Automatic valve device

Abstract

To provide an automatic valve device which can discharge a large amount of a fluid at an initial stage quickly and then discharge the fluid whose temperature changes properly.SOLUTION: In an automatic valve device, a peripheral passage 5 is formed around a valve seat 50 and a temperature responsive cylinder 2 is provided at the peripheral passage 5. The temperature responsive cylinder 2 incorporates an expansion medium 25, which responds to a temperature to expand or contract, and opens or closes the peripheral passage 5 by deforming a rubber valve body 22 with the expansion medium 25. Before a pipe system is operated, a temperature in a valve chamber 10 is low and thus the peripheral passage 5 is open. Therefore, initial air is quickly discharged from the peripheral passage 5 by a transfer pressure of steam. After the initial air is discharged, a temperature in the temperature responsive cylinder 2 is increased by steam flowing into the valve chamber 10 and the rubber valve body 22 closes the peripheral passage 5 to prevent leakage of steam. Subsequently, drain flowing into the valve chamber 10 is properly discharged by an orifice 51 being opened and closed by floating movement of the float 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The automatic valve device according to the present application relates to a technique for configuring an automatic valve device that automatically opens and closes a valve to discharge a fluid such as a drain. [Background technology]

[0002] Industrial plants are often equipped with piping systems that transport steam generated in boilers to destinations such as heat exchangers. This steam condenses as it releases heat, and some of it turns into drain (condensed water), which flows along with the steam in the piping. If too much of this drain accumulates in the piping, it will impede the transport of steam, so it is necessary to properly discharge the drain from the piping to the outside.

[0003] For this reason, automatic valve devices such as steam traps are provided throughout the piping system. A branch pipe for installing a trap extends from the main pipe of the piping system that transports steam, and the steam trap is usually provided on this branch pipe.

[0004] There are various types of steam traps, but Patent Document 1, mentioned below, discloses a thermally responsive steam trap. This thermally responsive steam trap is equipped with a main body 1 having a flexible tube 6 with a flow path 15 formed therein. An expansion medium 13 is sealed in a space 11 formed between the main body 1 and the flexible tube 6. The expansion medium 13 contracts when the temperature is below a predetermined temperature, and expands when the temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature. The expansion or contraction of the expansion medium 13 causes the flexible tube 6 to deform, opening and closing the flow path 15.

[0005] At the start of steam transfer, the fluid flowing down the flow passage 15 on the inner surface of the flexible tube 6 is below a predetermined temperature, so the expansion medium 13 sealed in the space 11 between the main body 1 and the flexible tube 6 contracts, and the central part of the flexible tube 6 opens into a cylindrical shape, opening the flow passage 15. As a result, the drain flows down through the flow passage 15 and is discharged.

[0006] On the other hand, when high-temperature drain or steam exceeding a predetermined temperature flows down the flow path 15, the expansion medium 13 expands, squeezing the center portion of the flexible tube 6 and closing the flow path 15. This prevents the steam from leaking out.

[0007] Thereafter, when the temperature in the space 11 falls below a predetermined temperature due to heat radiation or the like, the expansion medium 13 contracts, the central portion of the flexible tube 6 opens into a cylindrical shape again, opening the flow path 15 and allowing the condensate to flow down. As a result, the condensate is discharged without remaining in the flow path 15. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-52795 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the thermally responsive steam trap disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, when the temperature of a fluid such as drain or steam exceeds a predetermined temperature, the expansion medium 13 expands and closes the flow path 15. Therefore, when high-temperature drain flows into the flow path 15, the flow path 15 remains closed, and there is a risk that the drain cannot be discharged.

[0010] In this regard, float-type steam traps are widely known, which are not affected by the temperature of the condensate, and open and close based on the amount of condensate remaining in the valve chamber. Float-type steam traps have a hollow float built into the valve chamber. Normally, the float uses its spherical surface to block the condensate outlet formed near the bottom of the valve chamber, but when condensate flows into the valve chamber, the float rises as the condensate accumulates, opening the condensate outlet and automatically opening the valve.

[0011] When the valve is opened, the condensate that has accumulated in the valve chamber is automatically discharged from the condensate outlet to the discharge pipe due to the high pressure in the piping. After the condensate is discharged, the float descends and returns to its original position, blocking the condensate outlet again and closing the valve. This makes it possible to discharge even high-temperature condensate as needed.

