US3926368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steam trap temperature indicating arrangement
Assignee: Reliance Brooks Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-19
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An indicator arrangement for visual detection of the failure of a steam trap installed in a system including a device to use the steam and a system to collect condensed steam emitted from the device where the present invention provides a temperature responsive element, which changes color upon exposure to a selected temperature range, lower than the temperature of the steam in the system to which the trap is connected, and where the element is attached to the outlet side of the steam trap, so that the element changes color when the temperature of the outlet reaches the selected temperature indicating that the steam trap has failed to operate properly.
Inventors
- 👤 Wesley C Geen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:18
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16T; F16T1/00; F16T1/38; F16T1/48; G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S252/00; Y10S252/962
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An arrangement including: a) heater means adapted to receive steam at a selected pressure; b) heater outlet means connected with said heater means to provide for emission of condensate from said heater means; c) a steam trap means having inlet means connected with said heater outlet means and trap outlet means to provide for emission of condensate from said trap means; and d) a temperature actuated indicator element fastened in heat transfer relation with a condensate return pipe means from said trap outlet means including a temperature sensitive material preselected to change color at a selected temperature between 10 and 35 degrees centigrade lower than the saturated steam temperature of said steam in said heater means where the pressure of said saturated steam varies from 0 PSIG to 300 PSIG and wherein said temperature actuated indicator is fastened on the condensate pipe means so as to give an indication of when the steam trap means is leaking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An arrangement including: a) heater means adapted to receive steam at a selected pressure; b) heater outlet means connected with said heater means to provide for emission of condensate from said heater means; c) a steam trap means having inlet means connected with said heater outlet means and trap outlet means to provide for emission of condensate from said trap means; and d) a temperature actuated indicator element fastened in heat transfer relation with a condensate return pipe means from said trap outlet means including a temperature sensitive material preselected to change color at a selected temperature between 10 and 35 degrees centigrade lower than the saturated steam temperature of said steam in said heater means where the pressure of said saturated steam varies from 0 PSIG to 300 PSIG and wherein said temperature actuated indicator is fastened on the condensate pipe means so as to give an indication of when the steam trap means is leaking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. said trap outlet means includes the outlet pipe means; and b. said indicator element includes adhesive means to secure said indicator element to said outlet pipe means in heat transfer relation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. the steam pressure in said heater means is between 14.7 and 35 PSIA, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet is between 0 and 5 PSIG and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 20* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure in said heater means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the steam pressure in said heater means is between 14.7 and 35 PSIA, the fluid pressure at said trap outlet means is between 5 and 10 PSIG and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 15* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 35 and 75 PSIA, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 0 and 5 PSIG and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 40* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 35 and 75 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 5 and 10 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 35* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 35 and 75 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 10 and 15 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 25* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 35 and 75 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 15 and 20 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 20* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the Pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 35 and 75 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 20 and 25 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 10* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 75 and 120 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 0 and 5 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 80* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 75 and 120 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 5 and 10 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 75* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 75 and 120 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 10 and 15 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 65* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 75 and 120 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 15 and 20 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 50* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 75 and 120 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 20 and 25 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 45* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 75 and 120 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 25 and 30 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 40* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 0 and 5 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 95* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 10 and 15 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 90* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 15 and 20 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 85* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 20 and 25 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 75* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 25 and 30 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 70* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 30 and 35 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 60* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 35 and 40 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 55* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure of steam in said heater means is between 120 and 300 pounds per square inch absolute, the fluid pressure in said trap outlet means is between 40 and 45 PSIG, and the temperature at which said indicator element changes color is less than 55* Fahrenheit below the equilibrium saturation temperature of said steam at the pressure of said steam in said heater means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |