IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Barff, of Merton Cottage, Merton, in the County
of Surrey, Gentleman, and Aaron Bindshaw, of Willows Lane, Accrington.
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM TRAPS."
Sealed the 10th November 1876, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor,
Sealed the 10th November 1876, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor,
and dated the 8th Alov 1876
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Barff and Aaron
Bradshaw at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th May 1876.
ARTHUR BARFF, of Merton Cottage, Merton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman,
and AARON BRADSHAW, of Willows Lane, Accrington, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS."
These improvements are intended to remedy the faults that now exist in those
steam traps that work through the expansion of alcohol or other spirit as now
contained in a vessel made from thin metal in such a manner that when the heat
of steam is brought in contact with the spirit containing vessel it vaporises the
spirit and causes the vessel to expand and to close the discharge orifice of the
trap. These vessels are very liable to damage and so cause the trap to become
inoperative.
Our improvements are as follows:-We make a suitable case of cast iron or
other metal of the size to suit the inlet and outlet pipes, on one side of this case we
On the
prepare for inlet and on the other side opposite wo prepare for outlet.
preparation for outlet we attach a case containing an equilibrium valve, this case
is so arranged that the valve can be examined at any time without disturbing or
detaching any other part of the trap so as to be easily cleaned, the nipples that
attaches the valve case to the body of the trap we cause to extend into and beyond
the inner face of the main case inside, and on this projection we secure a dirt sieve
so as to prevent large pieces of dirt or grit from getting on the valve faces.
In the main case at right angles to inlet for steam we make preparation for a
vessel of copper or other suitable inctal so formed as to best resist expansion. On
the upper side of this vessel we attach a bent tube flat or other suitable section,
we then charge the cavity with spirit and then seal the outer end of the bent tube,
the upper end of this tube we prepare to receive a light rod to connect it with the
equilibrium valve, and so that we can apply an adjusting spring or weight for
regulating purposes.

page_text: The action is as follows:-The steam from the inlet pipe impinges directly on
the cavity of the cover, and so causes the contents to expand, this causes the bent
tube to straighten, and so by means of the before-named connection to close the
outlet, a slight loss of heat causes the tube to assume its normal shape and so open
the valves of the inlet.
The advantages of our Invention are perfect immunity from damage or explosion
of the vessel containing explosive spirit. A vessel for receiving the dirt that is
conveyed along with steam. Also a valve for outlet so that it can at all times be
got at and examined when in action.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Arthur Barff and Aaron Bradshaw
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th November 1876.
ARTHUR BARFF, of Merton Cottage, Merton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman,
and AARON BRADSHAW, of Willows Lane, Accrington, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS."
These improvements apply to steam traps which work through the expansion of
alcohol or other spirit, and more especially to that known as Hawes' steam trap.
In these traps as now constructed the spirit is contained in'n vessel mado from thin
sheet brass; this vessel is liable to become damaged from dirt or loose materials
that are conveyed in the steam and water on its way to the exit pipe, and on this
vessel becoming dainaged the trap becomes inoperative.
Our improvements are as follows:-We make the body of the steam trap of suitable
size for the reception of dirt or other matter contained in the steam and water.
On body of the tap we prepare suitable connections for inlet and outlet pipes. The
cover for steam trap we face on one side, and we also face the upper side of flange
or body of steam trap so as to make a steam-tight joint when cover is bolted on.
We cast a plate on inside of cover the width of steam trap, but not the depth; this
plate acts as a deflector for dirt or other matter contained in steam or water; and
we also cast a plate inside body of trap parallel to the plate on inside of cover; the
water after having discharged its dirt, &c. against the plate inside cover rises over
plate cast in body of trap, and then through a sieve to outlet valve. The outlet
valve may be either "equilibrium" with "double seatings" as ordinarily con-
structed, or it may be a "single seated" valve, the pressure of steam, &c. acting on
the inside so as to open it when the other arrangements hereafter described shall
allow it to do so, or it may be a "rolling" valve with a lever and suitable con-
nections for working the same.
