Thermostatic steam trap
AssigneeVelan Inc.
InventorChristian Matthias WINGERATH
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermostatic steam trap includes a lower casing; an upper casing secured with the lower casing; and a mechanism that is operatively secured with the lower casing and the upper casing and that includes a stack of bimetallic strips. The stack of bimetallic strips includes two opposed cantilevered portions separated by a neutral flexion axis thereof. A stem member slidably extends through the stack of bimetallic strips and the lower casing, and a valve portion includes a valve member that is operatively secured to a first end of the stem member and that selectively closes the valve portion with movement of the cantilevered portions of the stack of bimetallic strips.
Claims16
A thermostatic steam trap comprising:
- (a) a lower casing;
- (b) an upper casing secured with the lower casing;
- (c) a strips mechanism operatively secured with the lower casing and the upper casing, the strips mechanism including a stack of bimetallic strips, the stack of bimetallic strips including two opposed cantilevered portions separated by a neutral flexion axis thereof;
- (d) a stem member slidably extending through the stack of bimetallic strips and the lower casing;
- and
- (e) a valve portion including a valve member operatively secured to a first end of the stem member for selectively closing the valve portion with a movement of the cantilevered portions of the stack of bimetallic strips.
A method of actuating a thermostatic steam trap, comprising the steps of:
- (a) increasing a temperature of the thermostatic steam trap, the stem trap comprising a strips mechanism having a stack of bimetallic strips having two opposed cantilevered portions;
- (b) actuating the two opposed cantilevered portions of the stack of bimetallic strips;
- (c) displacing a stem member that slidably extends through the stack of bimetallic strips;
- (d) compressing a spring mechanism as a result of the actuation of the two opposed cantilevered portions;
- and
- (e) closing a valve member of a valve portion of the steam trap using a force corresponding to a force of the spring mechanism, when the spring mechanism is not completely compressed, and using a force corresponding to a force of the strips mechanism when the spring mechanism is completely compressed.
A thermostatic steam trap comprising:
- (a) a lower casing;
- (b) an upper casing secured with the lower casing;
- (c) a valve;
- and
- (c) means for closing the valve as a result of an increasing temperature of the thermostatic steam trap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.