Patent Publication Number: US-9404365-B2

Title: Steam diffusing apparatus and related methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is based upon previously filed co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 61/764,234, filed Feb. 13, 2013, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to the field of steam, and, more particularly to the field of steam diffusers, and related methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Steam is particularly useful in modern technology. For example, steam may be particularly useful in food, textile, chemical, medical, power, heating, and transport industries. One use of steam is for transporting controllable amounts of energy from a central, automated boiler house, where it can be efficiently and economically generated, to the point of use. Therefore as steam moves around a plant, for example, it may equally be considered to be the transport and provision of energy. This may be particularly useful for conveying heat energy. In particular, steam may be relatively efficient and economic to generate, may easily and cost effectively be distributed to a point of use, and is relatively easy to control. 
     Steam, for example, is linked between a steam generator and a steam user by a steam distribution system. The steam distribution system may include several elements coupled together, for example, pipes, drain points, branch lines, filters, strainers, separators, stream traps, and air vents. Steam traps may be used to drain, to atmosphere, open ended pipes in the steam distribution system, and thus the discharge of relatively hot condensate may be possible. Flash steam may also be present relative to the condensate pressure before a steam trap. 
     This may be particularly hazardous to a person passing by the discharge. However, by reducing the severity of the discharge, the hazard may be reduced. One way of reducing the severity of the discharge is through the use of a steam diffuser. A steam diffuser may be fitted to an end of an open pipe. The steam diffuser may reduce the intensity of the discharge and may also reduce noise associated with the discharge. 
     One example of a steam diffuser is a DF1 available from Spirax-Sarco Limited of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The DF1 diffuser includes a knitted and compacted diffusing wire mesh element to dissipate energy in the discharge. The DF1 diffuser is fitted to an outlet of a steam pipe and includes a mesh outlet opposing the inlet and a continuous cylindrical housing between the inlet and outlet. 
     SUMMARY 
     A steam diffusing apparatus may include a steam inlet tube having steam-dispersion openings adjacent a lower end thereof and a mass of filaments surrounding the plurality of steam dispersion openings. The steam diffusing apparatus may also include a retaining tube surrounding the mass of filaments, a housing surrounding the retaining tube and having outlet openings therein, and an upper end cap coupled to an upper end of the housing and having an opening therein receiving the steam inlet tube. A lower end cap may be coupled to a lower end of the housing. Accordingly, the steam diffusing apparatus may provide reduced steam discharge, for example, by allowing the discharged steam to condensate and drip from the steam diffuser as water, which may reduce the hazard associated with a steam discharge. 
     The mass of filaments may extend upwardly to a medial portion of the steam inlet tube. The retaining tube may be coextensive with the mass of filaments, for example. 
     The steam inlet tube may have a closed lower end. The mass of filaments may include wire wool, for example. 
     The steam diffusing apparatus may also include a mesh screen covering the plurality of outlet openings. The housing may be spaced apart from the retaining tube, for example. The housing may have a cylindrical shape. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of making a steam diffusing apparatus. The method may include positioning a mass of filaments to surround a plurality of steam dispersion openings in a lower end of a steam inlet tube and positioning a retaining tube to surround the mass of filaments. The method may also include positioning a housing to surround the retaining tube. The housing has a plurality of outlet openings therein. The method may further include coupling an upper end cap to an upper end of the housing. The upper end cap has opening therein receiving the steam inlet tube. The method may further include coupling a lower end cap to a lower end of the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a portion of a steam system including a steam diffusing apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the steam diffusing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the steam diffuser of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the steam diffusing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of a steam diffusing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, many different embodiments may be used, and thus the description should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a steam system  20  includes a steam generator  21  and pipes  22  conveying steam generated from the steam generator. The pipes  22  may extend along the ground  23  and be supported by supports  24 . Steam loads  25   a ,  25   b  may be coupled to the steam generator  21 . A steam diffusing apparatus  30  is coupled to an open end of one of the pipes  22 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, additional steam system elements may be used with the steam system  20 . The steam diffusing apparatus  30  advantageously reduces steam discharge from the pipe  22  coupled thereto. The steam diffusing apparatus  30  also reduces sound generated from the steam discharge. In other words, the steam diffusing apparatus  30  is configured to perform like a muffler. 
     Referring now additionally to  FIGS. 2-4 , the steam diffusing apparatus  30  includes a steam inlet tube  34  that has steam-dispersion openings  35  therein adjacent a lower end  51  thereof. The lower end  51  of the steam inlet tube  34  is illustratively closed, which may allow increased amounts of steam to pass through the steam dispersion openings. The steam inlet tube  34  may have a length of six inches and a diameter of three-quarters of an inch, for example. Of course, the steam inlet tube  34  may have another length and/or diameter, for example, based upon the application and steam system, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The steam-dispersion openings  35  may extend upwardly 2.5 inches from the lower end  51 . The steam-dispersion openings  35  may have a size in a range of about 3/16 of an inch to about ⅜ of an inch. About eight steam-dispersion openings  35  may be formed within the steam inlet tube  34 . The steam dispersion openings  35  may be longitudinally aligned along the steam inlet tube  34 . Of course, in some embodiments, the steam inlet tube  34  may include a different number of steam dispersion openings, each or all having a different size, and some or all of which may not be aligned. 
     The steam inlet tube  34  also includes a threaded upper end  33  for coupling with the steam pipe  22 , as illustrated. Of course the threaded upper end  33  may include either of male or female threads, and in some embodiments, other types of couplers other than threads may be used. 
     A mass of filaments  37  surrounds the steam inlet tube  34  adjacent the steam-dispersion openings  35 . More particularly, the mass of filaments  37  may be steel filaments bundled together to form wire wool, for example, steel wool or stainless steel wool. The mass of filaments  37  may be another type of material. 
     Approximately five feet of the wire wool  37  is positioned or wrapped around the steam inlet tube  34 . The wire wool  37  may extend upwardly from the lower end  51  about five inches to a medial portion  52  of the steam inlet tube  34 , which may be just beyond or above the steam dispersion openings  35 . 
     The steam diffusing apparatus  30  also includes a retaining tube  36  spaced apart from and surrounding the steam inlet tube  34 . More particularly, the retaining tube  36  is adjacent the steam-dispersion openings  35 . The retaining tube  36  may be 0.083 gauge stainless steel. Of course the retaining tube  36  may be another type of material and have another thickness or gauge. 
     The retaining tube  36  may extend to within ±10% of half a medial portion of the steam inlet tube  34  and/or to be and coextensive with the mass of filaments  37 . In one embodiment, the retaining tube  36  may be about 2.5 inches tall and may be aligned with the steam dispersion openings  35 , which may also extend 2.5 inches from the lower end  51  of the steam inlet tube  34 . The retaining tube may have another height, for example, 2.5 inches ±0.25 inches. The retaining tube  36  illustratively does not have any openings therein 
     A housing  41  having a cylindrical shape surrounds the retaining tube  36  and the tubular steam conduit  34 . More particularly, the housing  41  is slidably positioned over the retaining tube  36  in spaced relation therefrom. The housing  41  has a lower segment  42  illustratively having ¼-inch diameter outlet openings  43  in a honeycomb pattern. Of course, in some embodiments, the outlet openings  43  may have a different size or shape and may not be in a honeycomb pattern. The lower segment  42  may extend about 4.5 inches, for example, from a lower end  54  of the housing  41 . The outer tubular housing  41  has an upper segment  44  extending about a half-inch between from an upper end  53  thereof. 
     A mesh screen  45 , for example, in the form of #20 mesh wire, may be carried by an interior surface of the housing  41 . More particularly, the mesh screen  45  may extend on an inner surface of the lower segment  42  and may cover the outlet openings  43 . 
     The steam diffusing apparatus  30  includes an upper end cap  31  coupled to the upper end  53  of the housing  41 . The upper end cap  31  has an opening  55  therein to receive the steam inlet tube  34  therein. The upper end cap  31  may be welded, for example, laser welded to the upper segment  44  of the housing  41 . 
     A lower end cap  32  is coupled to a lower end  54  of the housing  41 . The retaining tube  36  may be coupled to the lower end cap  32  by a welded or laser welded connection, for example. 
     Each of the upper and lower end caps  31 ,  32  is about an eighth of an inch thick. Of course, the upper and lower end caps  31 ,  32  may have other sizes or thicknesses. 
     Accordingly, the steam diffusing apparatus  30  has an overall cylindrical or circular shape and extends about five inches in height and has a four-inch diameter. Of course, the steam diffusing apparatus  30  may have other dimensions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now additionally to  FIG. 5 , in operation, steam from the steam pipe  22  is typically discharged in relatively loud audible bursts. After coupling the steam diffusing apparatus  30  to the steam pipe  22  and upon the first burst of steam, the steam passes through the steam inlet tube  34  and the steam dispersion openings  35 . The steam condenses as it passes through the wire wool  37 , and water fills within the retaining tube  36 . The water collected or filled within the retaining tube  36  cools. Upon a further burst of steam, additional water fills within the retaining tube  36  so that the level of cooled water within the retaining tube rises above the top of the retaining tube. The cooled water overflows from the retaining tube  36  and flows out of the steam diffusing apparatus  30  through the mesh screen  45  and the openings  43  in the housing  41 . The cooled water may be collected or simply fall to the ground. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the steam diffusing apparatus  30  acts like a muffler for the steam and may advantageous decrease the noise from each steam burst. Additionally, the steam diffusing apparatus  30  may increase safety, for example, by transforming a steam burst to a temperature cooled water drip. 
     A method of making a steam diffusing apparatus  30  includes positioning a mass of filaments  37  to surround steam dispersion openings  35  in a lower end  51  of the steam inlet tube  34 . The method includes positioning a retaining tube  36  to surround the mass of filaments  37 . The method also includes positioning a housing  41  to surround the retaining tube  36 . The housing  41  has outlet openings  43  therein. 
     The method further includes coupling an upper end cap  31  to an upper end of the housing  41 . The upper end cap  31  has an opening  55  therein receiving the steam inlet tube  34 . The method also includes coupling a lower end cap  32  to a lower end  54  of the housing  41 . 
     Many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that various modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, while specific exemplary dimensions, sizes, and shapes have been described with respect to an embodiment, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the dimensions, sizes, and shapes may be different.