Miniature thermodynamic steam trap

By optimizing the flow channel design of the mini thermodynamic steam trap, the problem of uneven force distribution in small-diameter steam traps has been solved, enabling rapid drainage and automatic control, and improving the service life of the valve plate and the stability of the system.

CN224498170UActive Publication Date: 2026-07-14JIAXING LINDE WEITE ENG TECH CO LTD

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
JIAXING LINDE WEITE ENG TECH CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-07-31
Publication Date
2026-07-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Traditional small-diameter thermodynamic steam traps experience uneven stress during opening and closing, leading to severe wear of the valve plates, short service life, and an inability to meet the compact and lightweight requirements of laboratory or instrument piping systems.

Method used

A miniature thermodynamic steam trap was designed, featuring an inlet steam channel and a drain channel within the valve body, and evenly distributed condensate drain holes on the valve seat. Combined with a flow divider and filter structure, the flow channel design was optimized to enhance the lifting force and sealing performance of the valve plate.

Benefits of technology

It enables rapid discharge of air and condensate, automatic control of valve opening and closing, adaptability to steam system pressure fluctuations, ensures safe and stable system operation, and saves energy.

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  • Figure CN224498170U_ABST
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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model relates to steam trap technical field relates to a mini -type heat power steam trap, including the valve body, be provided with the steam inlet channel and the liquid discharge channel on the valve body, the valve body top has the valve seat, be provided with the valve cover above the valve seat, form the pressure chamber between the valve body and valve cover, be provided with the valve piece in the pressure chamber, three condensate water liquid discharge holes that evenly distribute along the circumference are seted up on the valve seat, the condensate water liquid discharge hole includes liquid discharge hole one, liquid discharge hole two and liquid discharge hole three, liquid discharge hole one is vertically downward and with liquid discharge channel through -going, be provided with the shunt in the valve body, liquid discharge hole two and liquid discharge hole three are linked together with liquid discharge channel through shunt. The utility model can quickly discharge air and condensate when starting, accelerates system starting, and automatically controls the valve piece opening and closing through steam condensation and pressure change, realizes periodic work, and does not need manual intervention.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of steam trap technology, and specifically to a miniature thermodynamic steam trap. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional thermodynamic steam traps typically use 1 / 2-inch or larger interface diameters in steam systems. However, in certain specialized applications, such as laboratory or instrument piping drainage, smaller, more compact, and lighter steam traps are required, commonly 3 / 8-inch and 1 / 4-inch interface diameters. Due to the complex internal flow channel design of small-diameter steam traps, the multi-outlet flow channels place extremely high demands on the casting process; therefore, in actual manufacturing, a single-hole drainage channel is generally used. However, this design has a significant drawback: uneven force on the valve disc during operation leads to force imbalance during opening and closing, thus accelerating valve disc wear and shortening its service life. This problem urgently needs to be solved in the field of small-diameter steam traps to meet the needs of specialized applications. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention provides a miniature thermodynamic steam trap to address the problems of existing technologies.

[0004] The objective of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solution: A miniature thermodynamic steam trap includes a valve body, on which a steam inlet channel and a drain channel are provided. The valve body has a valve seat at the top, and a valve cover is provided above the valve seat. A pressure chamber is formed between the valve body and the valve cover. A valve plate is provided in the pressure chamber. The valve seat has three condensate drain holes evenly distributed along the circumference. The condensate drain holes include drain hole one, drain hole two, and drain hole three. Drain hole one is vertically downward and communicates with the drain channel. A diversion channel is provided in the valve body. Drain hole two and drain hole three are connected to the drain channel through the diversion channel.

[0005] In a further improvement, the top surface of the valve seat is provided with a condensate outlet annular groove, which is respectively connected to the first drain hole, the second drain hole, and the third drain hole.

[0006] In a further improvement, the condensate drain hole is set vertically, and the diversion channel is set horizontally.

[0007] In a further improvement, the valve plate is provided with a V-shaped groove on the bottom surface of the annular groove of the condensate outlet.

