Novel intelligent working full-automatic drain valve
By designing an inverted bucket structure and a fully automatic steam trap controlled by an actuator, the problems of insufficient efficiency and flexibility in the control of existing steam traps are solved, achieving efficient and rapid automated steam trap control, reducing steam leakage, and improving the thermal efficiency and equipment safety of the system.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG NEWTON FLUID CONTROL
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing steam traps are not efficient or fast enough, and their operation is not flexible enough.
A novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap has been designed, which adopts an inverted bucket structure and combines a driver and a controller. The opening and closing of the steam trap is controlled by the lifting and lowering of the inverted bucket. The automatic control is achieved by using a thermal strain switch and buoyancy, which enhances the flexibility and efficiency of the steam trap.
This achieves efficient and rapid automated control of steam traps, reduces steam leakage, and improves system thermal efficiency and equipment safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN224188401U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of steam traps, and in particular to a novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap. Background Technology
[0002] In existing technology, steam traps, as a type of valve, function to automatically discharge condensate and other non-condensable gases from steam systems while preventing steam leakage. Their main role is to maintain system thermal efficiency and ensure the normal operation of equipment. Steam traps control condensate discharge by sensing changes in temperature or pressure, preventing equipment overheating or damage due to water accumulation and reducing energy waste. In industrial steam systems, steam traps are particularly important, serving as a key component for steam transport and utilization. Steam traps in steam condensate systems are mainly classified into three types: thermostatic, mechanical, and thermodynamic.
[0003] Thermostatic steam traps utilize the temperature difference between steam (high temperature) and condensate (low temperature), employing bimetallic or bellows as the temperature-sensing element. This element changes shape with temperature changes (bellows expands or contracts, bimetallic elements bend), and this displacement of the sensing element controls the opening and closing of the steam trap. The temperature-sensing element in thermostatic steam traps is typically adjustable, allowing for optimization of the operation based on the condensate and steam temperatures in specific applications.
[0004] Mechanical steam traps operate primarily based on the principle of buoyancy. Within the pressure range of the steam trap, changes in pressure (steam pressure) or temperature (the temperature difference between steam and condensate, and the temperature of the condensate) are minimally affected by small deviations. The capacity of a mechanical steam trap is determined by the steam pressure (operating pressure) and the valve orifice area.
[0005] Thermodynamic steam traps achieve their opening and closing actions through thermodynamics. They rely on the difference in movement speed between steam and condensate, the condensation of steam, the re-evaporation of condensate, and the density / viscosity difference between steam and condensate to achieve opening and closing. However, they suffer from problems such as frequent opening and closing and steam leakage.
[0006] However, all types of steam traps are not efficient or fast enough in terms of control, and their working methods are not flexible enough. Utility Model Content
[0007] The main purpose of this utility model is to provide a new type of intelligent fully automatic steam trap, which aims to solve the problems of insufficient efficiency and speed in steam trap control, as well as insufficient flexibility in operation.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a novel intelligent, fully automatic steam trap, comprising:
[0009] The valve body has a working chamber inside. The valve body includes a barrel and a cover that is closed on the top of the barrel. A valve seat cavity is provided on the lower surface of the cover. The valve body is provided with an outlet channel that leads from the top of the outer periphery of the valve seat cavity to the middle of the valve body and an inlet channel that leads from the middle of the valve body to the valve seat cavity. The inner end of the inlet channel is the inlet.
[0010] An inverted bucket is disposed within the working chamber, with its lower end being an opening and its upper end being a bucket bottom, respectively. A valve seat bucket with an internal transition chamber is connected to the upper surface of the bucket bottom. A first through hole leading to the transition chamber and a second through hole leading to the working chamber are provided on the bucket bottom. The valve seat bucket is sealed and is vertically mounted within the valve seat chamber. A control rod extending through the cover is connected to the top of the valve seat bucket. A third through hole and a fourth through hole are provided on the outer periphery and top of the valve seat bucket, respectively.
[0011] A check valve, connected to the inlet and with its top located inside the inverted bucket, allows fluid to enter the inverted bucket while preventing fluid from entering the inlet;
[0012] A driver, located in the valve body, drives the control lever to move up and down;
[0013] The controller is electrically connected to the driver;
[0014] When the inverted barrel is at the bottom, the third through hole is exposed in the valve seat cavity; when the inverted barrel is at the top, the valve seat barrel closes the passage.
