Programmable steam trap apparatus
AssigneeTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
InventorsYehoshua Aloni, Oren Fahimipoor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for removing condensate and unwanted gas from vapor/liquid systems while preventing steam loss are provided. The steam trap apparatus replaces the automatic valve type steam trap with an efficient, controllable, and programmable steam trap. In addition, the improved steam trap apparatus allows for real-time data collection during sterilization and other operations.
Claims25
An apparatus for removing condensate, air, or non-condensable gas from vapor space in a vapor system while preventing the loss of vapor, the apparatus comprising:
- a first temperature sensor,
- a second temperature sensor, at a position in the vapor system where condensate, air, or non-condensable gas collect, and which position is different from the position of the first temperature sensor,
- a pressure sensor,
- an actuated valve in a position allowing for the release of condensate, air, or non-condensable gas from the vapor space, and
- a control system which receives output from the first and second temperature sensors and from the pressure sensor and determines whether to open the actuated valve to release condensate, air or non-condensable gas from the vapor space based on temperature reading from the temperature sensors and the pressure reading from the pressure sensor.
2-7. (canceled)
18-22. (canceled)
A method for removing condensate, air, or non-condensable gas from vapor space in a vapor system while preventing the loss of vapor, the method comprising:
- a. measuring the temperature at a first region in the vapor system;
- b. measuring the temperature at second region in the vapor system where condensate, air, or non-condensable gas collect, wherein the second region is different from the first region;
- c. measuring the pressure at a region in the vapor system;
- d. determining whether the temperatures and pressure obtained in steps a)-c) represents the presence of condensate, air, or non-condensable gas;
- and
- e. opening an actuated valve if the temperatures and pressure measured in steps a)-c) is determined to represent presence of condensate, air, or non-condensable gas.
24-29. (canceled)
37-42. (canceled)
A steam trap apparatus for removing condensate, air, or non-condensable gas from steam space in a steam system while preventing the loss of steam, the apparatus comprising:
- a first temperature sensor,
- a second temperature sensor, at a position in the steam system where condensate, air, or non-condensable gas collect, and which position is different from the position of the first temperature sensor,
- a pressure sensor,
- an actuated valve in a position allowing for the release of condensate, air, or non-condensable gas from the steam space, and
- a control system which receives output from the first and second temperature sensors and from the pressure sensor and determines whether to open the actuated valve to release condensate, air or non-condensable gas from the steam space based on temperature reading from the temperature sensors and the pressure reading from the pressure sensor.
44-84. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.