Sanitary steam trap

Details Sanitary steam trap Sanitary steam trap

1999-11-01

2001-04-24

McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3744)

Automatic temperature and humidity regulation

Traps

Thermostatic

C236S09300A

Reexamination Certificate

active

06220519

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior art thermostatic steam traps are, typically, vertical units which must incorporate an inlet elbow and an outlet elbow for horizontal applications and thus have a substantial inlet-to-outlet vertical dimension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a thermostatic steam trap for use in sanitary environments comprises a steam trap body defining a steam trap cavity. The steam trap body comprises an inlet body portion defining an inlet port in communication with an inlet cavity portion, and an outlet body portion defining an outlet port in communication with an outlet cavity portion, the inlet cavity portion being disposed in communication with the outlet cavity portion to define the steam trap cavity. A centering member is disposed generally between the inlet body portion and the outlet body portion. A thermostatic bellows/plug assembly mounted to the centering member is adapted to move within the steam trap cavity, generally along a vertical steam trap axis, between a first position in engagement with a seat defined by the steam trap body, thereby to resist flow of fluid between the steam trap cavity and the outlet port, and a second position spaced from engagement with the seat, thereby to permit flow of fluid between the steam trap cavity and the outlet port. A sanitary seal releasably secures together the inlet body portion and the outlet body portion at an interface, with the inlet cavity portion and the outlet cavity portion arranged in communication and generally along the vertical steam trap axis, with the centering member secured therebetween.
Preferred embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features. The inlet port or the outlet port is generally horizontal, or the inlet and outlet ports are generally horizontal, for direct connection of the steam trap between an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of generally horizontal piping, without elbows. The steam trap body defines a bypass passageway about the seat, thereby to permit continuous draining of fluid from the steam trap cavity, i.e., for fail-open protection. The bellows is adapted to move in response to fluid temperature in the steam trap cavity, to trap steam in the first position and to exhaust condensate in the second position, the steam having a relatively higher temperature than the condensate. The outlet cavity portion is defined by an outlet body portion wall that tapers inwardly from the interface, the outlet body portion wall defining the seat. The inlet body portion defines a sanitary connection ferrule in a region of the inlet port, and/or the outlet body portion defines a sanitary connection ferrule in a region of the outlet port. The inlet body portion and the outlet body portion each defines a respective cooperating sanitary connection ferrule in a region of the interface. The inlet body portion and the outlet body portion are relatively rotatable in a plane of the interface, e.g. the inlet body portion and the outlet body portion are relatively rotatable to accommodate full 360° rotation. The thermostatic steam trap has an inlet-axis-to-outlet-axis vertical dimension of less than about 3 inches, and preferably less than about 2.85 inches, for standard ½-inch and ¾-inch sanitary fittings and clamps, with each of the inlet body portion and the outlet body portion being integrally made with polished, sanitary surface finishes, and clamps at sanitary connection ferrules at the inlet port, the outlet port and the interface having clearance for tightening without interengagement.
The invention thus provides a thermostatic steam trap for use in sanitary environments, with integral horizontal inlet and outlet ports used in conjunction with a thermostatic bellows/plug assembly designed for free draining flow, without puddling, even in significantly sloped lines with minimal vertical clearance.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment, and from the claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1548900 (1925-08-01), Parks
patent: 2807421 (1957-09-01), Carlson, Jr.
patent: 2914251 (1959-11-01), Morgan
patent: 2936772 (1960-05-01), Kinderman
patent: 4134541 (1979-01-01), Beatty
patent: 4288032 (1981-09-01), Hetz
patent: 4387732 (1983-06-01), Hetz
patent: 4484594 (1984-11-01), Alderman
patent: 5088518 (1992-02-01), Stamatakis et al.
patent: 5445187 (1995-08-01), Farquhar

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