Steam trap monitor with diagnostics
AssigneeRosemount Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Karschnia, Thomas M. Moser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steam trap monitor includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable related to operation of a steam trap. A memory contains information related to a baseline parameter of the process variable. Diagnostic circuitry calculates a current parameter of the process variable sensed by the process variable sensor and compares the current parameter of the process variable with the baseline parameter. Based on the comparison, the diagnostic circuitry responsively provides a diagnostic output based upon the comparison. The baseline and current parameter are based on a time period during which the steam trap is open or closed.
Claims13
A steam trap monitor used to monitor operation of a steam trap, the steam trap of the type having a moveable member which is periodically actuated by a process fluid in the steam trap causing the steam trap to open and thereby discharge the process fluid, the steam trap monitor, comprising:
- a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable which changes due to discharge of the process fluid from the steam trap;
- a memory containing information related to a baseline parameter of the process variable;
- and
- diagnostic circuitry configured to calculate a current parameter of the process variable sensed by the process variable sensor, compare the current parameter of the process variable with the baseline parameter, and responsively estimate a time of ultimate failure of the steam trap and provide an energy savings attainable by replacing the steam trap before the estimated ultimate failure time of the steam trap.
A method for monitoring operation of a steam trap monitor used to monitor operation of a steam trap, the steam trap of the type having a moveable member which is periodically actuated by a process fluid in the steam trap causing the steam trap to open and thereby discharge the process fluid, the steam trap monitor, comprising:
- sensing a process variable with a process variable sensor which changes due to discharge of the process fluid from the steam trap;
- retrieving information from a memory related to a baseline parameter of the process variable;
- calculating a current parameter of the process variable with diagnostic circuitry;
- comparing the baseline parameter of the process variable with the current parameter of the process variable using the diagnostic circuitry;
- and
- responsively diagnosing operation of the steam trap based upon the step of comparing and responsively identifying an estimated time of failure and an energy savings attainable by replacing the steam trap before the estimated time of failure.
A steam trap monitor used to monitor operation of a steam trap, the steam trap of the type having a moveable member which is periodically actuated by a process fluid in the steam trap causing the steam trap to open and thereby discharge the process fluid, the steam trap monitor, comprising:
- means for sensing a process variable which changes due to discharge of the process fluid from the steam trap;
- means for retrieving information from a memory related to a baseline parameter of the process variable;
- means for calculating a current parameter of the process variable;
- means for comparing the baseline parameter of the process variable with the current parameter of the process variable;
- means for responsively diagnosing operation of the steam trap based upon the step of comparing and responsively identifying an estimated time of failure and an energy savings attainable by replacing the steam trap before the estimated time of failure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.