Float used in automatic valve

Abstract

To provide a float used in an automatic valve which enables improvement of pressure resistance of the spherical float.SOLUTION: In a float body 1 used in a float type steam trap, two hemispherical floats are connected to form a body 2. In the body 2, six reinforcement bars are radially arranged at equal intervals. Each reinforcement bar includes a coil spring and a compression board at a tip is pressed against an inner peripheral surface of the body 2. The structure improves pressure resistance of the float body 1. Four reinforcement bars 10, 20, 30, 40 are disposed along a connection line of the two float pieces and thus can reinforce a connection portion of the float pieces from the inner side with the four reinforcement bars and improve durability against compressive force acting on an outer periphery of the connection portion of the float pieces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The float used in the automatic valve according to the present application is built into the automatic valve so as to be able to float freely, and relates to a technique for the configuration of the float that opens or closes the automatic valve. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various types of automatic valves, but a float-type automatic valve with a built-in float is well known. In this float-type automatic valve, a float is arranged so that it can float freely inside the valve chamber. A valve seat with a valve orifice is provided near the bottom of the valve chamber, and when the float sits on the valve seat, the outer circumferential surface of the float blocks the valve orifice, closing the valve.

[0003] When a fluid such as drainage flows into the valve chamber and accumulates there, the float rises and leaves the valve seat, automatically opening the valve orifice and discharging the fluid trapped in the valve chamber through the valve orifice.

[0004] An example of a float used in such an automatic valve is disclosed in Patent Document 1, which will be described later. The float 6 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a hollow, roughly elliptical shape, and an auxiliary fitting 7 is provided inside the central cylindrical portion of the float 6. This auxiliary fitting 7 contacts the inner surface of the float 6, and increases the pressure resistance of the float 6 against the compressive force acting on the outer periphery of the float 6. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Jpn. Jpn. Published No. 47-16226 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the technology disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the auxiliary metal fitting 7 provided in the float 6 is provided inside the central cylindrical portion of the float 6. For this reason, when this auxiliary metal fitting 7 is applied to a spherical float, distortion, etc. may occur in the float, and it may not be possible to increase the pressure resistance against the compressive force acting on the outer periphery of the spherical float.

[0007] In addition, hollow spherical floats are manufactured by connecting and welding two hemispherical members, but the welded connection part is relatively weak compared to other parts, and therefore pressure resistance may be reduced depending on the pressure acting on the outer periphery of the connection part.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a float for use in an automatic valve having a spherical shape that can improve pressure resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The float used in the automatic valve according to the present application is: A float for use in an automatic valve that is built into the automatic valve and performs a predetermined operation to automatically close or open the automatic valve, A first body and a second body that are connected to each other to form a sphere, the first body and the second body being connected at a connection plane that is formed including a spherical center of the sphere; a plurality of planar supports located inside the sphere, the planar supports being arranged radially along the connection plane with the center of the sphere as a base end, and a tip end, which is the other end of the base end, being in contact with the inner surface of the sphere; Two orthogonal direction supports located inside the sphere, the two orthogonal direction supports being arranged perpendicular to the connection plane with the center of the sphere as a base end, and the tip end, which is the other end of the base end, abutting against the inner surface of the sphere; The present invention is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0010] In the float used in the automatic valve according to the present application, multiple planar supports and two orthogonal supports are arranged inside the sphere with the center of the sphere as the base end, and each tip end abuts against the inner surface of the sphere, thereby improving the pressure resistance of the spherical float against the compressive force acting on the outer periphery of the sphere.

[0011] In addition, the plurality of planar supports are radially arranged along the connecting plane where the first body and the second body are connected, and the tips of the supports abut against the inner surface of the sphere, thereby improving durability against compressive forces acting on the outer periphery of the connecting portion between the first body and the second body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap 70 as an automatic valve provided with a float body 1 showing a first embodiment of a float used in an automatic valve according to the present application. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the float body 1 shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the float body 1 shown in FIG. 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the positional relationship of each reinforcing bar shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] [Terminology used in the embodiments] The main terms used in the embodiments correspond to the following elements of the float used in the automatic valve according to the present application:

[0014] Float 1: Sphere Float piece 2a: First body (or second body) Float piece 2b: Second body (or first body) A plane including the connecting line 7...connecting plane Center point 8...center of sphere Connecting member 9...base end First reinforcing bar 10, second reinforcing bar 20, third reinforcing bar 30, and fourth reinforcing bar 40... Planar support Pressure plate 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62... Tip Coil springs 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64... biasing means Fifth reinforcing bar 50 and sixth reinforcing bar 60: orthogonal support

[0015] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of a float used in an automatic valve according to the present application will be described by taking as an example a float body 1. The float body 1 of this embodiment is used in a float type steam trap 70.

