Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON and ROBERT THOMPSON, 155, Feuchurch Street,
London, E.C., Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
or
The object of our invention is improvements in that class of steam traps in
which the valve controlling the flow of the condensed water and steam is operated
by the springing or deflection and contraction from and to its normal position
of a curved or bent tube (hereinafter called the spring tube) preferably charged
with spirit or liquid sensibly affected by the varying temperature of the water or
steam passing through the trap, and by these improvements we arrange and connect
the valve in such relation to the spring tube as to admit of the tube operat-
ing it
to and from its seating with a more central and direct
easier motion, such arrangement at the same time placing the valve,
its seating and connection in a more advantageous position for rapid
renewal, adjustment or removal of the moving parts complete, and for its
operation by duplex or additional expansion tubes, thereby rendering the trap
more compact, and further for raising the temperature of the tube for its expansion
without actual contact with the steam, when such conditions may be considered
more favourable to the operation of the tube. In carrying our invention into
practice we arrange or form a valve box or steam chest (hereinafter called the valve
box) in the case of the trap and between the two ends of the spring tube in such a
manner that it may be arranged or fitted with a valve with its seating and parts
(as hereinafter mentioned) for controlling the flow of the condensed water and
steam by the operation of the spring tube to which the valve is connected by
means of a forked connecting rod the single or stem end of which is connected to
the operating end of the spring tube by a suitable bearing, while the other end
of the rod is so forked as to admit of the arrangement of the valve and valve box
in the space between the two branches forming the fork, so that these branches
will work one on each side of the valve and valve box with suitable bearings
formed at their ends connecting them with the crosshead or stud bearings formed
on each side of the valve, the other end of the spring tube is connected by a suitable
bearing to a regulating screw, taking its bearing in a screw formed in the case or a
suitably arranged nut in such a manner that, by turning the regulating screw
in the required direction, the spring tube and valve may be adjusted and set in
proper working relation to the valve seating, which seating is made readily ad-
justable by forming it with a suitable grating formed or provided with a partially
hollow shank or bolt which is arranged to pass through the valve box and project
through a hole formed therein so as to receive a nut by which the seating is drawn
and held up to the valve box face and aperture prepared to receive it, the shank
or bolt being made hollow so as to receive and form a bearing or guide for a
shank formed on and projecting centrally beyond the face of the valve so as to

page_text: support it and facilitate its working in a direct line and true to the face of the
seating or instead of the shank or bolt holding the seating being hollow, a
shank may be extended from the back of the valve and made hollow so as to
receive and work on a spindle or shank arranged to project beyond the working
face of the valve seating. We may also utilize the regulating screw as a guide
bearing for the valve by making it hollow and arranging it so as to receive the
aforesaid spindle or shank at the back of the valve or the shank at the back of the
valve may be formed hollow and work on a plain extension of the regulating
screw. The valve box is arranged with a suitably formed aperture leading to
the outside of the trap casing so as to be connected with the steam pipe or vessel
to be drained.
The operation is as follows:- the spring tube being adjusted by the regulating
screw so as to keep the valve open when the tube is at its normal position and
allow the steam (admitted to the pipe or vessel with which the trap may be
connected) to blow through the trap until the tube and the spirit contained therein
become sufficiently heated to deflect or straighten the tube by expansion so that the
movement of its operating end is imparted to the valve through the medium of the
connecting rod, drawing the valve to its seating until it is closed and so held as
to shut off the steam by the expansive force of the tube, until an accumulation of
condensed water in the pipe or vessel aforesaid lowers the temperature, and admits
of the tube contracting to its normal working position in which operation it
again opens the valve and allows the steam to blow out the condensed water and
again raising the temperature of the tube the operation is continued and repeated
at intervals while the trap is under steam pressure.
In order to avoid the use of large tubes and to keep down the size of the trap so
as to render it more compact instead of employing a spring tube of larger radius
or dimensions to work against pressure increasing with increased size of the valve
or higher pressure of steam, we employ two smaller tubes preferably arranged
side by side, each connected with a regulating screw as aforesaid, while the
operating ends of the two tubes are connected by a yoke (or crosshead) to which
the single or stem end bearing of the aforesaid connecting rod is connected
centrally between the two tubes in such a manner that the tubes are free to direct
their united expansive and contracting power on the valve through the medium
of the yoke and connecting rod aforesaid.
Instead of a forked connecting rod two single rods or links may be led from the
valve crosshead or stud bearings to a crosshead or yoke connected with the yoke
or crosshead arranged at the operating end or ends of the spring tube or tubes.
