Float means used in automatic valve

Abstract

To provide float means used in an automatic valve which can enhance a pressure resistance of a spherical float.SOLUTION: A float 1 used as a float-type steam trap includes a float body 2. The float body 2 is configured of two hemispherical float pieces 2a, 2b which are welded along a welding line 3. Six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 are coupled to each other and arranged inside the float body 2. Since an outer periphery of each of the disks is in contact with an inner peripheral face of the float body 2, the float body 2 is reinforced at an entire periphery from inside and thus a durability of the float 1 is enhanced. Also, the welding line 3 of the float body 2 is arranged to cross all the outer peripheries of the six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23. This can surely prevent a crack and damage at the welding line 3 by securing the strength of, in particular, welded parts of the float pieces 2a, 2b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There are various types of automatic valves, but a well-known example is the float-type automatic valve, which has a built-in float. This float-type automatic valve has a float that is freely floating inside a 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 due to its own weight, the outer 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 port and discharging the fluid trapped in the valve chamber.

[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, generally elliptical shape, and a reinforcing metal fitting 7 is provided inside the central cylindrical portion of the float 6. This reinforcing metal fitting 7 contacts the inner surface of the float 6, and increases the pressure resistance of the float 6 against compressive forces acting on the outer periphery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Jikko No. 16226-1972 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 fitting 7 provided in the float 6 is located inside the central cylindrical portion of the float 6. Therefore, there is a risk that the pressure resistance of the hemispherical portions located on both sides will be lower than that of the cylindrical portion.

[0007] Furthermore, hollow spherical floats are typically manufactured by connecting and welding two hemispherical members, and this welded connection is particularly fragile, which can reduce the float's durability against compressive forces acting on the outer periphery of the connection.

[0008] Therefore, in order to solve these problems, the float means used in the automatic valve according to the present application aims to provide a float means used in the automatic valve that can increase the pressure resistance of the spherical float. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The float means used in the automatic valve according to the present application is A float means 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 along a sphere connecting line to form a sphere body; a plurality of reinforcing disks disposed inside the spherical body, each having an outer periphery in contact with the inner periphery of the spherical body, the reinforcing disks being joined to one another via disk joining portions; It is equipped with The sphere connecting line is disposed so as to intersect the outer periphery of each of the plurality of reinforcing discs. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the float means used in the automatic valve according to the present application, the outer periphery of each of the multiple reinforcing discs joined together comes into contact with the inner periphery of the spherical body, thereby reliably reinforcing the entire periphery of the spherical body from the inside and increasing the pressure resistance of the spherical float means against compressive forces acting on the periphery of the sphere.

[0011] Furthermore, the sphere connecting wire is arranged to cross the outer periphery of each of the multiple reinforcing discs. Therefore, the portion of the sphere connecting wire where the first body and the second body constituting the sphere main body are connected is reliably reinforced by the multiple reinforcing discs. This prevents cracks in the connecting portion of the first body and the second body, and improves the pressure resistance of the float means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap 70 provided with a float 1 showing a first embodiment of a float means used in an automatic valve according to the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the details of the interior of the float 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged view showing the tip portion of the notch 11a of the disk 11 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a process of joining the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0014] Float 1...float means Float piece 2a: First body (or second body) Float piece 2b: Second body (or first body) Float body 2 (float piece 2a and float piece 2b) - spherical body Welding line 3: Sphere connection line Disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23... Reinforcement disks Notches 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, 23a...Disc joint Steam Trap 70 Automatic Valve

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

[0016] (Explanation of the configuration and operation of the steam trap 70) Industrial plants often have piping systems installed to transport steam generated in boilers to various locations. The steam being transported condenses due to heat release, and drainage (condensed water) is generated from the steam. If drainage accumulates in the piping system, it will hinder steam transport, so it must be properly discharged outside the piping system.

[0017] For this reason, many steam traps for discharging drainage 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 main body 78 of the steam trap 70, and a valve chest 73 is formed within the main body 78, which communicates with the inlet 71 and the outlet 72. A branch pipe 81 is connected to the inlet 71 of the main body 78, and steam and condensate 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 top 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 obliquely 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 its 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 path 76 formed in the main body 78 and, via this, communicate with the outflow port 72. A discharge pipe 82 is connected to the outflow port 72.

