IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Shaw of Lockwood near Huddersfield in the
County of York, Brass Founder and Finisher, for an invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Shaw at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th April 1882.
JOSEPH SHAW of Lockwood near Huddersfield in the County of York, Brass
Founder and Finisher "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS "
The object of my Invention is to utilize the expansive properties of metal to
greater advantage than has hitherto been done.
For this purpose I employ a pipe formed of copper or other expansible metal in
one end of which is formed the valve casing
On each side of the valve casing are attached levers which are connected by rods
to the opposite end of the expansible pipe.
The ends of the said levers are also connected by short rods to a cross head
through which the valve spindle is screwed. The valve spindle passes freely
through the casing not screwing into the same in the usual manner and the result
of this combination of apparatus is that as the steam piping expands the rods
which are placed in a direction parallel or nearly parallel with the said pipe
operate on the levers attached outside the valve casing, and being placed nearer
to the fulcrum than the rods which connect them to the cross head the expansive
power is multiplied so that the least degree of expansion in the pipe operates very
sensibly upon the valve.
▸ SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Shaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th October
1882.
JOSEPH SHAW of Lockwood near Huddersfield in the County of York, Brass
Founder and Finisher "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
"
The object of my Invention is to utilize the expansive properties of metal to
greater advantage than has hitherto been done. For this purpose I employ a pipe
[Price 4]

page_text: formed of copper or other expansible metal in one end of which is formed the
valve casing. On each side of the valve casing are attached levers which are
connected by rods to the opposite end of the expansible pipe. The ends of the
said levers are also connected by short rods to a cross head through which the
valve spindle is screwed. The valve spindle passes freely through the casing; not
screwing into the same in the usual manner and the result of this combination of
apparatus is that as the steam piping expands the rods which are placed in a
direction parallel or nearly parallel with the said pipe operate on the levers
attached outside the valve casing, and being placed nearer to the fulcrum than the
rods which connect them to the cross head, the expansive power is multiplied, so
that the least degree of expansion in the pipe operates very sensibly upon the
valve.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I herein give roference
to the accompanying sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof. Fig. 1 is an elevation
of a steam trap constructed according to my Invention Fig 2 is a similar, elevation
partly in section and Fig 3 is a plan view of samo. A is a pipe composed of
copper_or_other expansive metal or mixture of metals to one end of which is screwed
-a-casing B in which is formed a valve-seating.Outside_the_casing are lugs C to
which are hinged arms or levers D-which-are-connected by rods E-to-the-cross-
head F. G is the valve spindle which is screwed through the cross head and
passes freely through the stuffing box H and valve casing B. To the bottom of the
expansible pipe A is screwed a nut J having flanges K which are connected with the
levers-D-by-rods which are composed of metal of a less expansible nature than
the pipe A. Steam is admitted to the trap at the-opening_a_and_after_passing
through the pipe A and-valve, escapes through the outlet b. The valve opening is
regulated by the spindle G according to the estimated pressure of steam-and. as
any variation in the pressure will be accompanied by a corresponding variation in
temperature, the pipe A will expand or contract to a greater extent, than the
rcds L, and these rods acting on the levers D will cause the cross head F and
thereby the valve spindle to approach or recede from the valvo scating and so
diminish or increase the steam passage. The actual extent of motion can be varied
by altering the point of connection between the levers D and rods L the effect
being increased as the rod approaches the lug C and diminished as it is moved in
the opposite direction.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention I would have it understood
that I clann-
The combination of rods and levers herein described for regulating the valve
opening according to the expansion or contraction of the pipe A.
In witness whereof I the said Joseph Shaw have hereunto set my hand and
seal this nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness
THO H BARRON
Clerk to Tasker & Crossley
Halifax
JOSEPH SHAW. (L.S.)