[0016] (Description of the configuration and operation of the steam trap 70) Industrial plants are often equipped with piping systems to transport steam generated in boilers to various locations. The steam being transported condenses due to heat release, and condensate (drain) is generated from the steam. If drainage accumulates in the piping system, it will impede steam transport, so it must be discharged outside the piping system as appropriate.

[0017] For this reason, many steam traps for discharging drains are provided throughout the piping system. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap 70 in this embodiment. A branch pipe 81 is provided in communication with the main pipe of the piping, and the steam trap 70 is attached to this branch pipe 81.

[0018] An inlet 71 and an outlet 72 are formed on both sides of a body 78 of the steam trap 70, and a valve chest 73 communicating with the inlet 71 and the outlet 72 is formed within the body 78. A branch pipe 81 is connected to the inlet 71 of the body 78, and steam and drain flow from the inlet 71 into the valve chest 73 in the direction of arrow 91.

[0019] A mesh cover 79 is fixed with bolts to the upper part of the valve chamber 73. The steam and drainage that flow in from the inlet 71 pass through this mesh cover 79, and foreign matter mixed in the steam and drainage is captured by the mesh cover 79.

[0020] A through hole is formed in an oblique direction near the bottom of the valve chamber 73, and a substantially cylindrical valve seat 75 is fitted and fixed into this through hole. An orifice 75a is formed in the valve seat 75 at the tip on the valve chamber 73 side, and the orifice 75a communicates with a valve seat space 75b formed inside the valve seat 75.

[0021] The diameter of the orifice 75a is configured to be sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the valve seat space 75b. The rear end of the valve seat space 75b is open, and the orifice 75a of the valve seat 75 and the valve seat space 75b communicate with an outflow passage 76 formed in the main body 78, and are connected to the outflow port 72 via this. A discharge pipe 82 is connected to the outflow port 72.

[0022] A hollow spherical float body 1 is positioned so as to float freely within the valve chamber 73. When the float body 1 is seated on the valve seat 75 by its own weight, the float body 1 comes into contact with the periphery of the orifice 75a, blocking the orifice 75a and closing the steam trap 70.

[0023] A bimetal 80 is fixed to the bottom of the valve chamber 73 with bolts and is in contact with the bottom of the float body 1. The bimetal 80 is made by bonding two types of materials with different expansion coefficients together and curving them. The bimetal 80 takes advantage of the different expansion coefficients of the materials, and when the temperature of the materials falls below a predetermined temperature, the bimetal 80 deforms so that the opening of the curved portion becomes larger, thereby lifting the float body 1 from below. Conversely, when the temperature of the materials rises above the predetermined temperature from this state, the bimetal 80 deforms so that the opening of the curved portion becomes smaller, and it is no longer in contact with the float body 1.

[0024] Next, we will explain the operation of the steam trap 70. First, in the initial state of the steam trap 70, that is, before the piping system starts to transfer steam, the steam trap 70 is not heated by steam, so the curvature of the bimetal 80 opens widely, lifting the float body 1 and forcibly opening the orifice 75a of the valve seat 75 (not shown).

[0025] When steam transfer through the piping system is started from this state, initial air that has been retained in the piping flows from inlet 71 into valve chamber 73 in the direction of arrow 91, but this initial air is quickly exhausted from open orifice 75a through valve seat space 75b, outlet passage 76, and outlet 72 in the direction of arrow 92 to exhaust pipe 82. Low-temperature drainage in the piping is also discharged through the same route to exhaust pipe 82 via outlet 72.

