DESC:FLOAT TRAP WITH SELF ALIGNING STEAM LOCK RELEASE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to steam traps and more particularly, to a float trap with a self aligning steam lock release.

Background of the invention

A steam trap is a device used to discharge condensates and non-condensable gases with a negligible consumption or loss of live steam. Most steam traps are nothing more than automatic valves. They open, close or modulate automatically.

Systems which operate on steam require being free of condensate, air and other non-condensable gases in order to function properly. The steam traps, as the name suggests, are devices that hold back steam and discharge condensates and non-condensable gases from a steam system.

The drawbacks in existing float traps are that the trap cover has a complicated design. In the existing float traps, the cover is casted with the arrangement for mounting a valve seat, a steam lock release (SLR) seat and components required for holding the float arrangement together as a single unit. Further, the misalignment of the SLR stem and the seat causes leakage of steam through trap, resulting in major steam loss and reduced process efficiency. This also results in trap erosion.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a float trap with a self aligning steam lock release that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a float trap cover in two parts i.e. a cover and a seat plate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float trap with a self -aligning steam lock release (SLR) mechanism/arrangement.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a float trap with a self aligning steam lock release. The float trap comprises a body, a cover, a seat plate, a steam lock release arrangement, a sight glass and a sight glass cover.

The cover is mounted on the body. The seat plate is mounted on the cover and attached to a float assembly. Specifically, the seat plate is a replaceable seat plate. The seat plate includes an orifice configured on a surface thereof. The sight glass is provided for viewing condensate discharge. The sight glass is protected by the sight glass cover. The sight glass cover is connected to the body through screws. The steam lock release arrangement is positioned on the cover adjacent to the seat plate. The steam lock release arrangement includes a stem and a ferrule. The ferrule is configured on one end of the stem. The stem is capable of rotating in any one of a clockwise and an anticlockwise direction. The rotation of the stem causes the ferrule to fit in the orifice of the seat plate thereby ensuring proper alignment of the stem and the seat plate to prevent leakage of steam. The float trap is constructed using any one of stainless steel grades such as 304, 304L, 316, 316L, cast steel (WCB), spheroidal graphite (SG) iron, cast iron and any alloy steel construction.

Brief description of the drawing

Figure 1 shows a float trap with a self aligning steam lock release, in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a mechanical float trap with a trap cover designed in two parts i.e. a cover with a replaceable seat plate design having a steam lock release arrangement to overcome defects in the existing float trap cover. This results in simplifying the casting of the trap cover and the seat plate to simple one. The float trap of the present invention eliminates many parts in the existing traps like a valve seat, a SLR seat, components required for float holding arrangement and flow diverter (erosion deflector) part from a trap assembly with improved casting design.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description and in the table given below.

Table

Part No. Part Name Part No. Part Name
10 Body 40 Steam lock release (SLR) arrangement
20 Cover 70 Float assembly
30 Seat plate 50 Sight Glass
34 Stem 60 Sight Glass cover
38 Ferrule 100 Float trap

Figure 1 shows a float trap (100) with a self aligning steam lock release in accordance with the present invention. The float trap (100) comprises a body (10), a cover (20), an inlet port (not shown), an outlet port (not shown), a seat plate (30), a steam lock release arrangement (40), a sight glass (50) and a sight glass cover (60).

The cover (20) is mounted on the body (10) of the float trap (100). The seat plate (30) is mounted on the cover (20) and attached to a float assembly (70). In an embodiment, the seat plate (30) is a replaceable seat plate. The seat plate (30) includes an orifice (not shown) configured on a surface thereof.

The steam lock release arrangement (40) is positioned on the cover (20) adjacent to the seat plate (30). The steam lock release arrangement (40) (hereinafter, “SLR arrangement (40)”) includes a stem (34) and a ferrule (38). The ferrule (38) is configured on one end of the stem (34). In an embodiment, the ferrule (38) is flexible. The stem (34) is capable of rotating in anyone of a clockwise direction and an anticlockwise direction. The rotation of the stem (34) causes the ferrule (38) to get fit in the orifice of the replaceable seat plate (30). The closing of the orifice of the replaceable seat plate (30) by the ferrule (38) ensures proper alignment of the stem (34) and the seat plate (30) to prevent leakage of steam. As there are no misalignment between the stem (34) and the replaceable seat plate (30), the cover (20) rejection is reduced to zero.

The sight glass (50) is provided for viewing the condensate discharge. The sight glass (50) is protected by the sight glass cover (60). The sight glass cover (60) is connected to the body (10) through screws (not shown).

In an embodiment, the float trap (100) is constructed using any one of stainless steel grades such as 304, 304L, 316, 316L, cast steel (WCB), spheroidal graphite (SG) iron, cast iron and any alloy steel construction. The float trap (100) is applicable in all types of industries that utilize steam.
Advantages of the invention

1. The float trap (100) provides a robust float trap cover as there are zero chances for cover casting defect.
2. The float trap (100) eliminates the steam diverter (erosion deflector) part in the trap assembly.
3. The float trap (100) provides float trap cover design with the replaceable seat plate (30) that eliminates many assembly components like a valve seat, a SLR seat and components for float assembly holding arrangement resulting in casting rejection to be reduced to zero.
4. The float trap (100) provides a trap assembly that is simpler because of self aligning SLR assembly.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A float trap (100) with a self aligning steam lock release, the float trap (100) comprising:
a cover (20) mounted on a body (10);
a seat plate (30) mounted on the cover (20) and attached to a float assembly (70);
a steam lock release arrangement (40) positioned on the cover (20) adjacent to the seat plate (30); and
a sight glass (50) for viewing condensate discharge, the sight glass (50) being protected by a sight glass cover (60), the sight glass cover (60) connected to the body (10) through screws,
characterized in that, the seat plate (30) being a replaceable seat plate having an orifice configured on a surface thereof, and
the steam lock release arrangement (40) having a stem (34), and a ferrule (38) configured on one end of the stem (34), the stem (34) being capable of rotating in any one of a clockwise and an anticlockwise direction, the rotation of the stem (34) causing the ferrule (38) to fit in the orifice of the seat plate (30) thereby ensuring proper alignment of the stem (34) and the seat plate (30) to prevent leakage of steam.

2. The float trap (100) as claimed in claim 1 is constructed using any one of stainless steel grades such as 304, 304L, 316, 316L, cast steel, spheroidal graphite iron, cast iron and any alloy steel construction.

Dated this 17th August, 2020

Shrinidhi Raste
(Agent for Applicant)
(IN/PA- 3858)