When excessive heat of the steam may render it desirable to work the trap
without the steam coming into actual contact with the spring tube, we arrange
the valve so as to discharge the condensed water outside the case and extend the
valve box .SO as to form it to the radius of the tube when at
its normal position that the tube may be in such close proximity
to it as to be operated by the radiation of the heat from the steam con-
tained in or passing through it. The said valve box may be so formed as to
partially or wholly envelope the tube and dispense with the ordinary case at
the same time leaving the tube free to operate. When it may be essential to
employ a longer connecting rod than the arranging of the valve box between
the two ends of the tube will admit, we connect the stationary end of the tube with
the end of the valve box, securing it by the bolt and nut employed for holding
the valve seating in position and extend the connecting rod to a suitable length
for connection with its operating end as aforesaid. While the valve is regulated
by being provided or formed with a spindle having a screw at one end working in
a nut formed in the crosshead by which the valve is connected to the connecting
rod while the other end of the spindle projects and works with the valve through
a hole in the casing so that it may be operated from the outside for screwing the
valve to and from its seating according to the adjustment required and at the
same time indicate the motion of the valve, also such of the valve spindles (herein-

page_text: before mentioned) as may admit of extension so as to work through and beyond
the outer surface of the case may be utilized for similar indication.
The valve box may be arranged in the end or other suitable part of the case so
that the screwed end of the bolt or shank for holding the valve seating in position
(as aforesaid) may extend or project through the case so as to receive the nut
(by which the seating is drawn to its bearing and held in position) on the outside,
in such a manner that it may be immediately accessible for removal or adjustment
without opening the case-while the spring tube and the mechanism (aforesaid)
connected with it for operating the valve may be adapted to the position of the
valvo and valve box.
WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON and ROBERT THOMPSON, 155, Fenchurch Street,
London, E.C., Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement: —
Our invention has for its object improvements in that class of steam traps in
which the valve controlling the flow of the steam and condensed water is operated
by the springing or deflection and contraction from and to its normal position of
a curved, crescent formed, or bent tube (hereinafter called the spring tube) pre-
ferably charged with spirit or liquid sensibly affected by the varying temperature
of the water or steam passing through the trap and by these improvements we
arrange and connect the valve in such relation to the spring tube as to admit of the
tube operating it to and from its seating with a more central and direct or easier
motion such arrangement at the same time placing or arranging the valve, its
seating and connections more advantageously for removal, renewal, operation or
adjustment and for the operation of the valve by duplex or additional spring or
expansion tubes and thereby rendering the trap more compact or portable; also
the arrangement or formation of the trap and parts so as to raise the temperature
of the spring tube and spirit contained therein without the steam or water retained
in or passing through the trap coming into actual contact with the said tube when
such conditions may be considered more favourable to its operation.
In order that our invention and the manner of operating the same may be the
better understood we have appended the accompanying sheets of drawings.
In carrying our invention into practice (see Sheet 1 Figs. 1 and 2) we arrange or
form a valve box or steam chest 1) (hereinafter called the valve box) in the case
of the trap T between the two ends of the spring tube B in such a manner that
it may be arranged or fitted with a valve C with its seating G and parts (as herein-
after mentioned) for controlling the flow of the steam and condensed water by
the operation of the spring tube B to which the valve C is connected by means
of a forked connecting rod E the single or stem end of which is connected to the
operating end of the spring tube B by a suitable bearing F, while the other end of
the rod E is so forked as to admit of the arrangement of the valve C and valve
box D in the space between the two branches forming the fork, so that these
branches will work one on each side of the valve box D and valve C with suitable
bearings formed at their ends for connecting the said rod E with the valve C by
means of a crosshead connected with the valve C and provided with suitable pins

page_text: or bearings for the connection (or by other suitable bearings arranged or formed
with the valve C) so as to insure the radiating or expanding and contracting
movement of the spring tube B being communicated to the valve C through the
medium of the connecting rod E while the other end of the spring tube B is
arranged so as to admit of its being moved or adjusted in such a manner as to
set the valve into proper working relation with its seating G, such
movement or adjustment being effected by arranging or forming this said
end of the spring tube B with a suitable nut L taking its bearing on a regulating
screw K arranged in a bearing or bearings in connection with the case (or other
parts) of the trap T in such a manner as to admit of the screw K being turned so
as to traverse the nut to and fro in order to carry or move and set the spring
tube B in the direction required for the proper adjustment of the valve C, or
instead of a nut traversing the said screw K the screw may be arranged to operate
through or traverse a fixed nut and carry the spring tube B by its end (aforesaid)
being provided with a suitable bearing for connection with the said screw K.