[0026] After the initial air has been exhausted and the low-temperature condensate has been drained, high-temperature steam and condensate flow into the valve chamber 73 in the direction of arrow 91. Then, the temperature of the condensate flowing into the valve chamber 73 rises, and when it reaches a predetermined temperature, the bimetal 80 reacts to this, narrowing the opening of its curve, and the bimetal 80 is released from contact with the float body 1, after which the bimetal 80 no longer interferes with the float body 1. This causes the float body 1 to seat and close the orifice 75a of the valve seat 75. The steam trap 70 begins normal operation from this state.

[0027] As a result of orifice 75a being closed, the drain that flows in accumulates in valve chamber 73, the water level of the drain in valve chamber 73 rises, and float body 1 rises in the direction of arrow 92. When the water level of the accumulated drain reaches upper level 102, float body 1 rises in the direction of arrow 92 and completely opens orifice 75a. When orifice 75a is opened, the drain that was accumulated in valve chamber 73 is drained in one go along the direction of arrow 93 into discharge pipe 82 due to the force of the high pressure in the piping.

[0028] As the condensate is discharged, the level of the condensate remaining in the valve chamber 73 drops, and when it reaches the lower level 101, the float body 1 descends again and seats on the valve seat 75, blocking the orifice 75a and closing the steam trap 70. This closing of the valve prevents steam leakage. Then, when the condensate flows into and accumulates in the valve chamber 73 and the condensate level rises again and reaches the upper level 102, the float body 1 rises and opens the orifice 75a, allowing the condensate to be discharged. Since the float body 1 has a spherical shape, it can reliably block the orifice 75a with its outer circumferential surface regardless of how its position changes within the valve chamber 73.

[0029] As described above, the steam trap 70 automatically drains the drain as needed by repeatedly rising and falling (predetermined operation) of the float body 1. During this operation, the water level of the drain retained in the valve chamber 73 will fluctuate up and down between the lower level 101 and the upper level 102, but since the orifice 75a is always submerged in the drain, leakage of the steam transported through the piping system is reliably prevented, and steam loss can be avoided.

[0030] (Explanation of the configuration of the float body 1) Next, a detailed configuration of the float body 1 will be described. As described above, in the initial state, the float body 1 is pushed up by the bimetal 80, forcibly opening the orifice 75a. Also, the float body 1 rises or falls according to the water level of the condensate retained in the valve chamber 73, and repeatedly comes into contact with and sits on the valve seat 75. Furthermore, if a large amount of condensate flows into the valve chamber 73 all at once, the momentum of the sudden rise may cause it to collide with the mesh cover 79 at the top of the valve chamber 73.

[0031] In this way, various compressive forces act on the outer periphery of the float body 1 floating inside the valve chamber 73, which may cause deformation or distortion. For this reason, in this embodiment, in order to increase the pressure resistance of the float body 1, six reinforcing bars are arranged radially at equal intervals in the internal space of the float body 1.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the positional relationship of each reinforcing bar, Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view of the cross section of the float body 1 taken along the connection line 7 shown in Fig. 4, seen from above, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the arrows III-III in Fig. 2. The float body 1 forms a spherical main body 2 by connecting two hemispherical float pieces 2a and 2b as shown in Fig. 3.

[0033] The float pieces 2a and 2b are made of a material such as stainless steel, and the connecting parts are fixed by welding. The float pieces 2a and 2b have the same shape and size, and are connected on a plane formed along a connecting line 7 that passes through a center point 8 shown in Figure 4.

[0034] A connecting member 9 made of resin is disposed at the center point 8 of the spherical main body. This connecting member 9 has six cylinders extending in directions corresponding to the six arrangement lines L10, L20, L30, L40, L50, and L60 shown in FIG. 4. The arrangement lines L10, L20, L30, L40, L50, and L60 are disposed at right angles to the adjacent arrangement lines. The center of the connecting member 9 is held so as to coincide with the center point 8.

[0035] A first reinforcing bar 10, a second reinforcing bar 20, a third reinforcing bar 30, a fourth reinforcing bar 40, a fifth reinforcing bar 50, and a sixth reinforcing bar 60 are attached to the connecting member 9. By attaching each reinforcing bar to the connecting member 9, the first reinforcing bar 10 is located along the arrangement line L10, the second reinforcing bar 20 is located along the arrangement line L20, the third reinforcing bar 30 is located along the arrangement line L30, and the fourth reinforcing bar 40 is located along the arrangement line L40. Furthermore, the fifth reinforcing bar 50 is located along the arrangement line L50, and the sixth reinforcing bar 60 is located along the arrangement line L60.

