Armstrong International, Inc.

Armstrong Machine Works

Robert T Kirchner

David A Keech

Mark D Driscoll

John E Sorenson

David W Miner

Vincent E Bischoff

Nicholas M Vander Wal

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.

Energy loss detection system

An energy loss detection system includes an apparatus 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, intended to take energy from the bi-phase fluid by converting the vapor phase to liquid, and upstream of a potential energy loss device. The apparatus includes a separator for separating the vapor and liquid phases of the bi-phase fluid into separate flow paths. A probe senses the flow rate of the vapor phase through the separator and produces a signal related thereto. An output apparatus includes a read-out device responsive to the probe signal for producing a display indicative of vapor flow rate and hence of energy loss downstream of the separator.

An electric resistance humidifier which increases atmospheric humidity by boiling water in a tank. Spaced conductive plates, or electrodes, are fixed in the tank. As the tank water level rises, the immersed area of the electrodes increases. An electric supply causes the electrodes to pass electric current through the tank water therebetween for heating and vaporizing such water. Electric current and heating cease automatically when the tank water level falls below the electrodes. A control includes comparator circuitry responsive to a reference signal and a signal related to electrode current for actuating and deactuating a water supply to the tank. In one embodiment, the control includes further comparator circuitry responsive to electrode current and a further reference signal for controlling a tank drain, to compensate for rising conductivity of the tank water as it warms toward boil and thus prevent substantial overshoot in heating current flow. In one embodiment, humidity sensing circuitry varies the reference signal level, to increase the upper water level limit in the tank, and hence heating current flow and speed of vaporization, in response to decreasing atmospheric humidity, thereby to increase atmospheric humidity to a desired level. The aforementioned apparatus, if desired with a fan for distributing vapor boiled from the tank water, is housed in a cabinet. A manual adjustor for selecting a fixed reference or humidity level is conveniently located on a panel of the cabinet.

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Three Rivers, MI, United States of America

Robert T Kirchner