The valve seating G is made readily adjustable by forming it with a suitable
grating formed or provided with a hollow or partially hollow shank or bolt H
which is arranged to pass through the valve box D and project through a hole
formed therein so as to receive a nut I by which the seating G is drawn and held
up to the valve box face and aperture prepared to receive it, the shank or bolt H
being made hollow so as to receive and form a guide bearing for a shank or
spindle J provided or formed on and projecting centrally beyond the face of the
valve C so as to support it and facilitate its working in a direct line and true
to the face of the seating G, or instead of the shank or bolt holding the seating
being hollow, a shank forming a guide bearing may be extended from the back.
of the valve and made hollow so as to receive and work on a spindle or shank
arranged to project beyond the working face of the valve seating. We may also
utilize the regulating screw K as a guide bearing for the valve C by making it
hollow and arranging it so as to receive the aforesaid spindle or shank at the back
of the valve C, or the shank at the back of the valve may be formed hollow and
work on a plain extension of the regulating screw K so as to form a guide bearing.
The valve box D) is arranged with a suitably formed inlet aperture A leading to
the outside of the trap casing T for its connection with the steam pipe or vessel
to be drained. R being the outlet for connection with the discharge pipe.
In order to avoid the use of large tubes and to keep down the size of the trap T
so as to render it more compact or portable, instead of employing a spring tube
of larger radius or dimensions to work against pressure increasing with increased
size of the valve or higher pressure of steam we operate the valve C by a multi-
plication of less powerful tubes of smaller dimensions preferably two (hereinafter
called the duplex tubes)-see Sheet 2 Figs. 1 and 2-the tubes B are of such
dimensions as to collectively exert a force on the valve C equal or approximate
to the capacity of the larger tube and in order to direct their collective force on the
valve C and operate it by their expansion and contraction we preferably arrange
them side by side with space between them for the passage and operation of the
aforesaid connecting rod E and a yoke or crosshead H by which they are connected
at their operating ends F with the stem end of the said rod E by means of the
links G so as to balance their combined force when acting on the valve C through
the medium of the connecting rod E aforesaid, the said tubes B and valve Care
adjusted into proper working relation with the valve seating by the regulating
screws K and nuts L arranged at each of their ends so as to admit of their
regulation as herein before mentioned. The duplex tubes may be adapted or
arranged (in substitution for the single spring tube) in combination with any
other mechanism or parts herein mentioned for operating the valve C to which they
may be applicable.
When the trap T is required for draining pipe connections or apparatus under
steam at high pressure and at a temperature higher than is necessary or desirable
for the successful operation of the spring tube B, we provide for its operation

page_text: without actually coming into contact with the steam or water retained in or passing
through the trap T by extending the valve box D (see Sheet 3. Figs. 1 and 2)
so as to form the extension part P to the radius of the spring tube B when at its
normal temperature or position, the said extension P forming a chamber in com-
bination with the valve box D such chamber P being in contact with the spring
tube B or in such relation or proximity to it as to admit of its being affected by
the lower temperature of the radiation of the heat from the steam or water retained
in or passing through and out of the said chamber P and valve box D which is so
arranged in combination with the valve C and valve seating G as to insure the
steam and water being discharged outside the case T containing the chamber P,
part of the valve box D) and the spring tube B and mechanism by which its force
or movement is communicated to the valve C which may be operated and regulated
by the hereinbefore mentioned arrangement of spring tube and mechanism, but we
prefer adapting the hereinafter mentioned modification or arrangement of spring tube
connections mechanism and parts as most suitable for operating and regulating the
valve and indicating its position and operation. The said valve box D or chamber P
may be so formed or extended as to wholly or partially envelope the tube B and
dispense with the case T at the same time leaving the tube B free to operate. The
arrows indicate the passage of the steam and water from the inlet A to the outlet R.
In the aforesaid modification or arrangement instead of arranging that end
of the spring tube opposite to its operating end (hereinafter called the rear end M)
so as to be moveable by the operation of a regulating screw as hereinbefore men-
tioned we make the said rear end M permanently stationary (preferably as herein-
after mentioned) and instead of arranging the valve box D between the two ends
of the spring tube B (as hereinbefore mentioned) we arrange it behind the rear
end M of the said tube B (see Sheets 4, 5 and 6) and make such rear end stationary
by connecting it with the end of the valve box to which it is fixed by an extension
of the herein before mentioned shank or bolt H (by which the valve seating G is
held in position) passing through an aperture in its solid end so as to admit of
its being set up firmly to the said end of the valve box by the nut I and screw
at the end of the said shank H, the said nut and screw holding the spring tube B
and seating G in combination with the valve box D in such a manner as to admit
of their release for examination renewal or repair by removal of the one nut.
