Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, JOHN LONGTON, of Brinscall, near Chorley, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of steam traps in which the escape of the
condensed water is controlled by a floating bucket or chamber and from which the
water is discharged when it accumulates through suitable valves.
It consists essentially in placing the valve chamber suspended from the discharge
pipe in the centre of the floating bucket forming the valve with two seats of equal
area to maintain the equilibrium thereof and in connecting the valve to the bottom
of the floating bucket so that as the bucket falls the valve is moved downward
and the port is opened and on the bucket rising again the valve is lifted and the
port closed.
In carrying out the invention I construct an outer chamber or vessel provided
with inlet and outlet pipes an air valve and a suitable cover. Inside this chamber
or vessel is placed a bucket or second cha nber open on the upper side and capable
of floating on a liquid in the outer vessel. This bucket is kept in a central position
and from turning about by means of guide pins, arins, slides or the like depending
from a cross bar or otherwise conveniently placed.
On the side of the floating bucket facing the inlet steam pipe is placed a baffle
plate or shield to prevent dirt being carried over by the pressure of the steam into
the interior of the floating bucket.
The outlet or water discharge pipe enters above the top of the floating bucket
and projects down into it nearly to the bottom so that the end is completely immersed
in any water contained therein. The buoyancy of the floating bucket is regulated
by the quantity of water in the vessel and in the bucket.
To the lower end of the discharge pipe is fitted a valve chamber with ports
leading to the pipe. In this is fitted a double faced equilibrium valve with two
seatings. The valve is attached to a bracket or other connecting link fixed to the
bottom of the floating bucket so that as the bucket is moved up and down the valve
is moved to and from its seat and the ports are opened and closed. When the valve
is closed the bucket is thereby prevented rising any higher. The valve is carried
by a guard or plate attached to the discharge pipe or other place to prevent sediment
being deposited thereon.
In working the condensed water flows from the inlet pipe into the outer vessel
surrounding the floating bucket and lifts the floating bucket closing the discharge
valve. When the water in the outer vessel attains a certain level it flows over the
top of the floating bucket. The water in the floating bucket causes it to sink and
as it sinks the valve is opened and the water in it is driven out by the pressure of
the steam. When the water is reduced in the bucket it again rises and closes the
valve.
Dated this 11th day of January 1894.

page_text: .
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, JOHN LONGTON, of Brinscall, near Chorley, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanic, 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 :-
This invention relates to that class of steam trap in which the escape of the
condensed water is controlled by a floating bucket or chamber and from which the
water is discharged when it accumulates through suitable valves.
It consists essentially in placing the valve chamber suspended from the discharge
pipe in the centre of the floating bucket, forming the valve with two seats of equal
area to maintain the equilibrium thereof, and in connecting the valve to the
bottom of the floating bucket so that as the bucket falls the valve is moved down-
ward and the port is opened and on the bucket rising again the valve is lifted and
the port closed.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
An outer chamber or vessel A. is constructed of rectangular or other shape
with an inlet pipe B and outlet or discharge pipe C an air valve D and a steam
tight cover E.
Inside the chamber A is placed a bucket or second chamber F open on the
upper side and capable of floating on a liquid in the outer vessel A. The bucket F
is kept in a central position and from turning about by means of guide pins e, arms,
slides or the like depending from the cover E or from a cross bar or otherwise
conveniently placed.
On the side of the floating bucket F facing the inlet steam pipe B is placed a
baffle plate or shield to prevent dirt being carried over by the pressure of the
steam into the interior of the floating bucket F.
The outlet or water discharge pipe C is placed above the top of the floating
bucket F and projects down into it nearly to the bottom so that the end is
completely immersed in any water contained therein. The buoyancy of the floating
bucket F is regulated by the quantity of water in it and in the vessel A.
To the lower end of the discharge pipe C is fitted a valve chamber G with
two ports 9 leading to the pipe each of which is provided with a valve seat.
In the chamber G is fitted a double faced equilibrium valve H with two faces h.
The valve H is attached to a bracket or other connecting link J fixed to the bottom
of the floating bucket F so that as the bucket is moved up and down the valve H
is moved to and from its seats and the ports 9 are opened and closed. When the
valve H is closed the bucket is thereby prevented rising any higher. The valve H
and ports g are covered by a guard or plate K attached to the discharged pipe C
or other place to prevent sediment being deposited thereon.
In working the condensed water flows from the inlet pipe B into the outer
vessel A. surrounding the floating bucket F and lifts the floating bucket closing the
discharge valve. When the water in the outer vessel attains a certain level it flows
into the floating bucket over the top edge. The weight of the water which flows
into the floating bucket F causes it to sink and as it sinks the valve H falls and
opens the ports g and the water in it is driven out through the pipe C by the
pressure of the steam. When the water is reduced in the bucket it again rises and
closes the valve.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A steam trap constructed with a bucket floating in an outer chamber, a
stationary valve chamber suspended on the discharge pipe in the interior of the
floating bucket and an equilibrium valve connected to the floating chamber so that
as the floating bucket falls by the weight of water flowing into it from the outer
chamber the valve is moved downwards and the ports opened to discharge the water
and on the bucket rising again the valve is lifted and the ports closed substantially
as described.
2. A steam trap constructed and arranged substantially as described.
Patel sud day of August 12,
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.