[0012] However, because float-type steam traps are designed to block the drain outlet with the spherical surface of the float, the drain outlet is formed as an orifice with a small diameter. For this reason, in the initial stage of steam transfer, it may not be possible to quickly discharge the initial air that fills the piping system or the drain remaining in the piping system. If the diameter of the drain outlet were set large in order to quickly discharge the initial air, the float would easily stick to the orifice due to the pressure difference that occurs after the valve is closed, and there is a risk that the float will not be able to rise again.

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic valve device that can quickly discharge a large amount of fluid in the initial stage, and thereafter appropriately discharge fluid that has undergone a temperature change. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The automatic valve device according to the present application is a main body having a valve chamber space into which a fluid flows and a discharge flow path capable of communicating with the valve chamber space; a valve seat portion provided in the main body, the valve seat portion having a basic communication passage that communicates the valve chamber space and the discharge flow passage, the valve seat portion being disposed at a connection portion between the valve chamber space and the discharge flow passage; a basic valve means disposed in the valve chamber space, the basic valve means being actuated in accordance with the amount of fluid retained in the valve chamber space to open or close the basic communication passage; an auxiliary communication passage formed in the main body and communicating between the valve chamber space and the exhaust flow passage, the auxiliary communication passage being disposed in the connection portion; an auxiliary valve means provided in the main body and operable in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber space to open or close the auxiliary communicating passage; The present invention is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0015] In the automatic valve device according to the present application, a valve seat portion in which a basic communication passage is formed and an auxiliary communication passage are disposed at the connection between the valve chamber space and the discharge passage. Therefore, the fluid in the valve chamber can be discharged from both the basic communication passage and the auxiliary communication passage toward the discharge passage, making it possible to quickly discharge a large amount of fluid in the initial stage.

[0016] The auxiliary valve means operates in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber space to open or close the auxiliary communicating passage. This makes it possible to close the auxiliary communicating passage in response to changes in fluid temperature, and thereafter the fluid in the valve chamber is discharged only through the basic communicating passage toward the discharge passage. This makes it possible to appropriately discharge the fluid whose temperature has changed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap 90 illustrating a first embodiment of an automatic valve device according to the present application. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a valve seat 50 shown in FIG. 1, showing an initial state. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a valve seat 50 shown in FIG. 1, illustrating an actuated valve closed state. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a valve seat 50 shown in FIG. 1, illustrating an actuated open valve state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] [Terminology used in the embodiments] The main terms used in the embodiments correspond to the following elements of the automatic valve device according to the present application.

[0019] Temperature responsive cylinder 2: Auxiliary valve means Peripheral passage 5: Auxiliary communication passage Float 7: Basic valve means Valve chamber 10... Valve chamber space A communicating portion between the valve chamber 10 and the outflow passage 18. Upper body 11 and lower body 12...body Outlet 18: Exhaust flow path Valve seat 50: Valve seat part Orifice 51 and valve seat passage 52...Basic communication passage Steam, drain, initial air... fluid

[0020] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the automatic valve device according to the present application will be described. In this embodiment, an example in which the automatic valve device according to the present application is applied to a steam trap will be given.

[0021] (Explanation of the configuration of Steam Trap 90) Industrial plants are often equipped with piping systems that transport steam generated in boilers at high temperature and pressure to the destination. When this steam condenses, condensate is generated, and if too much condensate accumulates in the piping, it can impede the transport of steam. For this reason, numerous steam traps are installed throughout the piping system to appropriately discharge condensate from the system to the outside.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap 90 in this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a valve seat 50 showing the initial state, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the valve seat 50 showing the operational closed state, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the valve seat 50 showing the operational open state.

[0023] The upper body 11 is connected to the lower body 12 and fixed with bolts. A space is formed inside the lower body 12, and the upper body 11 is fixed with a gasket in between to form an airtight valve chamber 10 inside.

[0024] A branch pipe 81 is provided in communication with a main pipe (not shown) of the piping, and an inlet 97 formed in the lower body 12 is connected to this branch pipe 81. Steam and drain flow into the valve chamber 10 from the inlet 97 in the direction of arrow 101. An outlet 99 is formed in the lower body 12 coaxially with the inlet 97, and an exhaust pipe 82 is connected to this outlet 99.

[0025] A mesh strainer 80 is provided at the top of the valve chest 10, and steam and drain from the inlet 97 pass through this strainer 80 and flow into the valve chest 10. By passing through the strainer 80, foreign matter such as dirt and scale mixed in the steam and drain is captured by the strainer 80.

[0026] Below the valve chamber 10, a cylindrical mounting space is formed in the lower body 12 in an oblique direction. The center of this mounting space is the center line L1. The mounting space is connected to an outflow passage 18 formed in the lower body 12. A substantially cylindrical valve seat 50 is disposed inside the mounting space. The outer diameter of the tip end of the valve seat 50 on the valve chamber 10 side is smaller than the outer diameter of the rear end.

