STEAM TRAP MONITORING

• US 20100153068A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Inventors: Grubka, Lawrence J., Horton, William R., Gaines, Michael H., Armstrong, David M., Hellman, Michael P., Cheskaty, Rex
• Granted Patent: US 8,935,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/183
• 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;

selecting a threshold level for the sensed process condition;

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

a) sensing of the process condition continues for a pre-determined number of readings when the threshold level is exceeded; and

b) returning to the step of sensing a process condition of the steam when the sensed process condition again falls below the threshold level before the predetermined number of readings are completed after the threshold level is exceeded; 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 upon detection.

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 claim 1, wherein when the threshold level is exceeded for each of the pre-determined number of readings, a signal is generated.

6. A method of a monitoring the operational characteristics of a steam trap comprising:

connecting a monitoring device to a specific steam trap unit;

programming the monitoring device to learn the individual operational characteristics of the specific steam trap unit;

operating the steam trap unit during an initial set up period;

sensing a process condition that is representative of the operational characteristics of the specific steam trap unit during the initial set up procedure by taking multiple readings of one or more stream trap parameters;

determining an upper tolerance level and a lower tolerance level of the sensed process condition for the specific steam trap unit;

initiating a query and sensing the process condition of the specific steam trap unit during operation after the initial set up period;

comparing the sensed process condition of the specific steam trap unit after the initial set up period with the upper and lower tolerance levels; and

generating a signal when the sensed process condition is outside of the upper an lower tolerance levels.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the query is conducted on a regular basis during operation after the initial set up period.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of comparing the sensed process condition includes determining if the sensed process condition is within the upper and lower tolerance level.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein sensing the process condition includes taking multiple readings of the process condition.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the regular basis of conducting queries is a predetermined schedule that is included in the programming of the monitoring device.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein a step of initiating a new query according to the predetermined schedule is taken by the monitoring device if the sensed process condition is within the upper and lower tolerance level results in the sensed condition being within the upper and lower limits and.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the sensed process condition is one of an acoustical measurement, a temperature measurement, and a vibration measurement.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the sensed process condition is a temperature measurement and the method includes a step of determining if the steam trap is connected to a connector block that is located on an active steam line based on the temperature measurement.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of connecting a monitoring device to a specific steam trap unit includes connecting the monitoring device to a radio frequency transmitter.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of comparing the sensed process condition of the specific steam trap unit after the initial set up period with the upper and lower tolerance level includes transmitting a signal, based upon the processed multiple readings, indicative of the process condition of the one or more steam trap parameters.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting a signal further includes the transmitter periodically transmitting the signal indicative of the process condition to the receiver when the sensed process condition is within programmed limits and transmitting the signal to the receiver immediately upon detection of a condition outside the programmed limits.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the receiver is connected to a base computer, and the base computer is Internet accessible.

18. A method of a monitoring the operational characteristics of a steam trap comprising:

providing a steam trap having a mounting structure configured to mount a sensor device;

providing a remote monitoring device having a transmitter and a receiver and programming the monitoring device to receive signals from the sensing device and transmit the status of the steam trap and further programming the monitoring device with an upper tolerance level and a lower tolerance level of the sensed process condition for the specific steam trap unit;

initiating a query and activating the monitoring device to sense the process condition of the steam trap;

sensing the process condition of the steam trap unit during operation by taking multiple readings of one or more stream trap parameters; and

comparing the sensed process condition of the steam trap with the upper and lower tolerance level, determining if the sensed condition is within the upper and lower tolerance levels, and transmitting the operating status of the steam trap to a computer.

19. The, method of claim 18 wherein after the step of transmitting the operating status of the steam trap to a computer, the monitoring device is inactivated.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of activating the monitoring device includes sending an activation signal to the receiver of the remote monitoring device.