[0022] A float 1, which is a spherical body with an internal space, is positioned so as to float freely within the valve chamber 73. When the float 1 is seated on the valve seat 75 due to its own weight, the float 1 abuts against the periphery of the orifice 75a, blocking the orifice 75a and closing the steam trap 70.

[0023] A bimetal 80 is fixed with bolts to the bottom of the valve chamber 73, with its tip abutting the bottom of the float 1. This bimetal 80 is made by bonding two types of material with different expansion coefficients together and bending them. Utilizing the different expansion coefficients of the materials, the bimetal 80 deforms so that the opening of the curved portion increases when the temperature of the material drops below a predetermined temperature, thereby lifting the float 1 from below. Conversely, when the temperature of the material rises above the predetermined temperature from this state, the bimetal 80 deforms so that the opening of the curved portion decreases, and it assumes a non-contact state where it does not interfere with the float 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 transferring steam, the steam trap 70 is not heated by steam, so the curve of the bimetal 80 opens widely, lifting the float 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 accumulating in the piping flows into the valve chest 73 from the inlet 71 in the direction of arrow 91, but this initial air is quickly exhausted from the open orifice 75a through the valve seat space 75b, the outlet passage 76, and the outlet 72 in the direction of arrow 93 to the exhaust pipe 82. In addition, low-temperature drainage water in the piping is also discharged through the outlet 72 to the exhaust pipe 82 via the same route.

[0026] After initial air is exhausted and low-temperature condensate is 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 by narrowing the opening of its curve, releasing the bimetal 80 from contact with the float 1, and thereafter the bimetal 80 no longer interferes with the float 1. This causes the float 1 to seat under its own weight and close the orifice 75a of the valve seat 75. The steam trap 70 begins normal operation from this state.

[0027] Because orifice 75a is closed, the condensate flowing into valve chamber 73 accumulates, the level of the condensate in valve chamber 73 rises, and float 1 rises in the direction of arrow 92. When the level of the accumulated condensate reaches upper level 102, float 1 rises in the direction of arrow 92 and completely opens orifice 75a. When orifice 75a is opened, the condensate that has been accumulated in valve chamber 73 is drained in one go along 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 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 condensate flows into and accumulates in the valve chamber 73 and the condensate level rises again and reaches the upper level 102, the float 1 rises and opens the orifice 75a, allowing the condensate to be discharged. Note that because the float 1 has a spherical shape, its outer circumferential surface reliably blocks the orifice 75a regardless of how its position changes within the valve chamber 73.

[0029] As described above, the steam trap 70 automatically discharges the condensate as needed by repeatedly raising and lowering (predetermined operation) the float 1. During this operation, the level of the condensate remaining in the valve chamber 73 will fluctuate between a lower level 101 and an upper level 102, but because the orifice 75a is always submerged in the condensate, leakage of steam transported through the piping system is reliably prevented, and steam loss can be avoided.

[0030] (Explanation of the configuration of float 1) Next, we will explain the detailed structure of the float 1. As mentioned above, in the initial state, the float 1 is pushed up by the bimetal 80, forcing the orifice 75a open. Furthermore, the float 1 rises or falls according to the level of condensate remaining in the valve chamber 73, repeatedly coming into contact with and seating on the valve seat 75. Furthermore, if a large amount of condensate suddenly flows into the valve chamber 73 due to the water hammer phenomenon or the like, the momentum of the sudden rise may cause the float to hit the mesh cover 79 at the top of the valve chamber 73.

[0031] As described above, various compressive forces act on the outer periphery of the float 1 floating within the valve chamber 73, which may cause deformation, distortion, or breakage. For this reason, in this embodiment, in order to increase the pressure resistance of the float 1, six interconnected disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are arranged in the internal space of the float 1 (Figure 2).

[0032] 2 is a perspective view showing the details of the interior of the float 1. The float 1 has a spherical float body 2, which is composed of two hemispherical float pieces 2a and 2b. The two float pieces 2a and 2b have the same shape and size, and are joined and fixed by welding along a weld line 3 to form the float body 2. In this embodiment, the weld line 3 is formed as the maximum circumference along a plane passing through the center point of the float body 2.

