Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Apr., 1887
Complete Left, 23rd Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 24th Feb., 1888
I, ROBERT HENRY LOW, of West Street Works, New Charlton, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, do hereby declaro the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to steam-iraps for permitting the escape of the water of con-
densation from steam-engine cylinders, steam-jackets or the like, whilst preventing
the escape of the steam therefrom.
Steam-traps have, in some instances, been constructed in which the operations of
opening and closing the valve are effected by the expansion and contraction of metal
rods or tubes. My present invention is designed to improve the construction and
increase the efficiency of steam-traps of this kind or class."
An important feature of my said invention is the provision which make for
obtaining a considerably greater length of stroke or movement of the valve than has
heretofore been practicable with apparatus of the kind or class above mentioned.
For this purpose I prefer to employ a combination of one or more metal rods or
tubes and one or more levers as hereinafter more particularly described. In some
instances, however, I employ other suitable means whereby a slight expansion of
the metal rods or tubes will effect a considerable movement of the valve.
My said invention is conveniently and advantageously carried into practice as
hereinafter described, that is to say; I provide a box or casing which has inlet and
outlet apertures, and I insert in the outlet aperture a valve-scat on which is placed a
slide-valve or a valve of other suitable construction. A metal rod or tube is arranged
in the upper part of the said box or asing. This rod or tube, (which I will
hereinafter term the first expanding rod) is pivotted at one end to a bracket or stud
fixed in the said box or casing. The other end of the said rod or tube is coupled to the
short arm of a lever pivotte to another bracket or stud fixed in the said box or
casing. The long arm of this lover is connected by means of a metal rod or tube
(which I will hereinafter term the second expanding rod), to another lever
pivoted to the bracket or stud to which the first expanding rod is pivotted, the second
expanding rod being coupled to the last named lever near the fulcrum thereof.
Di

page_text: The free end of the last named lever is forked, slotted or otherwise suitably shaped
and is connected in any convenient manner with the aforesaid valve.
The water of condensation which accumulates in the box or casing escapes through
the valve; as soon, however, as steam enters the said box or casing, the high
temperature of the steam causes the expansion of the aforesaid metal rods or tubes,
which then act, through the medium of the aforesaid levers, upon the said valve to
close the same.
When the level of the water in the box or casing rises so that it cools
the said metal rods or tubes, the latter contract and again open the valve.
It is obvions that, by reason of tho peculiar arrangement of the aforesaid levers, a
slight expansion or contraction of the metal rods or tubes will cause a considerable
movement of the valve.
I sometimes provide means for regulating the operation of the valve. For instance,
I place a taper or wedge-shaped washer between the side of the box or casing and the
bracket or stud to which the first named lever is pivotted. By slackening the nut
which secures the said bracket or stud in the box or casing and adjusting the said
washer, the closing of the valve may be made to take place earlier or later as desired.
I do not confine myself to the special arrangement above described, as a single
lever and metal rod or tube, or two or more levers and metal rods or tubes otherwise
arranged will fulfil the purpose of my invention with more or less advantage.
Moreover I can, if desired, employ toothed or other multiplying gear for trans-
mitting motion from the expanding rod to the valve.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, ROBERT HENRY Low, of West Street Works, New Charlton, in the County of
Kent, 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 steam-traps for permitting the escape of the water of con-
densation from steam-engine cylinders, steam-jackets or the like, whilst preventing the
escape of the steam therefrom.
Steam-traps have, in some instances, been constructed in which the operations of
opening and closing the valve are effected by the expansion and contraction of metal
rods or tubes. My present invention is designed to improve the construction and
increase the efficiency of steam-traps of this kind or class.
An important feature of my said invention is the provision which make for
obtaining a considerably greater length of stroke or movement of the valve than has
heretofore been practicable with apparatus of the kind or class above mentioned.
