Improved Means for Collecting Water of Condensation and Returning the same to Steam-boilers, and for similar purposes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th Feb., 1895--Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Collecting Water of Condensation and
Returning the same to Steam-boilers, and for similar
purposes.
1, WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARK, of 34 Paget Road, Plumstead, in the
County of Kent, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention is chiefly designed to provide improved means for collecting water
of condensation without loss of steam, and for returning such water of condensation
to steam-boilers. My improved apparatus is, however, also applicable for other
purposes, such as the raising of water of condensation or other hot liquids to
elevated positions.
My said invention relates more particularly to an automatic steam return trap
in which the water is permitted to flow into a cylinder or vessel containing
another cylinder, bucket or float suspended from a lever or levers, whereby, when
the said bucket or float is full, the flow of water into the said cylinder or vessel
will be arrested and steam will be admitted thereto to expel the water through
a pipe one end of which extends down into the said bucket or float and the
other end of which is connected with the boiler or other receptacle into which
the water is to be delivered; and, when the said bucket or float is empty or
nearly so, it will rise by reason of its buoyancy and shut off the steam and again
permit the water to flow into the said cylinder or vessel.
An important feature of my said invention is the construction and arrangement
of the controlling valve, which is operated by the aforesaid bucket or float, in such
a manner that it will control the admission of both the water and the steam.
Another feature of my said invention consists in improved means for ensuring
the rapid operation of the controlling valve, whilst preventing any slow or gradual
movement thereof.
me and dated
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to
26th February 1890, No. 3063, I have described a steam-trap constructed with
a hollow ball or float which acts upon a balanced slide-valve so as to allow the
water of condensation to escape without any loss of steam, the said steam-trap
being, moreover, provided with an automatic air-valve. Some of the improve-
ments described in my said former Specification can, with advantage, be adapted
to the purpose of my present invention.
In carrying my present invention into practice, I find it advantageous to
construct my improved apparatus as follows, viz. :-I provide an outer cylinder or
vessel such as is commonly used for the purpose, in which I enclose an inner
cylinder, float or bucket open at the top. This float or bucket is suspended by
a central rod to suitable jointed levers or toggle-joints arranged to operate a
peculiarly formed balanced slide-valve hereinafter mentioned. This central rod
is formed with a suitable enlargement or with projections having suitable inclines
at each end, and the said rod is arranged to move up and down between anti-
friction rollers turning upon studs fixed in weighted bell-crank levers, in such a
manner that the rod, in moving up and down, must, by means of its enlargement
or projections, turn the said levers through a small angle and lift the weights
carried by the said levers, and can then move freely and rapidly to either end of
its stroke or travel.
When the water of condensation from steam pipes or jackets for heating or

page_text: condensing purposes, enters the outer cylinder or vessel, it gradually accumulates
therein, and, when the said cylinder or vessel is filled to a predetermined level,
the water runs over the top edge of the float or bucket. The said float or bucket
is, however, held in check by the anti-friction rollers which bear against the
enlargement or projections upon the central rod and are pressed against the same
by the weighted bell-crank-levers. The said float or bucket is thus restrained
from movement until the combined weight of the same and of the water it
contains is sufficient to force the enlargement or projections of the central rod
between the anti-friction rollers of the weighted bell-crank-levers and thus raise
the weights of the said bell-crank-levers; the weighted bucket or float then
instantly falls to its lowermost position. By this action the controlling valve is
operated so as to prevent the entrance of more water into the outer cylinder or
vessel and at the same time open a port that admits steam from the boiler into the
said cylinder or vessel; this steam forces the water out of the float or bucket
through a discharge-pipe one end of which opens into the same near the lower end
thereof, and the other end of which extends through the outer cylinder or vessel
and is connected directly with the boiler or with the feed-pipe thereof, so that the
said water will enter the boiler through a check-valve by gravity.
When the water is discharged from the float or bucket so that the buoyancy
thereof is sufficient to overcome the force exerted by the weights on the bell-
crank-levers, the said float or bucket instantly rises to the top of its stroke or
movement, thus operating the valve so as to admit the water of condensation as
before, and at the same time close the steam-port. The steam left in the outer
cylinder or vessel will then pass through the upper part of the inlet pipe for the
water, in which there is a less pressure, or into a receiver or condenser till it is
condensed or turned into water again and returns to the collecting trap or outer
cylinder.
