Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1887
_ Complete Left, 20th June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th July, 1888
I HENRY WOFFINDIN of Dewsbury Road Leeds in the County of York, Clerk do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improved steam trap consists of a cylindrical or other shaped vessel, provided
with a dome shaped cover on the top, the space inside the cover being however
separated from the space within the cylindrical vessel or body of the trap by a
horizontal dividing plate. A steam and water inlet is cast on the cover. The dividing
plate has an opening left or cast therein, and in the centre of the opening carried by
one or more bridges is a screwed or tapped spindle bearing. To the underside of the
dividing plate, and immediately beneath the opening therein, is attached the well.
This consists of a cylindrical casting, having one central and two side passages; the
central one being conveniently butterfly shaped in section, and the two side ones
lozenge shaped in section. The central passage communicates at its upper end with
the before mentioned opening in the dividing plate, and the two side passages at their
upper ends communicate with pipes which are bent downwards towards the bottom of
the body of the trap. All the three passages unite in one at the bottom of the well,
which is closed by a valve opening downwards into the body of the trap. This valve
is attached to one end of a two armed or balanced lever, a similar valve being attached
to the opposite end of the lever.
The body of the trap is separate from the water outlet; the connection between the
two being effected, or closed, by the second of the above just mentioned valves. It
will be evident that if properly adjusted, the opening of the well valve and the waste
water outlet valve take place simultaneously, as also their closing.
The mode of action of the apparatus is as follows:-Steam and water are admitted to
the trap through the inlet in the dome shaped cover, and pass by means of the passages
in the well and the pipes to the interior of the trap body. The pressure of the steam
closes the valve of the waste water outlet, and consequently also the valve of the well;
as both are attached to the same hinged lever. When the well valve is closed, the
condensed water gradually accumulates and rises in the well, until after reaching a
certain height the water itself cuts off communication between the three passages in
the well casting, and consequently between the steam and water inlet, and the body.of
1 Dine 871

page_text: the trap. The steam thus shut off in the body of the trap soon condenses, and a
partial vacuum is formed, which however is followed immediately by the opening of
the well-and waste water outlet valves; the steam discharging the water which has
collected in the well through both valves into the waste water outlet.
In order to prevent the valves being opened too far, a distance stud is provided
beneath the well valve to limit its motion. Also in order to be able to open the
valves at pleasure, I provide a screwed spindle which passes through a stuffing box
in the dome shaped cover of the trap, and through the above mentioned screwed
bearing provided in the opening in the dividing plate. When the spindle is screwed
down, the lower end comes in contact with and opens the well valve, and consequently
also the waste water outlet valve.
It will he evident that this my Invention is also applicable as a water trap,
where steam is conveyed for some distance from the place where it is generated.
I then provide a steam outlet in the dome shaped cover, and place a dash plate or
water collector between the inlet and outlet, to separate or detach the water from the
steam with which it is mingled.
This my Invention can be considerably modified by dispensing with the well
arrangement, and substituting therefor a bent pipe or tube; one leg of which is
longer than the other, and passes through a second dividing plate. A valve, corre-
sponding to the well valve above mentioned, is fitted to a seat formed in this second
dividing plate. Both valves are attached to one common hinged lever as above
described in my first arrangement of trap.

page_text: Improvements in Steam Traps.
1 HENRY WOFFINDIN of Dewsbury Road Leeds in the County of York Clerk do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My improved steam trap consists of a cylindrical or other shaped vessel, provided
with a dome shaped cover on the top, the space inside the cover being however
separated from the space within the cylindrical vessel or body of the trap by a
horizontal dividing plate. A steam and water inlet is cast on the cover. The dividing
plate has an opening left or cast therein, and in the centre of the opening carried by
one or more bridges is a screwed or tapped spindle bearing. To the underside of the
dividing plate and immediately beneath the opening therein is attached the well.
This consists of a cylindrical casting having one central and two side passages, the
central one being conveniently butterfly shaped in section, and the two side ones
lozenge shaped in section. The central passage communicates at its upper end with
the before mentioned opening in the dividing plate, and the two side passages at their
upper ends communicate with pipes which are bent downwards towards the bottom of
the body of the trap. All the three passages unite in one at the bottom of the well,
which is closed by a valve opening downwards into the body of the trap. This valve
is attached to one end of a two armed or balanced lever, a similar valve being attached
to the opposite end of the lever.
Instead of the above named three passages I find it more convenient to let the top
of the well open out directly into the space beneath the cover, to which the steam and
water are first admitted, and to provide a syphon like pipe one leg of which
descends to the requisite depth in the well, the other leg just passing through the
separating or dividing plate.
The body of the trap is separate from the water outlet, the connection between the
two being effected or closed, by the second of the above just mentioned valves. It
will be evident that if properly adjusted, the opening of the well valve and the waste
water outlet valve take place simultaneously as also their closing.
The mode of action of the apparatus is as follows:-Steam and water are admitted
to the trap, through the inlet in the dome shaped cover, and pass by means of the
passages, or directly, into the well, and by the pipes into the interior of the trap body.
The pressure of the steam closes the valve of the waste water outlet, and consequently
also the valve of the well, as both are attached to the same hinged lever. When the
well valve is closed, the condensed water gradually accumulates and rises in the well,
until after reaching a certain height, the water itself cuts off communication between
the three passages in the well casting and consequently between the steam and water

