Steam trap monitoring

• US 7,702,484 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2005
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cheskaty, Rex, Grubka, Lawrence J., Horton, William R., Gaines, Michael H., Armstrong, David M., Hellman, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): JIANG, CHEN WEN
• Application Number:
  US11/199,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20060118648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 236/93.R, 236/94, 137/1, 137/554, 137/557, 137/558, 738/658, 731/68, 702/45, 702/182, 702/183, 702/50, 702/51, 702/54
• 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 monitoring system for a steam trap comprising:

a sensor device for sensing a process condition of a steam trap;

an electronic monitoring device operatively connected to the sensor device to receive data from the sensor device; and

a monitor mount having a connector block including a coupling secured to a collar and configured to be connectable to the steam trap and operable to convey a parameter of a steam trap to either the sensor device or the electronic monitoring device.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the sensor device includes at least one of an acoustic sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the monitor mount defines a pocket extending inward from an outer surface for accepting the sensor device.

4. The monitoring system of claim 3 wherein the pocket terminates at a closed end.

5. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein one of the coupling and the collar defines a pocket extending inward from an outer surface for accepting the sensor device.

6. The monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the pocket terminates at a closed end.

7. The monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the electronic monitoring device is programmed with monitoring logic.

8. The monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the electronic monitoring device includes a programmable device capable of controlling at least one of gathering, storage, and dissemination of process condition data.

9. The monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the monitor mount includes an inlet passage suitable for communication with an inlet port of the steam trap and including an outlet passage suitable for communication with an outlet port of the steam trap.

10. The monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the monitor mount is a monitor block.

11. The monitoring system of claim 10 wherein the monitor block is secured to the steam trap.

12. The monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the monitor mount is a saddle.

13. The monitoring system of claim 12 wherein the saddle is secured to a pipe connected to the steam trap.

14. A method of attaching a monitor to a steam trap to monitor the status of the steam trap, the method comprising:

removing a bolt from a bolt hole of a steam trap having a body and a cap, wherein the cap is attached to the body with at least one bolt which extends through a bolt hole in the cap and the body and secures the cap to the body;

inserting a probe of a monitor into the bolt hole from which the bolt was removed such that the probe extends into an interior of the steam trap; and

securing the monitor to the cap with one of the probe and a connector device.