Steam trap and foreign object removal tools

Abstract

To provide a steam trap and a foreign substances removal tool capable of reducing costs.SOLUTION: A steam trap is equipped with a casing and foreign substances removal means. The casing has a discharge port of drain. The foreign substances removal means is provided at a position where the drain discharged from the discharge port circulates, and removes foreign substances located at the discharge port or a vicinity thereof. The foreign substances removal means has a rod-shaped cleaning member with a tip end portion that can be displaced between an actuation state where it enters the discharge port or the vicinity thereof and a stand-by state where it retracts from the discharge port or the vicinity thereof. The tip end portion has a multi-stage shape gradually thinning toward the discharge port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a steam piping system of a plant (process system) such as a steam plant, steam condenses to generate drain (condensate). The generated drain is discharged to the outside using a steam trap or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] One type of steam trap is a float-type steam trap that discharges condensate that has flowed into the valve chamber by opening and closing an orifice (discharge port) in response to the rise and fall of a float.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes the configuration of a float-type steam trap equipped with a cleaning mechanism that removes foreign matter clogging the orifice. The cleaning mechanism (foreign matter removal tool) includes a cleaning member (cleaning rod) that inserts its tip into the orifice to remove foreign matter. The document also describes a configuration in which the distance between the tip (circumferential surface) of the cleaning member inserted into the orifice and the diameter (circumferential surface) of the orifice is constant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 013427 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The steam traps described above are available in multiple types depending on the application, and the orifice diameters may vary. Therefore, it is necessary to change the cleaning member to a different diameter corresponding to each of the different orifice diameters, which increases costs.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a steam trap and a foreign matter removal tool that can reduce costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The steam trap provided by the present invention comprises a casing and a foreign matter removal means. The casing has a drain outlet. The foreign matter removal means is provided at a position through which the drain discharged from the outlet flows and removes foreign matter located at or near the outlet. The foreign matter removal means also has a rod-shaped cleaning member that can be moved between an operating state in which its tip is inserted into or near the outlet and a standby state in which it is removed from or near the outlet. The tip has a multi-step shape that tapers in stages toward the outlet.

[0009] The tip portion may be cylindrical and have a multi-step shape with a plurality of steps whose diameter gradually decreases toward the outlet.

[0010] The outlet may be circular, and the diameter of any one of the plurality of steps may be formed to be substantially the same as the diameter of the outlet.

[0011] The foreign matter removal tool provided by the present invention is attached to a steam trap equipped with a casing having a condensate discharge port, and removes foreign matter located at or near the discharge port at a location through which condensate discharged from the discharge port flows. The tool includes a cleaning member. The cleaning member is rod-shaped and can be moved between an operating state in which a tip portion thereof is inserted into or near the discharge port, and a standby state in which the tip portion thereof is retracted from or near the discharge port. The tip portion has a multi-step shape that tapers in stages toward the discharge port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this invention, the tip of the cleaning member has a multi-stage shape that tapers in stages toward the discharge port, so one cleaning member can be used to remove foreign matter from orifices of various diameters, thereby reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the steam trap according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a steam trap according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A steam trap according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0015] 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of a steam trap (trap) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Trap 1 is a float-type steam trap. Trap 1 is disposed in a steam piping system included in, for example, a steam plant, and discharges drainage and other waste generated within the piping to the outside.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a state in which the capping member 40 is attached, and Fig. 2 shows a state in which the foreign matter removal tool (foreign matter removal means) 50 is attached.

[0017] 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 removal tool 50, and the like.

[0018] The casing 10 is formed by joining a main body 11 and a lid 12 with bolts, etc. The casing 10 has an inlet passage 13, a valve chamber 14, a second outlet passage 15, etc.

[0019] The inflow passage 13 receives fluids such as steam and drainage that flow 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.

[0020] The valve chamber 14 is formed as a space located inside the casing 10. The second discharge passage 15 allows drainage and the like that has flowed into the valve chamber 14 to flow out. The second discharge passage 15 is formed to communicate with the valve chamber 14 via the orifice 31 and the first discharge passage 32.

[0021] The float 20 is a hollow spherical object that is freely placed (disposed so as to be able to move up and down) in the valve chamber 14. The float 20 moves up and down in the valve chamber 14 depending on the amount of drain stored in the valve chamber 14.

[0022] The valve seat member 30 is attached to a valve seat member attachment space in the lid 12 located below the valve chamber 14. That is, the valve seat member 30 is disposed below the valve chamber 14. The valve seat member 30 has an orifice 31 and a first discharge passage 32. The orifice 31 communicates with the valve chamber 14 and the first discharge passage 32. The first discharge passage 32 is connected to the second discharge passage 15.

[0023] The orifice (discharge port) 31 is opened and closed by the movement of the float 20. For example, when the amount of drain stored in the valve chamber 14 is equal to or less than 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 the float 20 comes into contact with when it closes the orifice 31. Two float seats 18 are provided, one on the near side and one on the far side in FIG. 1 (FIG. 2).

