Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1894
Improvements in Steam Traps.
A communication from ROBERT TEMPLETON LOVE, Engineer, Trinidad,
West Indies.
I EDMUND HUNT, of 87 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows, that is to say :-
The said invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction and
operation of steam traps used for automatically discharging water of condensation
from steam pipes or from other apparatus heated by steam.
In carrying out the invention I employ a vessel or casing of cast iron and of any
simple and convenient shape, having the inlet from the steam pipes or other
apparatus at or near the top. A float which may be made of cast iron and of con-
siderable strength and which is of a shape to suit the internal form of the casing is
connected to one end of a lever centered in a bearing on the bottom of the casing.
The other end of this lever has fixed to it the upper end of the spindle of a valve
which closes upwards against its seat in the outlet for discharging the water of
condensation. The valve spindle is extended downwards through the valve box and
has a rubber buffer on its lower end which bears between the under side of the
valve box and a head on the bottom end of the spindle.
The float acting by its weight on the inner end of the lever holds the valve shut
against the internal pressure until the water of condensation accumulating rises and
bears up the float thereby opening the valve. The rubber buffer allows an extra
strong cast iron float or weight to be used but can be dispensed with when a light
float is used.
Dated this Thirteenth day of May 1893
A communication from ROBERT TEMPLETON LOVE, Engineer, Trinidad,
West Indies.
I, EDMUND HUNT, of 87, St. Vincent Street, in the County of the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Patent Agent, 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, that is to say :-
The said invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction and
operation of steam traps used for automatically discharging water of condensation
from steam pipes or from other apparatus heated by steam.
In carrying out the invention I employ a vessel having the inlet from the steam
pipes or other apparatus at or near the top. A float which may be made of cast
iron and of considerable strength and weight is connected to one end of a lever
centered in a bearing on the bottom of the casing, and this lever is also connected to
a valve which closes upwards against its seat in the outlet for discharging the
water of condensation. The valve spindle is extended downwards through the valve
TD 031

page_text: box and has a rubber or other buffer on its lower end which bears between the
under side of the valve box and a head on the bottom end of the spindle.
And in order that the said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I hereunto append an explanatory drawing to be herein-
after referred to, and showing the improved steam trap in vertical section.
I employ a vessel or casing, A, of cast iron of any suitable and convenient shape,
having the inlet, B, from the steam pipes or other apparatus (not shown) at or near
the top. A float, C, which may be made of cast iron or other suitable material and
which is of considerable strength and weight and of a shape to suit the internal
form of the casing, A, is connected to one end of a lever, D, centered in a
bearing, E, on the bottom of the casing. The other end of this lever, D, has
connected to it the upper end of the spindle, F, of a valve, G, which closes upwards
against its seat, H, in the outlet, J, for discharging the water of condensation. The
valve spindle, F, is extended downwards through the valve box, K, and has a rubber
or other buffer, L, on its lower end bearing between the under side of the valve box
and a head or nut, M, screwed on the bottom end of the spindle.
The float, C, acting by its weight on the inner end of the lever, D, holds the
valve, G, shut against the internal pressure until the water of condensation
accumulating rises and bears up the float, thereby through the reversing action of
the lever, D, opening the valve, G. The float, C, when being borne upwards is
guided by a guide rod, N, fixed on the top of it, and sliding in a guide hole in a
plate, P, fixed to the upper part of the casing, A. The rubber buffer, L, allows an
extra-strong cast iron float, C, to be used but can be dispensed with when a light
float is used.
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. In a steam trap a water-discharging valve closing against the under or outer
side of the discharge outlet and connected to one arm of a lever the other arm of
which is connected to a float of considerable strength and weight, the parts being
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a steam trap of the kind herein before described providing an external
adjustable spring or buffer (L) in connection with the water-discharging valve,
.substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Sixth day of February 1894.
EDMUND HUNT.