Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, JOHN JAMES ROYLE, of 131, Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:
My invention refers to steam traps of the type in which a float and valve serve
to control the discharge of water of condensation into a closed box, and from
thence through a suitable exit, and in which there is a tendency in case the box
becomes thoroughly drained for the valve to remain closed and so stop the proper
working of the trap.
Now the object of my invention is to remedy this drawback, and to provide a
steam trap which shall be thoroughly reliable, and to that end I construct the
usual box or receiver with an auxiliary box, or pocket, by adding an additional
wall or inserting a suitable partition, and in the lower part of such partition I
provide an outlet orifice opening into a pipe or passage which extends upwards
to a point more or less on a level with the usual outlet opening in the outer wall
of the auxiliary box. In the same partition and beneath the other opening, I
also provide one or more small openings or vents which open direct into the
auxiliary box: The float valve is, by preference, of the screw operated type,
and is closed by the fall of the float.
The action is as follows:-The box being filled with water in the usual way,
the float rises and opens the inlet, and any water of condensation then flows
into the box. On steam arriving such water is caused to flow out of the box,
via the outlet in the lower part of the partition, and rising pipe, from whence
it flows into the auxiliary box, and finally escapes into the atmosphere.
Simultaneously with the discharging of the water in the box, the valve float
lowers and gradually cuts off steam, until the pressure in the box is nil, when
owing to the small hole aforesaid in. the wall of the auxiliary box the water
which has filled such box, flows back into the main box, and serves to again
lift the float until the valve is again opened, thereby allowing any water of con-
densation behind such valve to flow into the trap, until the steam again arrives,
when the ejection action, falling of the float, and "trickling" back are repeated,
and so on continuously, the "trickling" back of the water serving to lift the
float, and the ejection action to refill the auxiliary box.
To test the trap at any time, or to raise the float mechanically, I provide a
screwed spindle screwing through the box and coming under the float spindle.
Also to guard against excessive pressure in case the outlet should by accident
get choked up, I provide a relief valve. I may also provide a non-return valve
in the rising pipe.
Whilst I prefer the construction aforesaid I wish it to be understood that as

page_text: the trickling" back of the water may be effected in several ways, I do not
therefore restrict myself to the precise application herein described.
Dated this 12th day of January 1898.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.
I, JOHN JAMES ROYLE, of 131, Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, Engineer,
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 refers to steam traps of the type described in Letters Patent
No. 6231 year 1882, and for which Letters Patent were granted to me on the
30th December 1882, in which a float and valve serve to control the discharge of
condensed water into a box and from thence to a suitable exit and in which
experience has disclosed a tendency, in cases where the box becomes thoroughly
drained for the valve to remain closed and so stop the proper working of the trap.
The object of my invention is to remedy this draw-back and to provide a steam
trap on the above mentioned principle which shall be thoroughly reliable under
all circumstances.
To that end I construct the usual box or receiver with an auxiliary box or
pocket by adding an additional wall or inserting a suitable partition, and in the
lower part of such partition I provide an outlet orifice, opening into a pipe or
passage which extends to a point more or less on a level with the usual outlet
opening in the outer wall of the auxiliary box. In the same partition and
beneath the other opening I also provide one or more small openings or vents
which open direct into the auxiliary box, and this combination when arranged
as hereinafter more particularly described has the effect of rendering the steam
trap aforesaid more continuous and reliable in its operation.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and
carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed 2 sheets of drawings, and
will now proceed to describe the same with the aid of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
On sheet one,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation and Fig. 2 a sectional plan of a
steam trap embodying my improvements. Fig. 3 is a similar sectional elevation,
and Fig. 4 a sectional plan of a similar steam trap but modified in the form of
construction.
On sheet two,
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. 6 a sectional plan and Fig. 7
an end view (partly in section) of a steam trap similar in construction to Figs. 1
and 2, but provided with screw valve action in lieu of the hinged valve shewn
in the previous illustration.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 (A) is the main box or body
of the trap with an auxiliary box (B) bolted to it and separated from the box (A)
by a partition (C) which is made approximately water tight. In the partition
at the bottom, and, by preference below the passage (D), an opening (E) is

page_text: made, and also an opening (F) might with advantage be made at the top of the
partition.
(G) is the inlet valve of the trap operated by lever (H) and float (I), and being
connected to a union (J) forms the inlet of the steam trap. (K) is the outlet of
the trap which may with advantage be furnished with an elbow pipe (L), the
intention being to keep as high a water level in the auxiliary box (B) as possible.
The operation of this steam trap may be described as follows: The inlef (J)
is connected to the steam pipe to be drained, and the whole of the trap is first
filled up with water, a suitable opening being left in the top of the trap for that
purpose, and which is afterwards closed with a plug. It will be obvious that
when the chamber (A) is first filled up the ball-float (I) will rise to the dotted
position shewn in Fig. 1 and the valve (G) will consequently be wide open.
Any condensed water, therefore entering through this valve (G) would find its
way through the trap via the passage (D), the auxiliary box (B) and through
the outlet (K). As soon however as steam arrives it will collect above the water
in box (A), depressing the surface of the water and allow the ball-float (I)
to fall and close, or partially close the valve (G).
It is found in practice that the ball (I) closes the valve (G) to an extent just
sufficient to pass all the water of condensation plus sufficient steam to keep the
upper part of the casing full of steam, but it is also found occasionally from
various causes that the trap discharges the whole of the water out of the
casing (A) in which case the valve (G) would be closed absolutely and the trap
therefore rendered inoperative.
The object of the present invention is to overcome this difficulty, for which
purpose the auxiliary box (B) is provided acting as a catchment pocket to receive
some of the condensed water on its way to the outlet (K). Should therefore
the valve (G) become absolutely closed as before described the condensed water
in the box (B) trickling back through (E) would lift the ball and re-start the
action.
In this modification the partition (C) is loose, but it may be cast in one piece
with the box as shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 the lid of the box being bolted on as
illustrated.
The joint over the top of the partition plate is not necessary to be made per-
fectly steam tight, and might with advantage be left with a slight leakage. The
hole or passage (F) is formed in the plate for that purpose.
screw
"
The construction of trap illustrated in Figs 5, 6 and 7 is similar to that shewn
in Figs. 1 and 2 but with the control valve (G) of the "
type, and it
presents a form of steam trap more particularly adapted for very high pressures,
as a powerful valve closing action can be obtained in this manner.
(M) is a screw action for "trapping" the lever (H) and is convenient for
testing the trap at any time to see whether there is any condensed water lying
above the valve (G).
(N) is. a relief valve to provide against over pressure and is useful in some
cases.
"
The principle of the trap is well known in the trade as "Royle's syphonia'
and the present invention contemplates the addition of the re-starting action just
described.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in
reference to the steam trap for which Letters Patent was granted to me as afore-
said, that there is therein described a division plate or partition, and also a
small hole in the partition, but I would point out that the partition plate in the
previous specification is on the other side of the float, and that the action is
entirely different, and I therefore make no claim to the partition plate acting
as described in connection with the former specification, and what I claim is :--
1 A steam trap of the system hereinbefore described with a supplementary

page_text: catchment box or receiver on the outlet side of the syphon or ejectment pipe for
restarting the trap, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2: The general combination and arrangement of parts shewn on the accom-
panying drawings and substantially as herein before described.
1
1
100
1
en
1
1000
JOHN JAMES ROYLE.
John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.