DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of steam traps.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Steam traps are designed to trap and remove condensed water from steam lines. When the amount of condensate collected within the steam trap reaches a predetermined level, the steam trap releases the condensate to the atmosphere. The condensate flashes from liquid state to gaseous state with a considerable amount of noise generated in abrupt, unexpected bursts as the condensate surges into the atmosphere. These noise bursts are disquieting to the people in the vicinity.
Conventionally, silencers are employed to damp the noise generated due to the release of the condensate. A conventional silencer includes a casing having steel wool densely packed therein and a perforated bottom to facilitate the passage of condensate therethrough. However, the conventional silencers get clogged due to the accumulation of foreign particulates, such as rust particles of the steam lines, flowing along with the condensate which discharges in the steel wool. Hence, the conventional silencers need to be replaced after a while. Moreover, the steel wool consists of burrs and chips that tend to be injurious while assembling.
There is therefore, felt a need of a silencer for a steam trap that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a silencer for a steam trap.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a silencer that can be easily cleaned.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a silencer that is safe to assemble.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a silencer that prevents clogging.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a silencer that is reusable.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a silencer that has improved service life.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a silencer for a steam trap in a first aspect. The silencer comprises a casing, a plurality of perforated screens, and an end lock nut. The plurality of perforated screens is disposed in the casing in a spaced apart configuration. The perforated screens are configured to facilitate flow of condensate discharge therethrough. The end lock nut is removably fitted at an operative bottom end of the casing to prevent slippage of the perforated screens out of the casing. The end lock nut is further configured to facilitate opening and closing of the casing to enable easy removal of the perforated screens when required.
In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a silencer for a steam trap is envisaged. The silencer comprises a casing having a sealed configuration and a plurality of perforated screens. The plurality of perforated screens is disposed in the casing in a spaced apart configuration. The perforated screens are configured to facilitate flow of condensate discharge therethrough. The sealed configuration of the casing is configured to prevent slippage of the perforated screens out of the casing.
In one embodiment, the silencer includes a plurality of spacer rings disposed inside the casing. The spacer rings are configured to facilitate placement of the perforated screens within the casing in a spaced apart configuration.
In another embodiment, the silencer includes a pair of rods disposed inside the casing and having a plurality of locking means configured to facilitate placement of the perforated screens within the casing in a spaced apart configuration.
In an embodiment, the silencer includes an end boss configured at an operative top end of the casing to facilitate alignment of the silencer with a condensate discharge line. A threaded connector is fitted in the end boss to facilitate mating of the silencer with the condensate discharge line.
In another embodiment, the silencer includes a bottom boss to facilitate fitment of the casing with the end lock nut.
In one embodiment, the casing includes at least three perforated screens.
In another embodiment, the diametrical dimension of the perforations configured on the perforated screens is in the range of 0.8mm to 3mm.
In yet another embodiment, the material used for manufacturing the silencer is a corrosion resistant material. In still another embodiment, the silencer is coated with a corrosion resistant material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A silencer for a steam trap, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a silencer of the present disclosure;
Figure 2A and Figure 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of the silencer of Figure 1, in accordance with a first embodiment of a first aspect of the present disclosure;
Figure 3A and Figure 3B illustrate cross-sectional views of the silencer of Figure 1, in accordance with a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4A and 4B illustrate cross-sectional views of the silencer of Figure 1, in accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Silencer
105 – Casing
110 – End boss
115 – Bottom boss
120 – End lock nut
125 – Perforated screen
130’ – Spacer ring
130” – Pair of rods
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages a silencer for a steam trap.
A preferred embodiment of the silencer, of the present disclosure, for a steam trap will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 4B. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.
The silencer (100) is configured to be fitted to an outlet of a condensate discharge line to facilitate the flow of a condensate therethrough. The silencer (100) is configured to damp the noise generated by the flowing condensate. Further, the silencer (100) is configured to filter the condensate.
In a first aspect, the silencer (100) comprises a casing (105), a plurality of perforated screens (125), and an end lock nut (120) (as depicted in Figure 2A through Figure 3B). The plurality of perforated screens (125) is disposed in the casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration. The perforated screens (125) are configured to facilitate flow of condensate discharge therethrough. The end lock nut (120) is removably fitted at an operative bottom end of the casing (105) to prevent slippage of the perforated screens (125) out of the casing (105). The end lock nut is further configured to facilitate opening and closing of the casing (105) to enable easy removal of the perforated screens (125) when required.
In a second aspect, the silencer (100) comprises a casing (105) having a sealed configuration and a plurality of perforated screens (125) (as depicted in Figures 4A and 4B). The plurality of perforated screens (125) is disposed in the casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration. The perforated screens (125) are configured to facilitate flow of condensate discharge therethrough. The sealed configuration of the casing (105) is configured to prevent slippage of the perforated screens (125) out of the casing (105).
In an embodiment, the spaced apart configuration of the perforated screens (125) within the casing (105) facilitates the decrease in the flow resistance of the condensate. As a result, the back pressure caused by the flow of the condensate reduces and the noise caused by the flowing condensate is damped.