[0008] In a further improvement, a filter screen cavity is provided inside the valve body. The filter screen cavity is connected to the steam inlet channel and has an installation step at the upper end. A filter screen is provided inside the filter screen cavity and a plug is provided at the lower end.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0010] 1. This utility model can quickly discharge air and condensate when starting up, accelerating the system startup, and automatically control the opening and closing of the valve plate through steam condensation and pressure changes to achieve periodic operation without manual intervention;

[0011] 2. This utility model is applicable to situations where the steam system pressure fluctuates greatly, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the system. When the steam pressure is insufficient, the pump group is started to provide power, and the steam trap drains normally at other times, effectively saving energy. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow channel of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the arrangement of the three-hole condensate drain holes of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a view of the exterior of the present invention.

[0016] In the diagram: 1. Valve body; 2. Steam inlet passage; 3. Valve cover; 4. Valve plate; 5. Pressure chamber; 6. Condensate outlet annular groove; 7. Condensate drain hole; 7.1 Drain hole one; 7.2 Drain hole two; 7.3 Drain hole three; 8. Installation step; 9. Filter screen cavity; 10. Filter screen; 11. Drainage channel; 12. Plug; 13. Spiral wound gasket; 14. Diverter channel. Detailed Implementation

[0017] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0018] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0019] The following is a description of the embodiments and appendices. Figures 1-4The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below.

[0020] Example 1

[0021] A miniature thermodynamic steam trap includes a valve body 1, on which a steam inlet channel 2 and a drain channel 11 are provided. The valve body 1 has a valve seat at the top, and a valve cover 3 is provided above the valve seat. A pressure chamber 5 is formed between the valve body 1 and the valve cover 3. A valve plate 4 is provided in the pressure chamber 5. The valve seat has three condensate drain holes 7 evenly distributed around the circumference. The condensate drain holes 7 include drain hole one 7.1, drain hole two 7.2, and drain hole three 7.3. Drain hole one 7.1 is vertically downward and communicates directly with the drain channel 11. A diversion channel 14 is provided inside the valve body 1, and drain hole two 7.2 and drain hole three 7.3 are connected to the drain channel 11 through the diversion channel 14.

[0022] Specifically, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, this steam trap mainly includes a valve body 2. The top of the valve body features an integral valve seat with a low surface roughness to ensure sealing performance. A valve cover 3, also with a low surface roughness, is mounted above the valve seat. The valve cover is tightly connected to the valve body 2 via threads, forming a robust structure. The valve cover employs a pointed conical sealing surface design, enabling sufficient sealing pressure to be generated on the sealing surface under relatively low thread torque, ensuring the valve's sealing effect.

[0023] The chamber formed between the valve body 2 and the valve cover 3 is a pressure chamber 5, which contains a valve disc 4 responsible for controlling the opening and closing of the valve. The valve body 1 has a small-diameter threaded steam inlet channel 1 and a liquid outlet channel 11 for connecting to the steam system. The steam inlet channel 1 is designed with a filter screen cavity 9, which communicates with the valve seat and serves to filter impurities and protect the valve seat.

[0024] Three condensate drain holes 7 are evenly distributed on the valve seat. One condensate drain hole 7.1 is directly connected to the drain channel via a vertical hole; the other two condensate drain holes connect to the drain channel via a combination of a vertical hole and a horizontal hole 14, avoiding difficulties encountered during casting and sand removal due to the narrow flow path. During manufacturing, the horizontal hole 14 is drilled first, and then the drilled hole is sealed by welding to ensure unobstructed internal flow. After welding, the weld points are ground and polished to ensure smooth fluid flow and efficient valve operation. The horizontal hole 14 is designed as a flow divider, which helps optimize the fluid flow path.

[0025] As a further preferred embodiment, the top surface of the valve seat is provided with a condensate outlet annular groove 6, which is respectively connected to the first drain hole 7.1, the second drain hole 7.2 and the third drain hole 7.3. The valve plate 4 is provided with a V-shaped groove on the bottom surface of the condensate outlet annular groove 6.

