JPS6134040B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a float type steam trap,
In particular, it relates to a structure that prevents floats from shaking during transportation.

In a float type steam trap, a closed float or a downwardly or upwardly directed open float floats and is displaced in the condensate in the valve chamber. Since this float moves due to vibrations during transportation, an impact force acts on the float, valve seat, valve body, etc., resulting in the problem of deformation or damage of these parts. In particular, the above problem is severe in a free-float type steam trap in which a downward-facing opening float is placed freely inside the valve chamber. In some cases, it became unusable.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a structure that prevents the float of a trap from shaking during transportation.

Next, the present invention will be explained based on illustrated embodiments. Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the invention applied to a free bucket float type steam trap. The truck housing is formed by attaching a lid 2 to a main body 1 via a gasket 3 with bolts (not shown). A valve chamber 4 is formed in the valve housing, and an input 5 communicates with the valve chamber 4 through an input passage 6, an introduction hole 20 of an introduction pipe 7, and a through hole 8, and an outlet 9 is provided in a valve seat member 10. It communicates through the valve hole 11 and the outlet passage 12 . Valve seat member 1
0 is screwed onto the upper part of the valve chamber 4 via a gasket 21. Further, a cylindrical screen 13 is interposed in the inlet passage 6, and this screen 13 is held by a plug 14 attached to the main body 1 via a gasket 22. A bucket float 15 that opens downward is housed in the valve chamber 4 in a free state. The float 15 is formed by attaching a cap 17 to a spherical shell piece 16, and its outer surface is finished into a spherical surface with high precision so that the valve hole 11 can be closed. Moreover, a small hole 18 for gas escape is provided in the upper part of the float 15. Introductory pipe 7 is float 1
5, and its lower part is screwed to the bottom wall of the valve chamber 4, sandwiching the inclined plate 19. Inclined plate 1
The upper surface of the float 9 is formed into a flat surface so that the float 15 can be stably placed in the sunken state, and grooves 23 are partially provided for reinforcement and for fluid passage. Further, a float seat 24 is provided on the ceiling wall of the valve chamber 4 to guide displacement of the float 15 in the valve closing direction.

In the above structure, on the inner wall of the top lid 2, a coil spring-like temperature sensitive element 25 made of a shape memory alloy is installed.
Fix with bolts 26. Shape memory alloys are titanium/nickel alloys, copper/aluminum/nickel alloys, etc., and have the property of reversibly transforming between the matrix phase and martensitic phase and changing shape when heated or cooled and the temperature changes. It reversibly deforms into the shape memorized by the martensitic phase and the shape memorized by the parent phase. In this example, when the trap is used at a temperature that is higher than the maximum temperature that would occur when the trap is not in use, such as the maximum temperature that would occur if the trap is left in the hot sun, the float is released quickly and the float is activated. In order to let
A thermosensitive dynamic element 25 having a transformation temperature as low as possible (approximately 100° C.) is used. In addition, temperature sensitive element 2
5 stores the elongated state shown in FIG. 1 when it is in the martensitic phase, and the contracted state shown in FIG. 2 when it is in the parent phase. Furthermore, the temperature-sensitive response element 25 is formed so that its upper end is bent inward and inserted between the head of the bolt 26 and the inner wall of the upper cover 2.

The operation of the above embodiment will be explained. In a low temperature state such as when the trap is being transported, the temperature sensitive response element 25 expands as shown in FIG. 1 and presses the float 15 downward at its lower end. The float 15 is held between the inclined plate 19 and the temperature sensitive response element 25, and does not move even if subjected to vibrations or shocks during transportation. Therefore, the float 15 moves, and the valve seat member 10 and the float seat 24
There is no possibility of collision causing dents etc. on the outer surface. The temperature sensitive element 25 has a coil spring shape,
Since it contacts the spherical surface of the float 15 in an annular manner, the holding effect of the float 15 is large. Further, it acts in the same way as a spring to flexibly hold the float 15 and can buffer vibrations and shocks that would otherwise act on the float 15.

When the trap is attached to a pipe and in use, the temperature-sensitive element 25 is heated above its transformation temperature by condensate and steam flowing into the valve chamber 4 through the inlet 5, inlet passage 6, introduction hole 20, and through hole 8. and contracts as shown in FIG. This deformation occurs instantaneously at the transformation temperature, that is, a predetermined temperature, and the float 1
5 will be freely displaced thereafter. For example, when steam is introduced into the interior, it floats in the condensate in the valve chamber 4 and closes the valve port 11 as shown in FIG. Sink to valve port 1
Open 1. Since the temperature-sensitive element 25 deforms greatly instantaneously after reaching a predetermined temperature and exerts a large force, it can securely hold the float 15 and, while the float 15 is in operation, is placed in a position that does not interfere with the operation of the float 15. , and the float 15 can be activated quickly.