The valve C is operated and regulated by its being provided or formed with a
spindle J having a screw K at one end to receive and work in a nut N forming
part of the crosshead by which the said spindle is connected with a suitable
connecting rod E extending to the operating end F of the spring tube B and pro-
vided with suitable bearings for connecting the said tube B with the crosshead N
so as to admit of its operating the valve C through the medium of the aforesaid
screwed end K and part of the spindle J extending from it to the valve C which
part when in working position takes its bearing in the guide bearing H formed
in the aforesaid shank of the valve seating G (as hereinbefore mentioned) through
which its screwed end K extends a suitable distance for connection with the nut
of the crosshead N aforesaid, while the other end of the said spindle J extends
from and beyond the back of the valve C so as to project through an aperture
in the valve casing a suitable distance to admit of its being turned by the wheel O
in the required direction for operating the screw K at its other end, so as to
increase or diminish the distance between the valve C and the crosshead N and
thereby regulate the said valve C into proper working relation with its seating G
and the spring tube B from the exterior of the trap, and as the valve C operates
or reciprocates with the spindle J this extension beyond the casing admits also
of being utilized for external indication and observation of the valve's motion or
operation. The passage of the steam and water from the inlet A to the outlet R
is indicated by the arrows..
In certain designs of trap (see Sheet 5 Fig. 1) which may not admit of space for
convenient access to the nut on the screwed end of the herein before mentioned

page_text: shank by which the valve seating and moveable' parts connected therewith are
held in position, we arrange the valve box D at or in the rear end of the trap in
such a manner that the said screwed end extends or projects through a suitable
part of the trap or its casing so as to receive the said nut I on the outside of such
casing or trap in such a manner as it may be immediately accessible for removal
or adjustment while the spring tube B and mechanism aforesaid may be adapted-
to the position of the valve Cand valve box D.
The aforesaid modification and arrangement of mechanism and parts admit of
the angle at which the connecting rod E transmits the movement of the tube B
to the valve C being reduced by the employment of a longer connecting rod between
the ends of the tube and also admits of the valve C retaining the water or steam
in the case T of the trap in contact with the tube .B until its temperature
declines sufficiently for the tube B to relax and allow the valve C
to open and discharge the water outside of the casing or that part of the trap in
which the steam and water have been retained in close proximity to or in contact
with the tube, and by a simple arrangement or diversion of the inlet and outlet
passages admit of steam and water being discharged from the valve into the trap
casing so as to immediately blow through the case and contact with the tube in
its passage, and also admitting of the valve being directly regulated and its motion
indicated for observation from the exterior of the trap.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare what
we claim is:
Firstly. We claim the arrangement and combination of the spring tube with
the connecting rod, valve and spindle and guide bearing so that the combined
action of the spindle reciprocating in the guide bearing and the connecting rod
radiating and advancing or retiring with the operating end of the spring
tube transmits the expanding and contracting movement of the said tube to
the valve with direct and easy motion-further, we claim the arrangement of the
valve seating in combination with the afore-said mechanism and valve
box so as to be held to it by the shank (with which
the guide
bearing is formed) and nut formed on its screwed end so as to be readily
released, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein described and
shown by Figures 1 and 2 Sheet 1 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Secondly. We claim the application to or operation of the valve by duplex
or multiple spring tubes in substitution of the single spring tube, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein described and shown by Figs. 1 and 2
Sheet 2, of the drawings hereto annexed.
Thirdly. We claim the extension of the valve box, so as to form it in combina-
tion with a chamber extending to the spring tube, so as to be in such proximity
or relation to it as to admit of its being affected by the radiation of heat from
the steam or water contained in or passing through the said chamber and valve
box further we claim the arrangement and combination of the aforesaid chamber
and valve box with the spring tube and mechanism operating in combination
with the valve for retaining and discharging the condensed water and for
regulating and indicating the operation of the said valve, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein described and shown by Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 3,
of the drawings hereto annexed.
Fourthly. We claim the arrangement of the valve box behind the rear end of
the spring tube and in combination with the said end and the whole of the spring
tube, and its connections, mechanism or parts operating the valve or in connection
with it for retaining or controlling the flow of the water and for regulating and
observation of the valve from the exterior of the trap substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein described and shown by Sheets 4, 5, and 6
of the drawings hereto annexed,

page_text: Lastly. We claim the general arrangement and combination of mechanism and
parts for retaining or controlling the flow of the steam and water substantially
in the manner and for the purposes herein described and shown by Sheets, 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, and 6 of the drawings hereto annexed.
J
1000