Patent ID: 6158664
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: F16T

Abstract:
A bimetallic steam trap comprising(a) a valve seat;(b) a closure member cooperating with said valve seat and biased in an opening direction at a preliminary pressure; and(c) a control element arranged on the preliminary pressure side of said steam trap acting on said closure member to close said valve at elevated temperatures, said control element comprising at least two superimposed bimetallic plates which deflect when the temperature rises to apply a closing force on said closure member, said plates being slotted to form a plurality of active arms, each of said active arms having a support portion on the concavely curved side of the bimetallic plates when deflected for supporting the ends of the active arms, said support portions of at least two active arms being offset in height relative to the support portions of the other active arms such that the ends of the active arms are supported at different temperatures and the closing force applied by said bimetallic plates is adapted to a predetermined pressure-temperature curve.