Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: A manifold for a steam system is provided with a body forming a first chamber extending between an inlet and an outlet along a first axis and a second chamber extending from a face of the body along a second axis to intersect the first chamber. A first piston valve sub-assembly is disposed in the second chamber to enable and disable steam communication between the second chamber and a first port. A second piston valve sub-assembly is disposed in the second chamber to enable and disable steam communication between the second chamber and a second port. A handle is mounted for rotation relative to the face. A valve stem is connected to the handle and mounted for translation within the second chamber in response to rotation of the handle between four positions to individually activate and deactivate the first piston valve sub-assembly and the second piston valve sub-assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: A manifold for a steam system is provided with a body forming a first chamber extending between an inlet and an outlet along a first axis and a second chamber extending from a face of the body along a second axis to intersect the first chamber. A first piston valve sub-assembly is disposed in the second chamber to enable and disable steam communication between the second chamber and a first port. A second piston valve sub-assembly is disposed in the second chamber to enable and disable steam communication between the second chamber and a second port. A handle is mounted for rotation relative to the face. A valve stem is connected to the handle and mounted for translation within the second chamber in response to rotation of the handle between four positions to individually activate and deactivate the first piston valve sub-assembly and the second piston valve sub-assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continually measuring and calculating performance of a hot water or a system are described. A central monitor receives and processes information from hot water or steam field devices. A mobile device can communicate with the central monitor and display processed data from the central monitor regarding field devices associated with the mobile device. The central monitor can determine and send control parameters, maintenance reminders and other information to the mobile device or to a monitor at an enterprise location. Data is sent to the mobile device from the central monitor when there is a quality communication connection. If the mobile device is in the field with a poor or no communication connection, it stores updates and pushes the changes to the control monitor when a quality communication connection is reestablished.

Abstract: An industrial refrigeration system has a purger for removing non-condensable content extracted from a volume of refrigerant. The purger separates a quantity of refrigerant from a mixture of refrigerant and air and purges the air and a portion of the refrigerant. The purger includes a control unit and an algorithm that estimates the purged quantity of refrigerant from measured and stored refrigeration and purger operating parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a steam trap include a device for sensing a process condition of the steam trap and a device for processing the sensed condition. The apparatus can include a processor positioned on a steam trap. The connection of the monitoring device to the steam trap can be to the trap itself or to an adjacent pipe or other apparatus.

Abstract: A system for analyzing steam trap data includes a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to a computer; and includes a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data. A method of analyzing steam trap data includes the steps of: providing a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit data to a computer, and providing a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data; using the steam trap monitoring device to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to the computer; and using the computer to receive the data, and evaluate the data with the algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a steam trap include a device for sensing a process condition of the steam trap and a device for processing the sensed condition. The apparatus can include a processor positioned on a steam trap. The connection of the monitoring device to the steam trap can be to the trap itself or to an adjacent pipe or other apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a steam trap include a device for sensing a process condition of the steam trap and a device for processing the sensed condition. The apparatus can include a processor positioned on a steam trap. The connection of the monitoring device to the steam trap can be to the trap itself or to an adjacent pipe or other apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of at least one steam trap includes at least one monitor including at least one sensor for sensing at least one process condition of the steam trap; at least one means for calculating an average of the at least one monitored process condition; and, at least one transmitter for transmitting at least one signal responsive to the averaged monitored process condition.

Abstract: A system for analyzing steam trap data includes a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to a computer; and includes a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data. A method of analyzing steam trap data includes the steps of: providing a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit data to a computer, and providing a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data; using the steam trap monitoring device to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to the computer; and using the computer to receive the data, and evaluate the data with the algorithm.

Abstract: A mixing valve for mixing steam and water comprising an inlet chamber for steam, an inlet chamber for water, and a mixing chamber for mixing the steam and the water. The mixing chamber has at least one outlet connected thereto. A valve member arranged in the steam inlet chamber is coupled to a diaphragm. The valve is responsive to pressure differentials in the water inlet chamber, and is utilized to control steam flow from the steam inlet chamber to the mixing chamber. The mixing valve includes an internal partition between the steam inlet chamber and the water inlet chamber. The internal partition includes a thermal break that minimizes the contact between the steam inlet chamber and the water inlet chamber, thus minimizing the heat transfer therebetween.

Abstract: A method of forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly includes simultaneously extruding an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plurality of connecting members for connecting the inner tube to the outer tube, thereby forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly.

Abstract: A pump has a housing including at least one fluid channel; a motive fluid inlet port; a suction fluid inlet port; and a discharge port. The pump also includes a venturi disposed in the fluid channel of the housing. The venturi is connected by way of the fluid channel to the motive fluid inlet port, the suction fluid inlet port, and the discharge port. A ball check valve is operatively disposed between the motive fluid inlet port and the venturi for controlling the flow of motive fluid. The pump further includes an actuator assembly for actuating the ball check valve. In the preferred embodiment, the ball check valve has only an opened position and a closed position.

Abstract: A pump includes a valve mechanism having an opened position and a closed position. The pump further includes a spring assisted mechanism for selectively moving the valve mechanism between the opened position and the closed position, and a fluid detector for detecting the level of a pumping fluid. The fluid detector is pivotally connected to the spring assisted mechanism and has a first range of pivotal travel and a second range of pivotal travel. The fluid detector further engages a spring of the spring assisted mechanism only at one portion of the first range of pivotal travel, and engages the spring of said spring assisted mechanism only at one portion of the second range of pivotal travel. The fluid detector is disengaged from the spring of the spring assisted mechanism at all other portions of the first range of pivotal travel and of the second range of pivotal travel.

Abstract: A station for mounting a steam/condensate responsive device in a condensate return line comprises a housing block having front and back faces, opposite end faces and top and bottom faces. The back face has a mount for removably mounting a steam/condensate responsive device. The end faces has inlet and outlet ports for connection in a condensate return line. The bottom face has a third port. An inlet valve and outlet valve are operatively interposed between and control flow between the mount and corresponding ones of the inlet and outlet ports. The inlet and outlet valves are located on and extending forward from the front face. The inlet and outlet valves are angled acutely upwardly along the front face. A compact manifold assembly mounts a plurality of such stations. A screen may be interposed between the inlet valve and mount to bar contaminant particles from the steam/condensate responsive device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the status of a plurality of steam traps includes sensing with a monitor at least one process condition in each of a plurality of steam traps, transmitting radio frequency signals responsive to the sensed process condition of each steam trap with transmitters associated with the steam traps, and receiving the signals generated by the transmitters with a receiver. In one embodiment of the invention, the signals from at least some steam traps are received and retransmitted by a repeater positioned between the steam traps and the receiver.

Abstract: A pump trap assembly with multiple pivot axes. The pump trap assembly includes a mounting bracket for mounting the trap assembly to a structure. A first pivot arm having a length is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a first pivot axis. A second pivot arm having a length is also pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about the first pivot axis. A spring is used to bias the first and second pivot arms toward each other. A float arm having a length is also pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis is a distance from the first pivot axis. An actuator is pivotally mounted to the second pivot arm about a third pivot axis. The third pivot axis may be the same as the second pivot axis or may be a distance from the first and second pivot axes. Movement of the float arm in a first direction causes the spring to urge the second pivot arm in the first direction and move the actuator in the first direction.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned in recesses therein having polycrystalline diamond cutting elements mounted on said inserts. The inserts each also have a metal reinforcing shroud secured on the supporting face providing a reinforcement for the polycrystalline diamond cutting elements which is not subject to notch fracture. Each shroud is arranged so that a wall of the associated recess reinforces the shroud against shear forces and reinforces the stud against fracture.