GB2251286A

GB2251286A - Steam trap installation

Info

Publication number: GB2251286A
Application number: GB9125886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gilbert Georges Belard; Guy Gilbert Thomasset
Original assignee: Spirax Sarco Ltd
Current assignee: Spirax Sarco Ltd
Priority date: 1990-12-05
Filing date: 1991-12-05
Publication date: 1992-07-01
Also published as: GB9125886D0; FR2670270B1; FR2670270A1

Abstract

The bleed station with isolating valve is produced in the form of a unit (1) exhibiting four main faces (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), namely three faces (9a, 9b, 9c) for mounting the heads of the two isolating valves (6, 7), respectively an upstream one and a downstream one, and two valves for venting to atmosphere (8) and a fourth face (9d) for fitting the trap (5). Internal pipes provide the connection inside the unit between the three valves and the trap. <IMAGE>

Description

STEAM TRAP INSTALLATION The present invention concerns steam line systems used in industry-and refers, in particular, to an integral venting station with incorporated isolating valves.

When steam is used in a line system, it tends to condense while passing through the system and the condensate has to be evacuated. It is therefore necessary to use a steam trap.

For operating and maintenance requirements, the steam trap is generally used in conjunction with an isolating valve upstream and an isolating valve downstream, as well as with a blow-off valve to the atmosphere upstream of the steam trap, enabling the condensates to be evacuated when the isolating valve upstream of the steam trap is closed.

In the present invention, a block with multidirectional flow is used, which block groups together the three functions of the isolating valves and the blow-off valve.

There is thus obtained a compact system which enables prices and assembly costs to be reduced, since a single apparatus is mounted on the pipework, instead of four as in the prior art.

In accordance with the invention, the venting station with isolating valves is characterised in that it is manufactured in the form of a block having four main faces, that is to say, three faces for mounting the heads of two isolating valves, upstream and downstream respectively, and the blow-off valve to the atmosphere, and a fourth face for mounting the steam trap, with internal channels ensuring the connection inside the block between the three valves and the steam trap. The two faces carrying the upstream isolating valve and the blow-off valve to the atmosphere preferably form between them an angle of 900 to 1200.

The downstream isolating valve is inclined at an angle which can be between 200 and 30 relative to the plane of symmetry- of the said two faces.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the function of the fittings is performed by three valves of the piston type, one of which, the blow-off valve to the atmosphere, is provided with a self-cleaning device for the venting passage to the atmosphere, preventing this passage from becoming dirty. Preferably, this self-cleaning device is in the form of a cylindrical extension of the valve piston, this cylindrical extension emerging directly into the venting passage to the atmosphere, so that the opening and closing of the blow-off valve to the atmosphere brings about a displacement of the piston and thus self-cleaning of the venting passage to the atmosphere.

In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the steam trap function is performed by a steam trap having multi-directional joining pieces, the technology of which can be taken from steam traps having an open inverted float, floats of the thermostatic type, floats of the thermodynamic type and closed floats.

In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the connection between the steam trap and the block for mounting the valves is ensured by a flange comprising a central aperture for the evacuation of the fluid from the upstream isolating valve, and at least one side aperture for discharging the condensate to the steam trap, this side aperture being situated in an offset manner relative to the central aperture.

In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the internal channel for the communication of the upstream isolating valve with the steam trap is formed by two parts, a first part opening out at the centre of the flange for the attachment of the steam trap and a second part connected to the first and in communication with the lantern of the upstream isolating valve,'thi-s-second part of-the channel being bored through an entry face of the block, which face is subsequently closed off by a seal.

Various other features of the invention will emerge, furthermore, from the detailed description which follows.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown, by way of non-restrictive examples, in the attached drawings Figure 1 is a block diagram of the integral venting station with isolating valves according to the invention, the station being mounted in a steam line.

Figures 2A and 2B are top and front views, respectively, of the integral venting station, in the case of a horizontal mounting with a steam trap with an open inverted float.

Figures 3A and 3B are front and top views, respectively, of the integral venting block, in the case of a vertical mounting with a steam trap with an open inverted float.

Figure 4 shows the block provided with housings for the upstream isolating valve and the blow-off valve to the atmosphere, as well as the flow channels enabling the fluid to be guided towards the steam trap.

Figure 5 is a section along line V - V in Figure 4 and shows the housing of the blow-off valve to the atmosphere, the steam line inlet aperture into the block, as well as the venting aperture.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of Figure 4 and shows the three faces of the block on which there are mounted the three heads of the upstream isolating valve, the downstream isolating valve and the blow-off valve to the atmosphere, respectively.