[0033] Of the six disks arranged in the internal space of the float body 2, the disk surfaces of three disks 11, 12, and 13 are arranged parallel to one another, and the disk surfaces of the other three disks 21, 22, and 23 are also arranged parallel to one another. One set of disks 11, 12, and 13 and another set of disks 21, 22, and 23 are joined so that their disk surfaces are perpendicular to one another.

[0034] The outer periphery of each of the six circular disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 all contacts the inner periphery of the float body 2. Since the float body 2 (float pieces 2a and 2b) is required to be corrosion resistant, it is made of a highly corrosion resistant alloy such as a nickel alloy (a nickel-based alloy with added molybdenum, chromium, etc.) or stainless steel.

[0035] Disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are made of a light alloy such as aluminum to reduce the weight of float 1, and all have the same thickness. The diameter of the disk surface of disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 is set to a length that allows the outer periphery of each disk to contact the inner periphery of float body 2 when placed in the internal space of float body 2, depending on its placement position.

[0036] 3 is a front view of disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23. Disk 11 is disposed within float body 2, passing through the center point of float body 2, and therefore has a size corresponding to the great circle of the sphere represented by float body 2. In contrast, disks 12 and 13 do not pass through the center point of float body 2, and are disposed parallel to disk 11 on either side of disk 11, and therefore are configured to be smaller than disk 11.

[0037] The same is true for the disks 21, 22, and 23; disk 21 is disposed within the float body 2, passing through the center point of the float body 2, and therefore has a size corresponding to the great circle of the sphere represented by the float body 2, and disks 22 and 23 are smaller than disk 21. Note that the two disks 11 and 21 have the same size, and all four disks 12, 13, 22, and 23 have the same size.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 each have three cuts 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a extending from the outer edge to diameter lines 11b, 12b, 13b, 21b, 22b, and 23b. Diameter lines 11b, 12b, 13b, 21b, 22b, and 23b are imaginary lines passing through center points P11, P12, P13, P21, P22, and P23 on the disk plane. Note that cuts 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a are formed perpendicular to diameter lines 11b, 12b, 13b, 21b, 22b, and 23b.

[0039] Of the three notches 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a, the one located in the center in Figure 3 is formed to reach the center points P11, P12, P13, P21, P22, and P23 of the disk surface, and the two notches on either side of it are formed parallel to the central notch. The spacing between the three notches 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a is all the same.

[0040] Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing the tip portion of the notch 11a of the disk 11 shown in Figure 3. The notch width 11s of the notch 11a is slightly larger than the thickness of each disk, allowing other disks to be inserted crosswise into the notch 11. Similarly, the notch widths of the notches 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a of the disks 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are also formed slightly larger than the thickness of each disk, allowing the disks to be inserted crosswise.

[0041] When assembling the float 1 having the above configuration, as shown in Fig. 5, the three disks 11, 12, and 13 are intersected with the other three disks 21, 22, and 23, and the opposing notches 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a are fitted together to join the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23. As described above, the spacing between the three notches 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a formed in each disk 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 is the same, so the disk surfaces of the three disks 11, 12, and 13 can be fitted together perpendicularly to the disk surfaces of the other three disks 21, 22, and 23. In this embodiment, the fitted portions of the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are fixed together by spot welding or the like.

[0042] Next, the thus fitted disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 are fitted into and attached to one of the float pieces 2a that make up the float body 2. In this case, the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 are inserted vertically into the float piece 2a so that the lines formed by the outer peripheries of the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 and the lines formed by the weld lines 3 of the float pieces 2a, 2b are all perpendicular to each other. After this, the positional relationship between the float piece 2a and the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 may be fixed by spot welding or the like to the outer peripheries of the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 and the float piece 2a.

[0043] Next, the float piece 2b is attached so as to cover the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23, and the float piece 2a and the float piece 2b are connected. Then, the connection line between the float piece 2a and the float piece 2b is welded to form the weld line 3.

