Steam trap and foreign matter removal tool

Abstract

To provide a steam trap that includes a cleaning member effectively exhibiting a foreign matter removal function even to hardened foreign matters in an orifice, and a foreign matter removal tool.SOLUTION: A casing 10 and foreign matter removal means 50 are provided. The casing 10 includes a drain discharge port 31. The foreign matter removal means 50 is located at a position where drain discharged from the discharge port 31 flows, and removes foreign matters located on the discharge port 31 or in the vicinity thereof. The foreign matter removal means 50 includes a rod-shaped cleaning member 54 supported to enable axial rotation, the cleaning member 54 displaced between an operating state where a tip part 55 enters the discharge port 31 or the vicinity thereof and a waiting state where the tip part retreats from the discharge port 31 or the vicinity thereof, along with the axial rotation. The tip part 55 has a reamer-shaped blade part 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a steam trap or the like that discharges drain generated in a steam piping system to the outside.

Background Art

[0002] In a steam piping system of a plant (process system) such as a steam power plant, steam condenses to generate drain (condensate). The generated drain is discharged to the outside or the like using a steam trap or the like.

[0003] As a steam trap, there is a float type steam trap that discharges the drain flowing into the valve chamber by opening and closing an orifice (discharge port) according to the rise and fall of a float (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration provided with a cleaning mechanism (operating member) for removing foreign matter clogged in the orifice. Specifically, a drill part with a lead process is formed at the tip of the operating member, and a configuration in which the drill part sweeps foreign matter is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] With the shape of the cleaning member of the above-described steam trap, there may be no effect on removing foreign matter in the hardened orifice.

[0007] An object of this invention is to provide a steam trap and a foreign matter removing tool having a cleaning member that effectively exhibits a foreign matter removing function even for foreign matter in a hardened orifice.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The steam trap provided by the present invention includes a casing and a foreign matter removing means. The casing has a drain outlet. The foreign matter removing means is provided at a position where the drain discharged from the outlet flows, and removes foreign matter located at or near the outlet. Further, the foreign matter removing means is a rod-shaped cleaning member rotatably supported about an axis, and has a cleaning member that is displaced between an operating state in which the tip end enters the outlet or its vicinity as the axis rotates and a standby state in which it retreats from the outlet or its vicinity. The tip end has a reamer-shaped blade portion.

[0009] The tip end may have a tapered portion whose diameter decreases toward the outlet on the free end side facing the outlet.

[0010] The foreign matter removing tool attached to the steam trap provided by the present invention and having a casing with a drain outlet, and removing foreign matter located at or near the outlet at a position where the drain discharged from the outlet flows, is a rod-shaped cleaning member rotatably supported about an axis, and includes a cleaning member that is displaced between an operating state in which the tip end enters the outlet or its vicinity as the axis rotates and a standby state in which it retreats from the outlet or its vicinity. The tip end has a reamer-shaped blade portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to this invention, a reamer-shaped blade portion is provided at the tip end of the cleaning member, and even foreign matter hardened by the blade portion as the axis rotates is cut. Therefore, the foreign matter removing function can be effectively exhibited even for hardened foreign matter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The steam trap according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of a steam trap (trap) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The trap 1 is a float type steam trap. The trap 1 is disposed, for example, in a steam piping system included in a steam plant or the like, and discharges drain or the like generated in the piping to the outside.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a state in which a plug member 40 is attached. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a foreign matter removing tool (foreign matter removing means) 50 is attached.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trap 1 includes a casing 10, a float 20, a valve seat member 30, a plug member 40, a foreign matter removing tool 50, and the like.

[0017] The casing 10 is formed by coupling a main body 11 and a lid 12 with bolts or the like. The casing 10 has an inflow passage 13, a valve chamber 14, a second discharge passage 15, and the like.

[0018] The inflow passage 13 receives fluids such as steam and drain flowing in from the outside of the casing 10. The inflow passage 13 is formed above the valve chamber 14 so as to communicate with the valve chamber 14.