Figure 7 is a sectional view in the plane of Figure 2A and shows the communication channels, as well as the housing for the downstream isolating valve and the steam--line inlet and outlet apertures in the block.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of Figure 2A and shows the attachment flange of the steam trap provided with its communication apertures.

Figures 9A and 9B show the mounting, in the closed position and in the open position respectively, of one of the valves of the integral venting station of the invention.

Figures 10A and lOB show the mounting, in the closed position and in the open position respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the blow-off valve and show a special arrangement enabling the venting passage to be cleaned.

In Figure 1 there is shown, in diagrammatic manner, a venting block 1 in accordance with the invention, the said block being mounted on a steam line 2 entering the block at 3 and leaving it at 4. The venting block 1 incorporates a steam trap 5, as well as the upstream and downstream isolating valves 6 and 7 respectively, with a blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere, furthermore, being mounted upstream of the upstream isolating valve.

According to an embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2 to 10 of the drawing and in which the same reference numbers represent pieces which are identical to those in Figure 1, the venting block 1 has a substantially pentagonal cross section (see Figure 4) and comprises four main faces 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, the faces 9a, 9b, 9c being provided for mounting the upstream and downstream isolating valves 6, 7 respectively and the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere, with the face 9d being provided for mounting the steam trap 5.

In the block according to the invention, the inlet aperture 3 and outlet aperture 4 in the venting block 1 are located on the same axis and can be manufactured in accordance with the invention with a nominal diameter of 15 mm, 20 mm or 25 mm.

The inlet aperture 3 is in communication with two passages 10, 11 which are perpendicular to the axis of this aperture, forming between them an angle of approximately 600, so that the corresponding faces 9a and 9c form between them an angle of 1200. However, this angle can be between 90" and 1200.

The passage 10 enables insertion of the piston and the sealing rings of the upstream isolating valve 6, while the passage 11 enables insertion of the piston and the sealing rings of the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere.

The various valves 6, 7 and 8 are manufactured according to the same technology, even if the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere preferably has an additional arrangement, which is mentioned later in connection with the description of Figures lOA and lOB.

Thus, Figures 9A and 9B show an example of the valve which is attached by screwing to the body 1 and which has, in a manner already known, a head 12, a control wheel 13 which can also be seen in Figures 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B, a control rod 14, a piston 15, lower and upper sealing rings 16 and 17, respectively, and a lantern 18.

It can be noted that the fluid entering the block appears each time under the piston of each of the following valves: the upstream isolating valve 6, the downstream isolating valve 7 and the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere.

In the open position of the upstream isolating valve 6, the fluid flows through a side passage formed by two channels 19 and 20, the channel 20 opening out at the centre of a flange 21 for the attachment of the steam trap 5.

An object of the channel 19, therefore, is to place the housing of the lantern 18 of the upstream isolating valve 6 in communication with the channel 20 for evacuating a fluid to the steam trap 5.

As can be seen clearly in Figure 7, the channel 19 is bored through the venting block 1 from its inlet face, which is closed off, after machining, by a seal 22 which is subsequently welded to the venting block 1.

In the open position of the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere, the fluid flows through a side passage 24 which is perpendicular to the axis of the piston of the valve and is situated at the level of the lantern 18 of this valve (Figure 5). The outlet aperture of the side passage 24 opens, moreover, directly on to one of the faces of the block, enabling pipework to be attached for collecting the condensate.

The reference numbers 25 and 26 denote two cylindrical channels which are located in an offset manner relative to the axis of the channel 20 and are provided for guiding the condensates leaving the steam trap 5.

The two cylindrical channels 25 and 26 open into a passage 27 having a larger cross section for housing the piston and the rings of the downstream isolating valve 7.

In the open position, the fluid passes through the lantern 18 of the downstream isolating valve 7 which is in communication with the outlet aperture 4 located laterally relative to the said valve.

As can be seen in particular in Figures 2A - 2B and 3A - 3B, the outlet aperture of the side passage 24 can open on to two different faces of the block, which faces are located in perpendicular planes in dependence upon the mounting position of the block, either horizontal (Figures 2A - 2B) or vertical (Figures 3A 3B).

Opposite the two connection faces 9b and 9c for the upstream isolating valve 6 and the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere, there is mounted the lapped flange 21 for the attachment of the steam trap 5, with the channel 20 opening out at the centre of the attachment flange 21, while the cylindrical channels 25 and 26 are located in an offset manner relative to the central aperture of the channel 20.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the steam trap 5 is a steam trap having a multi-directional joining piece, the technology of which can be with an open inverted float, or of the thermostatic type, or with a closed float.