[0036] As a result, the four first reinforcing bars 10, second reinforcing bars 20, third reinforcing bars 30 and fourth reinforcing bars 40 are arranged on a plane along the connection line 7 shown in Figure 4, and the two fifth reinforcing bars 50 and sixth reinforcing bars 60 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to this plane.

[0037] All of the reinforcing bars have the same structure and are configured with similar shapes and sizes. That is, the first reinforcing bar 10, the second reinforcing bar 20, the third reinforcing bar 30, the fourth reinforcing bar 40, the fifth reinforcing bar 50 and the sixth reinforcing bar 60 each have a thin cylindrical bar body 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 made of metal, and the rear end of each of the bar bodies 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 is attached to the connecting member 9 by being inserted into the six cylinders of the connecting member 9.

[0038] Furthermore, pressure plates 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 are integrally formed at the respective tips of the bar bodies 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61. These pressure plates 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the main body 2. The contact surfaces of the pressure plates 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 are configured as curved surfaces that are curved in accordance with the inner peripheral surface of the main body 2.

[0039] A central protrusion 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63 that protrudes outward is formed approximately in the center of the bar main body 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61. A coil spring 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 is attached to the bar main body 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 from the central protrusion 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63 to the rear end side.

[0040] These coil springs 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 act between the tip surfaces of the six cylinders of the connecting member 9 and the central projections 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, and urge the bar bodies 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 outward, pressing the pressure plates 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 against the inner peripheral surface of the main body 2. The coil springs 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 all have the same shape and size, and press the pressure plates 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 against the inner peripheral surface of the main body 2 with the same urging force.

[0041] Since the float body 1 in this embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, pressure is applied from the inside of the main body 2 of the float body 1 by the first reinforcing bar 10, the second reinforcing bar 20, the third reinforcing bar 30, the fourth reinforcing bar 40, the fifth reinforcing bar 50 and the sixth reinforcing bar 60, thereby increasing the pressure resistance against the compressive force acting on the outer periphery of the float body 1. In addition, since a uniform and well-balanced biasing force is applied from the inside of the main body 2 of the float body 1 radially in six directions along the arrangement lines L10, L20, L30, L40, L50 and L60 shown in Fig. 4, the spherical shape of the float body 1 is not distorted.

[0042] As described above, the main body 2 of the float body 1 is constructed by connecting the float pieces 2a, 2b on a plane along the connection line 7 (Fig. 4) and fixing them by welding. The four reinforcing bars, the first reinforcing bar 10, the second reinforcing bar 20, the third reinforcing bar 30 and the fourth reinforcing bar 40, are arranged along arrangement lines L10, L20, L30 and L40 which are located on the plane indicated by the connection line 7.

[0043] Therefore, the connection portion of the float pieces 2a, 2b indicated by the connection line 7 can be reinforced from the inside by the four first reinforcing bars 10, second reinforcing bars 20, third reinforcing bars 30 and fourth reinforcing bars 40, thereby increasing durability against compressive forces acting on the outer periphery of the connection line 7.

[0044] In addition, the four first reinforcement bars 10, second reinforcement bars 20, third reinforcement bars 30 and fourth reinforcement bars 40 are arranged along placement lines L10, L20, L30 and L40 located on the plane indicated by the connection line 7, and the two fifth reinforcement bars 50 and sixth reinforcement bars 60 are arranged along placement lines L50 and L60 perpendicular to the plane indicated by the connection line 7.

[0045] Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the float body 1, the four first reinforcing bars 10, second reinforcing bars 20, third reinforcing bars 30 and fourth reinforcing bars 40 are attached to the connection line 7 of one of the float pieces 2a, 2b, and then the two fifth reinforcing bars 50 and sixth reinforcing bars 60 are compressed while covering the other of the float pieces 2a, 2b, and the float pieces 2a, 2b are welded and fixed. Therefore, the float body 1 in this embodiment can be manufactured easily and reliably.

[0046] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiments, examples are given for each of the sphere, first body, second body, sphere center, connecting plane, planar support, base end, tip end, orthogonal support, and biasing means, but these are merely examples and different configurations can be adopted for each.