The cover of steain trap we prepare to receive the vessel containing the alcohol
or other spirit; this vessel is forined in the following manner:-Its lower part
consists of a strong copper tube having one end perfectly seated, the other end joins
the bottom of a cup, also made from strong sheet copper; the diameter of this cup
is varied to suit the size of trap, the mouth of cup is covered with a piece of thin
metal made concave on outside, this diaphragm is so joined to cup as to make a
perfectly tight vessel. On outside of tube is fixed a nut and nipple, so as to fit the
hole prepared in cover for its reception; the tube is so fixed in cover that the steam
or water on entering body of trap impings on it, and so causes the spirit to become
vaporized, thus creating a pressure inside vessel, this pressure acting on diaphragm
causes it to rise and lift a lever of the second order, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6.
This lever closes the outlet valve, and is continued beyond the centre of valve so
as to receive a weight for adjusting purposes, the other end of lever is jointed to a
stand on cover of steam trap.
When we do not use plates on cover and body of trap for the deposit of dirt we
employ a sieve attached to outlet valve, as shewn by letter k, in Figures 2 and 4, or we
cast a strip or strips inside body of trap to receive a wire sieve, as shewn at k, in
Figure 4, so as to prevent any large pieces of dirt, &c. getting into outlet valve.

page_text: spirit creates a pressure inside bent, oval, or other section tube, its tendency is to
become straight, and in so doing it closes the outlet valve. We employ a lever and
weight on end of bent tube so as to regulate the opening and closing of outlet
valve, and also to regulate the temperature of water discharged from trap.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Our Invention will be better understood by reference to the Drawings attached,
making part of this Specification where similar letters represent similar parts.
Fig. 1 is a ground plan, and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of our improved steam
trap. a shews a cast-iron box or case; b, a hermetically sealed vertical metallic
vessel partially filled with alcohol; b' is a bent tube connected to the same; c, pro-
jecting arm for attaching weight & and valve rod or spindle e, to this rod is
attached the valve f; g, moveable cap or screw plug for cleaning the valvo;
h, stuffing box; i, steam inlet, and j, the outlet for the water of condensation ;
k, tube siove for preventing dirt from choking up the valve; 1, detachable flange for
cleaning the interior of the trap. When steam is passing through the trap the alcohol
contained in 6 is vaporized, and the pressure in the bent tube b' makes it have a
tendency to straighten, and in so doing it closes the valve f. The lever and weight
at the end of bent tube regulates the opening and closing of the valve, and also
the temperature of the water discharged from the trap.
Fig. 3 is a ground plan, and Fig. 4 a vertical section of a modification of our
Invention. The alcohol vessel b is here placed horizontally, the bent tube attached
thereto is made to open and close a cock or rolling valve by turning it on its axis,
the method of fixing the dirt sieve is here shown by the dotted lines
Fig. 5 shews a ground plan, and Fig. 6 a sectional elevation of another modifi-
cation of our Invention. In the arrangement here shewn the bent tubo b¹ is
dispensed with, and the valvef is operated by the motion of the disc m by means
of the arm or lever c; disc m is hero equivalent for the bent tubo b', shown in
the other Figures; disc m rises and falls by the expansion and contraction of the
alcohol contained in the vessel b; n, fulcrum or bearing for lover; o, guide for ditto;
the chamber or compartment containing expandive vessel b is made to retain any
nud or dirt, and the sieve prevents its passing through and choking the valve.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of carrying
the same into effect, what we claim and desire to have protected by Letters
Patent is
First. We clain as our improvements the use of a vessel for holding spirit so
nade and placed that the steain cannot damage it, also a diaphragm caused to rise
through the expansion of alcohol or other spirit, and acting on a lever with suitable
connections for closing and opening outlet valve, as before described.
Second. The use of a bent, oval, or other section tube acting on spindle or lever
of outlet valve, and worked by the expansion of alcohol or other spirit.
Third. The arrangement of a deflection plate or plates with sieve for the deposit
of dirt, &c. in combination with a vessel containing alcohol or other spirit when
used as a steam trap.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Barff, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eleventh day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
ARTHUR BARFF. (LS.)