In the two cases of mounting mentioned above, the axes of the upstream isolating valve 6 and the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere are symmetrical relative to the plane of the steam trap 5, this angle preferably being equal to 600. Furthermore, these two valves are mounted on a part of the block 1 which has a substantially pentagonal cross section, as is indeed shown Figure 4.

Moreover, the downstream isolating valve 7 is here located in a lower part of the venting block 1, forming, with the plane of the two valves mentioned above, an angle which is preferably between 200 and 300.

In Figures 10A and lOB is shown a special arrangement of the piston 15 of the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere. Thus, in these Figures, the piston 15 carries a cylindrical extension 28 for entering, in the closed position of the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere (Figure lOB), the upstream passage.

Consequently, an operation for opening and closing the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere by means of its control wheel 13, causes a displacement of the piston 15 and therefore a possible scouring of the end of the venting passage 11 to the atmosphere. It should in fact be noted that, when the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere is closed in the absence of flow in the passage 11, there is a risk of sediments and impurities being deposited in this passage. Operation of the blow-off valve enables the deposit to be broken up by means of the cylindrical extension 28 of the piston 15 which emerges into the passage 11.

By placing the channel 19 in communication with the passage 11 (and no longer with the passage 10), it is possible to reverse the functions of the upstream isolating valve 6 and the blow-off valve 8 to the atmosphere. Such an embodiment enables the direction of operation of the block 1 to be reversed, while still keeping the blow-off valve in the lower position.

Claims

1. Venting station with isolating valve, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t it is manufactured in the form of a block (1) having four main faces (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), that is to say, three faces (9a, 9b, 9c) for mounting the heads of two isolating valves (6, 7), upstream and downstream respectively, and the blow-off valve (8) to the atmosphere, and a fourth face (9d) for mounting the steam trap (5), with internal channels (19, 20; 25, 26) ensuring the connection inside the block (1) between the three valves (6, 7, 8) and the steam trap (5).

2. Venting station according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the two faces (9a, 9c) carrying the upstream isolating valve (6) and the blow-off valve (8) to the atmosphere form between them an angle of 900 to 1200.

3. Venting station according to one of claims 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the downstream isolating valve (7) is inclined at an angle of between 200 and 300 relative to the plane of symmetry of the faces (9a, 9c) carrying the upstream isolating valve (6) and the blow-off valve (8) to the atmosphere.

4. Venting station according to one of claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the three valves are of the same type with piston, the blow-off valve (8) to the atmosphere being equipped with a self-cleaning device for the venting passage to the atmosphere, enabling the evacuation of condensates and preventing this passage from becoming dirty.

5. Venting station according to one of claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the blow-off valve (8) to the atmosphere comprises a piston (15) provided with a cylindrical extension (28), this cylindrical extension (28) emerging directly into the venting passage to the atmosphere, so that an opening and closing of the blow-off valve (8) to the atmosphere causes a displacement of the piston and its cylindrical extension (28) and therefore a self-cleaning of the venting passage to the atmosphere.

6. Venting station according to one of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the steam trap (5) is a steam trap having a multidirectional joining piece, the technology of which can be taken from steam traps having an open inverted float, floats of the thermostatic type, floats of the thermodynamic type and closed floats.

7. Venting station according to one of claims 1 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the connection between the steam trap (5) and the block (1) for mounting the valves is ensured by a flange (21) comprising a central aperture (20) for evacuating the fluid from the upstream isolating valve (6) to the steam trap (5) and at least one side aperture (25, 26) for discharging the condensate from the steam trap (5) to the downstream isolating valve (7), this side aperture being located in an offset manner relative to the central aperture.

8. Venting station according to one of claims 1 to 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the internal channel (19, 20) for communication between the upstream isolating valve (6) and the steam trap (5) is formed by two parts, a first part (20) opening out at the centre of a flange (21) for the attachment of the steam trap (5) and a second part (19) connected to the first and in communication with the lantern (18) of the upstream isolating valve (6), this second part of the channel being bored through an inlet face of the block, which face is subsequently closed off by a seal (22).

9. Venting station according to one of claims 1 to 8, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t , by placing the channel (19) in communication with the housing for the lantern of the blow-off valve (8), the functions of the upstream isolating valve and the blowoff valve to the atmosphere can be reversed and, because of this, the direction of operation of the block (1) can be reversed while still keeping the blowoff valve (8) in the lower position.

10. A steam trap installation comprising a steam trap, isolating valves provided, respectively, on the inlet and outlet sides of the steam trap, and a blowoff valve provided on the upstream side of the inlet isolating valve, the isolating valves and the blow-off valve being provided in a common valve block secured to the steam trap.

11. A steam trap installation substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.