[0047] That is, for example, in the above-described embodiment, a float body 1 used in a float type steam trap 70 was exemplified, but as long as the automatic valve is automatically closed or opened by performing a predetermined operation, the float used in the automatic valve of the present application may be applied to a float used in an automatic valve other than a float type steam trap.

[0048] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, four reinforcing bars, a first reinforcing bar 10, a second reinforcing bar 20, a third reinforcing bar 30 and a fourth reinforcing bar 40, are exemplified as multiple planar supports, but two, three or five or more reinforcing bars can also be used.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first reinforcing bar 10, the second reinforcing bar 20, the third reinforcing bar 30, the fourth reinforcing bar 40, the fifth reinforcing bar 50 and the sixth reinforcing bar 60 are exemplified as planar direction supports and orthogonal direction supports, but different configurations can also be used as planar direction supports and orthogonal direction supports as long as their tip portions (pressure plates 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, etc.) abut against the inner surface of the sphere (main body 2, etc.).

[0050] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which coil springs 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 are provided as biasing means on the planar direction supports (first reinforcing bar 10, second reinforcing bar 20, third reinforcing bar 30, fourth reinforcing bar 40, etc.) and the orthogonal direction supports (fifth reinforcing bar 50, sixth reinforcing bar 60, etc.), but it is also possible to use planar direction supports and orthogonal direction supports that are not provided with biasing means.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the coil springs 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, and 64 are exemplified as the biasing means, but other configurations can be used as long as they bias the tip end (pressure plate 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, and 62, etc.) toward the inner surface of the sphere (main body 2, etc.). For example, the whole or part of the bar main body 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, and 61 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, and the tip end may be biased toward the inner surface of the sphere.

[0052] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the planar direction supports (first reinforcing bar 10, second reinforcing bar 20, third reinforcing bar 30, fourth reinforcing bar 40, etc.) and the orthogonal direction supports (fifth reinforcing bar 50 and sixth reinforcing bar 60, etc.) are exemplified as the first reinforcing bar 10, second reinforcing bar 20, third reinforcing bar 30, fourth reinforcing bar 40, fifth reinforcing bar 50, and sixth reinforcing bar 60, all of the same shape and size, but reinforcing bars of different shapes and sizes can also be used.

[0053] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the planar supports (first reinforcing bar 10, second reinforcing bar 20, third reinforcing bar 30, fourth reinforcing bar 40, etc.) and the orthogonal supports (fifth reinforcing bar 50, sixth reinforcing bar 60, etc.) were arranged in an even radial pattern at equal intervals, but the planar supports and orthogonal supports can also be arranged at unequal intervals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1: Float body 2a: Float piece 2b: Float piece 7: Connection line 8: Center point 9: connecting member 10: first reinforcing bar 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62: pressure plate 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64: Coil spring 20: Second reinforcement bar 30: Third reinforcement bar 40: 4th reinforcement bar 50: 5th reinforcement bar 60: 6th reinforcement bar

Claims

1. A float for use in an automatic valve that is built into the automatic valve and performs a predetermined operation to automatically close or open the automatic valve, A first body and a second body that are connected to each other to form a sphere, the first body and the second body being connected at a connection plane that is formed including a spherical center of the sphere; a plurality of planar supports located inside the sphere, the planar supports being arranged radially along the connection plane with the center of the sphere as a base end, and a tip end, which is the other end of the base end, being in contact with the inner surface of the sphere; Two orthogonal direction supports located inside the sphere, the two orthogonal direction supports being arranged perpendicular to the connection plane with the center of the sphere as a base end, and the tip end, which is the other end of the base end, abutting against the inner surface of the sphere; A float for use in an automatic valve, comprising:

2. 2. The float for use in an automatic valve according to claim 1, The plurality of planar direction supports and the two orthogonal direction supports are each provided with a biasing means, and the tip portions of the plurality of planar direction supports and the two orthogonal direction supports are biased toward the inner surface of the sphere by the biasing means. A float for use in an automatic valve.

3. In the float for use in the automatic valve according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of planar direction supports are radially arranged at equal intervals along the connection plane. A float for use in an automatic valve.

4. In the float for use in an automatic valve according to claim 3, The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a gyro having four planar supports, the four planar supports and the two orthogonal supports being adjacent to each other at right angles. A float for use in an automatic valve.

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