Steam trap

• US 5,632,300 A
• Filed: 05/19/1995
• Issued: 05/27/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Loren Isringhausen Trust
• Original Assignee: Steamsphere, Inc.
• Inventors: Isringhausen, C. Loren
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/444,766
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 137/883, 137/14, 137/269, 137/887, 137/549, 73/29.04, 73/861.04, 55/466
• US Class Current: 137/269
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/023 Y- pieces F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/16 the branch pipe comprising fluid cut-off means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/07 Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining apparatus for draining F16T
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/34 without moving parts other than hand valves, e.g. labyrinth type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5109 Convertible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8085 Hollow strainer, fluid inlet and outlet perpendicular to each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87877 Single inlet with multiple distinctly valved outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87909 Containing rotary valve

Abstract

An offset steam trap is designed for removing condensed water from a horizontal steam pipe to which the trap is connected. The body of the trap contains a ball valve for permitting limited water flow out of the pipe through an orifice, and the body has an offset portion or flow barrier between its inlet and the orifice. The body is installed with the orifice effectively below the center line of the pipe, to prevent water from collecting in the bottom of the pipe.

Claims

1. An offset steam trap for removing condensed water from a horizontal steam pipe having an interior and an end to which the trap is connected, comprising

a body having an inlet adapted to be joined to said pipe end, and

a flow restrictor in said body for permitting limited water flow out of said pipe through the orifice,

said body having a flow barrier comprising an inverted dam extending to a level below the bottom of the steam pipe between said inlet and the flow restrictor, whereby the flow restrictor maintains a water level upstream of the dam at or below the bottom of the pipe so that water does not collect in the pipe.