Patent US4288032A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4288032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Steam trap including interchangeable body member and insert assembly
Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1977-08-30
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Granted: 1981-09-08
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Expires: 1997-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A valve body member and various insert assemblies usable with the body member to form steam traps of different types are disclosed in this application. The body member includes an internally threaded, generally cylindrical recess extending inwardly from an outer surface and terminating in an end face, an inlet passage communicating with the recess thrugh a passageway terminating in the end face of the recess, and a discharge passage also communicating with the recess. An annular rib is formed on the end face of the recess around the passageway and includes a surface on which is seated a first sealing ring clamped in place by a first bearing surface of the particular insert assembly used to form the steam trap; an annular seat is formed on the outer surface of the body member around the cylindrical recess and this seat receives a second sealing ring which is clamped in place by a second bearing surface of the insert assembly. All of the insert assemblies further include a threaded portion that cooperates with the internally threaded portion of the recess to retain the insert assembly and the body member in assembled relationship. Certain of the insert assemblies include a plurality of parts which are retained in assembled relationship by a retaining ring arrangement to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the insert assembly and the body member and all of the insert assemblies are arranged to retain the first sealing ring adjacent the first bearing surface to facilitate removal and insertion of the first sealing ring on the annular rib.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz K. Hetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16T; F16T1/00; F16T1/12; F16T1/16; F16T1/165; F16T1/02; F16T1/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/3003; Y10T137/3021; Y10T137/304; Y10T137/5109; Y10T137/7504; Y10T137/7613
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
321 words
A steam trap comprising a body member and an insert assembly; said body member including a generally cylindrical recess extending inwardly from an outer surface thereof and terminating in an end face, said recess being formed with a threaded portion extending from adjacent said outer surface and terminating at a point spaced from said end face such that an unthreaded portion is formed between said threaded portion and said end face, said threaded portion and said unthreaded portion having a substantially uniform diameter, inlet and outlet passage means communicating with said recess, said inlet passage means including a passageway terminating in said end face of said recess, said outlet passage means including a passageway terminating in said unthreaded portion and said face of said recess, a seat formed in said outer surface of said body member and extending about said recess, and an annular rib formed on said end face around said inlet passageway, said annular rib having a seating surface located in said recess and spaced from said end face thereof; said insert assembly including means for preventing the flow of steam from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means and for allowing the flow of condensate from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means, said insert assembly further including a threaded portion engaged with said threaded portion of said recess for retaining said body member and said insert assembly in assembled relationship, first and second bearing surfaces included in said insert assembly, said first bearing surface being located in said recess adjacent said end face thereof and said second bearing surface being located externally of said body member adjacent said seat in said outer surface thereof; a first sealing ring clamped between said first bearing surface and said seating surface on said rib and a second sealing ring clamped between said second bearing surface and said seat in said outer surface of said body member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
321 words
A steam trap comprising a body member and an insert assembly; said body member including a generally cylindrical recess extending inwardly from an outer surface thereof and terminating in an end face, said recess being formed with a threaded portion extending from adjacent said outer surface and terminating at a point spaced from said end face such that an unthreaded portion is formed between said threaded portion and said end face, said threaded portion and said unthreaded portion having a substantially uniform diameter, inlet and outlet passage means communicating with said recess, said inlet passage means including a passageway terminating in said end face of said recess, said outlet passage means including a passageway terminating in said unthreaded portion and said face of said recess, a seat formed in said outer surface of said body member and extending about said recess, and an annular rib formed on said end face around said inlet passageway, said annular rib having a seating surface located in said recess and spaced from said end face thereof; said insert assembly including means for preventing the flow of steam from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means and for allowing the flow of condensate from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means, said insert assembly further including a threaded portion engaged with said threaded portion of said recess for retaining said body member and said insert assembly in assembled relationship, first and second bearing surfaces included in said insert assembly, said first bearing surface being located in said recess adjacent said end face thereof and said second bearing surface being located externally of said body member adjacent said seat in said outer surface thereof; a first sealing ring clamped between said first bearing surface and said seating surface on said rib and a second sealing ring clamped between said second bearing surface and said seat in said outer surface of said body member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 1 wherein a skirt extends from said first bearing surface beyond