[0027] An orifice 51 is formed at the tip of the valve seat 50, and this orifice 51 communicates with a valve seat flow path 52 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape inside the valve seat 50. The valve seat flow path 52 communicates with the outflow path 18 through a valve seat communication hole 53 formed in the side surface of the valve seat 50. A connecting screw 54 is fixed to the bottom portion 50b of the valve seat 50.

[0028] The valve seat cap 15 is screwed and attached to the lower body 12 with a gasket 19 sandwiched therebetween. The valve seat 50 is fixed to the valve seat cap 15 by screwing a connecting screw 54 of the valve seat 50 into a screw hole formed in the tip surface of the valve seat cap 15. The centers of the valve seat cap 15 and the valve seat 50 are disposed along the center line L1.

[0029] The temperature responsive cylinder 2 is fixed to the inner wall of the mounting space of the lower main body 12 in which the valve seat 50 is disposed. The temperature responsive cylinder 2 includes a ring-shaped cylindrical main body 21 and a flexible rubber valve body 22. For example, the rubber valve body 22 is desirably made of heat-resistant silicone rubber in order to accommodate the operating temperature of the steam trap. The outer diameter of the cylindrical main body 21 is the same as the inner diameter of the mounting space of the lower main body 12, and the cylindrical main body 21 is press-fitted and fixed into the mounting space. Between the rubber valve body 22 of the temperature responsive cylinder 2 and the valve seat outer circumferential surface 50a of the valve seat 50, a peripheral flow path 5, which is a space, is formed around the entire circumference.

[0030] An expansion medium 25 is filled between the cylindrical body 21 and the rubber valve body 22 of the temperature responsive cylinder 2. The expansion medium 25 is composed of, for example, water, alcohol with a boiling point lower than that of water, or a mixture of these, and is in a contracted state when the temperature is below a predetermined reference temperature, but expands and increases in volume when the temperature exceeds the predetermined reference temperature. The rubber valve body 22 can deform as the expansion medium 25 contracts or expands.

[0031] 2 shows a state in which the inflation medium 25 is completely deflated. In this state, the rubber valve body 22 is located away from the valve seat outer peripheral surface 50a of the valve seat 50, and the peripheral flow passage 5 is open. In contrast, in the state shown in Figures 3 and 4 in which the inflation medium 25 is completely inflated, the rubber valve body 22 abuts against the valve seat outer peripheral surface 50a of the valve seat 50, and the peripheral flow passage 5 is closed.

[0032] A float 7 formed as a hollow sphere is arranged to be able to float within the valve chamber 10. When the water level of the drain 9 accumulated in the valve chamber 10 is at the lower level L11 (Fig. 1), the float 7 seats on and comes into contact with the valve seat 50, blocking the orifice 51. In contrast, when the amount of drain 9 accumulated in the valve chamber 10 increases and the water level reaches the upper level L12 (Fig. 1), the float 7 rises in the direction of arrow 102 and leaves the valve seat 50, opening the orifice 51. The side of the valve chamber 10 based on the orifice 51 is the primary side, and the side of the outflow path 18 is the secondary side.

[0033] In this embodiment, an upper flow passage 68 that connects the valve chest 10 and the outflow passage 18 is formed in the upper body 11 of the steam trap 90. An upper valve seat 60 having an upper valve port 61 formed therein is fixed to the valve chest 10 side of this upper flow passage 68. In addition, a temperature responsive platen 67 is provided below the upper valve seat 60. The temperature responsive platen 67 is supported by a support member 64 fixed to the upper body 11, and is disposed adjacent to the upper valve port 61 of the upper valve seat 60.

[0034] 1, the temperature responsive plate 67 is shown as a side view rather than a cross section. This temperature responsive plate 67 is mainly for discharging initial air present in the piping and valve chest 10 through the upper flow passage 68 and the outlet passage 18 in the direction of the arrow 104 to the exhaust pipe 82 during the initial stage of steam transfer, thereby eliminating air binding.

[0035] The temperature responsive platen 67 has an expansion medium sealed inside, which contracts or expands in response to temperature. As a result, when the temperature is below a predetermined reference temperature, the temperature responsive platen 67 deforms into a contracted state, moving away from the upper valve seat 60 to open the upper valve port 61. On the other hand, when the temperature exceeds the predetermined reference temperature, the temperature responsive platen 67 expands and seats on the upper valve seat 60 to close the upper valve port 61.