In a first embodiment, the silencer (100) includes a plurality of spacer rings (130’) disposed inside the casing (105). The spacer rings (130’) are configured to facilitate placement of the perforated screens (125) within the casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration. The spacer rings (130’) are stacked in such a manner that a perforated screen (125) is disposed in between two adjacently stacked spacer rings (130’) (as shown in Figure 2A and 2B). The outer diameter of each spacer ring (130’) is configured to correspond with the inner diameter of the casing (105) such that the spacer ring (130’) slides into the casing (105) with a transition fit. Subsequently, when the end lock nut (120) is removed for maintenance purpose, the spacer rings (130’) easily slide out to facilitate easy removal of the perforated screens (125) when required.
In a second embodiment, the silencer (100) includes a pair of rods (130”) disposed inside the casing (105) and having a plurality of locking means (not specifically shown in figures) configured to facilitate placement of the perforated screens (125) within the casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration. For proper reinforcement of the rods (130”) in the casing (105), the perforated screens (125) are configured with a pair of diametrically opposite holes to allow the passage of the rods (130”) therethrough (as shown in Figure 3A and 3B). The pair of rods (130”) and the plurality of perforated screens (125) form a detachable unit for easily removal when required.
In an embodiment, the silencer (100) includes an end boss (110) configured at an operative top end of the casing (105) to facilitate alignment of the silencer (100) with the condensate discharge line. A threaded connector (not specifically shown in the figures) is fitted in the end boss (110) to facilitate mating of the silencer (100) with the condensate discharge line. More specifically, the threaded connector facilitates a temporary mating of the silencer (100) with the condensate discharge line. In another embodiment, the threaded connector has a male threading configured thereon, relative to the threading of the condensate discharge line. In yet another embodiment, the threaded connector has a female threading configured thereon, relative to the threading of the condensate discharge line.
In another embodiment, the silencer (100) includes a bottom boss (115) to facilitate fitment of the casing (105) with the end lock nut (120). The bottom boss (115) is configured to protrude out the operative bottom end of the casing (105) to allow the end lock nut (120) to align with an opening provided at the operative bottom end of the casing (105). The bottom boss (115) is configured to enable temporary mating of the end lock nut (120) with the casing (105) for maintenance purposes.
In one embodiment, the casing (105) includes at least three perforated screens (125).
In an embodiment, the perforated screens (125) are configured with a plurality of perforations having a larger dimension than the perforations of the condensate discharge line and the steam trap. The larger dimensions of the perforations of the perforated screens (125) facilitate easy passage of particulates flowing through the condensate discharge. As a result, built up of particulate layer and the resultant clogging of the perforated screens (125) are prevented. Consequently, the service life of the silencer (100) is improved.
In another embodiment, the diametrical dimension of the perforations configured on the perforated screens (125) is in the range of 0.8mm to 3mm.
In one embodiment, the material used for manufacturing the silencer (100) is a corrosion resistant material. In another embodiment, the silencer (100) is coated with a corrosion resistant material.
In an embodiment, the casing (105) has a cylindrical configuration. The cylindrical configuration facilitates decrease in the stress concentration inside the casing (105) when the condensate passes through, thereby decreasing the chances of failure of the casing (105).
The silencer (100) is safe to assemble since the silencer (100) includes no hazardous element such as metallic chips and burrs.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a silencer for a stream trap, that:
• can be easily cleaned;
• is safe to assemble;
• prevents clogging;
• is reusable;
• has improved service life; and
• has a simple configuration.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, apparatus, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A silencer (100) for a steam trap, said silencer (100) comprises:
a. a casing (105);
b. a plurality of perforated screens (125) disposed in said casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration, and configured to facilitate flow of condensate discharge therethrough; and
c. an end lock nut (120) removably fitted at an operative bottom end of said casing (105) to prevent slippage of said perforated screens (125) out of said casing (105), and further configured to facilitate opening and closing of said casing (105) to enable easy removal of said perforated screens (125) when required.
2. A silencer (100) for a steam trap, said silencer (100) comprises:
a. a casing (105) having a sealed configuration; and
b. a plurality of perforated screens (125) disposed in said casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration, and configured to facilitate flow of condensate discharge therethrough;
wherein, said sealed configuration of said casing (105) is configured to prevent slippage of said perforated screens (125) out of said casing (105).
3. The silencer (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes a plurality of spacer rings (130’) disposed inside said casing (105), and configured to facilitate placement of said perforated screens (125) within said casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration.
4. The silencer (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes a pair of rods (130”) disposed inside said casing (105), said rods (130”) having a plurality of locking means configured to facilitate placement of said perforated screens (125) within said casing (105) in a spaced apart configuration.
5. The silencer (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes an end boss (110) configured at an operative top end of said casing (105) to facilitate alignment of said silencer (100) with a condensate discharge line; and a threaded connector fitted in said end boss (110) to facilitate mating of said silencer (100) with said condensate discharge line.
6. The silencer (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a bottom boss (115) to facilitate fitment of said casing (105) with said end lock nut (120).
7. The silencer (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said casing (105) includes at least three perforated screens (125).
8. The silencer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the diametrical dimension of said perforations configured on said perforated screens (125) is in the range of 0.8mm to 3mm.
9. The silencer (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the material used for manufacturing the silencer (100) is a corrosion resistant material.
10. The silencer (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the silencer (100) is coated with a corrosion resistant material