Method and Apparatus for Analyzing Steam Trap Data

• US 20080270047A1
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cheskaty, Rex, Gaines, Michael H., Hellman, Michael P., Kerr, Robert H., Quake, Tom D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/50
• 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

A system for analyzing steam trap data includes a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to a computer; and includes a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data. A method of analyzing steam trap data includes the steps of: providing a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit data to a computer, and providing a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data; using the steam trap monitoring device to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to the computer; and using the computer to receive the data, and evaluate the data with the algorithm.

Claims

1. A system for analysing a stream trap data comprising:

a plurality of steam trap monitoring devices each connected to a respective one of a plurality of steam traps, each of the steam trap monitoring devices including at least one sensor operable to monitor a parameter of the respective steam trap, a transforming apparatus operable to transform the parameter into data, and a transmitter operable to transmit the data to a computer; and

a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data, the algorithm including a program module for making an analysis of the data, the computer generating output based upon the algorithm, the output being one of stored in a data storage device and transmitted to a user interface.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the algorithm includes an economic program module.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the algorithm includes an environmental program module.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the algorithm includes an operational program module.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the algorithm includes a predictive program module.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the algorithm includes a remedial program module.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the steam trap monitoring device includes an internet enabled transmitter for transmitting the data to the computer.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transceiver operable to relay the data from the steam trap monitoring device to the computer.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the transceiver is an internet enabled transceiver.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the steam trap monitoring device is at a first facility and the computer is at a second facility.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer is operable to transmit output to an output device, the output being based upon the algorithm evaluation of the data.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer is operable to transmit output to a user interface device.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer includes a storage device and is operable to store output to the storage device, the output being based upon the algorithm evaluation of the data.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the computer is operable to retrieve the stored output from the storage device and operable to transmit the retrieved output to a user interface device.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the algorithm is automatically executed to evaluate the data upon the computer'"'"'s receiving the data.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the algorithm includes a program module operable to be executed upon the computer receiving an execution request from a user interface.

17. A method of analyzing steam trap data comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of steam trap monitoring devices each connected to a respective one of a plurality of steam traps, each of the steam trap monitoring devices including at least one sensor operable to monitor a parameter of the respective steam trap, a transforming apparatus operable to transform the parameter into data, and a transmitter operable to transmit data to a computer and providing a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data, the algorithm including a program module for making an analysis of the data;

(b) using the steam trap monitoring device to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to the computer; and

(c) using the computer to receive the data, and evaluate the data with the algorithm, and using the computer to generate output based upon the algorithm, the output being one of stored in a data storage device and transmitted to a user interface.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the algorithm includes an economic assessment program module.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the algorithm includes an environmental assessment program module.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the algorithm includes an operational assessment program module.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the algorithm includes a predictive assessment program module.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the algorithm includes a remedial assessment program module.

23. The method of claim 17 further comprising prior to step (c),

(d) using a repeater to relay the data from the steam trap monitoring device to the computer.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the repeater is a transceiver operable to relay the data from the steam trap monitoring device to the computer.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the transceiver is an internet enabled transceiver.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the repeater is an internet node.

27. The method of claim 17 further comprising after step (c),

(d) using the computer to transmit output based upon the algorithm evaluation of the data to a user interface device.

28. The method of claim 17 wherein the computer includes a storage device and the method further comprises after step (c),

(d) using the computer to send output based upon the algorithm evaluation of the data to the storage device for storage.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising after step (d),

(e) using the computer to retrieve the output from the storage device and to transmit the output to a user interface device.

30. The method of claim 17 wherein the algorithm includes a program module for evaluating the data.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein step (c) includes automatically executing the program module to evaluate the data.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising prior to step (c),

(d) having a user direct the computer to execute the program module for evaluating the data.