Valve device with cleaning mechanism

Abstract

To provide a valve device having a cleaning mechanism which can promote effective use of components and can enhance the workability of a cleaning operation.SOLUTION: On an upper body 91 of a steam trap 90, a sensor attachment portion 44 for a monitoring sensor is formed and a plug 4 that covers a detected surface 47 is attached in an initial state. A cleaning portion 10 for cleaning clogging of a valve port 50a is provided at the steam trap 90; when performing a cleaning operation, an operator advances a cleaning bar 2 in an arrow 111 direction by rotating it and makes a bar tip 25 enter the valve port 50a. During the cleaning operation, the plug 4 is used as a tool for a rotation operation. Specifically, an operation hexagonal head 2b of the cleaning bar 2 is fit into a hexagonal hole 41 is formed inside a circular column part 4b of the plug 4 and operated to be rotated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The valve device having a cleaning mechanism according to the present application relates to the technology of the configuration of a valve device having a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a discharge port for discharging fluids such as drain.

Background Art

[0002] In industrial plants, a piping system for transferring steam generated by a boiler to a supply destination such as a heat exchanger may be installed. Since this steam condenses by heat dissipation and a part of it changes to drain (condensed water), drain flows in the piping together with the steam. When such drain stays excessively in the piping, it becomes an obstacle to the transfer of steam. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately discharge the drain from the piping system to the outside.

[0003] For this purpose, valve devices such as steam traps are provided at various locations in the piping system. A branch pipe for trap installation communicates with and extends from the main pipe of the piping system for transferring steam, and a steam trap is provided on this branch pipe.

[0004] These traps have various structures, but the float type steam trap has a hollow float built in the valve chamber. Normally, this float closes the drain discharge port formed near the bottom of the valve chamber. However, when drain flows into the valve chamber, this float floats as the drain accumulates, opening the drain discharge port and automatically opening the valve. By this valve opening, the drain staying in the valve chamber is automatically discharged from the drain discharge port toward the drain recovery pipe under the high pressure in the piping. After the drain is discharged, the float descends and resets, closing the drain discharge port again and closing the valve.

[0005] Incidentally, foreign matter such as rust and scale (limescale) can enter the valve chamber of a steam trap along with the incoming drain. If such foreign matter adheres to and accumulates at the drain outlet, it can block the outlet, causing a malfunction where the valve cannot properly discharge the drain even if the float rises. In particular, the drain outlet is formed in an orifice shape with a small diameter to improve the efficiency of drain discharge, making it prone to clogging by foreign matter.

[0006] Furthermore, wear or deformation of the float can cause a valve failure, preventing the float from reliably closing the drain outlet. If a valve failure occurs, steam will leak from the drain outlet, resulting in losses due to steam loss.

[0007] To address malfunctions such as valve opening failures and valve closing failures, a technique is known in which a monitoring sensor is attached to the main body of the steam trap. This monitoring sensor constantly detects the temperature and vibration of the steam trap, and detects temperature drops in the main body due to condensate accumulating due to valve opening failures, and vibrations caused by steam leaks resulting from valve closing failures.

[0008] For example, if a monitoring sensor detects a valve malfunction, maintenance work is performed to clear the blockage in the drain outlet. This maintenance work is carried out using a steam trap equipped with a cleaning mechanism. This steam trap has a built-in cleaning bar that can move forward and backward toward the drain outlet, and an operator can operate the cleaning bar from the outside to move the tip of the bar into the drain outlet and clear the blockage.

[0009] As examples of steam trap technologies as described above, there are technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below. First, in the fluid device 10 disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a sensor mounting portion 40 is formed in the casing 11, and this sensor mounting portion 40 has a screw hole 41. The sensor device 1 is attached to the casing 11 by screwing the male screw portion 2a of the sensor device 1, which serves as a monitoring sensor, into the screw hole 41 of the sensor mounting portion 40. The tip 2b of the sensor body 2 of the sensor device 1 contacts the bottom surface 42 of the screw hole 41, which is the surface to be detected, thereby allowing the sensor device 1 to detect vibrations and temperature of the casing 11.

