Combined inlet and outlet fitting

• US 4,508,135 A
• Filed: 09/24/1982
• Issued: 04/02/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Inventors: Schlesch, Ronald D., Lyons, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US06/423,495
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 137/185, 137/270, 285/133 R, 285/190, 285/415
• US Class Current: 137/185
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 39/04 allowing adjustment or movement of the multiline swivel type F16L39/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/305 using levers
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/38 Component parts; Accessories valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3046 Gas collecting float [e.g., inverted bucket]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5196 Unit orientable in a single location between plural positions

Abstract

A combined inlet and outlet fitting for a fluid handling mechanism comprising a block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage having corresponding one ends adapted to be connected to the mechanism and the opposite ends thereof extending to the same one longitudinal end of the block. A coupling is attached to said one end of the block so that it can be moved arcuately relative to the block. The coupling has inlet and outlet ports connected to said inlet and outlet passages, respectively. Fastening means are provided for releasably securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block.

Claims

1. A combined inlet and outlet fitting for a fluid handling mechanism, comprising:

an elongated block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage extending lengthwise through said block, said inlet passage and said outlet passage having corresponding one ends adapted to be connected to the fluid handling mechanism in order to supply fluid to and to remove fluid from the mechanism, respectively, the opposite ends of said inlet passage and said outlet passage extending through the same one longitudinal end of said block;

a coupling having one side attached to said one end of said block, said coupling having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid supply conduit and a substantially oppositely directed outlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid discharge conduit, said coupling being interengaged at its said one side with said one end of said block so that said coupling can be moved arcuately about an axis extending lengthwise of said block so that said inlet and outlet ports can be located at selectable angular positions relative to said elongated block while remaining in fluid flow communication with said inlet and outlet passages, respectively; and

fastening means for releasably securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block, wherein the improvement comprises a fixed imperforate wall extending transversely across the coupling to commonly close the inner ends of said ports, said one end of said block being of circular cross section with a peripheral wall coaxial with said axis, said block being generally cylindrical from end to end to facilitate its lengthwise insertion into said mechanism, said coupling having a circular but shallow recess means in its said one side of diameter larger than said ports and into which slightly projects said one end of said block, lateral through openings of diameter less than said ports extending closely along the opposite side of said transverse wall from the inner ends of the respective inlet and outlet ports through said one side of said coupling, one said passage and said lateral through opening at the inner end of one said port together forming a straight through continuous elongate hole containing said axis of arcuate movement therein, said one end of said block having an annular groove therein loosely surrounding said hole and communicating with the other said passage in said block and with said lateral through opening at the inner end of the other said port, said recess means in said coupling and the circular cross section end of said block projecting thereinto having opposed fluid sealing faces, said fastening means extending in a direction away from said block through said coupling and having a portion accessible from the end of said coupling remote from the block for releasing said coupling from said block.

2. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, in which said fastening means is a bolt which extends transversely through said coupling and longitudinally into said block, said bolt being threaded into said inlet passage of said block and having a coaxial passageway which communicates at its outer end with said inlet port of said coupling and which communicates at its inner end with said inlet passage of said block.

3. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, in which said one end of said block has an annular lip projecting into said recess means in said one side of said coupling and slidably and sealably engaged therewith so that said coupling can be moved arcuately relative to said block about the central axis of said recess means to change the arcuate disposition of said inlet port and said outlet port relative to said block.

4. A fitting as claimed in claim 2, in which said one end of said block has a first annular lip projecting toward said opening containing said axis and slidably and sealably engaged therewith and a second annular lip projecting into said recess means in said one side of said coupling and slidably and sealably engaged therewith so that said coupling can be moved arcuately relative to said block about said axis to change the arcuate disposition of said inlet port and said outlet port relative to said block.

5. A fitting as claimed in claim 3, in which the radially outer part of said recess means in said side of said coupling is deepened to form a groove, which groove and said annular lip have similarly inclined walls capable of sealingly engaging each other.

6. A fitting as claimed in claim 4, in which said first and said second annular lips have similarly flaring walls and have transversely extending flat faces with at least the latter capable of sealingly engaging said one side of said coupling.