[0026] Specifically, the valve plate 4 is machined with a V-shaped groove, which changes the direction of the fluid flow as it passes under the valve plate. After passing through the annular groove of the condensate outlet, the fluid flows vertically downward and forms a circulation around the valve plate, which then acts on the valve plate again, enhancing the lifting force and facilitating drainage, thereby increasing the discharge capacity of the steam trap.

[0027] As a further preferred embodiment, the condensate drain hole 7 is vertically arranged, and the diversion channel 14 is a horizontally arranged diversion channel.

[0028] As a further preferred embodiment, the valve body 1 is provided with a filter screen cavity 9, which is connected to the steam inlet channel 2 and has an installation step 8 at its upper end. The filter screen cavity 9 is provided with a filter screen 10 and a plug 12 at its lower end. The filter screen 10 is located at the inlet end of the steam inlet channel 2. One end of the filter screen 10 is fixed to the installation step 8, and the other end abuts against the detachable plug 12.

[0029] Specifically, a filter screen 10 is installed in the steam inlet passage. One end of the filter screen 10 is fixed to the step 8 inside the valve body, and the other end is connected to a plug 12. The plug and the valve body are sealed with a spiral wound gasket 13. The upper end of the filter screen 10 is perforated, and the lower end is not perforated. The non-perforated end is fixed to the step inside the valve body, and the perforated end is connected to the plug. This perforated design can enhance the sealing effect and improve the filtration performance.

[0030] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:

[0031] When the equipment starts up, the intake pressure pushes air and condensate through the steam inlet channel into the area below valve plate 4, lifting valve plate 4 and causing the condensate to be quickly discharged from the drain channel. After the high-temperature steam enters, some of the steam passes through the valve plate into the pressure chamber 5, forming a high-pressure zone and generating a closing force. At the same time, because the steam velocity is much higher than that of the condensate, according to Bernoulli's principle, the pressure drop below the valve plate increases. Under the combined action of these forces, the valve plate closes, achieving steam blockage.

[0032] When the valve is closed, the steam in the pressure chamber gradually condenses into water through the valve body and valve cover. Some steam may also leak from the sealing surfaces of the valve body and valve cover, flowing into the steam trap and causing a drop in pressure in the pressure chamber. When the pressure drops to a certain level, the valve plate is lifted again, opening the valve and draining the condensate that accumulated in the steam inlet passage during the valve closure. This cycle repeats, allowing the steam trap to continue operating.

[0033] The preferred embodiments of this utility model have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of this utility model without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of this utility model through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A miniature thermodynamic steam trap, characterized in that, The valve includes a valve body with an inlet steam channel and a drain channel. A valve seat is located on the top of the valve body, and a valve cover is located above the valve seat. A pressure chamber is formed between the valve body and the valve cover, and a valve plate is installed within the pressure chamber. Three condensate drain holes are evenly distributed around the circumference of the valve seat. Each condensate drain hole includes drain hole one, drain hole two, and drain hole three. Drain hole one is vertically downwards and directly connects to the drain channel. A flow divider is provided within the valve body, and drain holes two and three are connected to the drain channel through the flow divider.

2. The miniature thermodynamic steam trap according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve seat has a condensate outlet annular groove on its top surface, which is connected to the first drain hole, the second drain hole, and the third drain hole.

3. A miniature thermodynamic steam trap according to claim 1, characterized in that, The condensate drain hole is a vertically arranged hole, and the diversion channel is a horizontally arranged diversion channel.

4. A miniature thermodynamic steam trap according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve plate has a V-shaped groove on the bottom surface of the annular groove at the condensate outlet.

5. A miniature thermodynamic steam trap according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body has an installation step inside, and the inlet end of the steam inlet channel is equipped with a filter screen. One end of the filter screen is fixed to the installation step, and the other end abuts against a removable plug.