Steam trap monitor

Patent · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866680

Ryan, Michael J ^[1]

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1. Plainfield, IL

A steam trap monitor positioned downstream of a steam trap in a closed steam system includes a first sensor (the combination of a hot finger and thermocouple well) for measuring the energy of condensate and a second sensor (a cold finger) for measuring the total energy of condensate and steam in the line. The hot finger includes one or more thermocouples for detecting condensate level and energy, while the cold finger contains a liquid with a lower boiling temperature than that of water. Vapor pressure from the liquid is used to do work such as displacing a piston or bellows in providing an indication of total energy (steam+condensate) of the system. Processing means coupled to and responsive to outputs from the thermocouple well hot and cold fingers subtracts the condensate energy as measured by the hot finger and thermocouple well from the total energy as measured by the cold finger to provide an indication of the presence of steam downstream from the trap indicating that the steam trap is malfunctioning.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4764024
• OSTI ID: 866680
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/374/73/237/
bellows
boiling
boiling temperature
closed
cold
cold finger
combination
condensate
contains
coupled
detecting
displacing
downstream
energy
finger
fingers
hot
indicating
indication
level
line
liquid
malfunctioning
means
measured
measuring
monitor
outputs
piston
positioned
positioned downstream
presence
pressure
processing
processing means
provide
providing
responsive
sensor
steam
steam trap
subtracts
temperature
thermocouple
thermocouples
total
total energy
trap
trap monitor
vapor
vapor pressure
water