7. A steam trap, comprising:

a casing defining a water-tight chamber having a cylindrical side wall and closed top and bottom walls;

an elongated block mounted on said cylindrical side wall adjacent the upper end thereof, said block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage extending lengthwise through said block, said inlet passage and said outlet passage having inner end portions opening into said chamber, the opposite ends of said inlet passage and said outlet passage extending to the same one longitudinal end of said block;

gravity responsive valve means in said chamber for opening and closing said outlet passage;

an inlet means disposed within said chamber and operatively connecting said inlet passage to said valve means for controlling the latter in response to steam and condensate received from said inlet passage;

a coupling attached to said one end of said block, said coupling having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid supply conduit and an outlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid discharge conduit, said coupling being interengaged with said one end of said block so that said coupling can be moved arcuately about an axis extending lengthwise of said block so that said inlet and outlet ports can be located at selectable angular positions relative to said elongated block while remaining in fluid flow communication with said inlet and outlet passages, respectively; and

fastening means for releasably securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block.

19. A steam trap as claimed in claim 7, in which said fastening means comprises a collar rotatable on said block but secured against axial movement off said one end of said block, fastening members engageable with said coupling and collar to permit same to rotate together on said block and tightenable to urge said coupling into fixed sealed relation with said one end of said block.

20. A steam trap according to claim 19, including gasket means interposed axially between said one end of said block and said coupling and located to radially isolate said inlet passage from said outlet passage, to isolate said inlet port from said outlet port, and to permit fluid flow from said inlet port to said inlet passage and to permit fluid flow from said outlet passage to said outlet port.

21. A steam trap according to claim 20, in which said gasket means comprises coaxial inner and outer annular gaskets of axially compressible type, said block having an annular recess at said one end thereof surrounding and isolated from said inlet passage by an axially extending annular lip, said annular recess communicating with said outlet passage radially between said inner and outer annular gaskets and also communicating axially with said outlet port radially between said inner and outer annular gaskets, said body having an axially extending lip at the periphery thereof bounding the outer periphery of said annular recess, said inlet passage of said body being coaxial with said annular recess and with said inlet port, said fastening means compressing said inner and outer gaskets axially to an extent to prevent leakage therepast either out of the apparatus or between the inlet and outlet passages upon tightening of said fastening members, while still leaving an axial space between said coupling and body and between at least portions of said coupling and collar.

22. A steam trap according to claim 19, in which said collar has an inner counterbore opening toward said coupling, said block has an annular groove in the periphery thereof adjacent said one end thereof, and including removable key means held against axial movement within said groove and protruding radially therefrom into said counterbore so as to be surrounded by and radially trapped by said collar, said collar having a radially inward extending portion backing said counterbore and radially overlapping said key means to positively prevent axial movement of said collar off said one end of said body in response to tightening of said threaded members.

23. A steam trap according to claim 22, in which said key means comprises a diametrally opposed pair of half-circle keys.

24. A steam trap according to claim 22, in which said body includes a further peripheral groove spaced from said one end of said body by said first-mentioned groove and a snap ring received in said further groove and protruding radially outward therefrom for loosely axially entrapping the radially inwardly extending portion of said collar between said key means and snap ring, said snap ring being positioned axially to prevent movement of said collar sufficiently axially away from said one end of said block to the extent required to no longer surround and radially entrap said key means.

8. A fluid handling mechanism, comprising:

a casing defining a water-tight chamber having a cylindrical side wall and closed top and bottom walls, said casing having at least one opening in said cylindrical side wall adjacent the upper end thereof;

an elongated block of cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of said opening, said block being inserted lengthwise snugly through said opening to extend lengthwise substantially diametrically across said chamber, said block having a middle portion at said opening and fixed sealingly to said casing adjacent the edge of said opening, one longitudinal end of the block extending outward from the casing, the other end of said block being adjacent the cylindrical side wall on the side of the casing remote from said opening, said block abutting against said casing adjacent its said other end and remote from said opening, the block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage extending lengthwise through said block, said inlet passage and said outlet passage having inner end portions opening downwardly into said chamber, the opposite ends of said inlet passage and said outlet passage opening through said one longitudinal end of said block;

fluid handling means disposed in said chamber and operatively connected with said inner end portions of said inlet and outlet passages;

a coupling attached to said one end of said block beside the casing, said coupling having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid supply conduit and an outlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid discharge conduit, said coupling being interengaged with said one end of said block so that said coupling can be moved arcuately about an axis extending lengthwise of said block so that said inlet and outlet ports can be located at selectable angular positions relative to said elongated block while remaining in fluid flow communication with said inlet and outlet passages, respectively; and

fastening means for releasably securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block.

