Improvements in Steam Traps or Apparatus for Drawing Off or Discharging Steam Condensation Water.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1899-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1899
Improvements in Steam Traps or Apparatus for Drawing Off
or Discharging Steam Condensation Water.
A communication from abroad by FRIEDRICH SCHOOF, of Magdeburg, Germany.
I, ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES, of 55 & 56, Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Chartered 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;-
This invention relates to steam traps or apparatus for discharging the water
yielded by condensing steam, wherein the eduction or outlet valve is opened and
closed through a preliminary (or intermediate) chamber, whose connection with
the condensing vessel is controlled by an auxiliary distributing valve. Owing
to the provision of this auxiliary (or secondary) valve, the main valve need only
come into operation when condensation water production becomes particularly
active; in which case it will invariably open to the full extent, so that no impuri-
ties or filaments can settle at the orifice, as they frequently do in the arrange-
ments for the removal of condensation water hitherto known. Where the
production of condensation water takes a normal or somewhat slow course, how-
ever, such water is got rid of through the agency of the above mentioned auxiliary
valve and passes of in a practically continuous current; with the consequent advan-
tage that an evacuation of the condensing vessel by intermittent impulses or
jerks "which, but for this provision, would be apt to prove exceedingly
objectionable whenever the formation of condensation water was slow-is here
obviated.
"
The advantages alluded to, which the improved steam trap or condensation
water discharging apparatus possesses over similar contrivances already known,
are owing to the fact that, whilst condensation proceeds normally, or so long
as the water in the condensing vessel retains its mean level, the position of the
auxiliary valve is such that the preliminary receiver (or intermediate chamber)
communicates both with the interior of the condensing vessel and with ike
atmosphere through the outlet valve; whereas the moment the condensation water
begins to form at a highly increased rate, the communication between the said
intermediate receiver either with the inside of the condensing vessel, or with the
atmosphere, is thereby cut off; with the result that the pressure in the said
receiver or chamber is reduced or raised, as the case may be, and effectively
assists the opening of the main valve, which may in consequence be relied on to
open fully.
The accompanying drawings present several forms of construction of this novel
apparatus for the discharge of condensation water, by way of illustration.
In the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the communication between the inter-
mediate chamber d and the outlet a through which moderate quantities of con-
densation water are to be discharged, is opened by the passages or ports f; g;

page_text: while the said intermediate chamber communicates with the condensing vessel A.
through the aperture 1. To the apertures g, n, are fitted valves k,, which are
coupled together and with which the lever of a float engages by means of a
curved slideway m.
While the float is in its lowest position, the aperture 9 is closed by the valve k,
so that no condensation water can escape that way. Neither can any discharge
take place through the main outlet, inasmuch as the main valve B is kept closed
by the pressure existing within the condensing vessel; which pressure weighs
down the seated valve D, or the piston C, both of which parts are rigidly con-
nected by the rod c with such valve B.
As the water level rises in the condensation vessel, the port g is uncovered by
the valve k, so that water is allowed to flow towards the outlet through the inter-
mediate chamber d, until the water in the collecting vessel has risen sufficiently
to cause the valve i to close the aperture through the medium of the float.
Now the dimensions of the apertures n and g are so proportioned that whilst
condensation water forms at an average rate, the whole of such water is carried
off through the aperture », the intermediate chamber d and the port g, the float
not being allowed to rise sufficiently to close the said aperture n.
The aperture n is naturally made larger than g, so that as much water may at
all times be admitted through n, as can be discharged through g.
When, however, the production of condensation water continues for some time
more than normally active, the water level in the condensing vessel presently
attains the point at which the valve i is made to close the aperture n.
As, in this case, no water is supplied from the condensing vessel to the inter-
mediate chamber, whereas water continues, as before, to escape from the last
mentioned chamber through the port g, the pressure in the intermediate chamber d
will gradually become less than that prevailing in A, and accordingly-the seated
valve D or the piston C being thus relieved the main valve B will open.
Then, ‘upon the water level in the condensing vessel redescending, the aper-
ture n becomes once more uncovered, and, owing to the pressure which is again
allowed to act through the intermediate chamber, upon the piston C or the
valve D), the main valve closes, and the water re-commences to pass off through
the intermediate chamber, unless the water level has sunk so low as to keep the
port g for the time being closed.
Figs. 3 and 4 represent a form of apparatus for the discharge of condensation
water, constructed in accordance with this invention, wherein the main valve B
is opened, not in consequence of a diminution of. pressure in the intermediate
chamber, but as a result of increased pressure.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the two valves i and k (previously referred
to) have shrunk to form one double valve q. When the condensation water has
descended to its lowest level, the connection between the intermediate chamber d
and the condensing vessel is here cut off, whereas, on the contrary, it is fully
opened when the water level is high. For as the water level rises, the valve q
closes the aperture o which connects the intermediate chamber with the outlet,
so that the said intermediate chamber fills with pressure from the condensing
vessel, and is thereby enabled to bring about the opening of the valve B¹ through
the agency of the enlarged piston C¹, to effect which the resistance of the spring,
controlling such valve, has to be overcome.
Whilst the valve q occupies its intermediate positions, water is delivered from
the condensing vessel in the same manner as in the arrangement illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 2.
In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the valve 7 may be placed upon its seat
from outside; but in this case, a cut off piston must be provided in order to
close the aperture o.
The forms of apparatus represented in Figs: 1 to 4, with closed floats, are
applicable for pressures not exceeding, say, 12 atmospheres, as experience has
shown that, where higher pressures have to be dealt with, the impacts of the

page_text: water which no calculation will enable to be guarded against-are apt to coni-
press the thin sheet metal of the ball shaped float.
An open float or floating chamber-is therefore provided for higher pressures.
Fig. 5 shows such a form of apparatus, with a floating chamber substituted for
a hollow ball. In other respects this arrangement is exactly similar to that
shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
The floating chamber A¹ engages through the medium of the bell crank lever
with the sliding loop m of the valve pistons and i, which are acted upon
through the up-and-down movements of the open float in the same manner as
they are operated by the closed ball shaped float in the arrangement depicted in
Fig. 1.
In order to remove the water from the floating chamber the valve chest is
connected at with a discharge pipe Y.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In the new and improved steam trap or apparatus for discharging conden-
sation water, the combination of a condensation water receiver with a main valve
and with an auxiliary valve controlled by a float placed in the said condensation
water receiver; which auxiliary valve is adapted continuously to discharge small
quantities of condensation water without opening the main valve and to control
the movements of the said main valve, ensuring the full opening- thereof when
the condensation water production becomes active, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
2. In the new and improved steam trap or apparatus for discharging conden-
sation water, the combination of a condensation water receiver with a main valve
and an auxiliary valve and with an intermediate chamber provided between the
said condensation water receiver and the steam outlet, and having passages or
ports connecting it with both the said receiver and the steam outlet, these con-
nections being controlled by the said auxiliary valve, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
3. In the new and improved steam trap or apparatus for discharging condensa-
tion water, the combination of a condensation water receiver with a main valve
and an auxiliary valve and with an intermediate chamber provided with ports or
channels connecting it with the said condensation water receiver and with the
steam outlet; such intermediate chamber being adapted to transmit the pressure
prevailing within it to the main valve, so as to assist the opening movement there-
of by either a reduction or an accession of the pressure, as and for the purpose
specified.
ת
1
1
1000
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.