[0015] Furthermore, the output end of the driver and the top of the control lever are slidably connected in the vertical direction.
[0016] Furthermore, a thermal strain switch is provided on the outlet channel, wherein the closing temperature of the thermal strain switch is between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius.
[0017] Furthermore, the thermal strain switch is installed on the outlet channel at the junction of the barrel and the cover.
[0018] Furthermore, when the inverted bucket is on top, the valve seat cavity closes the third through hole.
[0019] Furthermore, a sealing filler is provided on the outer periphery of the cover corresponding to the control lever, and a pressure cap is connected to the cover to fix the sealing filler.
[0020] Furthermore, an O-ring is provided on the cover corresponding to the outer periphery of the control lever.
[0021] Furthermore, a filter screen is provided on the inlet channel corresponding to the inlet.
[0022] Furthermore, a sludge removal port is provided on the barrel body corresponding to the filter screen.
[0023] Furthermore, the valve seat barrel is welded to the inverted barrel, and the control lever is threaded to the valve seat barrel.
[0024] This utility model provides a novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap. The bottom surface of the trap is connected to a valve seat barrel with an internal transition chamber. The valve seat barrel is sealed and vertically mounted on the valve seat cavity of the cover. The bottom of the trap has a first through hole leading to the transition chamber and a second through hole leading to the working chamber. The outer periphery and top of the valve seat barrel have a third and a fourth through hole, respectively. The height of the inverted trap can be controlled by a driver or automatically by buoyancy. When the height is controlled by the driver, the opening and closing of the entire steam trap is efficiently achieved through the interaction between the valve seat barrel and the valve seat cavity. When buoyancy is used automatically, the water vapor trapped in the inverted trap causes it to rise and create a seal. Conversely, if condensate is present inside the inverted trap, it descends and the seal is lost. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram (open state) of the novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap of the first embodiment of this utility model.
[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cover of the novel intelligent fully automatic drain valve according to the first embodiment of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the inverted bucket in the novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap of the first embodiment of this utility model;
[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram (closed state) of the novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap of the first embodiment of this utility model.
[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram (not combined) of the actuator and control lever in the novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to the second embodiment of this utility model.
[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram (conduction state) of the novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to the third embodiment of this utility model.
[0031] Reference numerals: 100-valve body, 110-working chamber, 120-bucket body, 130-cover body, 131-valve seat cavity, 132-O-ring, 140-outlet channel, 150-inlet channel, 151-inlet, 200-inverted bucket, 210-opening, 220-bucket bottom, 221-first through hole, 222-second through hole, 231-transition cavity, 230-valve seat bucket, 232-third through hole, 233-fourth through hole, 240-control lever, 300-check valve, 400-actuator, 500-controller, 600-filter screen, 610-sludge removal port, 700-thermal strain switch. Detailed Implementation
[0032] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.
[0033] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this specification means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, units, modules, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, units, modules, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say an element is “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein can include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all or any units and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.
[0034] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the same meaning as in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.
[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 6 In one embodiment of this utility model, a novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap includes:
[0036] The valve body 100 has a working chamber 110 inside. The valve body 100 includes a barrel 120 and a cover 130 that is closed on the top of the barrel 120. The lower surface of the cover 130 is provided with a valve seat cavity 131. The valve body 100 is provided with an outlet channel 140 that leads from the top of the outer periphery of the valve seat cavity 131 to the outer part of the middle height of the valve body 100, and an inlet channel 150 that leads from the outer part of the middle height of the valve body 100 to the valve seat cavity 131. The inner end of the inlet channel 150 is an inlet 151.
[0037] An inverted bucket 200 is disposed within the working chamber 110, with an opening 210 at its lower end and a bucket bottom 220 at its upper end. A valve seat bucket 230 with an internal transition chamber 231 is connected to the upper surface of the bucket bottom 220. The bucket bottom 220 is provided with a first through hole 221 leading to the transition chamber 231 and a second through hole 222 leading to the working chamber 110. The valve seat bucket 230 is sealed and vertically mounted within the valve seat chamber 131. A control rod 240 extending through the cover 130 is connected to the top of the valve seat bucket 230. A third through hole 232 and a fourth through hole 233 are provided on the outer periphery and top of the valve seat bucket 230, respectively.
[0038] A check valve 300 is connected to the inlet 151 and its top is located inside the inverted bucket 200. The check valve 300 allows fluid to enter the inverted bucket 200 while preventing fluid from entering the inlet 151.
[0039] A driver 400 is disposed on the valve body 100 to drive the control lever 240 to rise and fall;
[0040] Controller 500 is electrically connected to driver 400;
[0041] When the inverted barrel 200 is at the bottom, the third through hole 232 is exposed in the valve seat cavity 131; when the inverted barrel 200 is at the top, the valve seat barrel 230 closes the outlet channel 140.
[0042] In existing technologies, steam traps are not efficient or fast enough in terms of control, and their operation is not flexible enough.
[0043] This utility model provides a novel intelligent, fully automatic steam trap. The valve body 100 has a working chamber 110 inside. The valve body 100 includes a barrel 120 and a cover 130 enclosed on the top of the barrel 120. The connection between the barrel 120 and the cover 130 can be varied and not limited, for example, it can be a flange connection or a threaded connection. A valve seat cavity 131 is provided on the lower surface of the cover 130. The valve body 100 has an outlet channel 140 leading from the top of the outer periphery of the valve seat cavity 131 to the middle of the valve body 100, and an inlet channel 150 leading from the middle of the valve body 100 to the valve seat cavity 131. The inlet channel 150 and the outlet channel 140 are channels for fluid introduction and export. The inner end of the inlet channel 150 is an inlet 151.
[0044] An inverted barrel 200 is disposed within the working chamber 110. The inverted barrel 200 has an opening 210 at its lower end and a bottom 220 at its upper end, thus forming an inverted structure. A valve seat barrel 230, with an internal transition chamber 231, is connected to the upper surface of the bottom 220. The bottom 220 has a first through hole 221 leading to the transition chamber 231 and a second through hole 222 leading to the working chamber 110. For example, water vapor enters the transition chamber 231 through the first through hole 221 and the working chamber 110 through the second through hole 222. The valve seat barrel 230 is sealed and vertically mounted within the valve seat cavity 131. A control lever 240, extending through the cover 130, is connected to the top of the valve seat barrel 230. A third through hole 232 and a fourth through hole 233 are respectively provided on the outer periphery and top of the valve seat barrel 230. The third through hole 232 on the valve seat barrel 230 serves as the basis for the connection between the transition chamber 231 and the working chamber 110. The fourth through hole 233 on the valve seat barrel 230 serves as the basis for the connection between the transition chamber 231 and the outlet channel 140.
[0045] The check valve 300 is connected to the inlet 151 and its top is located inside the inverted container 200. The check valve 300 allows fluid to enter the inverted container 200 while preventing fluid from entering the inlet 151. The check valve 300 can have various structural forms, and its design is based on the construction of a one-way valve and is not the focus here. For example, the check valve 300 can be a cylindrical structure with a piston inside. An elastic element presses the piston in one direction, thereby achieving the function of a one-way valve.
[0046] The actuator 400 is located on the valve body 100 and drives the control lever 240 to rise and fall. The actuator 400 can be a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or a linear motor, etc.
[0047] The controller 500 is electrically connected to the driver 400. The controller 500 performs operational control of the driver 400 in a timing or sensing manner.
[0048] During operation, when the inverted tank 200 is at the bottom, the third through hole 232 is exposed in the valve seat cavity 131. The fluid flowing out of the check body 300 enters the transition cavity 231 through the first through hole 221, then enters the working cavity 110 through the second through hole 222, and then enters the transition cavity 231 through the third through hole 232, finally entering the outlet channel 140 through the fourth through hole 233, thus achieving the water-draining effect. When the inverted tank 200 is at the top, the valve seat tank 230 closes the outlet channel 140, and the valve seat tank 230 is no longer connected to the outlet channel 140, so steam will not escape. The height control of the inverted tank 200 can be controlled by the actuator 400 or automatically achieved through buoyancy.
