Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1893-Accepted, 19th Aug., 1893
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, GEORGE JACKSON CHURCHWARD Engineer, of 13 Gloster Terrace Swindon
in the County of Wilts., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in steam traps or apparatus for
automatically discharging the water of condensation from the couplings pipes,
heaters &c. of the steam heating apparatus in railway carriages.
My invention also applies to the steam traps for steam pipes, engines, drying
cylinders, heating coils &c.
The ordinary steam traps in use are complicated by fulcrums or levers and
valves or they will not discharge the water under pressure.
In some of them a quantity of water is necessarily left in the trap which freezes
in winter so destroying the efficiency of the apparatus.
Some again are operated by springs or weights and these pass low pressure
steam so causing waste when exhaust steam is used.
By my improvements I deal with these complications and defects and obviate
then by the combination of parts acting in the manner described below.
In a case or chamber A, on the drawings herewith. I arrange a float B,
preferably of cork, having affixed to its underside a flat disc C, preferably of
aluminium, resting on projections or webs D, and covering a hole E, in the bottom
of the chamber or case A.
This hole E has a raised or projecting edge so forming a "seat."
In the case or chamber A, I place webs or guides round the sides, lettered F on
drawings herewith, to ensure the float B and disc C returning truly to their proper
positions after having been floated or moved by the water of condensation.
Now with all the parts above described in the relative positions shewn on the
drawings herewith, the hole or orifice E is closed steam tight by the disc resting
on the projecting edge or "seat ; "but immediately on the entrance of water of
condensation the float B relieves the pressure of the disc C upon the projecting
edge or seat and the water is blown out through the hole E.
66
"
After all the water has thus been discharged the disc C again rests on the
projecting edge or seat of the hole E and prevents the issue of steam.
"6
"
By placing the hole E towards the outer edge or margin of the disc C I give
the float B a mechanical advantage (without the use of fulcrums or levers) over
the pressure of steam acting upon the hole E so lifting the disc C under any
desired pressure of steam for the discharge of water.
By placing the hole E, as I do, in the lowest part of the case or chamber A
almost the whole of the water is discharged and all danger from freezing avoided.
I sometimes construct the float B as a hollow cylinder of aluminium having both
ends closed, and then I make use of the lower end of the said cylinder to rest on
the projecting edge or "seat
of the hole E instead of using the disc C for that
purpose.
"
I do not confine myself to the circular section of the case or chamber A shewn
on the drawings herewith.
By the combination of parts shewn on the drawings herewith and acting in the
manner above described I obtain an automatic steam trap which will discharge
the water of condensation, from the apparatus before mentioned, under any desired
steam pressure, without the use of fulcrums or levers & valves and which steam
D
037

page_text: trap will not freeze up when out of use through the maintenance of a body of
water surrounding the float.
Dated this 9th day of March 1893.
GEORGE JACKSON CHURCHWARD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
1, GEORGE JACKSON CHURCHWARD of 13, Gloucester Terrace, Swindon in the
County of Wilts., Engineer, 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 invention relates to improvements in steam traps or apparatus for automati-
cally discharging the water of condensation from the couplings, pipes, heaters, etc.
of the steam heating apparatus in railway carriages; also from steam pipes, engines,
drying cylinders, heating coils, etc. in general use.
The ordinary steam traps in use are complicated by fulcrums or levers and
valves, counterweights and springs or they will not discharge the water under
pressure.
In some of them a quantity of water is necessarily left in the trap after the steam
is shut off and this water freezes in winter so destroying the efficiency of the
apparatus.
Some, again, are operated by springs or weights and these pass low pressure
steam, so causing waste, especially in railway carriage heating apparatus where
exhaust steam is used.
By my invention I deal with these complications and defects and obviate them in
the manner described below.
In a case or chamber A on the drawings herewith, I arrange a float B, preferably
of aluminium, resting on projections or "webs" D and covering a hole E in the
bottom of the chamber or case A.
"seat.'
This hole E has a raised or projecting edge so forming a
"
"
In the case or chamber A I place "webs" or guides lettered F on drawings
herewith, to ensure the float B3 returning truly to its proper position on the "seat
after having been floated or moved by the water of condensation.
In the top of the case or chamber A I place studs or projections H H to control
the amount of "lift" given to the float B and at the same time to keep it in a
central position when lifted off the "seat."
"
Now, with all the parts above described in the relative positions shewn on the
drawings herewith the hole or orifice E is closed steam tight by the bottom of the
float B resting on the " seat or projecting edge, but immediately upon the entrance
of water of condensation the pressure of the float B upon the "seat" or projecting
edge of the hole E is relieved and the float is lifted up to the studs
projections H H so allowing the water to be blown out through the hole E.
After the water has been thus discharged the float B again rests upon the "seat
or projecting edge of the hole E and so prevents the issue of steam.
or
In my steam trap I place the hole E towards the outer edge or margin of the
bottom of the float B so getting it at a distance from the centre of floatation of the
float.
By this means I give the float B a “mechanical advantage" (without the use of
fulcrums or levers) over the pressure of the steam acting upon the hole E and so
enabling it to "lift" under any desired pressure of steam to discharge the water of
condensation.
For use on railway trains, locomotives and other exposed apparatus, I construct
the float B, shewn on Fig. 3 of the drawings horewith, with a bulbous projection J
below the level of the "seat or projecting edge of the hole E of such dimensions
"

page_text: as to ensure the float B rising and uncovering the hole E when the steam is shut
off. By this means all inconvenience arising from the freezing up of the outlet in
winter is avoided.
At the bottom of the case or chamber A, on Fig. 3 of drawings herewith, I place
a cock or valve K by which all dirt, grit, etc. accumulating in the space under the
float may be periodically blown out.
The trap shewn on Figs. 1 and 2 of drawings herewith, is specially designed for
use in the couplings of the flexible pipes in use on the steam heating apparatus of
railway trains.
دو
I sometimes construct the float B of cork with a disc C of aluminium to rest on
the "seat as shewn and described in my Provisional Specification and shewn on
the drawings left therewith.
The float B may also be constructed of copper or brass in cases where space
permits a large trap to be used.
I do not confine myself to the circular section of the case or chamber A shewn on
the drawings herewith.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:
In a steam trap or apparatus for automatically discharging the water of
condensation from the steam pipes, etc. before described, the combination of a float
resting on a "seat" or projecting edge of a hole or orifice the said hole or orifice
being placed at a distance from the centre of floatation of the float in order to give
the said float a "mechanical advantage" over the pressure of the steam on the hole
or orifice without the intervention of fulcrums or levers, springs, or counterweights,
constructed and used substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 10th day of July 1893.
GEORGE JACKSON CHURCHWARD.