Programmable steam trap apparatus
AssigneeTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
InventorsYehoshua Aloni, Oren Fahimipoor
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims19
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 at a first position in the apparatus,
- a second temperature sensor, at a second position in the vapor system where condensate, air, or non-condensable gas collect, wherein the second position of the second temperature sensor is different from the first position of the first temperature sensor,
- a pressure sensor,
- an actuated valve in a position allowing for 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;
- wherein the control system opens the actuated valve if it determines that condensate, air or non-condensable gas is present in the vapor system.
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 a temperature at a first region in the vapor system;
- b. measuring a temperature at a 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 a 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 i the temperatures and pressure measured in steps a)-c) is determined to represent presence of condensate, air, or non-condensable gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.