Insulation jacket and insulation jacket system

Abstract

A thermal insulation jacket system. The thermal insulation jacket system includes a thermal insulation jacket configured to surround a valve, a plurality of detection devices and a computing device. Each detection device is configured to detect a different temperature associated with the valve. The computing device is coupled to the thermal insulation jacket and is communicably connected to the plurality of detection devices. The computing device is configured to calculate real-time energy savings attributable to the thermal insulation jacket and perform at least one diagnostic analysis associated with the valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal insulation jacket system, comprising:
 a thermal insulation jacket configured to cover a steam trap;   a first sensing device configured to output a signal indicative of an external surface temperature of the steam trap;   a second sensing device configured to output a signal indicative of an ambient temperature proximate the steam trap;   a third sensing device configured to output a signal indicative of an inflow temperature of the steam trap;   a fourth sensing device configured to output a signal indicative of an outflow temperature of the steam trap; and   a processing device communicatively connected to the first, second, third and fourth sensing devices, wherein the processing device is configured to:
 determine real-time energy savings attributable to the thermal insulation jacket based on signals received from the first and second sensing devices; and 
 diagnose an operating condition of the steam trap based on signals received from at least one of the third and fourth sensing devices. 
   
     
     
         2 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal insulation jacket comprises a removable and reusable thermal insulation jacket. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensing device is positioned between the thermal insulation jacket and the steam trap. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device is further configured to convert signals from the first, second, third and fourth sensing devices into calibrated temperatures. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 4 , wherein the processing device is further configured to calculate the real-time energy savings based on the calibrated temperatures associated with the first and second sensing devices. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 4 , wherein the processing device is further configured to determine the operating condition of the steam trap based on the calibrated temperatures associated with the at least one of the third and fourth sensing devices. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 1 , wherein the operating condition of the steam trap comprises a working steam trap condition. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 1 , wherein the operating condition of the steam trap comprises a failed steam trap condition. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 8 , wherein the failed steam trap condition comprises a failed open steam trap condition. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 8 , wherein the failed steam trap condition comprises a failed closed steam trap condition. 
     
     
         11 . A thermal insulation jacket system, comprising:
 a thermal insulation jacket configured to surround a steam trap, wherein the thermal insulation jacket comprises a removable and reusable thermal insulation jacket;   a controller proximate the thermal insulation jacket; and   a plurality of sensors communicably connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to:
 calculate real-time energy savings attributable to the thermal insulation jacket based on an external surface temperature of the steam trap and an ambient temperature proximate the steam trap; and 
 diagnose a performance status of the steam trap based on at least one of the following:
 an inflow temperature of the steam trap; and 
 an outflow temperature of the steam trap. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
 a first sensor positioned between the thermal insulation jacket and an external surface of the steam trap;   a second sensor configured to sense the ambient temperature proximate the steam trap;   a third sensor configured to sense the inflow temperature of the steam trap; and   a fourth sensor configured to sense the outflow temperature of the steam trap.   
     
     
         13 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 11 , wherein the performance status of the steam trap comprises a failed status. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 13 , wherein the failed status comprises a failed open status. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 13 , wherein the failed status comprises a failed closed status. 
     
     
         16 . A thermal insulation jacket system, comprising:
 a thermal insulation jacket configured to surround a valve;   a plurality of detection devices, wherein each detection device is configured to detect a different temperature associated with the valve; and   a computing device coupled to the thermal insulation jacket and communicably connected to the plurality of detection devices, wherein the computing device is configured to:
 calculate real-time energy savings attributable to the thermal insulation jacket; and 
 perform at least one diagnostic analysis associated with the valve. 
   
     
     
         17 . The thermal insulation jacket of  claim 16 , wherein the valve comprises a steam trap. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal insulation jacket of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of detection devices comprise:
 a first detection device configured to detect an external surface temperature of the valve;   a second detection device configured to detect an ambient temperature proximate the valve;   a third detection device configured to detect an inflow temperature of the valve; and   a fourth detection device configured to detect an outflow temperature of the valve.   
     
     
         19 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one diagnostic analysis comprises an operational state of the valve. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal insulation jacket system of  claim 16 , further comprising a communication device communicably connected to the computing device, wherein the communication device is configured to communicate with at least one other thermal insulation jacket system.