Steam trap with capillary action based blocking arrangement

• US 20090044868A1
• Filed: 08/14/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ying Chuan Chiang
• Original Assignee: Ying Chuan Chiang
• Inventors: Chiang, Ying Chuan
• Application Number:
  US11/838,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20090044868A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/183
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/38 Component parts; Accessories valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/304 With fluid responsive valve

Abstract

A steam trap is provided to remove condensed water from a steam pipe having an end to which the strap is connected. In one embodiment, the trap includes a hollow body having an inlet adapted to secure to the pipe end and an outlet, the body comprising a staged internal space; a blocking member secured in the space and comprising a central projection on either surface and a plurality of apertures around the projections; and an abutment member in the rear of the blocking member. Condensate is adapted to pass the apertures while the steam is substantially blocked by the apertures due to capillary action.

Claims

1. A steam trap for removing condensed water from a steam pipe having an end to which the strap is connected, comprising:

a hollow body having an inlet adapted to secure to the end of the pipe and an outlet adapted to secure to a drain, the body comprising an internal space having a first stage and a second stage terminating at the outlet, and a fluid path in communication with the first stage and the inlet;

a blocking member at a shoulder between the first stage and the second stage, the blocking member comprising a central projection on either surface and a plurality of apertures around the projections; and

an abutment member disposed in the second stage and comprising a front section urged against a peripheral edge of the blocking member, a front recess, an axial drain path, and a rear section secured to the second stage and having a cavity on a rear end,

wherein steam conveying from the steam pipe enters the first stage through the inlet and the fluid path to impinge a front one of the projections such that water which condenses from the steam is adapted to pass the apertures and the drain path prior to entering the drain, and the steam is substantially blocked by the apertures.

2. The steam trap of claim 1, wherein the cavity is hexagonal.

3. A steam trap for removing condensed water from a steam pipe having an end to which the strap is connected, comprising:

a hollow body having an inlet adapted to secure to the end of the pipe and an outlet adapted to secure to a drain, the body comprising an internal space having a first stage and a second stage terminating at the outlet, and a fluid path in communication with the first stage and the inlet;

a plurality of blocking members secured together in the second stage wherein the front blocking member is disposed at a shoulder between the first stage and the second stage and each blocking member comprises a central projection on either surface and a plurality of apertures around the projections; and

an abutment member disposed in the second stage and comprising a front section urged against a peripheral edge of the rear blocking member, a front recess, an axial drain path, and a rear section secured to the second stage and having a cavity on a rear end,

wherein steam conveying from the steam pipe enters the first stage through the inlet and the fluid path to impinge a front one of the projections of the front blocking member such that water which condenses from the steam is adapted to pass the apertures and the drain path prior to entering the drain, and the steam is substantially blocked by the apertures.

4. The steam trap of claim 3, wherein the cavity is hexagonal.