Steam Trap Valved Orifices Water Hammer Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steam systems face inefficiencies due to oversized orifices in steam traps, which lead to excessive steam loss, increased fuel consumption, and higher operational costs, while also risking water hammer damage if not properly managed.

Innovation Solution

A steam trap system with a plurality of valved orifices at different heights, configured to open as water rises, and a debris collector, along with an air purge device that uses thermostatically operated valved orifices to efficiently remove water and air, reducing steam loss and preventing water hammer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If oversized orifices are used in steam traps to prevent water hammer, then water hammer damage is avoided, but steam loss increases and system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater hammer damageVSAvoidsteam loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The single orifice is segmented into multiple orifices of different sizes positioned at different heights. This allows the system to handle different water flow conditions through different orifices, preventing water hammer while minimizing steam loss through the smaller lower orifices during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different orifices are positioned at different heights with different sizes to create local variations in flow characteristics. The lower orifices have smaller areas to minimize steam loss during normal operation, while upper orifices provide larger capacity when needed, creating a gradient of local qualities throughout the orifice arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If multiple valved orifices are used to reduce steam loss, then steam loss decreases and efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam lossVSAvoidorifice arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple valved orifices are merged into a single integrated orifice arrangement with a common water collector and unified valve control mechanism. This combining approach reduces the overall complexity compared to using multiple separate steam traps or control systems, while still achieving reduced steam loss through the coordinated operation of multiple orifices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valved orifices are configured to automatically open and close based on water level and steam flow conditions without requiring external control systems. The system serves itself by using the natural dynamics of water accumulation and steam pressure to control valve operation, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If valved orifices are positioned at different heights to enable selective opening, then water removal efficiency improves and steam loss is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater removal efficiencyVSAvoidorifice arrangement manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The orifices are arranged vertically at different heights rather than horizontally at the same level. This vertical dimensionality allows gravity to assist in water accumulation and flow control, enabling selective opening of orifices based on water level while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to complex horizontal positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The water collector is designed to create an equipotential water surface that naturally contacts orifices at different heights in sequence. This equipotential approach simplifies manufacturing by allowing uniform orifice positioning relative to the water collector, while the vertical arrangement still enables selective opening based on water accumulation level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enhances steam system efficiency by minimizing steam loss, reducing fuel consumption, and preventing damage from water hammer, while ensuring reliable operation through automatic switching and air purging mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

each valved orifice can include a thermostatically operated valve member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermostatic operation: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 2

A heat exchanger can lower temperature of flow prior to entering the valved orifices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

At least one valved orifice can discharge water into a reservoir of water to reduce flash steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlash steam reduction through heat absorption: Latent Heat

Data Source

PatentUS8464747B2Steam Trap

Publication Date: 2013.06.18 GOODING HAROLD S

AI summary

A steam trap system including a steam trap having a steam inlet and a water collector that can collect water. An orifice arrangement is included having a plurality of valved orifices spaced apart from each other at different heights. Selected valved orifices can be configured to open as water in the water collector rises and reaches the height of the selected valved orifices, allowing the water to be removed from the water collector.