US3096936A

US3096936A - Fluid control apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3096936A
Application number: US92801A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Woods
Original assignee: Standard Thomson Corp
Current assignee: Standard Thomson Corp
Priority date: 1961-03-02
Filing date: 1961-03-02
Publication date: 1963-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-09

Description

July 9, 1963 I J. E. wooDs 3,096,936

FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1961 50 26 5 FIG-5 60 3p 40 INVENTOR. 22/ 23 5g 42 74 70 JOHN E. wooos; 55 A 5 6 WM WW1 ATTORNEY United States Patent ()1 3,096,936 Patented July 9, 1963 ice 3,096,936 FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS John E. Woods, Cohasset, Mass, assignor to Standard- Thomson Corporation, Waltham, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 2, 19631, Ser. No. 92,801 2 Claims. ((11. 236-456) This invention relates to fluid control apparatus. The invention relates more particularly to thermal responsive fluid control apparatus.

An object of this invention is to provide thermal responsive valve apparatus which is capable of operation within a small space but which is capable of controlling relatively high volumes of fluid at relatively high pressures.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which can be used as a steam trap device or other thermal responsive fluid control mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which can be constructed and installed at relatively low costs.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing apparatus of this invention disposed in a conduit member, parts of which are broken away.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, drawn on a scale somewhat larger than that of FIGURE 1, of apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURE 2, but showing the apparatus in a position of operation.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURES 2 and 3, showing the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, drawn on substantially the same scale as FIGURE 1 and showing the apparatus in the same position of operation as FIGURE 2, but showing a housing for the apparatus with fluid moving through the housing.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 66 of FIGURE 2..

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 88 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, apparatus of this invention comprises an end member 10 provided with an opening 12 therethrough. Enco-mpassing the end member 10 is a sealing member 14 of any suitable type which is herein shown as being an elas-tomeric O-ring member.

Attached to the end member 10 are a plurality of spaced-apart parallel arm members 16. The arm members 16 are connected to an elongate retainer member 20. Within the retainer member 20 are a pair of annular ribs 22.

In abutting engagement with one of the ribs 22 is a guide member 24-. In abutting engagement with the other rib 22 is a guide member 26. Each of the

guide members

24 and 26 is substantially in the form of a disc or wheel having a plurality of spokes extending from a hub portion, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. A comprmsion spring 28 is disposed between the

guide members

24 and 26 and urges these

guide members

24 and 26 one from the other and against the rib-s 22. The guide member 26 has a tube or sleeve 31} attached thereto at the central portion thereof. The tube 30 slidably extends through the central portion of the guide member 24.

Disposed within the tube 30 and extending therefrom is a rod or piston 32. The rod 32 is threadedly adjustably connected to the inner surface of the tube 30.

The rod 32 extends toward the end member 10 and has a portion slidably disposed within a container 34. Within the container 34 is a quantity of thermal responsive expansible-contraotible material 36, shown in FIG- URE 2. The expansible-contractible material 36 may be any suitable material having appreciable expansion characteristics over a given temperature range.

The container 34 has a flange portion 40 which is engaged by a compression spring 42. The compression spring 42 also engages the end member 10' and urges the container 34 in a direction away from the end member 10. The container 3-4 also has a nose 46 which is engageable with the end member 10 to close the opening 12.

The spring 42 has lesser expansive forces than does the spring 28 which engages the

guide members

24 and 26. The reason for this is discussed below.

As stated above, the apparatus of this invention may be used as a steam trap. When the apparatus is so used, it may be disposed within a housing 50 wd a conduit 52, which is connected thereto, as shown in FIG- URE 5. A cap member 54 closes an opening in the housing 50 so that the valve apparatus may be inserted through the opening in the housing 5G. The housing 50 has a portion 55 which may be in communication with a steam line. The conduit 52 communicates with the atmosphere.

The end portion 10 is thus located within the conduit 52 with the sealing member 14 in engagement therewith. The retainer member 20 is provided with a plurality of lugs 56 extending laterally therefrom and which engage the end of the conduit 52 to limit the extent of the apparatus within the conduit 52. Due to the fact that the diameter of the end member 10 and the retainer member 20 is less than the inside diameter of the conduit 52, passages 64 are provided for flow of fluid between the retainer member 20 and the conduit 52, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 7.

The retainer member 20 is shown as being provided with extensions 60 which may be used to aid in positioning the apparatus within the housing 50 and the conduit 52 and for removal of the apparatus therefrom.

Operation As shown by arrows in FIGURE 5, when the apparatus is at a temperature below a given value, fluid may pass through the housing 50 into the conduit 52 and through the opening 12 in the end member 10. The fluid comes into contact with the container 34. When the valve apparatus is used as a steam trap, air is forced from the steam line in the manner shown by arrows in FIG- URE 5. However, steam moving into the steam line forces all of the air from the line and comes into contact with the container 34. The steam heats the container 34 and the expansible-contractible material 36 therewit-hin sufficiently to cause expansion of the material 36. This expansion causes the material 36 to apply pressures upon the end of the rod or piston 32 which extends Within the container 34, as shown in FIGURE 2. These forces upon the rod 32 urge relative movement between the rod 32 and the container 34.

As stated above, the rod 32 is threadedly attached to the tube or sleeve 30. The sleeve 30* is attached to the guide member 26. The guide member 26 is held in position by the spring 28, which, as stated above, has greater forces against further compression thereof than does the spring 42. Therefore, as expansive forces within the container 34 urge relative movement between the container 34 and the rod 32, the container 34 is forced to move toward the end member 10 as the spring 42 is further compressed. Sufiicient movement of the container 34- causes the nose 46 thereof to engage the end member 10, closing the opening 12, as shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, fluid is restrained against passage through the opening 12. Therefore, in steam trap operation the steam is retained within the steam lines after air has been purged therefrom.

' If the temperature of the steam should increase after the opening 12 is closed in the manner shown in FIGURE 3, increased forces of the material 36 within the container 34 urge further relative movement between the container 34 and the rod 3 2. Due to the fact that the container 34 is in engagement with the end member 10, there can be no further movement of the container 34 toward the end member 19. Therefore, increased forces within the container 34- force the rod 3-2 in a direction away from the container 34. This movement of the rod 32 moves the sleeve 31) which is attached thereto. This movement of the sleeve 39 moves the guide member 26 which is attached thereto. The guide member 26, moving toward the guide member 24 forces greater cornpression of the spring 28. The sleeve 30 slidably moves through the guide member 24, as shovm in FIGURE 4. Thus, the apparatus maintains the steam entrapped wit in the steam lines at higher temperatures but the apparatus is not damaged by the increased forces resulting therefrom. v

The temperature at which the container member 34 begins to move in a direction from the rod 32 to close the opening 12 of the end member may be adjusted by threadedly rotating the rod 32 to change the position thereof with respect to the sleeve 39.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus of this invention can be readily and easily disposed within a small space. The apparatus operates efliciently and efleotively to control fluid within a conduit.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts,

the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A unitary steam trap for insertion within a conduit comprising a valve mechanism, the valve mechanism including an annular closure member slidably movable and positionable within the conduit and in sealing engagement therewith, the closure member having an opening therethrough, a plurality of connector members attached to the closure member and extending in an axial direction therefrom and adapted to be positioned within the conduit, retainer means joining all of the connector members together at positions spaced from the closure member, a portion of the retainer means being engageable with the conduit, a pair of spaced-apart guide members retained by the retainer means, the guide members being relatively movable, each guide member having a central portion and an outer portion, the outer portion of each guide member being in engagement with the retainer means, a spring member intermediate the guide members and in engagement therewith and urging the guide members in directions one from the other, the retainer means having abutment means preventing movement of the guide members beyond a given amount, the guide members being substantially coaxial one with the other and with the opening in said closure member, a sleeve attached to the guide member which is closest to the closure mem ber, the sleeve slidably extending through the other guide member and coaxial with the guide members, a rod within the tube and attached thereto, the rod extending toward the closure member, a container having an end portion adjacent the closure member, the rod slidably extending into the container, the container being movable with respect to the rod so that the end portion of the container is engageable with the closure member to close the opening therethrough, thermal responsive material Within the container and in engagement with the rod, the thermal responsive material being expansible to apply forces directly upon the rod urging relative movement between the rod and the container, a compression spring in engagement with the container and the closure member and urging the container in a direction from the closure member.

2. Fluid control apparatus comprising a conduit having an end portion, a housing encompassing said end portion of the conduit and attached thereto, valve apparatus within the housing and within the conduit, the valve apparatus including support structure, a portion of the support structure being in abutting'relation with the end of the conduit and thus positioning the valve apparatus with respect to the conduit and with respect to the housing, a stationary closure member attached to the support structure, the stationary closure member being within the conduit and in sealing engagement therewith, the stationary closure member having a passage therethrough, a movable closure member carried by the support structure and engageable with the stationary closure member to close the passage therethrough, the movable closure member having a portion provided with a cavity therein, thermal responsive material within the cavity, abutment means engageable by the thermal responsive material to cause relative movement between the movable closure member and the stationary closure member upon expansion of the thermal responsive material.

, References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany July 24, 1930

Claims

2. FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS COMPRISING A CONDUIT HAVING AN END PORTION, A HOUSING ENCOMPASSING SAID END PORTION OF THE CONDUIT AND ATTACHED THERETO, VALVE APPARATUS WITHIN THE HOUSING AND WITHIN THE CONDUIT, THE VALVE APPARATUS INCLUDING SUPPORT STRUCTURE, A PORTION OF THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE BEING IN ABUTTING RELATION WITH THE END OF THE CONDUIT AND THUS POSITIONING THE VALVE APPARATUS WITH RESPECT TO THE CONDUIT AND WITH RESPECT TO THE HOUSING, A STATIONARY CLOSURE MEMBER ATTACHED TO THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE, THE STATIONARY CLOSURE MEMBER BEING WITHIN THE CONDUIT AND IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, THE STA-