Remote monitor for steam traps

• US 20060118647A1
• Filed: 12/08/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cheskaty, Rex, Grubka, Lawrence J., Horton, William R., Gaines, Michael H., Hellman, Michael P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,246,036 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/93.R
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/48 Monitoring arrangements for inspecting, e.g. flow of steam and steam condensate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3028 With non-discriminating gas vent or liquid discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of at least one steam trap includes at least one monitor including at least one sensor for sensing at least one process condition of the steam trap; at least one means for calculating an average of the at least one monitored process condition; and, at least one transmitter for transmitting at least one signal responsive to the averaged monitored process condition.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring the status of at least one steam trap comprising:

sensing at least one process condition in the steam trap;

calculating an average value of the at least one sensed process condition;

transmitting at least one signal responsive to the averaged sensed process condition of the steam trap; and

receiving the averaged signals that are generated.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the sensing of the at least one process condition comprises sensing the temperature of steam in the steam trap.

3. The method of claim 2, further including sensing sound emitting from the steam trap.

4-8. -8. (canceled)

9. An apparatus for monitoring the status of at least one steam trap comprising:

at least one monitor including at least one sensor for sensing at least one process condition of the steam trap;

at least one means for calculating an average of the at least one monitored process condition; and

,

at least one transmitter for transmitting at least one signal responsive to the averaged monitored process condition.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including at least one receiver to receive the signal generated by the transmitter.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a device for sensing the temperature of the steam trap.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the monitor includes at least one sensor device for sensing sound emitting from the steam trap

13-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A remote monitoring system comprising:

a sensor device for sensing a process condition of a steam trap;

an electronic monitoring device operatively connected to the sensor device to receive data from the sensor device; and

a connector block including an inlet passage suitable for communication with an inlet port of a steam trap and including an outlet passage suitable for communication with an outlet port of a steam trap, the connector block connected to one of the sensor device and the electronic monitoring device.

19. The remote monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the sensor device includes an acoustic sensor.

20. The remote monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the sensor device includes a temperature sensor.

21. The remote monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the connector block defines a pocket extending inward from an outer surface for accepting the sensor device.

22. The remote monitoring system of claim 21 wherein the pocket terminates at a closed end.

23. The remote monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the connector block includes a coupling secured to a collar.

24. The remote monitoring system of claim 23 wherein one of the coupling and the collar defines a pocket extending inward from an outer surface for accepting the sensor device.

25. The remote monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the pocket terminates at a closed end.

26. The remote monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the electronic monitoring device provides monitoring logic.

27. The remote monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the electronic monitoring device includes a programmable device capable of controlling the gathering, storage and dissemination of process condition data.