Steam trap monitoring

• US 20060118648A1
• Filed: 08/08/2005
• 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., Armstrong, David M., Hellman, Michael P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,702,484 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 a steam trap include a device for sensing a process condition of the steam trap and a device for processing the sensed condition. The apparatus can include a processor positioned on a steam trap. The connection of the monitoring device to the steam trap can be to the trap itself or to an adjacent pipe or other apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring the status of a steam trap comprising:

sensing a process condition of the steam trap by taking multiple readings of one or more stream trap parameters;

processing the multiple readings using an algorithm in a processor mounted in a steam trap monitor positioned in the vicinity of the steam trap; and

transmitting a signal, based upon the processed multiple readings, indicative of the process condition of the one or more steam trap parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensed process condition includes at least one of temperature condition, acoustical condition, and pressure condition.

3. The method of claim 1, in which signals that are indicative that the process condition is within a programmed limit are transmitted at predetermined intervals, and in which signals that are indicative that the process condition is outside the programmed limit are transmitted immediately.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the algorithm includes determining whether or not a predetermined percentage of the readings for a parameter have values that exceed a threshold level for the sensed condition.

5. The method of attaching a monitor to a steam trap to monitor the status of the steam trap, the method comprising;

providing a steam trap having a body and a cap, with the cap being attached to the body with at least one fastening mechanism which secures the cap to the body of the steam trap;

removing the fastening mechanism, and

securing a monitor to the cap with a connector device that replaces the fastening mechanism.

6. The method of claim 5 in which the fastening mechanism is a bolt, and in which the cap has a bolt hole configured to receive the bolt, and in which the monitor is secured to the cap by inserting the connector device into the bolt hole.

7. A method of monitoring the status of a steam trap comprising adding a monitor mount to the steam trap, securing a probe member to the monitor mount, and sensing a process condition of the steam trap by taking multiple readings of one or more stream trap parameters with the probe member.

8. The method of claim 7, in which the probe member is secured to the monitor mount by threaded engagement.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the monitor mount is removably secured to a body of the steam trap with a fastening mechanism.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising processing the multiple readings using an algorithm in a processor mounted in a steam trap monitor positioned in the vicinity of the steam trap.

11. Apparatus for monitoring the status of a steam trap comprising:

a monitor for sensing process conditions of the steam trap by taking multiple readings of one or more steam trap parameters, the monitor being positioned in the vicinity of the steam trap;

a processor configured to process the multiple readings using an algorithm, the processor being mounted in the steam trap monitor; and

a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of the process conditions determined by the processor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the monitor includes at least one of:

a sensor device for sensing the temperature of the steam trap, a sensor device for sensing sound emitting from the steam trap, and a sensor device for sensing the pressure in the steam trap.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured so that the algorithm includes determining whether or not a predetermined percentage of the readings for a parameter have values that exceed a threshold level for the sensed condition.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is configured to periodically send a signal indicative of the process condition to the receiver when the sensed process condition is within programmed limits, and wherein the transmitter is configured to send a signal indicative of the process condition to the receiver immediately upon detection of a condition outside the programmed limits.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the monitor includes a connector device for securing the monitor to the steam trap.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the connector device comprises a probe member extending into the steam trap.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the connector device includes a securing mechanism for securing the connector device to the steam trap.

18. A monitoring system for a steam trap 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 monitor mount configured to be connectable to the steam trap and operable to convey a parameter of a steam trap to either the sensor device or the electronic monitoring device.

19. The monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the sensor device includes at least one of an acoustic sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor.

20. The monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the monitor mount defines a pocket extending inward from an outer surface for accepting the sensor device.

21. The monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the pocket terminates at a closed end.

22. The monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the monitor mount is a connector block including a coupling secured to a collar.

23. The monitoring system of claim 22 wherein one of the coupling and the collar defines a pocket extending inward from an outer surface for accepting the sensor device.

24. The monitoring system of claim 23 wherein the pocket terminates at a closed end.

25. The monitoring system of claim 23 wherein the electronic monitoring device is programmed with monitoring logic.

26. The monitoring system of claim 23 wherein the electronic monitoring device includes a programmable device capable of controlling at least one of gathering, storage, and dissemination of process condition data.

27. The monitoring system of claim 23 wherein the monitor mount includes 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.

28. The monitoring system of claim 23 wherein the monitor mount is a monitor block.

29. The monitoring system of claim 28 wherein the monitor block is secured to the steam trap.

30. The monitoring system of claim 23 wherein the monitor mount is a saddle.

31. The monitoring system of claim 30 wherein the saddle is secured to a pipe connected to the steam trap.