[0049] In summary, the upper surface of the bottom 220 is connected to a valve seat barrel 230 with an internal transition cavity 231. The valve seat barrel 230 is sealed and is mounted on the valve seat cavity 131 on the cover 130. The bottom 220 is provided with a first through hole 221 leading to the transition cavity 231 and a second through hole 222 leading to the working cavity 110. The outer periphery and top of the valve seat barrel 230 are respectively provided with a third through hole 232 and a fourth through hole 233. The height control of the inverted barrel 200 can be controlled by the actuator 400 or automatically achieved by buoyancy. When the height is controlled by the actuator 400, the opening and closing of the entire steam trap is highly efficient through the interaction between the valve seat barrel 230 and the valve seat cavity 131. When buoyancy is automatically achieved, the water vapor trapped in the inverted barrel 200 causes the inverted barrel 200 to float and create a seal. Conversely, if there is condensate inside the inverted barrel 200, the inverted barrel 200 will descend and the seal will be lost.
[0050] Reference Figure 5 In one embodiment, the output end of the driver 400 is slidably connected to the top of the control lever 240 in the vertical direction.
[0051] In this embodiment, the output end of the actuator 400 is connected to the top of the control lever 240, but has a sliding range in the vertical direction. This sliding connection can be formed in various ways. For example, the top of the control lever 240 has a vertically extending groove structure 241, and the output end of the actuator 400 protrudes with a protruding block 410, which slides within the groove structure 241, thus forming a sliding connection between the output end of the actuator 400 and the top of the control lever 240. When the output end of the actuator 400 rises beyond the sliding connection range, it can continue to rise and drive the control lever 240 to rise; when the output end of the actuator 400 falls beyond the sliding connection range, it can continue to fall and drive the control lever 240 to fall. Within the sliding connection range, the inverted bucket 200 can rise and fall freely, allowing the drain valve to automatically complete its operation even when the actuator 400 is not actively engaged.
[0052] Reference Figure 6In one embodiment, a thermal strain switch 700 is provided on the outlet channel 140, wherein the closing temperature of the thermal strain switch 700 is between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius.
[0053] In this embodiment, the thermal strain switch 700 serves to reduce the possibility of steam leakage. The thermal strain switch 700 is installed on the outlet channel 140. At higher temperatures, the thermal strain switch 700 closes, thus preventing the leakage of high-temperature steam; below a certain temperature, the thermal strain switch 700 is in an open state, providing a basis for the fluid in the working chamber 110 to drain. The critical temperature for the thermal strain switch 700 to close and open is selected within the range of 80 to 100 degrees Celsius. Specifically, the location of the thermal strain switch 700 on the outlet channel 140 can be varied, depending on the actual situation.
[0054] Reference Figure 6 In one embodiment, the thermal strain switch 700 is mounted on the outlet channel 140 at the junction of the barrel body 120 and the cover body 130.
[0055] In this embodiment, by setting the position of the thermal strain switch 700 at the junction of the barrel 120 and the cover 130 (on the barrel 120 and / or the cover 130), it is easy to install and can also serve as a positioning tool.
[0056] In one embodiment, when the inverted bucket 200 is on top, the valve seat cavity 131 closes the third through hole 232.
[0057] In this embodiment, the sealing effect of the entire fully automatic steam trap of the inverted bucket 200 is optimized through the above settings.
[0058] In one embodiment, the cover 130 is provided with a sealing filler on the outer periphery of the control lever 240, and a pressure cap is connected to the cover 130 to fix the sealing filler.
[0059] In this embodiment, the sealing packing is fixed by a pressure cap, thereby forming a seal at the outer periphery of the control lever 240.
[0060] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment, an O-ring 132 is provided on the cover 130 corresponding to the outer periphery of the control lever 240.
[0061] In this embodiment, a method is provided to ensure a seal between the control lever 240 and the cover 130 by providing a sealing effect through the deformation of the O-ring 132.
[0062] Reference Figure 1In one embodiment, a filter screen 600 is provided on the inlet channel 150 corresponding to the inlet 151.
[0063] In this embodiment, the filter screen 600 achieves a filtering effect, reducing the probability of impurities flowing in and ensuring the operation of the fully automatic steam trap.