[0019] The valve chamber 14 is formed as a space located inside the casing 10. The second discharge passage 15 discharges drain water or the like that has flowed into the valve chamber 14 to the outside. The second discharge passage 15 is formed to communicate with the valve chamber 14 via the orifice 31 and the first discharge passage 32.

[0020] The float 20 is a hollow spherical object that is placed (disposed to be movable up and down) in the valve chamber 14. The float 20 moves up and down in the valve chamber 14 according to the amount of drain water stored in the valve chamber 14.

[0021] The valve seat member 30 is attached to the valve seat member mounting space of the lid 12 located below the valve chamber 14. That is, the valve seat member 30 is disposed at the lower part of the valve chamber 14. The valve seat member 30 has an orifice 31 and a first discharge passage 32. The orifice 31 communicates the valve chamber 14 with the first discharge passage 32. The first discharge passage 32 is connected to the second discharge passage 15.

[0022] The orifice (discharge port) 31 is opened and closed by the movement of the float 20. For example, when the amount of drain water stored in the valve chamber 14 is below a predetermined amount, the float 20 seats on the valve seat member 30, and the orifice 31 is closed. The lid portion 12 is provided with a float seat 18 that contacts the float 20 in a state where the orifice 31 is closed. Two float seats 18 are provided on the front side and the far side in FIG. 1 (FIG. 2).

[0023] Also, for example, when the amount of drain water stored in the valve chamber 14 is more than a predetermined amount, the float 20 is disengaged from the valve seat member 30, and the orifice 31 is opened. In a state where the orifice 31 is opened, drain water or the like that has flowed into the valve chamber 14 flows out to the outside of the casing 10 through the orifice 31, the first discharge passage 32, and the second discharge passage 15.

[0024] The plug member (plug) 40 is detachably attached to the plug member mounting space 19 of the lid 12. The plug member 40 closes the plug member mounting space 19 in a mounted state. The plug member mounting space 19 communicates the second discharge passage 15 with the outside when the plug member 40 is not mounted.

[0025] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, instead of the closing member 40, a foreign matter removing tool 50 is detachably attached.

[0026] The foreign matter removing tool 50 removes (cleans) foreign matters such as dust and scale adhering to the orifice 31 or near the orifice 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the foreign matter removing tool 50 is attached to the casing 10 (lid 12) in a state of being inserted from the closing member attachment space 19 so that the tip portion 55 of the cleaning bar 54 faces the orifice 31.

[0027] The foreign matter removing tool 50 includes a cylindrical holding portion 51, a pressing portion 52, a seal 53, a cleaning bar 54, etc. The cylindrical holding portion 51 has a cylindrical shape and is fixed in a state of being screwed into the closing member attachment space 19. The cylindrical holding portion 51 is fixed coaxially with the valve seat member 30. The pressing portion 52 is screwed into the cylindrical holding portion 51 from the outside while pressing the seal 53. The pressing portion 52 and the seal 53 prevent the leakage of the drain.

[0028] The cleaning bar (cleaning member) 54 is a rod-shaped member. The cleaning bar 54 is supported by the cylindrical holding portion 51 so that the tip portion 55 faces the orifice 31 in a state of passing through the through hole formed in the center of the cylindrical holding portion 51, the pressing portion 52, and the seal 53. The cleaning bar 54 is displaceable between an operating state in which the tip portion 55 enters the orifice 31 as shown in FIGS. 3(B) and 3(C) and a standby state in which it retreats from the orifice 31 as shown in FIG. 3(A). In FIG. 2, the tip portion 55 is at the standby position. FIGS. 3(A) to 3(C) are partial enlarged cross-sectional views of the trap 1.

[0029] A screw portion 56 is formed in the middle portion of the cleaning bar 54. The screw portion 56 is screwed into the screw groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical holding portion 51. Also, a retreat stopper 57 is fixed between the screw portion 56 and the tip portion 55 of the cleaning bar 54.