My improved slide-valve is balanced as described in my said former Specification,
but is made longer than heretofore and is placed or fixed on the outside of the
outer cylinder or vessel. It is made with a steam-port at one end and with a port
or ports for the water of condensation at its other end. The valve slides or moves
upon fine projecting ridges round the port-ways so that the pressure is underneath
as well as on the top of the said valve. The said valve is connected with the
aforesaid lever or levers by a small bolt or stud projecting from its lower face
through a long slot surrounded by projecting ridges that prevent any steam from
passing. The said valve is, moreover, so constructed and arranged that any grit
or sediment in the water will be forced in front of the valve instead of being
jammed between the two surfaces.
An air-valve is placed in the top or cover of the outer cylinder or vessel, which
opens inwards as described in my said former Specification. The lower end of this
valve rests or nearly rests upon an arched band of copper or other suitable metal
fixed at both ends, so that, the air in the said cylinder or vessel or in the pipes
escapes through the said air-valve which is partly open, and, when steam enters
the said cylinder or vessel, the temperature thereof will cause expansion of the
said arched band, which expansion together with the pressure of the steam will
instantly close the valve.
It will be seen that my improved apparatus is entirely self-acting and free from
all friction, is equally balanced and easily moved in either direction, it is also all
enclosed and cannot be interfered with when once adjusted, having no packing
glands or heavy valves to move that give different results according to their being
inade tight or slack.
It will also be seen that my improved apparatus will act very efficiently as a
steam-trap, the water of condensation being automatically returned to the boiler,
instead of being allowed to escape.
It is obvious that I can, if desired, somewhat modify the construction of my
improved apparatus without departing from the nature of my said invention. For
instance in place of the weighted bell-crank levers, I can use levers provided with

page_text: anti-friction rollers and one or more springs combined with the said levers so as to
press the rollers against the aforesaid rod. I can, if desired, provide other suitable
means whereby the aforesaid controlling valve will be operated by the rising and
falling of the float or bucket. I can also somewhat modify the construction and
arrangement of the valve for simultaneously controlling the admission of the water
and steam to the outer cylinder or vessel as above mentioned.
DL:
LC 1904
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Collecting Water of Condensation and
Returning the same to Steam-boilers, and for similar
purposes.
I, WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARK, of 34, Paget Road, Plumstead, in the
County of Kent, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention is chiefly designed to provide improved means for collecting the
water of condensation from steam-pipes and the like without loss of steam, and for
returning such water of condensation to steam-boilers; and my said invention
comprises a very simple and efficient apparatus for accomplishing this result. My
improved apparatus is, however, also applicable for other purposes, such, for
example, as the raising of the water of condensation or other hot liquids to
elevated positions.
According to one part of my said invention I provide an automatic steam return
trap or low "steam loop" wherein the water of condensation is permitted to flow
into a cylinder or vessel containing a bucket or float into which the water overflows
from the outer cylinder or vessel and which is suspended from a lever or levers for
actuating a controlling valve. This apparatus is so constructed that, when but not
until the said bucket or float is full, or is filled to a predetermined level, it will
descend by its own weight and that of the water it contains, and will thus rapidly
or suddenly actuate the valve so as to arrest the flow of water into the collecting
chamber and admit steam thereto to expel the water through a pipe, one end of
which extends down into the said bucket or float and the other end of which is
connected with the boiler or other receptacle into which the water is to be
delivered; and, when but not until the said bucket or float is empty or the water
level therein has descended to a predetermined point, it will rise by reason of its
buoyancy and thus rapidly or suddenly actuate the said valve so as to shut off the
steam and again permit the water to flow into the collecting chamber, the said
bucket or float rising and falling alternately in such a manner that a quantity of
the water is first collected in the same and then expelled therefrom by the steam.
An important feature of my said invention is the construction and arrangement
of the controlling valve (which is operated by the aforesaid bucket or float) in such
a manner that it will control the admission of both the water and the steam to the
collecting chamber as required.
Another feature of my said invention is the employment of means for ensuring
the rapid or sudden operation of the controlling valve, when but not until the water
has reached one or the other of the two predetermined levels in the collecting
chamber, whilst preventing any slow or gradual movement of the said valve.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated
26th February 1890, No. 3063, I have described a steam-trap constructed with a

page_text: hollow ball or float which acts upon a balanced slide-valve so as to allow the water
of condensation to escape without any loss of steam, the said steam-trap being,
moreover, provided with an automatic air-valve. Some of the improvements
described in my said former Specification can, with advantage, be adapted to the
purpose of my present invention.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of one form of my improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same, some of the parts being removed.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, and
Figure 4 a transverse section on the line a, a, Figure 3, both drawn to an enlarged
scale, illustrating details of construction.
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section, and
Figure 6 a transverse section on the line a¹, e¹, Figure 5, illustrating another
arrangement of the controlling valve.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
a is the outer cylinder or vessel, b is the bucket or float which is enclosed therein
and which is open at the top.. This float or bucket is suspended by a central rod c to
the long arm d of a bell-crank-lever d d' pivotted at to the vessel a; the short
arm d¹ of the said bell-crank-lever is connected by a rod or link e to a peculiarly
constructed balanced slide-valve hereinafter described. The central rod c is formed
with a suitable swelling or enlargement f having curved or inclined parts f" at each
end, and is arranged to move up and down between anti-friction rollers g. These
rollers are pressed against the rod by the action of weights mounted on bell-
crank-levers j, the short arms j' of which are provided with studs g' carrying the
said rollers; the pressure exerted by the rollers g upon the rod e may be varied by
moving the weights along the arms to which they may be secured in any desired
position by means of bolts or set-screws k. It is evident that the rod "", in moving
up or down, must, by means of its swelling or enlargement, turn the levers jj
through a small angle and lift the weights carried thereby, and, when once the
said weights have been thus lifted, the said rod can move freely and rapidly up or
down as the case may be to the end of its stroke or travel. By these means a
much more efficient action of the apparatus is ensured than would be practicable if
the bucket or float were allowed to rise and fall slowly or gradually.
is the slide-valve which is balanced as described in my said former Specification,
that is to say, it slides or moves upon fine projecting ridges round the port-ways so
that the steam pressure acts on the underside as well as on the top of the said valve.
This valve is made longer than heretofore and is mounted in a valve-casing m upon
a valve-seat n having a steam-port n' at one end and ports n², n³ for the water of
condensation at its other end. The valve-casing m is in communication with the
steam-space of the boiler so that, when the port n' is uncovered by the valve l,
steam passes into the vessel a. The water of condensation reaches the apparatus
through the pipe o which is separated from the vessel a by means of a diaphragm
or partition o and the valve is constructed with a hollow or cavity and is so
arranged relatively to the ports in the valve-seat that, when the valve is moved so
as to close the steam-port n', it will open communication through the ports n², n³
between the opposite sides of the said diaphragm, thus permitting the flow of the
water of condensation into the vessel a. The bolt or stud 12 connecting the valve
with the link e extends through a long slot n' surrounded by projecting ridges p
that prevent any steam from passing. The said valve is, moreover, so constructed
and arranged that any grit or sediment in the water will be forced in front of the
valve instead of being jammed between the two surfaces.
To facilitate the adjustment of the valve with respect to the ports n', n², n³ 1
insert a turn-buckle or nut q in the link or connecting rod e, the said nut being
provided with right and left-handed screw-threads at its opposite ends engaging
with corresponding screw-threads on the cut ends of the rod or link e so that the
said rod or link may be lengthened or shortened as required, lock-nuts or jam-nuts

page_text: being provided on each side of the nut 7 for securing the same in any position to
which it may have been adjusted.
is an air-valve placed in the top or cover a' of the outer cylinder or vessel a
and opening inwards. The lower end of this valve rests or nearly rests upon an
arched band of copper or other suitable metal held or supported at both ends, as
described in my said former Specification, so that any air in the said cylinder or
vessel or in the pipes will escape through the said air-valve which is partly open,
and, when steam enters the said cylinder or vessel, the temperature thereof will
cause expansion of the said arched band, which expansion together with the pressure
of the steam will instantly close the said air-valve.
is the discharge pipe whereby the water is removed from the float or bucket
and which is secured to the interior of the vessel a and extends downward to within
a short distance from the bottom of the bucket b, sufficient space being allowed to
prevent contact of the said pipe with the bucket when the latter is in either of its
extreme positions. The outlet end of the pipe is connected directly with the
boiler or with the feed-pipe thereof, the apparatus being arranged at such a level
relatively to the boiler that the water will enter the latter through a check-valve
by gravity. Or the said pipe is connected with any other suitable receptacle into
which the water is to be delivered.
When my improved apparatus is to be used with high-pressure steam, I prefer to
arrange the balanced slide-valve as shown in Figures 5 and 6, in which the valve /
is made with a bar or bridge 13 connected by means of a pivotted links to a piston t
working in a small cylinder t¹ formed in the valve-casing m; in order to protect.
the piston t I provide the cylinder t' with a cover having a suitable drain-pipe t
permit the escape of any steam or water that may pass the piston and to prevent
the accumulation of pressure in the space beyond the said piston. In this manner
by suitably proportioning the areas of the ports and of the cylinder t I am enabled
to reduce the pressure of the valve on its seat n to any desired amount.