9. An inverted bucket steam trap, comprising:

a casing defining a water-tight chamber having a cylindrical side wall and closed top and bottom walls;

an elongated block mounted on said cylindrical side wall adjacent the upper end thereof, said block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage extending lengthwise through said block, said inlet passage and said outlet passage having inner end portions opening downwardly into said chamber, said end portion of said outlet passage having a valve seat thereon inside said chamber, the opposite ends of said inlet passage and said outlet passage extending to the same one longitudinal end of said block;

a valve member movably disposed in said chamber and adapted to be moved into and out of sealing engagement with said valve seat;

operating lever means disposed in said chamber and responsive to vertically applied force to effect movement of said valve member toward and away from said valve seat;

a vertically movable inverted bucket disposed in said chamber and having a vertical side wall which is open at its bottom and has a wall at its top and a connection from the top wall of the bucket to said operating lever means whereby vertical movement of said inverted bucket in said chamber will effect movement of said operating lever means thereby to open or close said valve member;

an inlet tube disposed within said chamber and connected at its upper end to said lower end of said inlet passage for receiving steam and condensate therefrom, the lower end of said inlet tube extending upwardly into said inverted bucket;

a coupling attached to said one end of said block, said coupling having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid supply conduit and an outlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid discharge conduit, said coupling being connected with said one end of said block at any desired angular position about an axis extending lengthwise of said block; and

fastening means for securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block with said inlet and outlet ports located at the desired angular position relative to said elongated block and in fluid flow communication with said inlet and outlet passages, respectively.

10. An inverted bucket steam trap, comprising:

a casing defining a water-tight chamber having a cylindrical side wall and closed top and bottom walls;

an elongated block mounted on said cylindrical side wall adjacent the upper end thereof, said block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage extending lengthwise through said block, said inlet passage and said outlet passage having inner end portions opening downwardly into said chamber, said end portion of said outlet passage having a valve seat thereon inside said chamber, the opposite ends of said inlet passage and said outlet passage extending to the same one longitudinal end of said block;

a valve member movably disposed in said chamber and adapted to be moved into and out of sealing engagement with said valve seat;

operating lever means disposed in said chamber and responsive to vertically applied force to effect movement of said valve member toward and away from said valve seat;

a vertically movable inverted bucket disposed in said chamber and having a vertical side wall which is open at its bottom and has a wall at its top and a connection from the top wall of the bucket to said operating lever means whereby vertical movement of said inverted bucket in said chamber will effect movement of said operating lever means thereby to open or close said valve member;

an inlet tube disposed within said chamber and connected at its upper end to said lower end of said inlet passage for receiving steam and condensate therefrom, the lower end of said inlet tube extending upwardly into said inverted bucket;

a coupling attached to said one end of said block, said coupling having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid supply conduit and an outlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid discharge conduit, said coupling being interengaged with said one end of said block so that said coupling can be moved arcuately about an axis extending lengthwise of said block so that said inlet and outlet ports can be located at selectable angular positions relative to said elongated block while remaining in fluid flow communication with said inlet and outlet passages, respectively; and

fastening means for releasably securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block.

11. An inverted bucket stream trap as claimed in claim 10 in which said block and said coupling define a T-shaped assembly wherein said block defines the stem of the T and said coupling defines the crossbar of the T.

12. An inverted bucket steam trap as claimed in claim 11 in which said fastening means is a bolt which extends transversely through said coupling and longitudinally into said block, said bolt being threaded into said inlet passage of said block and having a coaxial passageway which communicates at its outer end with said inlet port of said coupling and which communicates at its inner end with said inlet passage of said block.

13. An inverted bucket steam trap as claimed in claim 10, in which said coupling has an exterior wall disposed adjacent to said one end of said block, one of said exterior wall and said one end of said block having an annular groove therein and the other thereof having an annular lip projecting into said groove and slidably and sealably engaged therewith so that said coupling can be moved arcuately relative to said block about the central axis of said groove to change the arcuate disposition of said inlet port and said outlet port relative to said block.

