Self contained double O'ring slip joint and quick disconnect lance

A steel making lance assembly comprising:

• a top support member having an upper connector plate including an upper connector plate including an upper oxygen pipe, an upper inlet water pipe, and an upper outlet water pipe disposed in concentric relation;
• said upper connector plate having a lower surface;
• a top intermediate plate connected with said top support member, said top intermediate plate having upper and lower surfaces, said upper surface engaging the lower surface of the upper connector plate;
• the top intermediate plate having an oxygen passage, a water inlet passage, and a water outlet passage therein communicating with the upper oxygen pipe, the upper inlet water pipe, and the upper outlet water pipe, respectively;
• and
• said top intermediate plate having a first generally tubular projection connected with the lower surface thereof and extending generally downwardly therefrom;
• said projection having a generally outwardly facing surface portion;
• a lower support member including a lower connector plate having an upper surface engaging the lower surface of the top intermediate plate;
• said lower connector plate having a lower oxygen pipe, a lower inlet water pipe, and a lower outlet water pipe communicating with the oxygen passage, the water inlet passage, and the water outlet passage respectively;
• a lance supported on the lower connector plate;
• said lance including a nozzle having an oxygen outlet communicating with the lower oxygen pipe whereby oxygen may be caused to flow through said upper oxygen pipe, said oxygen passage, said lower oxygen pipe, and through said oxygen outlet;
• said lance having a connecting passage therein communicating with the lower inlet water pipe and the lower outlet water pipe whereby coolant may be caused to flow through said upper inlet water pipe, said water inlet passage, said lower inlet water pipe, said connecting passage, said lower outlet water pipe, said water outlet passage, and into said upper outlet water pipe;
• said lower oxygen pipe having a generally inwardly facing surface portions therein;
• said projection extending within said lower oxygen pipe to provide communication between said oxygen passage, said interior space, and said lower oxygen pipe;
• and
• said generally outwardly facing surface portion of the projection having sealing means supported thereon, said sealing means engaging the generally inwardly facing surface portion of the lower oxygen pipe for sealing engagement of the projection with the lower oxygen pipe whereby said sealing means is readily re-used when a replacement lower support member is substituted for the lower support member.

A steelmaking lance apparatus, comprising:

• a top support member including an upper connector plate having a generally downwardly facing upper connecting surface;
• an intermediate support member having a generally upwardly facing lower connecting surface sealingly engaged with said upper connecting surface;
• and
• a lower support member having a lower connector plate engaging said intermediate support member;
• said upper connector plate having an upper oxygen pipe, an upper inlet water pipe, and an upper outlet water pipe disposed in generally concentric relation;
• said intermediate support member having an oxygen passage, a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage communicating with the upper oxygen pipe, the upper inlet water passage, and the upper outlet water pipe, respectively;
• said lower connector plate having a lower oxygen pipe, a lower inlet water pipe, and a lower outlet water pipe, communicating with said oxygen passage, said water inlet passage, and said water outlet passage respectively for receiving oxygen and water from the top support member;
• said lower support member including a lance member, said lance member including an outlet nozzle communicating with the lower oxygen pipe for introducing oxygen into a steelmaking vessel;
• said lance member further including communication means for providing communication between the lower inlet water pipe and the lower outlet water pipe whereby coolant may flow therebetween for cooling the apparatus;
• one of said connecting surfaces having a projection extending therefrom, said projection having a generally outward surface;
• and
• the other of said connecting surfaces defining a recess therein the receiving projection therein;
• said projection having seal means supported on the generally outward surface and engaging the recess for sealing the engagement of said connecting surfaces.