IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED TO DISCHARGE THE WATER OF CONDENSATION FROM STEAM-PIPES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugh Gearing Grant, of the Firm of Messrs. Bosshardt
and Grant, Patent Agents, of 24, Bull's Head, Exchange Chambers, Hopwood
Avenue, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED TO DISCHARGE THE WATER OF
CONDENSATION FROM STEAM-PIPES." A communication from abroad by
Emile Briart, of Jeumont, in the Republic of France.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hugh Gearing Grant at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th October 1881.
HUGH GEARING GRANT, of the Firm of Messrs. Bosshardt and Grant, Patent
Agents, of 24, Bull's Head, Exchange Chambers, Hopwood Avenue, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED TO DIS-
CHARGE THE WATER OF CONDENSATION FROM STEAM PIPES." A communication
from abroad by Emile Briart, of Jeumont, in the Republic of France.
The Invention relates to apparatus ordinarily designated "steam traps," and
employed to discharge the condensed water from the steam pipes.
The Invention consists in the employment of a hollow metallic ball into which
the condensed water flows, and acts at suitable times to open a valve through
which the collected water in the ball is discharged by the force of steam. The
communication of the ball with the steam pipe is effected by a flexible pipe. The
said ball is formed with a cuped recess into which the condensed water flows.
When the said recess is filled with water it brings down the said ball, which action
causes the lever carrying the ball to open a valve through which the condensed
water is forced up a tube arranged in the ball. This tube prevents any undue
escape of steam, as the water is first blown out and the ball regains itself, thereby
closing the valve. A counterweight is mounted on the other end of the lever
carrying the ball, in order to balance the same. A brass pipe of a circular form
joins the ball with the steam pipe, and by its elasticity perinits of the slight
rocking of the ball. The apparatus is mounted on a pedestal which forms a
receptacle for the discharged water from the ball, the said valve of the apparatus
is made of india rubber, to obtain flexibility.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hugh Gearing Grant in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th April 1882.
HUGH GEARING GRANT, of the Firm of Messrs. Bosshardt and Grant, Patent
Agents, of 24, Bull's Head, Exchange Chambers, Hopwood Avenue Manchester.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED TO DISCHARGE THE WATER OF CON-
DENSATION FROM STEAM-PIPES." A communication from abroad by Emile Briart,
of Jeumont, in the Republic of France.
This Invention has for its object to discharge the water of condensation formed
in steam conduits without causing any loss of steam, and without necessitating
frequent repairs. The apparatus constructed for this purpose is illustrated by the
accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section; Figure 2, a plan;
and Figure 3, a cross section of the whole apparatus; while Figures 4 and 5 are
detail views.
The apparatus comprises a metal ball H which is in constant communication
with the steam conduit or receptacle by means of the pipe G. The water of con-
densation from the steam conduit or receptacle accumulates gradually in this ball,
thereby increasing its weight and causing the lever which carries the ball to turn
on its bearings. By this motion a little discharge valve J, the lift of which can be
regulated by a small screw I, is opened, and the water allowed to escape from the
ball through the pipe T. As the ball begins to rise again_and_shuts the valve J
before the water has been completely driven out from the ball, the inlet of the
passage T is always blocked by water, thereby preventing any escape of steam
through the same.
The opposite arm of the ball lever carries a counterweight P which keeps the
lever in equilibrium, until the water in the ball exceeds the desired level, and an
elastic tube L, preferably of brass, connects the steam pipe G with the ball, thus
dispensing with valves or packings.
From the passage T the water is discharged into the hollow column V, which
serves as a base to the apparatus, and as a water receptacle. The valve J is
opened during the motion of the lever by means of the spindle X, the position of
which can he regulated by the set screw I.
When the lever descends the water pressed by the steam escapes through the
valve opening, the valve having been lifted for the distance a, b. R is an india
rubber disc which forms an elastic joint, permitting the motion of the lever.
With this automatic steam trap is combined an intercepting tube which is placed
in the steam conduit, and has for its object to separate the steam from the water
of condensation, and to force the latter to flow into the steam trap.
This intercepting tube, as illustrated by Figures 7-10, is a simple pipe having
two steam passages, cach of which leads to one end of the pipe, and terminates at
about two-thirds of its length. It is provided with an outlet connected with the
automatic steam trap. Figure 8 is a vertical section of the intercepting tube;
Figure 7, a horizontal section along a, b; Figure 9, a horizontal section along e, f;
and Figure 10, a horizontal section along c, d.
The steam mixed with water of condensation enters the passage G¹, and passes
to the base H', where the greatest part of the water is deposited, while the dry
steam rises through the free spaces I', J', (Fig. 10) into the passage K, from where
it flows to the machine or other apparatus using steam. The water contained in H
is exposed to the pressure of the steam in the spaces I, J, L', which forces the
water out of the orifice M¹.

page_text: CLAIMS.
1. The system of steam traps or apparatus for discharging the water of con-
densation, substantially as described and illustrated.
2. The system of intercepting tube or separator, substantially as described and
illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hugh Gearing Grant, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of February, A.D. 1882.
In the presence of
FERDINAND BOSSHARDT,
Hopwood Avenue,
Manchester.
H. G. GRANT. (L.S.)