[0030] Furthermore, an operation groove 581 is formed at the rear end portion 58 of the cleaning bar 54. The rear end portion 58 protrudes from the pressing portion 52. That is, the rear end portion 58 and the operation groove 581 are exposed to the outside. By connecting a tool such as a driver to the operation groove 581 and rotating it, the operator or the like can cause the cleaning bar 54 to rotate about its axis. As the cleaning bar 54 rotates about its axis, the tip portion 55 is displaced between an operating state and a standby state.

[0031] Specifically, if the operator or the like connects a tool such as a driver to the operation groove 581 and rotates it clockwise, the cleaning bar 54 advances in a direction approaching the orifice 31 in accordance with the screwing engagement between the threaded portion 56 and the cylindrical holding portion 51. On the other hand, if it is rotated counterclockwise, the cleaning bar 54 advances in a direction away from the orifice 31 in accordance with the screwing engagement between the threaded portion 56 and the cylindrical holding portion 51. The retreat stopper 57 restricts the movement in the direction of moving away.

[0032] Next, the tip portion 55 of the cleaning bar 54 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B). FIG. 4(A) is a partial front view of the cleaning bar 54, and FIG. 4(B) is a partial side view of the cleaning bar 54. FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) show a part including the tip portion 55 of the cleaning bar 54.

[0033] The tip portion 55 has a cylindrical shape and has a tapered portion 60, a blade portion 70, and the like. The tapered portion 60 is disposed on the free end side facing the orifice 31. The tapered portion 60 has a tapered shape (conical shape) in which the diameter decreases toward the orifice 31, and when entering the orifice 31, it pushes aside foreign matter and enters.

[0034] The cutting edge 70 has a reamer shape with an outer peripheral cutting edge 75. The cutting edge 70 removes foreign matter in or near the orifice 31 by cutting as the cleaning bar 54 rotates about its axis. The cutting edge 57 has four grooves 71 and lands 72 extending in the axial direction of the cleaning bar 54. The land 72 has a rake face 73, a margin 74, etc. The rake face 73 is the groove side face of the groove 71. The margin 74 is a cylindrical face adjacent to the groove 71 (rake face 73). The outer peripheral cutting edge 75 is formed at the intersection ridge between the groove 71 (rake face 73) and the margin 74. That is, four outer peripheral cutting edges 75 are formed on the cutting edge 70. The outer peripheral cutting edge 75 is a straight edge extending parallel to the axial direction and cuts foreign matter. Note that the outer peripheral cutting edge 75 may be a twisted edge.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4(A), the diameter of the cutting edge 70 is configured to be substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the diameter of the orifice 31. The dashed line shown in Fig. 4(A) is a diagram showing the shape of the orifice 31. In the operating state, the cutting edge 70 enters the orifice 31. Then, in the state where the cutting edge 70 (outer peripheral cutting edge 75) has entered the orifice 31, as the cleaning bar 54 rotates about its axis (clockwise rotation), it also rotates about its axis to cut foreign matter. Therefore, even for hardened foreign matter, removal by cutting is possible, and the removal function is effectively exerted. The hardened foreign matter adheres to the valve chamber 14 side of the orifice 31, for example, like the foreign matter A shown in Fig. 5.

[0036] Next, the operation of the trap 1 described above will be explained.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 1, in the case of operation (when the steam plant is in operation), drain water or the like flows from the upstream piping (not shown) into the valve chamber 14 via the inflow passage 13. Then, the drain water or the like in the valve chamber 14 passes through the first discharge passage 32 and the second discharge passage 15 in sequence via the orifice 31 and flows out to the downstream piping (not shown).

[0038] Note that in the case of operation, the foreign matter removal tool 50 may be installed with or without the plug member 40 installed.

[0039] Next, the operation of the foreign matter removal tool 5 (foreign matter removal operation) will be described.

[0040] The foreign matter removal tool 50 is basically maintained in a standby state as shown in FIG. 2 (FIG. 3(A)). Then, for example, when it is determined that a clogging state has occurred in the orifice 31, an operator or the like connects a tool to the operation groove 581 and rotates it forward to move the cleaning bar 54 in the direction approaching the orifice 31. For example, the stepped portion 59 may be rotated forward until it abuts against the inner wall surface of the valve seat member 30 and the cleaning bar 54 cannot advance any further.

[0041] With the movement of the cleaning bar 54, the tip portion 55 also enters the orifice 31 while rotating forward. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(B), first, the tapered portion 60 enters the orifice 31. At this time, if there is a foreign matter (not shown in FIG. 3), the tapered portion 60 pushes the foreign matter away and enters. Then, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the tapered portion 60 exits the orifice 31 and enters the valve chamber 14, and at the same time, the blade portion 57 enters the orifice 31. At that time, as the cleaning bar 54 rotates forward (axial rotation), the blade portion 70 (outer peripheral cutting edge 75) cuts the foreign matter. The cut foreign matter passes through the groove 71 and is discharged into the first discharge passage 32.

[0042] Thereafter, the operator reverses the rotation of the cleaning bar 54 using a tool to return the cleaning bar 54 to its original position so as to return to the standby state. For example, the cleaning bar 54 may be returned to a position where the retreat stopper 57 abuts against the cylindrical holding portion 51.

[0043] Note that the above-described foreign matter removal operation may be repeatedly executed according to the adhesion state of the foreign matter. Further, when the foreign matter removal in the trap 1 is completed, an operator or the like removes the foreign matter removal tool 50 from the trap 1. Then, the closing member 40 may be attached to the trap 40.

[0044] As described above, a reamer-shaped blade portion is provided at the tip of the cleaning member, and even foreign matter hardened by the blade portion during axial rotation is cut. Therefore, the foreign matter removal function can be effectively exerted even for hardened foreign matter.

[0045] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the tapered portion is disposed at the tip of the cleaning bar, but the tapered portion may not be provided.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the blade portion has a four-blade configuration, but the number of blades may be one or more.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the closing member and the foreign matter removal tool are configured to be replaceable, but it is not particularly limited thereto. The foreign matter removal tool may always be attached to the steam trap. Further, the attachment of the foreign matter removal tool to the steam trap may not be detachable.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the foreign matter removal operation is manually executed on the foreign matter removal tool, but it may be configured to operate using a driving force other than manual. For example, the present invention may be applied to a foreign matter removal tool using a bimetal displaced by a temperature change as a driving means.

Industrial Applicability

[0049] This invention is useful for effectively exerting a foreign matter removal function in a steam trap that discharges drain generated in a steam piping system such as a steam plant to the outside and a foreign matter removal tool attached to the steam trap.

Explanation of Signs

[0050] 1 Steam trap 10 Casing 30 Valve seat member 31 Orifice (discharge port) 50 Foreign matter removal means 54 Cleaning bar (cleaning member) 55 Tip 60 Tapered portion 70 Cutting Edge

Claims

1. a casing having a drain outlet; a foreign matter removing means provided at a position through which the drain discharged from the drain outlet flows, for removing foreign matter located at or near the drain outlet; Equipped with the foreign matter removal means is a rod-shaped cleaning member supported so as to be rotatable about its axis, and the cleaning member is displaced as the axis rotates between an operating state in which a tip end of the cleaning member is inserted into the discharge port or its vicinity and a standby state in which the tip end of the cleaning member is removed from the discharge port or its vicinity; The steam trap is characterized in that the tip portion has a reamer-shaped blade portion.

2. 2. The steam trap according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion has a tapered portion on a free end side facing the discharge port, the diameter of which decreases toward the discharge port.

3. A foreign object removal tool that is attached to a steam trap having a casing with a drain outlet, and removes foreign objects located at or near the drain outlet at a position through which drain discharged from the drain outlet flows, comprising: a rod-shaped cleaning member supported so as to be rotatable around its axis, the cleaning member being displaced as the axis rotates between an operating state in which a tip portion of the cleaning member is inserted into the discharge port or its vicinity and a standby state in which the tip portion of the cleaning member is removed from the discharge port or its vicinity; Equipped with 2. A steam trap foreign object removal tool, comprising: a tip portion having a reamer-shaped blade portion.

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