[0036] (Explanation of the operation of the Steam Trap 90) Next, the operation of the steam trap 90 will be described. Before the piping system starts operation, the steam trap 90 is in the initial state shown in Fig. 2. That is, no drain remains in the valve chest 10, and the float 7 is seated on the valve seat 50 to block the orifice 51. Furthermore, since the temperature inside the valve chest 10 is low, the expansion medium 25 inside the temperature responsive cylinder 2 is in a contracted state, and the rubber valve body 22 is separated from the valve seat outer peripheral surface 50a of the valve seat 50, and the peripheral flow path 5 is open. At this time, the temperature responsive platen 67 is also separated from the upper valve seat 60 to open the upper valve port 61.

[0037] From this initial state, the piping system starts operating and the steam is pumped out. As the steam is pumped out, the initial air that has filled the piping and the valve chamber 10 passes through the upper valve port 61 of the upper valve seat 60, the upper flow passage 68, and is discharged to the exhaust pipe 82 along the direction of the arrow 104 (FIG. 1). At the same time, in this embodiment, the initial air is also discharged from the peripheral flow passages 5 that are open around the valve seat 50, and is discharged to the exhaust pipe 82 through the outflow passage 18 along the direction of the arrow 103. This allows the initial air to be quickly exhausted.

[0038] Furthermore, as the piping system starts operating, the condensate remaining in the piping flows from the inlet 97 into the valve chamber 10 in the direction of the arrow 101 (FIG. 1). The flow of the condensate 9 into the valve chamber 10 causes the float 7 to rise and open the orifice 51 of the valve seat 50. Since the condensate 9 remaining in the piping has already reached a low temperature due to heat dissipation while the system is not in operation, the temperature responsive cylinder 2 maintains its contracted state, and the surrounding flow passage 5 remains open.

[0039] Therefore, the low-temperature drain 9 that has flowed into the valve chamber 10 is discharged from the orifice 51 through the valve seat passage 52, and is simultaneously discharged from the peripheral passages 5 that are open around the valve seat 50. The discharged drain 9 and initial air pass through the outflow passage 18 and are discharged from the outlet 99 to the discharge pipe 82 (FIG. 1) along the direction of the arrow 103. In this way, since the drain 9 is discharged from the orifice 51 and the peripheral passages 5 at the same time, the remaining drain 9 can be quickly discharged.

[0040] Here, the valve seat is formed at a location and angle that is most suitable for discharge within the overall configuration of the steam trap. In this embodiment, the peripheral flow passage 5 is formed around (all around) the valve seat 50, so that the initial air can be discharged reliably and stably through the peripheral flow passage 5. In addition, by forming the peripheral flow passage 5 all around the valve seat 50, the outflow route can be shared.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the peripheral flow passage 5 is formed around the entire circumference of the valve seat 50, a larger flow passage can be secured compared to, for example, a case in which an independent through-hole is provided on the side of the valve seat portion. Also, since the peripheral flow passage 5 is formed around the entire circumference of the valve seat 50, the drain 9 can be caused to flow out in the same direction toward the outflow passage 18 around the entire circumference, centered on the discharge flow of the drain 9 from the orifice 51 of the valve seat 50 toward the outflow passage 18. Therefore, the discharge flow of the drain 9 from the valve chamber 10 to the outflow passage 18 is unified, and smooth drainage can be achieved without turbulence in the discharge flow of the drain 9.

[0042] After the initial air and low-temperature condensate 9 are discharged, high-temperature steam flows into the valve chamber 10 from the inlet 97. The steam condenses to produce high-temperature condensate, which also flows into the valve chamber 10 from the inlet 97 in the same way as the steam. This causes the temperature of the expansion medium 25 in the temperature responsive cylinder 2 to rise and expand beyond a predetermined reference temperature. The expansion of the expansion medium 25 causes the rubber valve element 22 to deform and expand, coming into contact with the valve seat outer circumferential surface 50a of the valve seat 50 and closing the peripheral flow path 5. The inflow of steam also causes the temperature responsive platen 67 to expand and seat on the upper valve seat 60, closing the upper valve port 61.

[0043] Thereafter, since the valve chest 10 is kept at a high temperature by the high-temperature steam and drain while the piping system is in operation, the peripheral passage 5 and the upper valve port 61 are maintained in a closed state. Therefore, no steam leakage occurs from the peripheral passage 5 or the upper valve port 61 while the piping system is in operation and the steam trap 90 is operating.

