IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joshua Kidd, of Eglantine Road, Wandsworth, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS." A com-
munication from abroad by Loring Pond Hawes, of the City, County, and State
of New York, United States.
Sealed the 18th February 1879, and dated the 23rd August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joshua Kidd at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd August 1878.
JOSHUA KIDD, of Eglantine Road, Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS." [A communication from abroad by Loring
Pond Hawes, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States.]
This Invention is intended to remedy the defects that now exist in steam traps
that are operated by the vaporisation of a liquid confined in a steam-tight expansible
chamber, a description of which may be found at the Great Seal Patent Office in
the following Specifications:- No. 2890, A.D. 1862; No. 163, A.D. 1866; No. 2097,
A.D. 1873.
Practical experience with the Invention described in the Specification No. 2097
has demonstrated several defects.
The shifting position of the expansive chamber B in case A, together with its
form and construction, are objectionable, and favour the accumulation of dirt in the
well or syphon pipe to which the trap is attached.
The regulating spindle C is also objectionable, as by over-scrowing in adjusting
the trap the chamber B is frequently injured.
My improvements will be better understood by reference to the Drawings
accompanying this Specification.
Fig. 1 is a full size vertical section of my improved steam trap, manufactured to
fit a of an inch iron pipe.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

page_text: A flexible metallic diaphragm A is placed within a shell, dividing it into two
steam-tight compartments C and D; D is filled with liquid which vaporises or
expands below steam heat; C receives the condensed water or steam, which heats
the liquid, thereby causing a deflection of the diaphragm, which closes the top of
inlet pipe B in proportion to the heat applied; F is the outlet; G, screw plug for 5
placing liquid in chamber D. The inlet B and outlet F are attached to the shell of
the trap by a screw at H.
Let the steam on if too much water accumulates; turn the shell ono quarter
back if still too much water accumulates; repeat until it is right.
Although I have put in Drawings with iny Provisional Specification, I do not 1
bind myself to the exact shape and construction there shown, as the trap may be
made spherical or other convenient shape without departing from my Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joshun Kidd in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd February
1879.
"
JOSHUA KIDD, of Eglantine Road, Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey. 'IM-
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS." A communication from abroad by Loring Pond
Hawes, of New York, United States of America.
This Invention is intended to remedy certain defects that now exist in steam
traps operated by the vaporization or expansion of a liquid confined in a steam-
tight expansible chamber."
Apparatus of this kind are described in Specifications to Letters Patent, No. 2890,`
of the year 1862; No. 163, of 1866; and No. 2097, of the year 1873.
It has been found by experience that in steam traps constructed as described in
the Specification No. 2097 of 1873 it is objectionable to shift the position of the
expansive chamber B, and that difficulties attend its construction and position, dirt
being apt to accumulate in the pipe to which the trap is attached.
The regulating spindle C is also objectionable as by over-screwing it for adjustment
the chamber B is liable to injury.
The present Invention consists in modifications of the construction, which will be
understood on reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the improved steam trap.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 shew its part separately.
The shell consists of a lower conical part C and an upper part D, having at its
top a button K, with a screw plug G passing through it.
A is a flexible metallic diaphragm, held at its edge between the lower and upper
parts of the shell, which are soldered together at the joint. Within the shell C is
an upright pipo, made true at the top, so that when the diaphragın A seats on it, it
closes it as a valve. When the conical part C is screwed home there is left a little
space between the diaphragm A and the tube E.

page_text: The chamber D is charged with a liquid, which will vaporize or expand sufficiently
at a temperature below that of steam, and after charging the screw plug G is screwed
down or soldered, so as to make the closure steam-tight.
If steam enters by the pipe E and plays on the diaphragm, it causes the expansion
of the liquid in D, or increases the pressure of its vapour, and the diaphragm A
being thus pressed downwards closes the pipe E.
If only water passes through the pipe E, the diaphragm leaves it open, the heat
of the water being insufficient to cause its depression.
The distance between the diaphragm and the mouth of the tube E may be
adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the conical casing at the point H.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I hereby
declare that I make no general claim to the use of a steam trap in which a flexible
diaphragm acted on by fluid pressure, is made to operate as a valve closing passage
for steam, causing the said pressure, but I claim, the construction of steam trap, as
herein described, with reference to the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Josbun Kidd, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-second day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
EDWARD HENSMAN,
9, Victoria Chambers,
London,
S.W.
JOSHUA KIDD. (L.S.)