Year: 1887

page_text: I, PETER FYFE, of 1 Montrose Street in the City of Glasgow, Sanitary Inspector,
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 relates to improvements in steam traps whereby such traps are
rendered intermittent in action as regards the discharge of water accumulating
therein the water being automatically blown off at the full bore of the outlet valve
instead of as in ordinary traps, a constant "drip" accompanied by the escape of
steam, taking place.
As represented in longitudinal vertical section at figure 1, in cross section at
figure 2 and in plan with the top part or cover removed at figure 3 of the annexed
drawings the improved steam trap consists of a covered casing A. which is divided
by a web A¹ and disc H into three compartiments B C and D to the main one B of
which the water and steam from the pipe or vessel to be drained is admitted by an
inlet E; whilst the second one C serves as an outlet for the water discharged from
the first, and the third compartment D is intermittently and automatically placed in
communication with the steam space of the first mentioned compartment in the
manner hereinafter described for the purpose of operating the discharge valves.
Towards its lower end the web A¹ extends into the compartment C and has fitted in it
a tube F forming a seat for a valve G through which when it is raised the water in
the compartment B is discharged the water passing out by small orifices in the lower
end of the tube F. Between the compartments C and D an elastic disc or
diaphragm H preferably of metal is secured and upon the admission of steam under
pressure to the compartment D this disc H bears down upon a flanged piece g¹ which
is screwed or otherwise adjustably attached to the upper end of the valve spindle g
and thereby closes the valve; whilst upon the discharge of the steam from the
compartment D, and the pressure upon the disc H being relieved the valve is raised
by the pressure of the steam upon the surface of the water in the compartment B
and permits of the escape of the water which being discharged under pressure may
be led to a point at a higher level. The alternate admission and discharge of the

page_text: steam to and from the compartment D to control the operation of the valve G are
effected by a three way cock I placed in the pipe J which constitutes the means of
communication between the compartments B and D the said cock I being operated
by a lever K having attached to it a float L which rises and falls with the variation
of level of the water accumulating in the trap.
When the water level in the trap is low and the float is in the position indicated at
figure 1, the chambers B and D are in communication through the pipe J the cock I
being in a position to allow free passage of steam and the discharge valve G is kept
closed but upon the water rising to the level indicated by the dotted line the cock I
is by the action of the float L and lever K turned to a position in which such
communication is closed and the compartment D is open to the atmosphere, the steam
in said compartment escaping through the cock I and a branch pipe J. The pressure
upon the disc H being relieved the valve G is opened and the water forced out of
the trap until the level is reached at which the float in sinking turns the cock I to
close communication with the atmosphere and open communication between the
compartments B and D. The valve Ġ being thereupon firmly closed the discharge
of water ceases.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination of parts constituting the improved steam trap herein before
described.
2. In a steam trap the combination with the discharge valve, of the pressure
chamber D, provided with a disc or diaphragm bearing on said valve, and a three
way cock I, controlled by a float in the trap for operating the said valve substantially
as herein before described.
Dated this Ninth day of November 1887
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agents.