[0044] When the water level in the drain 9 drops to the lower level L11 (FIG. 1) due to the discharge of the drain, the steam trap 90 enters the operational closed state shown in FIG. 3. That is, the float 7 sits on the valve seat 50 and blocks the orifice 51, and the steam trap 90 closes. This prevents steam from leaking from the orifice 51.

[0045] When drain flows into the valve chamber 10 from the operational closed state shown in Fig. 3 and the water level of the drain 9 rises, the float 7 rises in the direction of the arrow 102 (Fig. 1) and moves away from the orifice 51, and when the water level of the drain 9 reaches the upper level L12 (Fig. 1), the orifice 51 is completely opened. This state is the operational open state shown in Fig. 4. By opening the orifice 51, the drain 9 accumulated in the valve chamber 10 passes through the orifice 51, the valve seat flow path 52, the outflow path 18, and is discharged from the outflow port 99 along the direction of the arrow 103 to the discharge pipe 82 (Fig. 1).

[0046] After drainage, the water level of the drain 9 in the valve chest 10 drops, causing the float 7 to drop accordingly, and when the water level of the drain 9 returns to the lower level L11, the float 7 returns to the actuated closed state shown in Fig. 3 and seats on the valve seat 50, closing the orifice 51. In this way, the orifice 51 repeatedly opens and closes as the float 7 rises and falls, discharging the drain 9 as needed, but because the orifice 51 is always submerged in the drain 9, no steam leaks from the orifice 51.

[0047] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, examples are given for each of the fluid, the valve chamber space, the exhaust flow path, the main body, the basic communicating passage, the valve seat portion, the connection portion, the basic valve body means, the auxiliary communicating passage, and the auxiliary valve body means, but these are merely examples, and a different configuration can be adopted for each.

[0048] That is, for example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the automatic valve device according to the present application was applied to a steam trap, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other automatic valves as long as they are valve devices that automatically open and close in response to the inflow of fluid.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the hollow, spherical float 7 is exemplified as the basic valve body means, but other shapes and structures may be adopted as long as they operate according to the amount of fluid (e.g., drain) retained in the valve chamber space (e.g., valve chamber 10) and open or close the basic communication passage (e.g., orifice 51 and valve seat passage 52). For example, a basic valve body means having an elliptical shape rather than a spherical shape may be used. Also, a basic valve body means that is not hollow may be used.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the peripheral flow path 5 formed around (the entire periphery) of the valve seat 50 is exemplified as the auxiliary communication path, but a different shape and structure can be adopted as long as it connects the valve chamber space (the valve chamber 10, etc.) with the discharge flow path (the outflow path 18, etc.) and is disposed in a connection part (such as the communication part between the valve chamber 10 and the outflow path 18). For example, an independent through-hole provided on the side of the valve seat part (the valve seat 50, etc.) rather than around (the entire periphery) can also be adopted as the auxiliary communication part.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the temperature responsive cylinder 2 is exemplified as the auxiliary valve element means, but other configurations can be adopted as long as they operate according to the temperature of the fluid (steam, drain, etc.) flowing into the valve chamber space (valve chamber 10, etc.) and open or close the auxiliary communication passage (surrounding passage 5, etc.). For example, a bimetal as a temperature-sensitive member configured to deform in response to temperature by bonding two alloy thin plates with different expansion coefficients together can be adopted as the auxiliary valve element means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 2: Temperature responsive cylinder 5: Surrounding flow passage 7: Float 10: Valve chamber 11: Upper body 12: Lower body 18: Outlet passage 50: Valve seat 51: Orifice 52: Valve seat passage

Claims

1. a main body having a valve chamber space into which a fluid flows and a discharge flow path capable of communicating with the valve chamber space; a valve seat portion provided in the main body, the valve seat portion having a basic communication passage that communicates the valve chamber space and the discharge flow passage, the valve seat portion being disposed at a connection portion between the valve chamber space and the discharge flow passage; a basic valve means disposed in the valve chamber space, the basic valve means being actuated in accordance with the amount of fluid retained in the valve chamber space to open or close the basic communication passage; an auxiliary communication passage formed in the main body and communicating between the valve chamber space and the exhaust flow passage, the auxiliary communication passage being disposed in the connection portion; an auxiliary valve means provided in the main body and operable in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber space to open or close the auxiliary communicating passage; An automatic valve device comprising:

2. 2. The automatic valve device according to claim 1, The auxiliary communication passage is formed around the entire circumference of the basic communication passage. An automatic valve device characterized by:

3. In the automatic valve device according to claim 1 or 2, the auxiliary valve element means opens or closes the auxiliary communicating passage by contracting or expanding in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber space. An automatic valve device characterized by:

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