[0024] Furthermore, for example, when the amount of drainage stored in the valve chamber 14 is greater than a predetermined amount, the float 20 leaves the valve seat member 30, and the orifice 31 is opened. With the orifice 31 open, the drainage and the like that have flowed into the valve chamber 14 passes through the orifice 31, the first discharge passage 32, and the second discharge passage 15, and then flows out of the casing 10.

[0025] The plug 40 is detachably attached to the plug mounting space 19 of the lid 12. When the plug 40 is attached, it plugs the plug mounting space 19. When the plug 40 is not attached, the plug mounting space 19 communicates between the second discharge passage 15 and the outside.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, instead of the plugging member 40, a foreign matter removal tool 50 is detachably attached.

[0027] The foreign matter removal tool 50 removes (cleans) foreign matter such as dust and scale adhering to the orifice 31 or near the orifice 31. As shown in FIG. 2 , the foreign matter removal tool 50 is attached to the casing 10 (lid 12) in a state where it is inserted from the plugging member mounting space 19 so that the tip 55 of the cleaning bar 54 faces the orifice 31.

[0028] The foreign matter removal tool 50 has a cylindrical holding portion 51, a pressing portion 52, a seal 53, a cleaning bar 54, etc. The cylindrical holding portion 51 is cylindrical in shape and is fixed in a state where it is screwed into the plugging member mounting 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 applying pressure to the seal 53. The pressing portion 52 and the seal 53 prevent drain leakage.

[0029] 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 its tip 55 faces the orifice 31, while passing through a through-hole formed in the center of the cylindrical holding portion 51, the pressing portion 52, and the seal 53. The cleaning bar 54 can be displaced between an operating state in which the tip 55 enters the orifice 31 and a standby state in which the tip 55 retracts from the orifice 31. In FIG. 2, the tip 55 is in the standby state.

[0030] A threaded portion 56 is formed in the middle portion of the cleaning bar 54. The threaded portion 56 is threadedly engaged with a thread groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical holding portion 51. A retraction stopper 57 is fixed between the threaded portion 56 and the tip end 55 of the cleaning bar 54.

[0031] Furthermore, an operation groove 581 is formed in the rear end 58 of the cleaning bar 54. The rear end 58 protrudes from the pressing portion 52. That is, the rear end 58 and the operation groove 581 are exposed to the outside. When an operator or the like connects a tool such as a screwdriver to the operation groove 581 and rotates it, the tip end 55 is shifted between the operating state and the standby state.

[0032] Specifically, when an operator or the like connects a tool such as a screwdriver to the operation groove 581 and rotates it in the forward direction, the cleaning bar 54 advances in a direction toward the orifice 31 as the threaded portion 56 and the cylindrical holding portion 51 thread together. On the other hand, when the operator or the like rotates it in the reverse direction, the cleaning bar 54 advances in a direction away from the orifice 31 as the threaded portion 56 and the cylindrical holding portion 51 thread together. The retraction stopper 57 restricts the movement of the cleaning bar 54 in the direction away from the orifice 31.

[0033] Next, the tip 55 of the cleaning bar 54 will be described with reference to Figures 3(A) and 3(B). In Figure 3(A), the tip 55 is in an operating position. In Figure 3(B), the tip 55 is in a standby position, similar to Figure 2.

[0034] The tip portion 55 has a multi-step shape that tapers in a stepwise manner toward the orifice 31. In this embodiment, the tip portion 55 has a cylindrical shape, and is formed with four step portions 551 to 554 whose diameters become smaller in a stepwise manner toward the orifice 31.

[0035] In this embodiment, the diameter of the step portion 551 is approximately the same as the diameter of the orifice 31. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3(A), in the actuated state, the step portion 551 is in a state of having advanced into the orifice 31. In addition, the step portion 552, which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the orifice 31, functions as a stopper that restricts the movement of the step portion 551 in a direction approaching the orifice 31.

[0036] That is, the step portion 551 is adapted to remove foreign matter from the orifice 31 or in the vicinity of the orifice 31 .

[0037] Further, each of the other steps 552 to 554 corresponds to the removal of foreign matter from other orifices having diameters larger than orifice 31. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, a case will be described in which foreign matter removal tool 50 is attached to a steam trap to which valve seat member 330 having orifice 331 is applied. In Fig. 4, tip portion 55 is in an activated position.

[0038] The diameter of the orifice 331 is larger than that of the orifice 31 and is approximately the same as the diameter of the step 552. Therefore, in the operating state, the step 552 is inserted into the orifice 331. In this case, the step 551 penetrates from the orifice 331 toward the valve chamber, and the step 553 functions as a stopper.

[0039] Therefore, one foreign matter removal tool 50 can be commonly used to remove foreign matter from orifices of multiple diameters. For example, the foreign matter removal tool 50 having the steps 551 to 554 of this embodiment can be used to remove foreign matter from orifices of at least four diameters.

[0040] Next, the operation of the above-mentioned trap 1 will be described.

[0041] 1, during operation (when the steam plant is in operation), drainage and the like flows from upstream piping (not shown) through the inlet passage 13 into the valve chest 14. Then, the drainage and the like in the valve chest 14 passes through the orifice 31, the first discharge passage 32, and the second discharge passage 15 in this order, and flows out into downstream piping (not shown).

[0042] During operation, either the capping member 40 or the foreign matter removal tool 50 may be attached.

[0043] Next, the operation of the foreign matter removal tool 5 (foreign matter removal operation) will be described.

[0044] The foreign matter removal tool 5 is basically maintained in a standby state as shown in Fig. 2 (Fig. 3(B)). If it is determined that the orifice 31 is clogged, for example, an operator connects the tool to the operating groove 581 and rotates it forward, thereby moving the cleaning bar 54 in a direction approaching the orifice 31.

[0045] For example, the forward rotation may be continued until the step portion 552 abuts against the inner wall surface of the valve seat member 30 and the cleaning bar 54 reaches the operating state where it cannot advance any further.

[0046] As the cleaning bar 54 moves, the tip 55 also rotates and advances into the orifice 31. In the actuated state, as shown in FIG. 3(A), a part of the step 551 protrudes from the orifice 31 toward the valve chamber 14. As the step 551 advances, foreign matter adhering to the orifice 31 or near the orifice 31 is peeled off. Note that in the actuated state, a part of the tip 55 (step 551) does not have to protrude from the orifice 31.

[0047] Thereafter, the operator uses a tool to rotate the cleaning bar 54 in the reverse direction and return the cleaning bar 54 to its original position so that it is again in the standby state. For example, the operator may return the cleaning bar 54 to the position where the retraction stopper 57 abuts against the cylindrical holding portion 51.

[0048] The above-described foreign matter removal operation may be repeated as necessary depending on the state of adhesion of the foreign matter.

[0049] Next, how to use the foreign matter removal tool 50 will be described.

[0050] For example, when foreign matter removal is completed in trap 1 and the steam supply is stopped, the worker or the like can remove foreign matter removal tool 50 from trap 1. Thereafter, the worker or the like attaches foreign matter removal tool 50 to another trap that has an orifice with a diameter corresponding to one of steps 551-554 from among the other traps for which foreign matter removal is to be performed. Then, the worker or the like can perform the foreign matter removal operation as described above.

[0051] As described above, the tip of the cleaning member (cleaning bar) has a multi-stage shape that tapers in stages toward the orifice 31, so one cleaning member can be used to remove foreign matter from orifices of multiple diameters, thereby reducing costs.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the plugging member and the foreign matter removal tool are configured to be replaceable, but this is not a limitation. The foreign matter removal tool may be permanently attached to the steam trap. Furthermore, the foreign matter removal tool does not have to be detachably attached to the steam trap.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the foreign matter removal tool is configured to be commonly attached to other traps, but this is not particularly limited. It is sufficient that at least the cleaning member (cleaning bar) can be commonly used for orifices of multiple diameters.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the foreign matter removal tool is manually operated to perform the foreign matter removal operation, but the foreign matter removal tool may be operated using a driving force other than manual operation. For example, the present invention may be applied to a foreign matter removal tool using a bimetal that is displaced by temperature changes as a driving means.

[0055] In the above embodiment, four step portions 551 to 554 are formed, but the number of steps is not particularly limited to this, as long as a plurality of step portions are formed.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the tip of the cleaning member (cleaning bar) is configured to enter the discharge port (orifice) in the activated state, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the activated state may be a state in which the tip enters the vicinity of the discharge port. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The present invention is useful for reducing costs in steam traps that discharge drain generated in steam piping systems such as steam plants to the outside, and in foreign matter removal tools that are attached to steam traps. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Steam trap 10 Casing 30 Valve seat member 31 Orifice (discharge port) 50 Foreign matter removal means 54 Cleaning bar (cleaning material) 55 Tip 551~554 Stepped section

Claims

1. a casing having a drain outlet; a foreign matter removal means provided at a position where the drain discharged from the discharge port flows, for removing foreign matter located at or near the discharge port; Equipped with the foreign matter removal means has a rod-shaped cleaning member that can be displaced between an operating state in which a tip portion thereof is inserted into the discharge port or its vicinity and a standby state in which a tip portion thereof is retracted from the discharge port or its vicinity, the tip portion is cylindrical and has a multi-stage shape that tapers in stages toward the discharge port, the multi-stage shape having a plurality of steps whose diameters decrease in stages toward the discharge port.

2. The outlet is circular; 2. The steam trap according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of any one of the plurality of steps is formed to be substantially the same as the diameter of the discharge port.

3. A foreign matter removal tool that is attached to a steam trap having a casing with a drain outlet, and that removes foreign matter located at or near the drain outlet at a position through which drain discharged from the drain outlet flows, a rod-shaped cleaning member that can be displaced between an operating state in which a tip portion thereof is inserted into the discharge port or its vicinity and a standby state in which a tip portion thereof is retracted from the discharge port or its vicinity; Equipped with a tip portion having a cylindrical shape and a multi-step shape that gradually narrows toward the discharge port, the multi-step shape having a plurality of steps whose diameter gradually decreases toward the discharge port.

Images