Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, GUSTAV ARENDT, of Niederbruck, Alsace, in the Empire of Germany,
Manufacturer, 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 steam traps and comprises an expansible body of
peculiar construction which is designed for use in such traps. The action of this
expansible body is based upon the fact that a number of metallic plates, which are
connected with each other alternately by bent metal strips, and by tubes or rods,
are caused to move apart owing to the increased linear dimensions of the said strips
and rods or tubes at the temperature of the steam and in this state close a valve so
that the steam cannot escape. When however water of a lower temperature comes
in contact with the expansible body the metal rods or tubes contract, thereby
raising the valve so that the water of condensation can flow off until the valve is
closed again by the access of steam of a higher temperature.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 represents the steam trap in transverse section.
Figure 2 is a top view of the same, the lid being supposed to have been
removed.
The expansible body Figure 1 carries the stop valve u, this valve being fixed to
a metal plate by means of a nut ² or in any other suitable manner. connect
the metal plate with a similar metal plate by two metal strips k and m fixed
thereon and bent to an arc of a circle, the said plate i having secured thereto two
rods or tubes op made of the same metal and extending downwards. At their
lower ends the rods or tubes o and pare attached to a metal plate y which in form
and size is similar to the plates and i. This plate 9 is united in the same manner
as the plate by two metallic arcs fand h with a plate e to which the downwardly
extending rods or tubes and s are secured. At the lower ends of these rods or
tubes I fix the plate c, which is in connection with a plate a by the metallic arcs b
and d. The rods or tubes op pass freely through the plate c and the rods or
tubess pass freely through the plate i. The plate a is firmly attached by
means of the nut y to a sleeve t for the adjusting screw n of the casing A into
which the entire expansible body is placed, but in such a manner that the
sleeve t together with the expansible body can be turned independently of the
adjusting screw n. The joint round the adjusting screw is rendered tight by a
stuffing box S and the screw is provided with a hand wheel R. The inlet
of the water of condensation or condensed steam into the casing takes place
at E, and the outlet of the same at X. The valve u bears upon the valve
seat r.
My improved apparatus operates in the following manner; Suppose only
steam, coming from E, has entered the casing; In this instance the metallic
parts of the expansible body are heated by the hot steam and assume their greatest
length. Now the valve u is so adjusted that it bears exactly upon its seat, which
can be easily accomplished by turning the hand wheel R. The steam cannot
therefore leave. When however water of condensation enters the apparatus the
expansible body cools, becaue the water is at a lower temperature than the steam.
Although the cooling for each pair of rods or tubes is but slight the degree of
contraction by reason of the above-described peculiar combination with the plates
nd the metallic arcs, becomes so great that the valve u will rise sufficiently far
rom its seat for allowing the water to flow off. As soon as steam follows, the
xpansible body is heated and the valve closed again.
[ Ρrima 271

page_text: It will be observed that the rods or tubes, the plates and the arcs of the
expansible body consist of the same metal, therefore the contraction and expansion
do not depend upon the action of different metals.
I may increase the number of the pairs of rods or tubes and of the plates and
arcs, whereby the upward and downward motion of the valve for a certain
difference of temperature become the greater the more parts are employed, but for
ordinary purposes the number hereinbefore mentioned will be sufficient.
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 :-
An expansible body for steam traps, consisting of arc-shaped metal strips k, m,f, h
and bd in combination with horizontal plates lgcie a connecting these metal
strips with each other and with the rods or tubes o p r s made of the same metal,
and provided with a valve u which is automatically opened and closed by reason of
the shortening and lengthening of the said expansíble body caused by differences of
temperature.
Dated this 10th day of February 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.