[0010] When the sensor device 1 is not attached to the casing 11, a plug 45 is attached to the sensor mounting portion 40. The plug 45 is removably screwed into the screw hole 41 and is positioned to cover the bottom surface 42 of the screw hole 41 of the sensor mounting portion 40. This prevents dust and debris from accumulating on the bottom surface 42, which is the surface to be detected, and prevents a decrease in the detection accuracy of the sensor body 2.

[0011] Next, in the float valve device disclosed in Patent Document 2 described below, a roughly round rod-shaped foreign matter removal member 8 is provided on the wall surface of the valve case 5. This foreign matter removal member 8 moves forward and backward in accordance with a rotation operation from outside the valve case 5. The rotation operation of the foreign matter removal member 8 is performed using a tool. The through portion 8a located at the tip of the foreign matter removal member 8 is positioned toward the valve opening 6a for discharging condensate (drain), and by rotating the foreign matter removal member 8 and passing the through portion 8a at the tip of the foreign matter removal member 8 through the valve opening 6a, the foreign matter S adhering to the valve opening 6a is scraped off. This makes it possible to clear the blockage of the valve opening 6a. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 073676 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2008 / 107967 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] The fluid device 10 disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 has a configuration that allows a sensor device 1 to be attached to the casing 11 of the fluid device 10 as a monitoring sensor. However, depending on the installation and usage conditions of the fluid device 10, the sensor device 1 is often not attached. In this case, the plug 45 remains attached to the sensor mounting portion 40 of the casing 11, and the plug 45 is not used as a component.

[0014] Furthermore, in the float-type valve device disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 2, when performing a cleaning operation to scrape off foreign matter S adhering to the valve port 6a, it is necessary to rotate the foreign matter removal member 8 using a tool. For this reason, it is necessary to have tools ready when performing the cleaning operation, which can make the work complicated.

[0015] Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a valve device having a cleaning mechanism that can effectively utilize parts and improve the workability of the cleaning operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] The valve device having a cleaning mechanism according to the present application is: A main body having an internal valve chamber space into which fluid flows, and an external surface having mounting points for additional equipment to be attached, the main body having a discharge hole formed therein that connects the valve chamber space to the outside, Valve means for closing or opening the aforementioned discharge hole, A cleaning means positioned on the main body toward the discharge hole, which receives cleaning operations from the outside and enters or retracts from the discharge hole. Cover means that covers the attachment part and is detachably connected to the main body, and has a connecting part that can be connected to the cleaning means so that the cleaning operation can be performed. It is characterized by comprising the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] In the valve device having the cleaning mechanism according to the present application, the cover means covers the attachment part formed on the main body and is detachably connected to the main body. And this cover means has a connecting part that can be connected to the cleaning means so that the cleaning operation can be performed.

[0018] For this reason, effective use of the cover means as a part can be achieved, and since the cleaning operation can be performed using the cover means, the workability of the cleaning operation can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view of the steam trap 90 showing the first embodiment of the valve device having the cleaning mechanism according to the present application, and is a cross-sectional view showing the initial state. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the cleaning part 10 shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the plug 4 shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a view of the plug 4 shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the hexagonal hole 41 side. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the steam trap 90 shown in FIG. 1, and is a cross-sectional view during the cleaning operation. [Figure 6] It is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state where the monitoring sensor 3 is attached to the steam trap 90 shown in FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The main terms shown in the embodiments correspond to the following elements of the valve device having a cleaning mechanism according to the present application.

[0021] Steam, drain 7... fluid Monitoring Sensor 3... Additional equipment, detector Plug 4... Covering method Cleaning section 10... Cleaning method Float 30... Valve mechanism Hexagonal hole 41...Connection part Sensor mounting section 44... Mounting location Valve opening 50a... Discharge hole Upper body 91 and lower body 92... Body Outer surface 91c...External surface Valve chamber 95... Valve chamber space

[0022] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of a valve device having a cleaning mechanism according to the present invention will be described using a steam trap as an example.