said seating surface and said first sealing ring and around said annular rib when said body member and said insert assembly are in assembled relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insert assembly includes a control chamber in which is carried a valve member and further includes an inlet passage communicating between said inlet passageway and said control chamber and an outlet passage communicating between said control chamber and said outlet passageway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 3 wherein said valve member is responsive to energy differences between steam and condensate to control flow through said trap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 4 wherein said valve member is a disc member arranged to cover both said inlet passageway and said outlet passageway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 4 wherein said valve member is a piston member including a valve surface that cooperates with said outlet passageway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 3 wherein said valve member is responsive to the temperature of the fluid in said control chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insert assembly includes an insert member on which said first bearing member is formed and an outer member on which said threaded portion and said second bearing surface are formed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 8 wherein said insert member and said outer member are retained in assembled relationship by a compressible retaining ring whereby said insert member and said outer member can be disassembled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said skirt is formed with retaining means for retaining said first sealing ring with said insert assembly during assembly and disassembly of said steam trap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 10 wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of protuberances projecting radially inwardly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 10 wherein said insert assembly includes an insert member and a bonnet member, said insert member and said bonnet member being retained in assembled relationship by a compressible retaining ring whereby said insert member and said bonnet member can be disassembled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insert assembly includes an insert member on which said first and second bearing surfaces and said threaded portion are formed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
247 words
A steam trap comprising a body member and an insert assembly; said body member including a generally cylindrical recess including a threaded portion extending inwardly from an outer surface thereof and terminating in an end face, inlet and outlet passage means communicating with said recess, said inlet passage means including a passageway terminating in said end face of said recess, an annular rib formed on said end face and extending around said passageway, said rib having a seating surface located in said recess and spaced from said end face; said insert assembly including means for preventing the flow of steam from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means and for allowing the flow of condensate from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means, said insert assembly further including a threaded portion engaged with said threaded portion of said recess for retaining said body member and said insert assembly in assembled relationship, a first bearing surface included in said insert assembly, said first bearing surface being adjacent said end face of said recess; a first sealing ring located between said first bearing surface and said seating surface and being clamped in place when said steam trap is assembled; said insert assembly further including a skirt extending from said first bearing surface beyond said seating surface and terminating radially adjacent said annular rib, said skirt including means for retaining said first sealing ring with said insert assembly during assembly and disassembly of said steam trap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
247 words
A steam trap comprising a body member and an insert assembly; said body member including a generally cylindrical recess including a threaded portion extending inwardly from an outer surface thereof and terminating in an end face, inlet and outlet passage means communicating with said recess, said inlet passage means including a passageway terminating in said end face of said recess, an annular rib formed on said end face and extending around said passageway, said rib having a seating surface located in said recess and spaced from said end face; said insert assembly including means for preventing the flow of steam from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means and for allowing the flow of condensate from said inlet passage means to said outlet passage means, said insert assembly further including a threaded portion engaged with said threaded portion of said recess for retaining said body member and said insert assembly in assembled relationship, a first bearing surface included in said insert assembly, said first bearing surface being adjacent said end face of said recess; a first sealing ring located between said first bearing surface and said seating surface and being clamped in place when said steam trap is assembled; said insert assembly further including a skirt extending from said first bearing surface beyond said seating surface and terminating radially adjacent said annular rib, said skirt including means for retaining said first sealing ring with said insert assembly during assembly and disassembly of said steam trap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A steam trap in accordance with claim 14 wherein said insert assembly includes a bonnet member and an insert member, said bonnet member and said insert members each being formed with groove configurations, a compressible retaining ring cooperating with said groove configurations during assembly and disassembly of said steam trap for retaining said bonnet member and said insert member in assembled relationship.
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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) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-03-09 | 1985-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-07 | 1989-03-09 | 1989-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-07 | 1993-03-09 | 1993-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |