Abstract:
The invention relates to a flow sensor and a method for monitoring a condensate drain (20), comprising the following steps: a) providing a flow sensor (1) for measuring flow properties in a pipe and/or fitting conducting a medium, b) detecting a vibratory behavior by means of a vibration transducer (112) at a measurement point (8) provided on the flow sensor (1), c) electronically evaluating the vibratory behavior of a vibrating body (9), wherein vibrations of a first region (2) of the vibrating body (9) that is provided at least partially in a or adjacent to the flow of the medium and of a second region (3) of the vibrating body (9) provided outside the flow are recorded at the measurement point (8).
Abstract:
A transducer assembly (50) includes an acoustic sensor element (1) and an acoustic waveguide (4). The acoustic waveguide (4) includes a rotatable acoustic coupler, a tube (4B), and a foot (4C). The foot (4C) has a mounting surface (11) that is mountable on a fluid conduit. A circuit assembly (3) couples to acoustic sensor element (1) and provides a diagnostic output.
Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting leakage of steam within a steam operating system, the apparatus comprising detection means (4, 6) operable to detect vibrational signals from a region of a steam operating system (1) such as a steam trap (2, 3), indicative of steam leakage, and comparison means (5) for comparing the vibrational signals detected by the detection means in the region to vibrational signals previously measured or calculated indicative of leakage of steam from a control region indicative of a known quantity of steam leakage, to thereafter indicate an actual or calculated quantity of steam leakage at the region being tested without reference to temperature or pressure of the steam. The method includes the steps of measuring or calculating a plurality of said vibrational signals, storing the indicative signals for subsequent access, measuring or calculating actual vibrational signals indicative of steam leakage, comparing the signals obtained with the corresponding stored signals, and calculating actual steam loss without reference to temperature or pressure of the steam.
Abstract:
A steam trap system is disclosed. The steam trap system includes an inlet, an outlet, and a float (42), with the inlet (30) and the outlet (32) separated by an orifice (54). The steam trap includes a plug (52) operatively coupled to the float (42) and disposed adjacent the orifice (54) and arranged to open and close the orifice in response to movement of the float. A instrument module (58) includes a pressure transducer (70, 72) arranged to detect pressure in the steam trap, a temperature transducer (74, 76) arranged to detect temperature within the steam trap, and an eddy current probe (68) arranged to detect movement of the plug (52). A central processing unit (62) is operatively coupled to and arranged to receive an output from each of the pressure transducer, the temperature transducer, and the eddy current probe, the central processing unit arranged to process the respective output to thereby determine total steam flow and total condensate flow through the steam trap.
Abstract:
A self-contained system to continuously monitor a mechanism (11) used to control or regulate fluid flow and provide a continuing indication of the status or condition of the monitored mechanism (11). A specific form of the invention employs a low frequency sonic-to-electrical transducer (18) that monitors opening and closing of a disk-type steam trap (11). The detected sonic signal is processed and sent to a microcontroller (30) that is programmed to develop a time-based, baseline data set representative of normal operation of the steam trap (11 )in the environment in which it operates. The baseline data set is compared against the data from on-line operations of the steam trap. As the environment and the steam trap (11) operation change during normal on-line operations, the baseline data set is updated to change with the changing environment and the changing steam trap (11) operation.