Patent GB-190425653-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Steam Traps
Inventor: PARSONS ROBERT
Filed: 1904-11-25
Granted: 1905-11-02
Abstract: 25,653. Parsons, R. Nov. 25. Steam traps.-Relates to steam traps of the type shown and described in Specification No. 8634, A.D. 1902, in which the valve is actuated by the expansion of a flexible condenser chamber containing a volatile liquid, and consists in improvements in the construction and mounting of the chamber and the valve-piece, in the provision of a grit separator or strainer in the inlet to the trap, and in arrangements for blowing through the trap without altering its adjustment. Numerous modifications are described and illustrated. The trap shown in Fig. 1 consists of a body 1, threaded to receive a perforated cap 2, and formed with an extension 1<a> on to which a connecting-piece 4 and lock-nut 5 are screwed. The connecting-piece carries the inlet tube 6, the lower end of which forms a seat for the valve 7, which is kept in place by a projection 8 on the condenser chamber 8 fitting into a recess 7<a> in the valve. A similar projection 8<b> on the other side of the chamber fits into a recess 2<a> in the perforated cap. Adjustment may be made by the piece 4 or the cap 2, a lock. nut 3 being fitted to the latter. Radiator bars 2<b> may be provided to render the trap sensitive. In one modification of this trap, the connecting- piece 4 and, if desired, the inlet tube 6, form part of the body of the trap ; or the inlet tube may be dispensed with, as in Fig. 7. Adjustment is made by the cap 2, here shown without the bars 2<b>. A modified construction of valve is shown in this Figure. In Fig. 12 is shown a form of trap in which the condenser chamber is supported by a bar or bars 9, or an equivalent perforated plate, resting on a shoulder formed on the cap, which is shown funnel-shaped for the attachment of a drain tube. The condenser chamber is recessed for the reception of a spherical valve 7. The supporting bars or plate 9 may be dispensed with by constructing the condenser chamber with its lower face rigid instead of being flexible. In each case, provision is made for the escape of the water of condensation around the periphery of the chamber. Figs. 17, 21, and 24 illustrate the application to lift steam traps. In Fig. 17, the trap-body 1 carries a tubular piece 11, which is divided by a web 11<a> into inlet and outlet compartments, this web carrying the inlet tube 6. A cap 12 to which a plate 12<a> is attached screws into the body 1, and a bossed cap 13 screws outside it, a spindle 12<b> on the cap 12 screwing into the boss 13<a> on the cap 13. A lock-nut 12<c> is fitted. The boss 13<a> may be carried by radial bars secured to the body 1 in any convenient manner. The valve 7 here shown may be reversed when one face becomes worn. This constructional form may be modified by the omission of the external cap 13 and the screwed spindle 12<b>, the inner cap 12 being closed, and pressing directly upon the condenser when screwed in for adjustment purposes. Fig. 21 shows a trap having such a cap, but in this case having a boss 12<d> into which screws a spindle 12<b>. provided at its lower end with a disc 12<e> or equivalent radial arms. In Fig. 24, the inlet 11<b> and the outlet 11<c> are shown arranged at right-angles. The perforated cap 12 has a thin metal disc 12<a> which presses upon the whole of the solid parts of the cap. The projection 8<b> of the condenser chamber is shown filled with solder or other metal to prevent leakage of the liquid should the casing wear. The same object may be attained by the use of a conical covering-piece. Other improvements in the valve and condenser chamber not already indicated consist in the use of internal plugs or distancepieces of various kinds to prevent undue distortion of the chamber, or rupture due to careless adjustment. Two such forms, which are preferably secured to one diaphragm, are shown at 8<g>, 8<f>, in Figs. 31 and 33 ; but, in cases where it is merely desired to support the walls, recesses 8<c> in the chamber are adapted to receive projections 2<e>, 7<b>, Fig. 43, on the casing and valve, or may be filled with solder, as in Fig. 42. In some cases, a plate is placed between the valve and the chamber to distribute the pressure due to the expansion of the latter. Such a plate is shown at 15, Fig. 44, in connection with a trap to which a grit separator is fitted. A wire network is wrapped around or placed inside the inlet tube 6, which may be perforated as at 6<a>. A screwed cap 18 allows the accumulated grit to be blown out through apertures 18<a>, 17<a> in the cap and casing respectively. Fig. 47 shows the application of a sieve-like separator 19<a>, which is spring-pressed upon the end of the inlet tube. A form constructed apart from the main body of the trap, and detachable therefrom, is shown in Fig. 54, in which is fitted a tubular piece 23 having apertures 23<a> 23<b>, of which the latter are covered by wire-gauze windows 19 in a bucket placed within it. Other obvious modifications are mentioned, in one of which the separator is formed by a gauze pocket, the outlet of which may be closed by a screw-down valve. Fig. 64 shows a further modification, in which the water of condensation passes through a gauze-covered opening in a semicylindrical plate 26 before entering the trap. An arrangement for blowing through without altering the adjustment consists, as illustrated in Fig. 64, in the provision of a valve 27 screwing down on to a seat in the web 11<a>. A plane separating-plate 26 is here substituted for the curved one of Fig. 61. In an alternative arrangement, a cock is fitted to the inlet below the web 11<a>.