14. An inverted bucket steam trap as claimed in claim 12 in which said coupling has an exterior wall disposed adjacent to said one end of said block, said exterior wall having a central opening coaxial with said inlet passage and through which said bolt extends, said exterior wall having an annular groove therein coaxial with and radially outwardly spaced from said central opening, said one end of said block having a first annular lip projecting into said central opening and slidably and sealably engaged therewith and a second annular lip projecting into said groove and slidably and sealably engaged therewith so that said coupling can be moved arcuately relative to said block about the central axis of said groove and said opening to change the arcuate disposition of said inlet port and said outlet port relative to said block.

15. An inverted bucket steam trap as claimed in claim 13 in which said outlet passage is parallel with said inlet passage and communicates with an annular recess in said block which recess is disposed radially inside of said groove and communicates with said outlet port in said coupling.

16. An inverted bucket steam trap as claimed in claim 14 in which said outlet passage is parallel with said inlet passage and communicates with an annular recess in said block which recess is disposed radially inside of said groove and radially outwardly of said central opening and communicates with said outlet port in said coupling.

17. A fitting as claimed in claim 13 in which said groove and said annular lip have similarly inclined walls capable of sealingly engaging each other.

18. A fitting as claimed in claim 14 in which said groove and said second annular lip have similarly flaring walls capable of sealingly engaging each other and have transversely extending flat faces capable of sealingly engaging each other, and said central opening and said first annular lip have similarly tapering walls capable of sealingly engaging each other.

25. A fluid handling mechanism, comprising:

a casing containing fluid handling means;

an elongated block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage extending lengthwise through said block, said inlet passage and outlet passage having corresponding one ends adapted to be connected to the fluid handling means in order to supply fluid to and to remove fluid from the fluid handling means, respectively, the opposite ends of said inlet passage and outlet passage extending through the same one longitudinal end of said block;

a coupling having one side attached to said one end of said block, said coupling having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid supply conduit and a substantially oppositely directed outlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid discharge conduit, said coupling being interengaged at its said one side with said one end of said block so that said coupling can be moved arcuately about an axis extending lengthwise of said block so that said inlet and outlet ports can be located at selectable angular positions relative to said elongated block while remaining in fluid flow communication with said inlet and outlet passages, respectively; and

fastening means for releasably securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block,

said block protruding as an axially elongate neck of circuit cross-section cantilevered out from said casing, said fastening means including a collar sleeved on said neck in a zone spaced outward from said casing for rotation with respect to said casing and axially opposing said coupling, axial blocking means on said neck and spaced from said casing for limiting axial movement of said collar away from said casing, plural fastening members distributed circumferentially on said coupling and collar and tightenable to urge said coupling toward said collar, that surface of said collar which axially opposes said coupling and through which said fastening means extends being offset axially away from said casing beyond said axial blocking means on said neck, axial stop means removably fixed on said neck between said axial blocking means and casing for preventing unintended axial shifting of said collar out of surrounding relation with said axial blocking means, seal means interposed between said one end of said neck and the opposed side of said coupling and responsive to tightening of said fastening members for sealing connecting said inlet and outlet ports with said inlet and outlet passages respectively, said seal means being offset radially inward with respect to said collar such that said collar is free of contact with said seal means.

26. A fitting according to claim 25 in which said means blocking axial movement of said collar comprises a diametrally opposed pair of half circle keys radially inwardly insertably received in an annular groove in said neck and releasably held therein by surrounding with said collar, said collar having a counterbore facing toward said one end of said neck and in which said half circle keys are axially slidably received, said collar having a portion extending radially inward from said counterbore in axially interfering relation with said half circle keys to positively prevent movement of said collar off said one end of said neck, said axial stop means being spaced from said collar by less than the axial depth of said counterbore for thereby preventing release of said half circle keys from said counterbore, said fastening means comprising diametrally spaced bolts symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of and in parallel with the axis of rotation of said coupling on said neck, said bolts axially securing said coupling to said collar and being tightenable to force said coupling against said end of said neck in a fluid sealed, nonrotatable manner, said bolts being loosenable to permit rotation of said coupling and collar with respect to said neck, said seal means including annular compressible gaskets interposed between said one end of said neck and said coupling to effect fluid-tight connection of said inlet and outlet ports with said inlet and outlet passages respectively.