[0023] (Explanation of steam traps) Industrial plants sometimes have piping systems that transport steam generated in boilers to their destinations at high temperature and pressure. If the steam liquefies within these pipes, condensate (condensed water from the steam) accumulates, hindering the steam's transport.

[0024] To avoid such situations, numerous steam traps are provided at various points in the piping. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap 90 in this embodiment. The steam trap 90 is composed of an upper body 91 and a lower body 92. The upper body 91 and the lower body 92 are fixed together by bolts 94, forming an airtight valve chamber 95 inside. Above the upper body 91, connection ports 91a and 91b are formed coaxially in the lateral direction.

[0025] A branch pipe 81 is connected to the main pipe (not shown) of the piping, and a connection port 91a formed in the upper body 91 is connected to this branch pipe 81. Steam and condensate then flow into the valve chamber 95 from the connection port 91a in the direction of arrow 101. A mesh strainer 80 is provided at the top of the valve chamber 95, and steam and condensate flow into the valve chamber 95 by passing through this strainer 80. By passing through the strainer 80, foreign matter mixed in the steam and condensate is captured by the strainer 80.

[0026] A valve seat 50 is fixedly mounted below the valve chamber 95, and a valve opening 50a is formed in this valve seat 50. This valve opening 50a is connected to an intermediate chamber 53 formed behind the valve seat 50, and the intermediate chamber 53 is connected to a discharge passage 52 that is continuously formed in the upper body 91 and the lower body 92.

[0027] A drain recovery pipe 82 is connected to a connection port 91b formed above the upper body 91, and a discharge passage 52 is connected to this drain recovery pipe 82. This allows the drain 7 accumulated in the valve chamber 95 to be discharged from the valve port 50a toward the drain recovery pipe 82 in the direction of arrow 102.

[0028] The valve opening 50a formed in the valve seat 50 is normally closed by a float 30 located in the valve chamber 95, preventing steam leakage. The float 30 is constructed as a hollow spherical body and is positioned to float within the valve chamber 95. The spherical surface of the float 30 contacts the periphery of the valve opening 50a, thereby closing the valve opening 50a. When the water level of the drain 7 accumulated in the valve chamber 50 is at the reference level L1, the float 30 is in the position shown in Figure 1 (downward position), closing the valve opening 50a.

[0029] When drain water flows into the valve chamber 95 and the water level of the drain 7 rises to the opening level L2, the float 30 rises in the direction of arrow 103 (rising state) and opens the valve opening 50a. The rising of the float 30 is restricted by the aforementioned strainer 80 located at the top of the valve chamber 95.

[0030] When the valve port 50a is opened, the drain 7 accumulated in the valve chamber 95 is forced out of the valve port 50a through the intermediate chamber 53 and the discharge passage 52 in the direction of arrow 102, due to the force based on the high pressure in the piping, and discharged into the drain recovery pipe 82. After discharge, the water level of the drain 7 in the valve chamber 95 drops, and the float 30 also descends accordingly. When the water level of the drain 7 returns to the reference level L1, the float 30 returns to the state shown in Figure 1 and closes the valve port 50a.

[0031] As described above, in the steam trap 90, the float 30 repeatedly rises and falls according to the amount of drain 7 accumulated in the valve chamber 95, opening and closing the valve port 50a to discharge the drain 7 to the drain recovery pipe 82 as appropriate. Since the valve port 50a is always submerged in the drain 7, steam being transported through the piping system does not leak out of the steam trap 90.

[0032] A bimetallic strip 85, bent in a curved shape, is provided at the bottom of the valve chamber 95. The bimetallic strip 85 is a temperature-sensing member made by bonding together two thin alloy plates with different coefficients of thermal expansion. When the ambient temperature is high, the end portion 85a descends and settles into the state shown in Figure 1. However, when the ambient temperature drops, it reacts by changing shape, and the end portion 85a moves diagonally to the left, pushing up the float 30, thereby forcibly opening the valve opening 50a regardless of the water level of the drain 7 (see Figure 6).

