Improvements in Apparatus for Discharging Water of Condensation.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1899-Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Discharging Water of Condensation.
I, JOHN JAMES ROYLE, of Dalham Works, Manchester, in the County of Lan-
caster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
In the construction of steam traps for very high pressures there are practical
difficulties (1) from the high steam pressure which precludes the use of hollow
floats for operating the valve, and (2) from the high temperature of the con-
densed water which operates against its quick ejectment.
In order to overcome these difficulties I propose to work the outlet valve by
mechanism within the trap operated from an outside source, and which is only
allowed to operate on the valve when the water has reached a certain height.
One method of carrying this into effect would be to employ a cylinder and
piston of which the piston is connected to the valve of the trap. The cylinder
is given a slow reciprocating movement from the outside of the trap, and is pro-
vided with ports or passages opening on each reciprocation to the body of the
trap. As long as the trap is free of water the piston will move freely in the
cylinder leaving the valve of the trap closed, but as soon as the water in the
trap reaches the cylinder and floods it (through the ports or passages before
mentioned) a body of water is thereby interposed and the piston on the next
reciprocation is lifted, so opening the valve of the trap and allowing the water
of condensation to escape. This lifting action will continue so long as the height
of water in the trap is sufficient to flood the cylinder.
By connecting the cylinder to the valve the piston may have the reciprocating
movement. The piston should be a slack fit, or be fitted with a bye-pass. A
diaphragm might be substituted for the cylinder and piston. A series of traps
might be grouped together and be operated from any convenient motor, which
might take the form of a small steam engine arranged in any suitable position
with respect to the traps.
Dated this 2nd day of Sentember 1898.
JOHN JAMES ROYLE,
By J. G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement; -
In the construction of steam traps for very high pressures there are practical
difficulties, 1st, from the high steam pressure which precludes the use of hollow
floats for operating the valve, and, 2ndly, from the high temperature of the con-
deused water which operates against its quick ejectment.
In order to overcome these difficulties I propose to work the outlet valve by
mechanism within the trap operated from an outside source, and which is only
allowed to operate on the valve when the water has reached a certain height.
One method of carrying this into effect would be to employ a cylinder and
piston of which the piston is connected to the valve of the trap. The cylinder
is given a slow reciprocating movement from the outside of the trap, and is pro-
vided with ports or passages opening on each reciprocation to the body of the
trap. As long as the trap is iree of water the piston will move freely in the
cylinder leaving the valve of the trap closed, but as soon as the water in the
trap reaches the cylinder and floods it (through the ports or passages before
mentioned) a body of water is thereby interposed and the piston on the next
reciprocation is lifted, so opening the valve of the trap and allowing the water
of condensation to escape. This lifting action will continue so long as the height
of water in the trap is sufficient to food the cylinder.
By connecting the cylinder to the valve the piston may have the reciprocating
movement. The piston should be a slack fit, or be fitted with a bye-pass. A
diaphram might be substituted for the cylinder and piston. A series of traps
might be grouped together and be operated from any convenient motor which
might take the form of a small steam engine arranged in any suitable position
with respect to the trap.
On the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) illustrates a vertical section,
and Fig. 2 a sectional plan of my improved apparatus.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 (Sheet 2) illustrate diagramatically three successive stages in
the action of the apparatus.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2,-(A) designates the outer casing, (B) the con-
densation inlet, and (C) the discharge outlet.-(D) the valve for controlling the
outlet, carried by spindle (E) which passes completely through the casing (A)
and out at a stuffing box (F), for the purpose of putting the valve (D). wholly,
or partially in equilibrium.-(G) is a spring for giving the spindle (E) a pre-
ponderance of pressure downwards.
Upon the spindle (E) is a fixed piston (H), and around the said piston and
capable of reciprocating thereon is a cylinder (I), with ports, or openings (J).
By means of collars (K), lever arms (L) engaging by studs (L*) with said collars,
shaft (M) on which said lever is mounted, and which passes to the outside of
casing (A), and lever (N) coupled to any convenient source of power, a recipro-
cating action is imparted to the cylinder.
The apparatus so constructed is connected to the apparatus to be drained by
the inlet (B) in such a manner as to allow the water of condensation to flow into
the casing (A)-A constant slow reciprocating-motion is given to lever (N) as
aforesaid and the motion thus given to the cylinder would obviously lift the
piston (H) and therefore the outlet valve (D) as soon as the piston had passed
the ports (J) were it not that the piston is made a slack fit, and, working in steam
only, slips in the cylinder, and does not lift the valve (D), see Figs. 1, 3 and 4.
As soon, however, as any condensation overflows into the cylinder (I) through
the openings (J), owing to the filling of the casing (A), and a liquid substance
is thereby interposed between the cylinder and piston, the next reciprocation
carries up the piston, and so lifts the valve (D) and discharges the condensation
or priming, as shewn in Fig. 5. The lifting will continue stroke for stroke su
long as water overflows the cylinder, but as soon as the condensation falls below
the ports (J) the leakage of the piston and cylinder allows the interposed water

page_text: to gradually escape, and the valve lifting action ceases until the cylinder is
again flooded.
A number of receivers may be arranged upon a bulk-head or
like place and all worked from the same source of power, or motion, with the
several inlets (B) prepared to receive the condensation or priming from any
source, and at any pressure, and the outlets (C) collected into one common pipe.-
In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 I shew the apparatus with two inlets (B).-A speed of
from 40 to 60 strokes per minute is found to be suitable for the cylinder.-It is
not at all needful that it be uniform in speed, but continuity is essential. The
power absorbed is trifling.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In apparatus for discharging condensation or priming, a cylinder with
small holes or ports, and a piston fitting loosely within said cylinder, means for
imparting a reciprocating motion to said cylinder (or piston), and a valve for
controlling the outlet opening, operated by the interposition of the condensation
or priming between the cylinder and piston, substantially as herein before
described and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
2. In steam traps, or apparatus for discharging condensation or priming, the
combination and arrangement of parts, mounted and operating substantially as
herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
1000
JOHN JAMES ROYLE.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.
JOHN JAMES ROYLE.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.