L
For this purpose, I prefer to employ a combination of one or more metal rods or tubes
and one or more levers as hereinafter more particularly described. In some instances,
however, I employ other suitable means for multiplying the motion transmitted by
the metal rods or tubes, so that a slight expansion or contraction of the said rods or
tubes will effect a considerable movement of the valve.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention can be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, and,
Figure 2 is a vertical central section of one form of my improved apparatus.
Figure 3 is a plan of another form or modification of the said apparatus.
Figure 4 is also a plan, the top or cover being removed, and,
Figure 5 is a section on the line x, z, Figure 3.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
A is the box or casing of the apparatus, which is provided with a cover A¹ firmly
secured thereto by bolts or otherwise. B is the inlet pipe or aperture and C is the
outlet pipe or aperture. In the outlet pipe or aperture CI provide a valve-seat a on
which is placed a slide-valve b, or a valve of other suitable construction. A metal rod
or tube c is arranged vertically in a tube A² fixed in the cover A' and forming an
extension of the said box or casing A. The upper extremity of the rod or tube c
(which I will hereinafter term the expanding rod or tube) passes through a suitable
stuffing-box d provided with a gland d, and is secured to a plate e by means of the
collar or back-nut and locking nuts 9 or otherwise. The lower extremity of the
expanding rod c is connected by a bolt or pin h to the short arm i¹ of the lever i.
The said lever i is pivotted to the stud or bracket; by means of a bolt or pin k or in

page_text: any other suitable manner, and the extremity of its long arm is forked, slotted or
otherwise suitably shaped and is connected to the valve b in any convenient manner.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 is as follows, that is to
sayThe water of condensation which accumulates in the box or casing A escapes
by the valve through the ontlet C; as soon, however, as steam enters the said box
or casing A, the high temperature of the stream causes the expansion of the metal rod
or tube c,
which then acts, through the medium of the lover i, npon the valve & and
closes or partially closes the same. When water again enters the casing A and the
level of the water therein rises so that it cools the said metal rod or tube C₁ the latter
contracts and again opens the valve b.
It is obvious that, by the employment of the extension A² of the casing, I am
enabled to use an expansion rod or tube of great length. Morcover, by reason of the
peculiar arrangement of the lever i and rod c, a slight expansion or contraction of the
said rod will cause a considerable movement of the valve b.
•
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show a modification of my invention wherein lemploy two expanding
rods or tubes c, c'. The expanding rou or tube c is arranged horizontally in the box or
casing A, and is pivotted at one extremity by means of a bolt or pin / to a stud or bracket/
in the said box or casing A. The other extremity of the said expanding rod or tube e
is coupled or connected by means of the bolt or pin h to the short arm of the lever i,
which is pivotted upon the bolt or pink fitted in the bracket or stud. The extremity
of the long arm of the lever i is connected by means of the expanding rod or tube c
to another lever a which is also pivotted to the stud or bracket 71 by means of the bolt
or pin l. This second expanding rod or tube c' is coupled at one extremity by a bolt
or pino to the lever, and at the other extremity by means of a bolt or pin p to the
lever n near the fulcrum thereof. The free end of tho said lover n is connected in
any convenient manner to the valve b.
sometimes provide means for regulating the operation of the valve b. For
instance, place a taper or wedge-shaped washer between the side of the box or
casing A and the bracket or stud j and I secure the said bracket or stud to the casing
by means of a nut. By slackening this nut and adjusting the said washer, the closing
of the valve may be made to take place earlier or later as desired.
I do not confine myself to the special arrangement above described, as it is obvious
that I can modify the construction of my apparatus without departing from the nature
of my invention. For instance, L. ein, if desired, employ toothed or other multiplying
gear for transmitting motion from the expanding rod or rods to the valve.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I claim -
First. An apparatus for the purpose above specified, wherein ono or more metal
rods or tubes are combined with one or more levers or with toothed or other multiplying
gear for operating the outlet valve or cock, as above set forth.
Second. The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or to Figures 3, 4
and 5, of tho accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purpose, above
specified.
D
2003 ahi 19-1 J. of Janua… 1400
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.