Importance

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Abstract

A valve comprises an assembly of elastomeric elements confined in a cylindrical space, with one end of the assembly engageable with a valve seat at one end of the cylindrical space. The valve is constructed to provide three successive converging and diverging sections in the fluid flow path, the intermediate section being provided by the valve element and seat. The restrictions exerts a choking for maintaining pressure in a steam system when the valve is used as a steam trap. A rigid, abrasion-resistant element, may be incorporated into one of the elastomeric elements, and a thermally responsive wax may be incorporated into one of the elements to alter its expansion characteristics. A plunger may be incorporated into the valve to exert a force on the elastomeric elements, allowing adjustment of the degree of subcooling when the device is used as a steam trap.

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First Claim