[0044] The float 1 is assembled through the above steps, and the outer peripheries of the six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are placed in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the float main body 2. As a result, the float main body 2 is reinforced from the inside all around by the six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23, ensuring strength against compressive forces acting on the outer circumferential surface of the float main body 2 and increasing the durability of the float 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, the multiple disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are combined and joined at intervals, so sufficient strength can be ensured even with relatively thin disks. Furthermore, the compressive force acting on the outer peripheral surface of the float body 2 is applied to the entire circular periphery of each disk, so higher strength can be achieved than when compressive force is applied laterally to the disk surface.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the weld line 3 of the float body 2 is arranged so as to intersect with all of the outer circumferences of the six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23, thereby ensuring the strength of the welded portions of the float pieces 2a and 2b in particular and reliably preventing cracks and breakage in the weld line 3 portion.

[0047] Furthermore, the three cuts 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a formed in each disk are formed symmetrically along the diameter lines 11b, 12b, 13b, 21b, 22b, and 23b, respectively, around the center points P11, P12, P13, P21, P22, and P23 of the disk surfaces. Therefore, when the six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are joined together, the disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 can be arranged in a balanced manner in the internal space of the float body 2, and uneven reinforcement of the float body 2 can be avoided.

[0048] Furthermore, the float body 2 is reinforced from the inside by six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 joined at intervals, which increases the durability of the float 1 while avoiding an increase in its weight. This ensures stable floating of the float 1 within the valve chest 73 of the steam trap 70.

[0049] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiments, examples are given for each of the automatic valve, float means, sphere connecting line, sphere body, first body, second body, reinforcing disc, and disc connecting portion, but these are merely examples, and different configurations can also be adopted for each.

[0050] That is, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the float 1 used in the float-type steam trap 70 was exemplified, but the float means used in the automatic valve of the present application may also be applied to a float used in an automatic valve other than a float-type steam trap, as long as it performs a predetermined operation to automatically close or open the automatic valve.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, six reinforcing discs 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23 are exemplified, but five or fewer or seven or more reinforcing discs may be used as long as there are multiple discs. In this case, notches (disc joining portions) are formed corresponding to the number of reinforcing discs.

[0052] For example, when 10 reinforcing discs are to be arranged inside a spherical body (such as the float body 2), two discs with a size corresponding to the large circle of the sphere represented by the spherical body and eight discs with diameters that gradually decrease according to the arrangement are prepared, and five notches are formed in each reinforcing disc. Two sets of five reinforcing discs are then joined together by orthogonally interlocking the notches as in the embodiment shown in Figure 5. The joined reinforcing discs are then placed inside the interior space of the spherical body to reinforce it.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the weld line 3 of the float body 2 is arranged so as to intersect perpendicularly with all of the outer peripheries of the six disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, and 23. However, as long as the sphere connection line (weld line 3, etc.) is arranged so as to intersect with the outer periphery of each of the reinforcing disks (disks 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, etc.), it is not necessarily arranged so as to intersect perpendicularly. For example, the reinforcing disks in the joined state shown in FIG. 2 of the embodiment may be arranged so as to be inclined obliquely with respect to the weld line 3.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, three notches 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a formed on each disk are shown as an example of the disk joining portion, and the disks are joined by fitting the opposing notches together, but the disk joining portion may also be formed by fixing the bent portions of multiple bent disk members by welding, etc. Also, multiple reinforcing disks in a joined state may be molded integrally.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the sphere connecting line is the weld line 3, which is the maximum circumference along a plane passing through the center point of the float body 2, but it is also possible to use a sphere connecting line that is different from the maximum circumference. For example, it is also possible to use a sphere connecting line that is curved in a wavy shape on the spherical surface of the sphere body (such as the float body 2). [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Float 2: Float body 2a, 2b: Float pieces 3: Weld line 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23: Disks 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, 23a: Notches 70: Steam trap

Claims

1. A float means 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 along a sphere connecting line to form a sphere body; a plurality of reinforcing disks disposed inside the spherical body, each having an outer periphery in contact with the inner periphery of the spherical body, the reinforcing disks being joined to one another via disk joining portions; It is equipped with The sphere connecting line is disposed so as to intersect the outer periphery of each of the plurality of reinforcing discs. A float means for use in an automatic valve, characterized in that:

2. 2. The float means for use in the automatic valve according to claim 1, The sphere connecting line is disposed so as to intersect perpendicularly with the outer periphery of each of the plurality of reinforcing discs. A float means for use in an automatic valve, characterized in that:

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