Abstract: An annular tube heat exchanger immersed in a medium, such as a fluid. The heat exchanger comprises a fluid-tight combustion tube including a gas-fired radiant burner for providing a source of heat, at least one heat exchange tube including an inner tube disposed within an outer tube, the outer tube in thermal contact with the combustion tube, the inner tube being open-ended to allow the fluid to pass therethrough, and a fluid-tight combustion tube in thermal contact with the outer tube of the at least one heat exchange tube. The combustion gas from the radiant burner passes through the outer tube of the at least one heat exchange tube to cause an increase in the temperature of the fluid. By providing the maximum amount of heat transfer surface area, the annular tube heat exchanger provides a highly efficient means of increasing the temperature of the fluid.

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 combination steam trap and flow valve assembly including a compact housing having a steam trap chamber, valve chambers, a cover, and a body. The steam trap and valve chambers are integrally formed within the body to create a compact integral assembly. Valve assemblies are received in the valve chambers to control the flow of steam and/or condensate into and out of the assembly. A steam trap mechanism is positioned within the steam trap chamber and the valve unit of the steam trap mechanism being positioned in the cover. The cover is removably attached to the uppermost surface of the body. Passages are provided in the body and cover thereby allowing the flow of steam and/or condensate to the steam trap chamber.

Abstract: A jacketed steam humidification apparatus includes an elongated steam dispersion tube having discharge orifices for the release of steam, and an elongated jacket defining a jacket passageway in contact with the dispersion tube so that steam can flow along the jacket passageway to maintain the dispersion tube in a heated condition, where the jacket has one or more escape passages to allow a portion of the steam and other gases in the jacket passageway to escape from the jacket passageway.

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.

Abstract: A steam humidifier system comprises a manifold for receiving steam and at least one steam dispersion tube extending from the manifold for receiving steam. Steam emitting nozzles on the dispersion tube are aimed into an air flow to be humidified. Preferably at least two baffle tubes are spaced upstream in an air flow from said dispersion tube and are offset laterally in opposite sides thereof transversely of the air flow. Air flow between said baffle tubes is directed thereby against an opposing flow of high velocity steam exiting the nozzles of the dispersion tube for rapid and even disbursement of steam into the air flow. An inner steam feed tube may extend from the manifold into and along the dispersion tube to feed steam to the remote end of the dispersion tube.

Abstract: Steam generator comprising a supply of water to be evaporated, a steam outlet and a heat source, which steam generator is characterised in that it is formed by a casing subdivided into two chambers (2, 3) by a waterpermeable porous partition (4),one (3) of the two chambers accommodating the heat source (6),the other chamber (2) receiving the supply water (5).

Abstract: Mineral salts formed during steam generation are preferentially deposited on one or more non-woven, porous mats made of fiber-forming synthetic resin.

Abstract: A steam trap comprises a casing having a condensate and steam inlet port and a condensate outlet port and an inverted bucket capable of rising and falling within the casing. A valve unit is interposed between the inlet port and the interior of the casing and is responsive to the height of the bucket in the casing to open and close. A connection is established from the conduit and steam inlet port to the interior of the inverted bucket and this includes stabilizing structure for allowing steam flow into the upper part of the inverted bucket, unimpeded by condensate flow, for reducing instability of the water level in the bucket, the stabilizing structure including two outlets covered by the bucket, namely a condensate outlet located at first level and a steam outlet located at a second level spaced above the first level.

Abstract: A valve apparatus comprises a valve body having a fluid passage therein including a valve seat. A valve member, having a head and stem, is movable in the body between valve open and valve closed positions determined by the proximity of its head to the valve seat. The valve member is engageable in sealing relation with a portion of the valve body between the valve seat and a valve stem packing to block fluid in the passage from contacting and leaking between the valve stem and packing. This sealing relation also serves to protect a bellows, connected between the valve member and valve body, from contact with fluid in the fluid passage.

Abstract: A motorized outrigger drive for an outrigger on a fishing boat, the outrigger being of the kind having a boom fixedly cantilevered laterally outboard from the side of the boat for releasably trailing a fishing line from a point laterally spaced outboard from the side of the boat and thereby to minimize risk of tangling while simultaneously trolling with several fishing lines. An outrigger line loops around an outboard line direction changing means fixed adjacent the free end of the boom and a motorized drive unit fixed with respect to the boom and boat. The motorized drive unit reversibly feeds the outrigger line. A traveler unit is carried on the outrigger line and has a portion supporting a fishing line release.

Abstract: A cable terminal formed in one piece in resin or plastic material providing a clam shell structure with integral hinge and which closes on a tortuously provided cable in and passages through the structure whereupon closure locks or latches the clam shell cable tautly into the terminal structure and closing a cable gripped bail element on selected rigging. A cap fits over the closed and locked terminal in the form of a terminal shroud or cover.

Abstract: A releasable cargo anti-skid block for gripping the cargo bed of a vehicle comprises a rigid body having a cargo engageable upstanding side and a cargo bed engageable bottom. The bottom and upstanding side join at a corner edge. Gripping apparatus on the bottom of the body extends lengthwise along the bottom. The gripping apparatus are fixed with respect to the body for forcibly but releasably gripping the surface of the cargo bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vaporizing humidifier includes a portion for providing stepwise increases and decreases in vapor output capacity in response to the duration of a vapor demand signal, for matching the vapor output to the demand therefore.

Abstract: Apparatus for checking for steam leakage in a steam trap of the kind having a casing with an inlet for steam and condensate and an outlet for condensate, a condensate outlet valve, and actuating means for actuating the valve in the steam trap casing. A probe extends into the steam trap casing in noninterfering relation with the actuating means and responds to the level of condensate in the steam trap casing for changing an electrical condition. A monitor responds to the electrical condition for indicating the condition of the steam trap.

Abstract: A combined inlet and outlet fitting for a fluid handling mechanism comprising a block having an inlet passage and an outlet passage having corresponding one ends adapted to be connected to the mechanism and the opposite ends thereof extending to the same one longitudinal end of the block. A coupling is attached to said one end of the block so that it can be moved arcuately relative to the block. The coupling has inlet and outlet ports connected to said inlet and outlet passages, respectively. Fastening means are provided for releasably securing said coupling in fluid-tight sealed relationship with said block.

Abstract: An energy loss detecting apparatus for measuring the rate of flow of the vapor phase of a bi-phase fluid flow, in the presence of an unknown quantity of the liquid phase, by separating the vapor phase from the liquid phase and producing a signal representing the vapor phase flow rate. The apparatus includes a hollow separator casing provided with a tube communicating with at least one of the inlet opening and outlet opening of the casing and facing thereinto. A wall seals the interior of the tube from the interior of the casing except at reduced diameter holes in the wall, the diameter of the holes being less than the inside diameter of the tubes at the wall. Energy loss due to a faulty steam trap is measurable by interposing the vapor flow rate measuring apparatus in a steam line between a steam consuming device and the steam trap.

Abstract: An energy loss detection system includes an apparatus (22) for measuring loss of the vapor phase of a bi-phase fluid. Such apparatus is interposable in an energy transfer circuit downstream of an energy consumer device (14), intended to take energy from the bi-phase fluid by converting the vapor phase to liquid, and upstream of a potential energy loss device (20). The apparatus includes a separator (24) for separating the vapor and liquid phases of the bi-phase fluid into separate flow paths. A probe (51) senses the flow rate of the vapor phase through the separator and produces a signal related thereto. An output apparatus (72) includes a readout device (79) responsive to the probe signal for producing a display indicative of vapor flow rate and hence of energy loss downstream of the separator.