[0033] This bimetallic strip 85 is provided to properly discharge low-temperature air and drain 7 from the valve port 50a. For example, in the initial stages of equipment operation, the valve chamber 95 is filled with low-temperature air, so the bimetallic strip 85 pushes up the float 30 and forcibly opens the valve port 50a. Therefore, when steam transfer begins, this initial air is properly discharged from the valve port 50a, and air binding (air obstruction) is avoided. Similarly, the low-temperature drain 7 flowing into the valve chamber 95 is also properly discharged from the valve port 50a.

[0034] Then, when high-temperature steam flows into the valve chamber 95, the bimetal 85 deforms in response to the high temperature, and its end portion 85a descends to the state shown in Figure 1. As a result, the float 30 is no longer affected by the bimetal 85 and continues to rise and fall in accordance with the water level of the accumulated drain 7, as described above.

[0035] (Instructions for installing monitoring sensor 3) In the valve chamber 95 of the steam trap 90, foreign matter such as rust and scale may enter along with the incoming drain. As mentioned above, foreign matter mixed in with steam and drain is captured by the strainer 80, but fine foreign matter can pass through the strainer 80 and enter the valve chamber 95. If such foreign matter adheres to and accumulates at the valve opening 50a, this foreign matter can block the valve opening 50a, causing a blockage, and even if the float 30 rises, it will not be able to properly discharge the drain 7 towards the drain recovery pipe 82, resulting in a valve opening malfunction.

[0036] Furthermore, wear or deformation of the float 30 can cause a valve closing failure, where the spherical surface of the float 30 cannot reliably close the valve opening 50a. If a valve closing failure occurs, steam will leak from the valve opening 50a, resulting in losses due to steam loss.

[0037] The occurrence of malfunctions such as valve opening failures or valve closing failures is affected by the location and usage conditions of the steam trap. For this reason, for example, when installing many steam traps at various points in a piping system, monitoring sensors may be added to the upper body 91 of the steam trap 90 in locations where it is necessary to monitor for malfunctions, as shown in Figure 6. In addition, monitoring sensors may be added retrospectively after the steam trap has been installed, depending on the progress of its use.

[0038] The additionally installed monitoring sensor 3 constantly detects the temperature and vibration of the outer surface 91c (Figure 1) of the upper body 91 and transmits a detection signal wirelessly to the central control unit (not shown). In other words, the valve chamber 95 is normally hot due to steam heat, but if the valve opening malfunction occurs due to a blockage of the valve opening 50a, the drain 7 remains in the valve chamber 95 and the temperature of the outer surface 91c of the upper body 91 decreases. The central control unit recognizes the valve opening malfunction when the monitoring sensor 3 detects this temperature drop.

[0039] Furthermore, if a valve closing malfunction occurs due to wear or deformation of the float 30, steam will flow in and fill the valve chamber 95 after the drain 7 has been completely discharged, and steam will leak out from the valve port 50a. As a result, a steam leakage sound will be generated, and the central control unit will recognize the valve closing malfunction when the monitoring sensor 3 detects the vibration of the outer surface 91c due to the leakage sound.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the outer surface 91c of the upper body 91 of the steam trap 90 is provided with a sensor mounting portion 44 for attaching the monitoring sensor 3. The sensor mounting portion 44 is integrally formed with the upper body 91 so as to protrude from the outer surface 91c of the steam trap 90.

[0041] Furthermore, a cylindrical mounting space 45 with an open top is formed within the sensor mounting portion 44. This mounting space 45 is a recess formed in the sensor mounting portion 44 and the outer surface 91c, and is an independent space that does not communicate with the valve chamber 95. A mounting female screw portion 46 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting space 45, and the bottom portion of the mounting space 45 is configured as the detection surface 47.

[0042] In the initial state of the steam trap 90, as shown in Figure 1, a plug 4 is attached to the sensor mounting portion 44, covering the surface to be detected 47. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the plug 4 has a substantially disc-shaped plug head 4a, and regular irregularities are formed on the side circumference of the plug head 4a (see Figure 4). The plug 4 also has a cylindrical portion 4b with a smaller diameter than the plug head 4a, and a hexagonal hole 41 is formed inside the cylindrical portion 4b, opening toward the rear end face opposite the plug head 4a (see Figure 3).

[0043] Furthermore, a male threaded plug portion 42 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 4b. This male threaded plug portion 42 has a shape and size that allows it to be screwed into the aforementioned female threaded mounting portion 46, and the plug 4 is attached to the sensor mounting portion 44 by screwing the male threaded plug portion 42 and the female threaded mounting portion 46 together.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the monitoring sensor 3 has a detection head portion 3a at its tip, and a sensor male screw portion 3b is formed on the outer circumferential surface of this detection head portion 3a. This sensor male screw portion 3b has a shape and size that allows it to be screwed into the aforementioned mounting female screw portion 46. Note that in the figure, the monitoring sensor 3 above the screw portion is shown as a side view rather than a cross-sectional view.

[0045] To attach the monitoring sensor 3 to the steam trap 90, first loosen the plug 4 that is screwed into and connected to the sensor mounting part 44 by rotating it, and remove it from the sensor mounting part 44. Then, screw the male sensor thread 3b of the monitoring sensor 3 into the female mounting thread 46 of the sensor mounting part 44 to attach it.

[0046] When the male screw portion 3b of the sensor and the female screw portion 46 of the mounting are screwed together to their limit, the tip surface of the detection head portion 3a of the monitoring sensor 3 comes into contact with the detection surface 47 on the upper body 91. This allows the monitoring sensor 3 to continuously detect the temperature and vibration of the upper body 91.

[0047] In the initial state, the plug 4 is attached to the sensor mounting part 44, so that the surface to be detected 47 is covered by the plug 4. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a state in which foreign matter such as dirt and dust does not adhere to the surface to be detected 47, and high detection accuracy can be ensured after the monitoring sensor 3 is installed. However, there are many cases in which the steam trap 90 is used with the monitoring sensor 3 not installed and the plug 4 still attached to the sensor mounting part 44.

[0048] (Explanation of the configuration of the cleaning unit 10) In this embodiment, a cleaning unit 10 is provided to deal with the situation when the valve opening 50a of the steam trap 90 becomes blocked by foreign matter and clogs. The configuration of this cleaning unit 10 will be described below with reference to Figure 2.

[0049] A cylindrical retaining part 55 is screwed into and fixed to the valve seat 50 located at the bottom of the lower body 92, such that its centerline aligns with the reference line L5. The reference line L5 is a virtual line that coincides with the centerline of the valve opening 50a. The space between the rear end surface of the valve seat 50 and the front end surface of the cylindrical retaining part 55 is the intermediate chamber 53. Furthermore, a pressing part 56 is screwed into the cylindrical retaining part 55. The pressing part 56 pressurizes a seal 57 provided on the front end side of the pressing part 56, thereby preventing drain leakage from the intermediate chamber 53.

[0050] A roughly cylindrical cleaning bar 2 is positioned through the through-hole formed in the center of the cylindrical holding portion 55, the pressing portion 56, and the seal 57. The axis of the cleaning bar 2 coincides with the reference line L5. A male threaded portion 2G is formed in the approximate middle of the cleaning bar 2, and this male threaded portion 2G is screwed into a female thread formed on the inner surface of the central hole of the cylindrical holding portion 55.

[0051] The tip 25 of the cleaning bar 2 is slender and positioned toward the valve opening 50a. The diameter of this tip 25 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the valve opening 50a. A forward stopper 21 is formed continuously with the tip 25. This forward stopper 21 is configured as an inclined surface. A slanted wall 50b is formed on the inside of the valve opening 50a of the valve seat 50, corresponding to the forward stopper 21. Furthermore, a retraction stopper 22, which has a larger diameter than the diameter of the cleaning bar 2, is integrally fixed to the middle portion of the cleaning bar 2.

[0052] The rear end portion of the cleaning bar 2 protrudes from the pressing portion 56. Near this rear end, an operating hexagonal head 2b is formed, and an operating groove 2a is formed on the rear end surface located further to the rear of the operating hexagonal head 2b. The diameter of the rear end portion where the operating groove 2a is formed is slightly smaller than the diameter of the operating hexagonal head 2b. The operating hexagonal head 2b has a shape and size that allows it to be fitted into the hexagonal hole 41 of the plug 4 mentioned above.

[0053] When the cleaning bar 2 is operated and rotated in the forward direction, the cleaning bar 2 moves forward in the direction of arrow 111 as the male threaded portion 2G of the bar engages with the cylindrical holding portion 55. In this case, when the forward stopper 21 of the cleaning bar 2 contacts the inclined wall 50b formed on the inside of the valve seat 50, the movement of the cleaning bar 2 in the direction of arrow 111 reaches its limit and it can no longer move forward.

[0054] Furthermore, if the cleaning bar 2 is rotated in the reverse direction, the cleaning bar 2 will retract in the direction of arrow 112. In this case, when the retraction stopper 22 of the cleaning bar 2 comes into contact with the tip surface 55a of the cylindrical holding part 55, the movement of the cleaning bar 2 in the direction of arrow 112 reaches its limit and it can no longer retract any further.

[0055] (Explanation of cleaning operation) Next, the cleaning operation when a blockage occurs in the valve port 50a of the steam trap 90 will be explained based on Figure 5. If it is determined that a blockage has occurred in the valve port 50a, the operator will rotate the cleaning bar 2 from the state shown in Figure 2 (initial state) to clean the valve port 50a.

[0056] When rotating the cleaning bar 2, the plug 4 is repurposed as a tool for rotation. That is, when performing a cleaning operation on the valve opening 50a, the operator first loosens the plug 4 attached to the sensor mounting part 44 by rotating it in the reverse direction and removes it from the sensor mounting part 44.

[0057] Then, the rear end of the cleaning bar 2 is inserted into the hexagonal hole 41 formed inside the cylindrical portion 4b of the plug 4, and the operating hexagonal head 2b is fitted into the hexagonal hole 41 to connect them (Figure 5). That is, the hexagonal hole 41 and the operating hexagonal head 2b are fitted together. In this state, the plug 4 is rotated forward, and the cleaning bar 2 is advanced in the direction of arrow 111. The operator continues rotating the plug 4 forward until the forward stopper 21 of the cleaning bar 2 contacts the inclined wall 50b formed inside the valve seat 50, and the cleaning bar 2 reaches a limit position where it can no longer advance.

[0058] As the cleaning bar 2 rotates and moves forward, the bar tip 25 also rotates as it enters the valve opening 50a. When the forward stopper 21 of the cleaning bar 2 contacts the inclined wall 50b and reaches its limit position, the bar tip 25 protrudes from the valve opening 50a toward the valve chamber 95. This protrusion of the bar tip 25 scrapes off any foreign matter adhering to the valve opening 50a and pushes it into the valve chamber 95.

[0059] Here, as mentioned above, the diameter of the bar tip 25 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the valve opening 50a. For this reason, even when the bar tip 25 is inserted into the valve opening 50a (Figure 3), a gap is created between the bar tip 25 and the inner diameter of the valve opening 50a. Due to the force of the high pressure in the valve chamber 95, foreign matter along with the drain 7 flows rapidly through this gap to the intermediate chamber 53 side and is discharged in the direction of arrow 102 through the discharge passage 52, gradually resolving the blockage of the valve opening 50a.

[0060] Next, the operator reverses the plug 4 to retract the cleaning bar 2 in the direction of arrow 112. When the tip 25 of the bar is withdrawn from the valve opening 50a, the valve opening 50a is completely opened, causing the drain 7 and foreign matter to flow more forcefully into the intermediate chamber 53 and be discharged. The operator continues to reverse the plug 4 to retract the cleaning bar 2 in the direction of arrow 112, and the cleaning operation ends when the retraction stopper 22 of the cleaning bar 2 contacts the tip surface 55a of the cylindrical holding part 55 and returns to the initial state (Figure 1).

[0061] After the cleaning operation is complete, the operator removes the plug 4 from the hexagonal operating head 2b of the cleaning bar 2 and attaches it to the sensor mounting section 44 of the upper body 91 to return it to its initial state. As mentioned above, the side circumference of the plug head 4a of the plug 4 has regular irregularities (see Figure 4), so the operator can easily and reliably rotate the plug 4 (forward and reverse rotation).

[0062] If a monitoring sensor 3 is attached to the steam trap 90 and the plug 4 is removed from the sensor mounting part 44, the operator may not be able to obtain the plug 4 during the cleaning operation. In such cases, the operator inserts a tool such as a screwdriver into the operating groove 2a formed at the rear end of the cleaning bar 2 and rotates the cleaning bar 2 to perform the cleaning operation.

[0063] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the valve device having the cleaning mechanism according to the present invention was applied to a steam trap 90, but it can also be applied to other fluid traps (e.g., air traps) or other valve devices. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a float-type steam trap 90 was given as an example and a float 30 was exemplified as the valve means, but it may also be applied to steam traps other than the float type, such as disc-type steam traps and bimetallic steam traps.

[0064] Furthermore, although the above embodiment exemplified the monitoring sensor 3 as an additional device, it is not limited to this, and other devices may be attached to the main body (upper body 91 and lower body 92, etc.).

[0065] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example in which a sensor mounting portion 44 is formed on the outer surface 91c, which is the upper surface of the upper body 91, a mounting portion may be formed on a part other than the upper surface (for example, the side or bottom surface) as long as it is possible to attach additional equipment (monitoring sensor 3, etc.). Also, although the above embodiment shows a valve opening 50a as an example of a discharge hole, other configurations can be adopted as long as they connect the valve chamber space (valve chamber 95, etc.) to the outside.

[0066] Furthermore, although the above embodiment exemplified a cleaning unit 10 equipped with a cleaning bar 2 as a cleaning means, other configurations may be used as long as they receive an external cleaning operation and enter or retract into the discharge hole (valve opening 50a, etc.) or retract from the discharge hole. Also, although an example was shown in which the cleaning operation involves rotating the cleaning bar 2 to move it forward or backward, other configurations can also be adopted. For example, a configuration in which a linear force is applied to the cleaning bar 2, etc., as a cleaning operation to move the cleaning bar 2, etc., forward is also possible.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a plug 4 with a hexagonal hole 41 was exemplified as a cover means having a connecting portion, but other shapes and structures may be used as long as they cover the mounting portion (sensor mounting portion 44, etc.), are detachably connected to the main body (upper body 91 and lower body 92, etc.), and have a connecting portion (hexagonal hole 41, etc.) that can be connected to the cleaning means (cleaning portion 10, etc.) so that cleaning operations can be performed.

[0068] For example, a projection shaped to fit into the operating groove 2a of the cleaning bar 2 as shown in the above embodiment can be configured as the connecting part of the cover means (plug 4, etc.). Alternatively, a recess may be formed in the cleaning bar 2, etc., and a protrusion that can fit into this recess may be used as the connecting part of the cover means (plug 4, etc.).

[0069] Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be arbitrarily combined to create new embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 3: Monitoring sensor 4: Plug 7: Drain 10: Cleaning section 30: Float 41: Hexagonal socket 44: Sensor mounting part 50a: Valve opening 91: Upper body 91c: Outer surface 92: Lower body 95: Valve chamber

Claims

1. A main body having an internal valve chamber space into which fluid flows, and an external surface having mounting points for additional equipment to be attached, wherein a discharge hole is formed in the main body that connects the valve chamber space to the outside. Valve means for closing or opening the aforementioned discharge hole, A cleaning means positioned on the main body toward the discharge hole, which receives cleaning operations from the outside and enters or retracts from the discharge hole. A cover means that covers the aforementioned mounting portion and is detachably connected to the main body, and having a connecting portion that can be connected to the cleaning means so as to enable the cleaning operation, A valve device having a cleaning mechanism characterized by being equipped with

2. In a valve device having a cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, The cleaning operation is a rotational operation that rotates the cleaning means. A valve device having a cleaning mechanism characterized by the above.

3. In a valve device having a cleaning mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned additional equipment is a detector. A valve device having a cleaning mechanism characterized by the above.

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