[0064] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment, the barrel 120 is provided with a sludge removal port 610 corresponding to the filter screen 600.
[0065] In this embodiment, the filter screen 600 is cleaned by opening the sludge removal port 610, and the sludge removal port 610 can be closed by means of bolts or the like.
[0066] In one embodiment, the valve seat barrel 230 is welded to the inverted barrel 200, and the control lever 240 is threaded to the valve seat barrel 230.
[0067] In this embodiment, restricting the connection method between the valve seat barrel 230 and the inverted barrel 200 facilitates the molding of both and ensures stability and reliability. The threaded connection between the control lever 240 and the valve seat barrel 230 simplifies the installation and maintenance process.
[0068] In summary, the novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap provided by this utility model has a valve seat barrel 230 with an internal transition cavity 231 connected to the upper surface of the bottom 220. The valve seat barrel 230 is sealed and is mounted on the valve seat cavity 131 on the cover 130. The bottom 220 is provided with a first through hole 221 leading to the transition cavity 231 and a second through hole 222 leading to the working cavity 110. The outer periphery and top of the valve seat barrel 230 are respectively provided with a third through hole 232 and a fourth through hole 233. The height control of the inverted barrel 200 can be controlled by the actuator 400 or automatically achieved by buoyancy. When the height is controlled by the actuator 400, the opening and closing of the entire steam trap is highly efficient through the interaction between the valve seat barrel 230 and the valve seat cavity 131. When buoyancy is automatically achieved, the water vapor trapped in the inverted barrel 200 causes the inverted barrel 200 to float and create a seal. Conversely, if there is condensate in the inverted barrel 200, the inverted barrel 200 will descend and the seal will be lost.
[0069] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A novel intelligent, fully automatic steam trap, characterized in that, include: The valve body has a working chamber inside. The valve body includes a barrel and a cover that is closed on the top of the barrel. A valve seat cavity is provided on the lower surface of the cover. The valve body is provided with an outlet channel that leads from the top of the outer periphery of the valve seat cavity to the middle of the valve body and an inlet channel that leads from the middle of the valve body to the valve seat cavity. The inner end of the inlet channel is the inlet. An inverted bucket is disposed within the working chamber, with its lower end being an opening and its upper end being a bucket bottom, respectively. A valve seat bucket with an internal transition chamber is connected to the upper surface of the bucket bottom. A first through hole leading to the transition chamber and a second through hole leading to the working chamber are provided on the bucket bottom. The valve seat bucket is sealed and is vertically mounted within the valve seat chamber. A control rod extending through the cover is connected to the top of the valve seat bucket. A third through hole and a fourth through hole are provided on the outer periphery and top of the valve seat bucket, respectively. A check valve, connected to the inlet and with its top located inside the inverted bucket, allows fluid to enter the inverted bucket while preventing fluid from entering the inlet; A driver, located in the valve body, drives the control lever to move up and down; The controller is electrically connected to the driver; When the inverted barrel is at the bottom, the third through hole is exposed in the valve seat cavity; when the inverted barrel is at the top, the valve seat barrel closes the passage.
2. The new smart working full automatic drain valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output end of the driver is slidably connected to the top of the control lever in the vertical direction.
3. The new smart working full automatic drain valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, A thermal strain switch is installed on the outlet channel, wherein the closing temperature of the thermal strain switch is between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius.
4. The novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thermal strain switch is installed on the outlet channel at the junction of the barrel and the cover.
5. The novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the inverted bucket is on top, the valve seat cavity closes the third through hole.
6. The novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The cover is provided with a sealing filler around the outer periphery of the control lever, and a pressure cap is connected to the cover to fix the sealing filler.
7. The novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, An O-ring is provided on the cover corresponding to the outer periphery of the control lever.
8. The novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, A filter screen is provided on the inlet channel corresponding to the entrance.
9. The novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to claim 8, characterized in that, The barrel body is provided with a sludge removal port corresponding to the filter screen.
10. The novel intelligent fully automatic steam trap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The valve seat barrel is welded to the inverted barrel, and the control lever is threadedly connected to the valve seat barrel.