Improvements in Steam-traps and Analogous Apparatus for With- drawing Water of Condensation from Steam-pipes and other Vessels.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 28th Oct., 189C-Accepted, 29th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam-traps and Analogous Apparatus for With-
drawing Water of Condensation from Steam-pipes and other
Vessels.
JAMES BUTTERWORTH of Huddersfield Road, Micklehurst, Mossley near
Manchester Foreman Finisher do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of a simple form of steam trap, capable of
being produced at small cost and which is thoroughly efficient in action.
I employ an enclosed casing or chamber hereinafter called the water chamber into
which the water of condensation is allowed to drain. This water chamber is fitted with
a double beat or equilibrium valve mounted on a spindle carrying at its upper extremity a
copper or other suitable ball float. A branch pipe on the valve casing passes through
the side of the water chamber and is secured on the outside by a T piece to the outlet
or discharge pipe leading to the drain. The other end of this T piece leads up to the
air valve outlet which surrounded with a circular or other projecting beading
forming an open-topped cavity into which a domed cover may be inserted and thus
by connecting this cavity with the last mentioned pipe I am enabled to lead away
any drip or foul air along with the water of condensation into the drain pipe.
The action of this improved steam trap is as follows:- -As soon as sufficient water
of condensation accumulates in the water chamber to reach the ball float the same
becomes sufficiently buoyant to raise the equilibrium valve thus opening two discharge
orifices and permitting the water to escape into the discharge pipe. This discharging
continues until the arrival of the steam when the ball float falls again and so cuts
off the communication.
A perforated pipe at the bottom of the chamber branching into the same water
discharge pipe (such branch being fitted with a stop cock) perimits the water chamber
to be blown through as a mud cock from time to time.
In some cases fit the water chamber with a stuffing box through which passes a
rod by means of which the equilibrium valve may also be lifted from time to time for
blowing through purposes.
Where the air valve is not a necessity the valve chamber of my improved steam trap
is capable of being employed alone in the main discharge pipe of any steam apparatus
by simply boring a hole through the side and connecting the branch pipe with the
outlet pipe. The discharge pipe in this case forming the water chamber.
Dated this 27th day of January 1890,
JOHN G. WILSON,
Patent Office, 55, Market Street, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam-traps and Analogous Apparatus for With-
drawing Water of Condensation from Steam-pipes and other
Vessels.
I, JAMES BUTTERWORTH of Huddersfield Road, Micklehurst, Mossley near
Manchester, Foreman Finisher do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the construction of a simple form of steam-trap capable
of being produced at sinall cost and which is thoroughly efficient in action.
As illustrated by sectional view Fig. 1 on the accompanying drawing I employ an

page_text: enclosed casing or chamber hereinafter called the water chamber a into which the
water of condensation is allowed to drain from the steam apparatus say by the pipe b.
This water chamber a is fitted with a valve casing c¹ containing a double beat or
equilibrium valve c mounted on a hollow spindle d carrying at its upper extremity a
copper or other suitable ball float e. A branch pipe f on the valve casing forming
the outlet from my improved steam-trap passes through the side of the water chamber
to the outside where it is connected by means of a plug cock g or valve to the drain
pipe. This cock forms a means of blowing through as by closing such cock and
allowing the chamber to fill with water-upon reopening the cock it will by the
flushing out of the water effectually scour out and clear the valve seatings of all
nud or other obstructions. The spindle d of the valve c is perforated with a series of
holes i, i so placing the interior of the ball in communication with the atmosphere and
removing all pressure from its exterior. This hollow perforated spindle d at the same
time permits the escape of any water of condensation which may find its way into
the ball and by allowing free expansion and contraction avoids any tendency to
fracture.
kis the air valve outlet which is surrounded with a circular or other projecting
beading forming an open topped cavity into which a domed cover m may be inserted
and thus by connecting this cavity with the drain pipe as indicated by dotted lines
I am enabled to lead away any drip or foul air along with the water of condensation
into the drain pipe h.
The action of this improved steam-trap is as follows:-As soon as sufficient water
of condensation accumulates in the water chamber to reach the ball float the same
becomes sufficiently buoyant to raise the equilibrium valve so opening two discharge
orifices and allowing the water to escape through the branch pipe f and cock g into
the discharge pipe %. This discharging continues until the arrival of the steam when
the ball float falls again and so cuts off the communication.
It will be apparent that by the employment of an equilibrium valve I am enabled
to obtain sufficient buoyancy to operate the valve by means of a much smaller float
than ordinary and hence can proportionately reduce the size and first cost of my
improved steam trap.
Where the air valve is not a necessity the valve chamber o of my improved steam
trap as illustrated in Fig. 2 is capable of being employed alone in the main discharge
pipe p of any steam apparatus by simply boring a hole through the side and connecting
the branch pipe with the outlet pipe s. The discharge pipes in this case forming it
will be observed the water chamber.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The improved arrangement and construction of steam-trap substantially as
herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
2nd. In a steam-trap or discharge pipe of any analogous apparatus the employment
of an improved double beat equilibrium valve and float mounted and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 27th day of October 1890.
JOHN G. WILSON,
Patent Office, 55, Market Street, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.