page_text: inlet and the body of the trap. The steam thus shut off, in the body of the trap, soon
condenses, and a partial vacuum is formed, which is however followed immediately by
the opening of the well and waste water outlet valves, the steam discharging the
water, which has collected in the well through both valves into the waste water
outlet.
In order to prevent the valves being opened too far, a distance stud is provided
beneath the well valve to limit its motion. Also in order to be able to open the valves,
I provide a screwed spindle which passes through a stuffing box in the dome shaped
cover of the trap, and through the above mentioned screwed bearing provided in the
opening of the dividing plate. When the spindle is screwed down, the lower end
comes in contact with, and opens the well valve and consequently also the waste water
outlet valve.
It will be evident that this my Invention is also applicable as a water trap, where
steam is conveyed for some distance from the place where it is generated. I then
provide a steam outlet in the dome shaped cover, and place a dash plate or water
collector between the inlet and outlet to separate or detach the water from the steam
with which it is mingled.
This my Invention can be conveniently modified by dispensing with the well
arrangement and substituting therefor a bent pipe or tube; one leg of which is longer
than the other, and passes through the second dividing plate, the first leg passing
through the first dividing plate, which is perforated and serves merely as a dash plate.
A valve corresponding to the well valve above mentioned, is fitted to a seat formed in
the underside of this second dividing plate. Both valves are attached to one common
hinged lever as above described in my first arrangement of trap.
It will moreover be evident that in order to cause my trap to operate, it is not
necessary that a vacuum shall be formed to open the well valve, since the steam
pressure acts on both sides of this valve, and by properly balancing the lever, it may
be opened by any desired head of water in the well above such valve.
Also in this latter case where the opening of the valve is effected by the head of
water above the valve, my Invention is not essentially altered if the valve is made
stationary and the valve seat moveable, that is if the well or trap in which the water
collects, is formed as a separate vessel, supported or carried instead of the valve at the
end of the before mentioned lever.
And in order that my Invention may be more clearly understood, reference is given
to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are cross sections illustrating three arrangements of my Improved
Automatic Steam Trap. In all these Figures the same letters are employed to represent
corresponding parts...
A is the steam and water inlet in the top or cover. B. B' is the passage or pipe
by which steam passes from the trap or catch well or cistern C to the body of the
trap D.
E is a dash plate or water collector which also serves to prevent the rush of steam
from opening the valve F.
G is the two armed lever carrying at one end the valve F and at the other end the
valve H which gives admission to the water outlet I. In Figs. 2 and 3 this valve is
formed as a double beat or equilibrium valve. J is a fixed cover so arranged as to
retain sufficient water over this valve so as to ensure it remaining steam tight. In
Figs. 2 and 3 K is a balance weight which retains the valve F closed until its weight
is overcome by the head or weight of water collected in the well or cistern. Lisa
spindle with screw attachment to enable this valve to be opened independantly of the
automatic action of the trap; and M is a set screw to prevent too great an opening of
the valves.
The action of the trap is as follows:-
The steam and water entering by the inlet A rushes against the dash plate or
collector, the water being detached and collected in the bottom of the well or cistern C.
The steam clear or free from the water passes along, the passage or pipe B into the
body of the trap D and presses on the valve F. The cleared steam can be taken from

page_text: any suitable opening in the body or cover of the trap. When the water collected rises
to such a height that its pressure on the valve F more than counterbalances the
weighted lever G, the valve F, (or in Fig. 3 the cistern C) and the end of the
lever G attached thereto is forced down at the same time opening the valve H and
allowing the water to escape, through the outlet L. In the case shewn in Fig. 1.
the weight of the water in the well is assisted by the vacuum produced by the con-
densation of the steam in the body of the trap, after the passage of steam through
the pipe B is cut off by the water in the trap rising to the level of the bottom of the
leg of the pipe B¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
T
my said Inven
1
any suitable opening in the body or cover of the trap.
When the water collected rises
to such a height that its pressure on the valve F more than counterbalances the
weighted lever G, the valve F, (or in Fig. 3 the cistern C) and the end of the
lever G attached thereto is forced down at the same time opening the valve H and
allowing the water to escape, through the outlet L. In the case shewn in Fig. 1.
the weight of the water in the well is assisted by the vacuum produced by the con-
densation of the steam in the body of the trap, after the passage of steam through
the pipe B' is cut off by the water in the trap rising to the level of the bottom of the
leg of the pipe B¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven
tion and in what manner the Баще 19 to be performed I declare what I
claim is
In steam traps
1º. The two armed lever G carrying at one end the valve F, (or cistern C,) and at
the other end the outlet valve H, (weighted when requisite,) substantially as and for
purpose herein set forth.
the
2. In combination with the lever G and valves F and H, the cistern C and passage
or pipe B', substantially as herein set forth.
30. Also the cover J substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
4°. The general arrangements and combinations of the various parts, (comprised in
the foregoing claims,) forming my Improved Automatic Steam Trap, substantially as
herein set forth and illustrated by Figs. 1. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings..
Dated this 10th dow of June 1888