod-like members are of circular section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2) A metallurgical lance as in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing members are tubular. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) A metallurgical lance as in claim 3, wherein the reinforcing members are bent into U-configuration to form a pair of interconnected reinforcing members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) A metallurgical lance as in claim 3, wherein separate U-shaped connecting pieces are provided and which are secured to adjacent reinforcing members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A metallurgical lance as in claim 8, wherein the separate U-shaped connecting pieces are themselves solid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A metallurgical lance as in claim 8, wherein separate U-shaped connecting pieces are tabular. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1, 2) A metallurgical lance as in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein a perforated structure encircles the cage or cluster of reinforcing members to be embedded in the refractory material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A metallurgical lance as in claim 11, wherein the perforated structure is a wire mesh sleeve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1, 2) A metallurgical lance as in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein prior to the formation of the refractory sleeve, the tubular member and the reinforcing members are coated with a low melting point compound or a heat destructible material, removed on firing of the lance to leave a gap between the tubular member and the reinforcing members, and the refractory material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1, 2) A metallurgical lance as in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the ends of the tubular member and the ends of the reinforcing members are left exposed at the inlet end of the lance to allow for expansion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1, 2) A metallurgical lance as in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the outermost ends of the reinforcing members and the tubular member are connected to a main adaptor also encased in the refractory material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) A metallurgical lance as in claim 6, wherein the tubular reinforcing members are connected to a manifold to provide for the passage of cooling fluid through the reinforcing members.