Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, ERNEST LECOca, of 116, Rue de la Clinique, Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to steam traps and comprises an improved automatic
apparatus which, by reason of its construction, entirely obviates all the incon-
veniences usually inherent in apparatus of this kind, such as for example the
escape of fresh steam, the bad operation by two small or too great a pressure,
the improper closing of the valves by reason of the expansion of the metal, and the
like. The operation of this steam trap is not based upon differences of pressure,
but on the contrary upon the action due to a certain level of the water of con-
densation and the connection of the float with two valves balancing each other
and united by an arrangement of special levers.
All the parts are arranged in a receptacle receiving the water of condensation.
At the bottom of this receptacle I provide two valve seats so that one valve will
open inwards and the other valve outwards, according to the position of the float
connected with the former valve and the consequent oscillating movement
imparted to the balance lever combined in a special manner and arranged below
the valves. This balance lever comprises two parts and consists of a lever having
arms of unequal length adapted to oscillate upon a knife edge which is provided
upon a bracket fixed to the receptacle.
To the short arm of the balance lever is fastened a lever whose long arm is
traversed by an adjusting screw which bears with its extremity against the under side
of the balance lever, whilst the short arm of the lever completes the length of the
short arm of the balance lever, so that the normal position of the total lever
system, that is to say the equilibrium, may also be maintained by a weight sus-
pended from the said lever. By this means the outer valve bears upon the short
arm of the lever through the intervention of a rod terminating in knife edges or
points, whereas the long arm of the balance lever presses against the bottom of
the inner valve through the medium of another rod also terminating in knife
edges or points.
In the arrangement of the balance lever herein before described the more precise
mounting of the valves is rendered possible, which would not be the case with an
ordinary rigid balance, as this causes leakage not only in consequence of the
difficulty of mounting, but also because of expansions of the metal occasioned
by the heat, which inconvenience in the articulated arrangement of the balance
lever will not affect the valves, especially as the rods referred to may be suitably
regulated in the notches.
The float is fastened above to the inwardly opening valve and is guided at its
upper part in a transverse piece. A water gauge permits of the water level in the
receptacle being seen, and a valve closing only at a certain pressure allows the
air to escape from the receptacle.

page_text: of the total lever system, that is to say the equilibrium, may also be maintained
by a weight P suspended from the lever H. By this means the outer valve Vi
bears upon the short arm of the lever through the intervention of a rod T
terminating in knife edges or points, whereas the long arm of the balance lever
presses against the bottom of the inner valve V through the medium of a rod T
also terminating in knife edges or points.
In the arrangement of the balance lever herein before described the more precise
mounting of the valves is rendered possible, which would not be the case with
an ordinary rigid balance, as this causes leakage not only in consequence of the
difficulty of mounting, but also because of expansions of the metal occasioned by
the heat, which inconvenience in the articulated arrangement of the balance
lever will not affect the valves, especially as the rods T and T¹ may be suitably
regulated in the notches.
A float K is fastened above to the inwardly opening valve V and is guided at
its upper part in a transverse bar L. A water gauge N permits of the water level
in the receptacle being seen, and a valve V" closing only at a certain pressure
allows the air to escape from the receptacle.
The operation will now be easily understood. As soon as steam enters the
receptacle R through A and fills it the air contained therein is expelled and the
valve V is closed by the pressure of the steam.
The weight of the float K is such that that it will be raised only at a certain
height of the water of condensation, so that the bottom of the receptacle will
always be covered with a stratum of water which cannot flow out through the
valve V because the pressure of steam acting thereon is also exerted upon the
valve V, the valves being thus balanced in such a manner that they will not be
kept closed by the pressure of steam, but by the weight of the float, and that an
escape of fresh steam will be absolutely impossible by reason of the hermetic
tightness.
If however the level of the water of condensation reaches to a height sufficient
for raising the float and with it the valve V, the valve V₁ will become free and
open outwards so that the water then flows out through the two valves until the
float moves downwards again far enough for the steam trap to be hermetically
closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
First. In steam traps the balancing of the valve V, opening inwards and con-
nected with the float K, by a similar valve V1 opening outwards so that such
valves, being independent of the pressure of the steam, will be closed by the
weight of the float alone.
Second. In steam traps the connection of the valves V and V1 by means of a
balance lever W having arms of unequal length and a lever H articulated to the
short arm of the balance lever, with screws for adjusting the valves carried by
rods T and T¹ upon the extremities of said balance lever, substantially as set
forth.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1808.
CHARLES JUNGE,
75, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: of the total lever system, that is to say the equilibrium, may also be maintained
by a weight P suspended from the lever H. By this means the outer valve Vi
bears upon the short arm of the lever through the intervention of a rod T¹
terminating in knife edges or points, whereas the long arm of the balance lever
presses against the bottom of the inner valve V through the medium of a rod T
also terminating in knife edges or points.
In the arrangement of the balance lever herein before described the more precise
mounting of the valves is rendered possible, which would not be the case with
an ordinary rigid balance, as this causes leakage not only in consequence of the
difficulty of mounting, but also because of expansions of the metal occasioned by
the heat, which inconvenience in the articulated arrangement of the balance
lever will not affect the valves, especially as the rods T and T¹ may be suitably
regulated in the notches.
A float K is fastened above to the inwardly opening valve V and is guided at
its upper part in a transverse bar L. A water gauge N permits of the water level
in the receptacle being seen, and a valve V₁ closing only at a certain pressure
allows the air to escape from the receptacle.
The operation will now be easily understood. As soon as steam enters the
receptacle R through A and fills it the air contained therein is expelled and the
valve V is closed by the pressure of the steam.
The weight of the float K is such that that it will be raised only at a certain
height of the water of condensation. so that the bottom of the receptacle will
always be covered with a stratum of water which cannot flow out through the
valve because the pressure of steam acting thereon is also exerted upon the
valve V, the valves being thus balanced in such a manner that they will not be
kept closed by the pressure of steam, but by the weight of the float, and that an
escape of fresh steam will be absolutely impossible by reason of the hermetic
tightness.
If however the level of the water of condensation reaches to a height sufficient
for raising the float and with it the valve V, the valve V1 will become free and
open outwards so that the water then flows out through the two valves until the
float moves downwards again far enough for the steam trap to be hermetically
closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
First. In steam traps the balancing of the valve V, opening inwards and con-
nected with the float K, by a similar valve V1 opening outwards so that such
valves, being independent of the pressure of the steam, will be closed by the
weight of the float alone.
Second. In steam traps the connection of the valves V and V₁ by means of a
balance lever W having arms of unequal length and a lever H. articulated to the
short arm of the balance lever, with screws for adjusting the valves carried by
rods T and T upon the extremities of said balance lever, substantially as set
forth.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1800.
CHARLES JUNGE,
75, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.