IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert Ewart at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th January 1879.
HERBERT EWART, of Belfast, Ireland.
"
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS."
My Invention consists of improvements in steam traps by which an expanding
pipe forming part of the arrangements becomes, when in use, insulated from the
framing, and thus being more sensitive allows the use of a shorter trap than here-
tofore adopted.
In carrying out my Invention I proceed mainly as follows:-
I use a pipe of copper or other suitable material of high expansive power. To
the lower part of this a valve is fitted, provided with a valve spindle, and hand
wheel, and also a thumb nut for adjustment, nuts being also provided for rough
adjustment. A framing is also provided and separated from the expanding pipe by
non-conducting substance or material. A guide or stay is also provided, working
on the framing, same being bushed with non-conducting material.
The action is as follows:-
Water accumulates in the expanding pipe, which contracts and so leaves an
opening through which the water flows until steam arrives at the tube or pipo and
expands it. The opening then closes to the escape of steam. By the adaptation of
non-conductors I can use a very short tube, and by making the spindle hollow,
and carrying it through the valve and partly up the tube or pipe, I adapt the
trap for use where the blow-off pipe is at the ground level, and so avoid any
sinking. I also use a movable box to catch the water and prevent it touching
the side rods. Insulation can be effected by making the top, bottom, and guide, of
large area, and so allowing the heat to radiato as fast as it is conducted through
these parts.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert Ewart in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th July
1879.
HERBERT EWART, of Belfast, Ireland.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS."
My Invention consists of improvements in steam traps, by which an expanding
pipe forming part of the arrangements becomes, when in use, insulated from the
framing, and thus being more sensitive allows the use of a shorter trap than here-
tofore adopted.
In carrying out my Invention I proceed substantially as follows:-
I use a pipe of copper or other suitable material of high expansive power. To
the lowest part of the framing a valve is fitted, provided with a valve spindle and
hand wheel, and also a thumb nut for adjustment, nuts being also provided for
rough adjustment. A framing is also provided and separated from the expanding
pipe by non-conducting substance or material. A guide or stay also can be pro-
vided, working on the framing, same being bushed with non-conducting material.
The action is a follows:-
The
When steam is turned on, the trap being cold, there is an opening left through
which the water flows until steam arrives at the tube or pipe and expands it.
opening then closes to the escape of steam; when a small quantity of water has
accumulated in the pipe or tube, the pipe or tube contracts, and so slightly opens
the valve. By the adaptation of non-conductors I can use a very short tube, and
by making the spindle hollow and carrying it through the valve, and partly up the
tube or pipe, I adapt the trap for uso where the blow-off pipe is at the ground
level, and so avoid any sinking. I also uso a box or chamber to catch the water
and prevent it touching the side rods. At the top is a stuffing box, through which
the pipe or tub expands; at the bottom also is a stuffing box, through which the
spindle works.
in practice.
Fig. 1, vertical section of my improved trap.
Fig. 2, side elevation.
In these Figures, A represents a pipe of copper or other suitable material of high
expansive power. B framing, which is separated from the expanding pipe by
means of glands of non-conducting material placed at b. C, spindle worked by
hand wheel D; E, valve fitting to and closing the opening at the lower part of
pipe A, same being adjusted by the said hand-wheel D; F, nuts for rough adjust-
ment; G, box or chamber.
In action, the water accumulates in the pipe A, which contracts, and thus an
opening at Z is formed through which the water flows into the box or chamber G,
and passes out through the pipe or opening, as shown, and can be discharged into a
cistern several feet above ground level. The water flows until the steam arrives at
the pipo A. The steam causes the pipe to expand, and thus the opening Z is closed.
The spindle C can, if preferred, bo made hollow, and the water allowed to pass
through the valve E, partially up the expansion pipe or tube, and out through such
hollowed portion of the spindle. H represents a stuffing box which fits over the
chamber or box G. In lieu of stuffing box H, a guide or stay bushed with non-
conducting material could be fitted on the chamber G and arranged to work in the
framing B, capable of being adjusted on said framing by set screws. The framing B
is provided with non-conducting material at b, as shown in the Drawings.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim the said Invention of "Improvements in
Steam Traps," substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described (and illustrated
by the accompanying Drawings), whereby an expanding pipe is provided, forming
part of the arrangements of the trap, which pipe, when in use, is insulated from the
framing, and is thus more sensitive in action, and allows of the use of a shorter
trap than heretofore adopted.
In witness whereof, I, tho said Herbert Ewart, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
C. R. AICKIN,
9, Bedford Street,
Belfast.
HERBERT EWART. (L.s.)