When
The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows, that is to say:
the water of condensation from steam-pipes or from jackets for heating or
condensing purposes, or from other parts, enters the outer cylinder or vessel a
through the ports n', n³, it gradually accumulates therein and overflows into the
bucket or float b. The said float or bucket is, however, held in check by the anti-
friction rollers g, which bear against the ends 1 of the enlargement or projection f
upon the central rod c and are pressed against the same by the weighted bell-crank-
levers. The said float or bucket is thus restrained from movement until the
combined weight of the same and of the water it contains is sufficient to overcome
the resistance offered by the weighted levers j,, and force the enlargement or
projection of the central rod c downward between the anti-friction rollers y,
thereby raising the weights on the said bell-crank-levers; the weighted bucket or
float & then instantly falls to its lowermost position. By this action, the controlling
valve is operated so as to close the port n² and prevent the entrance of more water
into the cylinder or vessel a aud at the same time open the port n' thus admitting
steam from the boiler into the said cylinder or vessel, whereby the water is forced
out of the float or bucket through the discharge-pipe u.
When so much water has been discharged from the bucket or float b that the
buoyancy of the latter is sufficient to overcome the resistance offered by the
weights on the bell-crank-levers jj, the said bucket or float instantly rises to
the top of its stroke or movement, thus operating the valve so as to put the
ports n², n in communication with each other and admit the water of condensation
as before, and at the same time close the steam-port n'. The steam left in the
outer cylinder or vessel a will then pass through the upper part of the inlet-pipe
for the water, in which there is a less pressure, or into a receiver or condenser till
it is condensed or turned into water again and returns to the collecting trap or outer
cylinder a.
0
It will be seen that my improved apparatus is entirely self-acting and free from
all friction, and is equally balanced and easily moved in either direction, having no.

page_text: packing glands or heavy valves to move that give different results according to
their being made tight or slack; and its operating parts are all enclosed and cannot
be interfered with when once adjusted.
It will also be seen that my improved apparatus will act very efficiently as a
steam-trap, the water of condensation being automatically returned to the boiler,
instead of being allowed to escape.
If desired I can conveniently pass a rod from the float b through the cylinder
cover a so that the action can be made to work an index that will register the
quantity of water passed through in a given time or ring a bell to show when the
apparatus is at work.
It is obvious that I can, if desired, somewhat modify the construction of my
improved apparatus without departing from the nature of my said invention. For
instance, in place of the weighted bell-crank-levers, I can use levers provided with
anti-friction rollers and one or more springs combined with the said levers so as to
press the rollers against the aforesaid rod. I can, if desired, provide other suitable
means whereby the aforesaid controlling valve will be operated by the rising and
falling of the float or bucket. I can also somewhat modify the construction and
arrangement of the valve for simultaneously controlling the admission of the water
and steam to the outer cylinder or vessel as above mentioned.
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 an apparatus of the kind or class hereinabove referred to, for collecting
and returning to a steam-boiler or discharging at a higher level the water of conden-
sation from steam-pipes and the like, the employment of means whereby a suitable
resistance is offered to the movement of the actuating bucket or float so as to ensure
a rapid or sudden movement thereof when but not until the water in the collecting
chamber has reached one or the other of two predetermined levels, for the purposes
above specified.
Second. The combination, with the actuating bucket or float, of a rod attached
thereto and suitably connected with a controlling valve, and having suitable
projections adapted to operate in conjunction with friction-rollers which are pressed
against the said rod by weights, springs or the like, substantially as, and for the
purposes, herein before described.
Third. A slide-valve arranged to control both the steam and the water inlets or
admission ports, with or without a balancing piston working in a cylinder in the
valve-casing, substantially as herein before described.
Fourth. The valve and valve-casing constructed and combined with the water
and steam pipes, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The combination, in apparatus of the kind or class above referred to, of
an outer vessel provided with an automatic air-valve, a bucket or float therein, a
discharge pipe extending from near the bottom of the said bucket to a steam-boiler
or other receptacle, a controlling valve suitably connected with the said bucket or
float, and means for ensuring the rapid or sudden movement of the said valve when
but not until the water has reached one or the other of two predetermined levels in
the said bucket or float, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Sixth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawing and operating as and for the purposes above
specified.
Dated the 4th day of February 1895
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.