Next, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 will be described. However, in the above embodiment, corresponding parts common to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, the temperature sensitive response element 31 is connected to the introduction tube
It is inserted between the swollen diameter portion 7' and the inclined plate 19. This element 31 consists of two deformed pieces 32 and a central piece 23 forming a central circular opening. When the temperature inside the valve chamber 4 is below a predetermined temperature, the valve chamber 4 deforms as shown by the solid line, presses down the base 17 of the float 15 from the inside, and prevents the float 15 from swinging between it and the inclined plate 19. When the temperature inside the valve chamber 4 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the valve chamber 4 deforms as shown by the two-dot chain line, and the float 15 is released and freely displaced. The temperature-sensitive response member 31 can be installed inside the valve chamber 4 without using any members such as bolts, and the number of components can be reduced. Moreover, a small one consisting of two deformable pieces 32 and a central piece 33 can be used.

In FIG. 4, the temperature-sensitive element 41 is shaped like a spiral spring with a spiral in the radial direction. Nut 43 screwed onto the outer periphery of tube 7″
be held between. When the temperature inside the valve chamber 4 is below a predetermined temperature, the element 41 expands in the radial direction as shown by the solid line, contacts the inner wall of the float 15, and holds the float 15 at an intermediate position. Therefore, the float 15 does not come into contact with any part other than this element 41, and is held safely. When the temperature inside the valve chamber 4 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the element 41 contracts as shown by the two-dot chain line, releases the float 15, and displaces the float 15 freely.

In FIG. 5, a temperature-sensitive response element 51 is formed by alternately bending strip-shaped members, and one end is fixed to the side wall of the valve chamber 4 using a suitable member such as a bolt.
The other end of this element 51 is long and curved to match the outer surface of the float 51 so that the float 15 can be pushed easily. This element 51 is the valve chamber 4
When the inside temperature is below a predetermined temperature, the valve expands as shown by the solid line and presses the float 15, thereby holding the float 15 between the inclined plate 19 and the inner wall of the valve chamber 4. Also,
When the inside of the valve chamber 4 is at a predetermined temperature or higher, it contracts as shown by the two-dot chain line and releases the float 15.
be freely displaced.

In FIG. 6, temperature-sensitive response elements 61 and 62 are fixed to two locations on the side wall of the valve chamber with screws 63. These elements 61 and 62 are strip-shaped, and when the temperature inside the valve chamber 4 is below a predetermined temperature, they deform as shown by the solid line, and the float 15
is pressed against the inclined plate 19 and held. float 15
Because it is pressed from multiple directions, it is held more reliably. When the inside of the valve chamber 4 reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, the elements 61 and 62 deform as shown by two-dot chain lines, release the float 15, and displace the float 15 freely.

In FIG. 7, one end of a temperature sensitive response element 71 is fixed to the groove 23 of the inclined plate 19 with screws 72. The other end of the element 71 is one that deforms as shown by the solid line when the temperature inside the valve chamber 4 is below a predetermined temperature, and deforms as shown by the two-dot chain line when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature. Therefore, the float 15 is held by the base 17 from the inside and is prevented from wobbling. Moreover, a small temperature-sensitive element 71 can be used.

In FIG. 8, one end of the temperature-sensitive response element 81 is connected to the groove 23 of the inclined plate 19 as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Fix it with screw 82. The other end of this element 81 is
When the temperature inside the valve chamber 4 is below a predetermined temperature, the outer surface of the float 15 is pressed as shown by the solid line, and the float 15 is held between the inclined plate 19 and the inner wall of the valve chamber 4. A device that deforms as shown by the dotted chain line, releases the foot 15, and returns to a position where there is no danger of contacting the float 15 is used.

According to the present invention, the float is held by the temperature-sensitive element made of the shape memory alloy as described above, and the float can be prevented from shaking during transportation or the like. In addition, this temperature-sensitive element deforms greatly instantaneously after reaching a predetermined temperature, and when the inside of the valve chamber 4 reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, it quickly releases the float and returns to a position that does not interfere with the deformation of the float, so that it can be used easily. Now the trap can be safely activated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a free bucket float type steam trap according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing one operating state of the embodiment of FIG.
8 are partially omitted sectional views of other embodiments. 1: Main body, 2: Upper cover, 4: Valve chamber, 5: Inlet,
9: Outlet, 11: Valve hole, 15: Float, 19:
Slanted plate, 25, 31, 41, 51, 61, 62,
71, 81: Temperature sensitive response element made of shape memory alloy.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The float in the valve chamber is held by a temperature-sensitive element made of a reversibly shape-changing shape memory alloy that deforms and releases the float when the temperature inside the valve chamber exceeds a predetermined temperature, and the float is held in the valve chamber during transportation. A float-type steam trap that prevents the float from shaking due to other factors. 2. In the float-type steam trap described in claim 1, the temperature-sensitive element has a coil spring shape, a strip shape, or any other suitable shape, and one end is fixed inside the valve chamber, and the other end is fixed to the float. Something that is movable so that it can be pressed. 3. In the float-type steam trap according to claim 1 or 2, the temperature-sensitive response element presses the outer surface of the float and holds the float between it and the member inside the valve chamber. What was formed. 4. In the float-type steam trap according to claim 1 or 2, the float is an open bucket float, and the temperature-sensitive element is formed to press and hold the float from inside the float. what was done. 5. In the float-type steam trap set forth in claims 1 to 4, the float is a downward-opening bucket float housed in a free state within a valve chamber.