Monitoring steam traps using RF signaling
AssigneeArmstrong International, Inc.
InventorsMichael Paul Hellman, James F. Washburn, Anthony Sajkowski, Donald J. Hume, Andrew F. Drenick
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Abstract
A method of monitoring the status of a plurality of steam traps includes sensing with a monitor at least one process condition in each of a plurality of steam traps, transmitting radio frequency signals responsive to the sensed process condition of each steam trap with transmitters associated with the steam traps, and receiving the signals generated by the transmitters with a receiver. In one embodiment of the invention, the signals from at least some steam traps are received and retransmitted by a repeater positioned between the steam traps and the receiver.
Claims23
A method of monitoring the status of a plurality of steam traps comprising:
- periodically sensing with a monitor at least one process condition in each of a plurality of steam traps;
- periodically transmitting radio frequency signals responsive to the sensed process condition of each steam trap with transmitters associated with the steam traps;
- and
- receiving the signals generated by the transmitters with a receiver,
- whereby the process conditions of the steam traps are sensed more frequently than the transmission of signals from the steam traps to the receivers.
A method of monitoring the status of a plurality of steam traps comprising:
- periodically sensing with a monitor process conditions including the temperature and the presence of condensate within each of a plurality of steam traps;
- periodically transmitting radio frequency signals responsive to the sensed process condition of each steam trap with transmitters associated with the steam traps;
- and
- receiving the signals generated by the transmitters with a receiver,
- wherein the process conditions of the steam traps are sensed more frequently than the transmission of signals from the steam traps to the receivers, and wherein the signals from at least some of the steam traps are received and retransmitted by a repeater positioned between the steam traps and the receiver.
A system for monitoring the status of a plurality of steam traps comprising:
- a plurality of steam traps;
- a monitor for each steam trap, including sensors for periodically sensing the temperature of the steam traps and sensors for periodically sensing the presence of condensate within the steam traps;
- transmitters associated with each steam trap to periodically transmit radio frequency signals responsive to the sensed temperature and presence of condensate;
- and
- receivers to receive the signals generated by the transmitters,
- wherein the process conditions of the steam traps are sensed more frequently than the transmission of signals from the steam traps to the receivers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.