Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Cate of Application, 26th May, 1898-Accepted, 1st Oct.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, CHARLES RODERICK FRANKLIN, residing at No. 525, Folsom Street, in the
City of San Francisco, County of San Francisco, and State of California, United
States of America, Pattern Maker, 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, and its object is to trap and eject the
water or condensed steam carried in the steam supply-pipe extending from a
boiler toward an engine or other steam actuated apparatus, where dry steam is
essential or desirable in the proper working of said apparatus.
My invention consists first in a method of producing and maintaining a
balanced steam pressure on opposite sides of a flexible diaphragm, which balance
is periodically disturbed by an accumulation of water of condensation upon one
side of such diaphragm this disturbance resulting in the automatic ejecting of
the accumulated water, and the automatic re-establishment of the balanced steam
pressure.
My invention also consists in an apparatus for carrying out the above method,
and in the construction and arrangement of such apparatus and its parts, all as
fully herein described.
In the accompanying drawing:
:-
Figure 1 is an end elevation of an engine and the steam supply-pipe connected
to it, with my steam trap attached.
Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section of my steam trap.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the discharge side of said trap.
A represents an engine, and A¹ the steam supply-pipe supposed to lead from a
boiler. Opening into the bottom of the pipe A', at a point near the engine is a
pipe B, having coupled to it below the steam pipe a parallel branch B', the
communication between said pipes and with the supply-pipe being always open.
The pipe B, has a direct fall and enters the upper part of one side of a shell or
chamber C, while the branch pipe B1, enters the other side (Figure 2).
The chamber is formed of two convex plates, between which is clamped or
held a flexible diaphragm D. A discharge opening 1, is made in the chamber on
the side where the pipe B, connects, in which is secured a hollow nipple 2, which
communicates with a waste-pipe E. Mounted upon the diaphragm is a recessed
stud 3, which in normal position fits over and closes the discharge nipple. This
normal position is produced by balanced steam pressure through the parallel
pipes B and B, and upon both sides of the diaphragm, holding the latter in a
central vertical position with the valve just described closed. The water of con-
densation enters the pipe B, from the steam pipe and falls directly into the
chamber C where it accumulates upon one side of the diaphragm until its weight
and pressure, in addition to steam pressure, disturbs the balance of equilibrium,
overcomes the steam pressure on the empty side of the chamber, moves the
diaphragm, and opens the discharge nipple. The steam pressure above the

page_text: accumulated water immediately ejects the latter through the waste-pipe until the
weight of water is relieved sufficiently to permit the balance of steam pressure to
be restored on both sides of the diaphragm.
The water of condensation having a clear straight fall in the pipe B, cannot
enter the pipe B', and could not unless it rose to the height of the coupling of
said pipe B¹. Before this could happen however the weight of water would have
destroyed the balance of pressure in the diaphragm chamber and it would have
been ejected as just described.
At the lowest practicable point of the steam side of the chamber C, I place a
pet cock 4, the object of which is to remove any slight amount of condensation
taking place only in the pipe B¹. This is entirely independent of condensation
from the main supply-pipe, from which the pipe 131 is entirely free.
It will be observed that my method of operation depends entirely, upon the
balanced pressure of steam overcome by that of water, and that the apparatus
for accomplishing such operation is of the simplest character.
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:-
1. In a steam-trap, the combination with a chamber having a flexible diaphragm
which divides it into two parts, of a steam inlet to one part of said chamber, and
a steam and water inlet to the other part, a discharge opening from said chamber,
and a valve or stud carried by the diaphragm for opening and closing the said dig-
charge, substantially as described.
2. In combination with a chamber divided by a flexible diaphragm, a steam
inlet to one side of said chamber, a steam and water inlet to the other side, a
discharge opening from said chamber having a hollow nipple projecting into
said chamber, and a stud upon the diaphragm adapted to close and open the end
of said nipple, substantially as described.
Bell 1 £1000
1
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.