Improvements in Steam Traps.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 17th May, 1832-Accep.ed, 18.h June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, ALPHONSE LOUIS SELLIER, of San Fernando, Trinidad, British West
Indies, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows,
that is to say :-
My said invention comprises improved constructions and combinations of the
parts of steam traps or apparatus for automatically discharging water of conden-
sation from steam pipes or from any apparatus heated by steam. My improved
apparatus can be made of various sizes and is advantageously applicable for dealing
with large quantities of water due to condensation, whilst it is equally suitable for
steam of high or low pressure or of varying pressures.
In carrying out my invention 1 employ a vertical cylindrical vessel or casing of
cast iron provided with a bolted-on top cover, the removal of which gives easy
acess to internal parts. The inlet from the steam pipes or other apparatus is
formed in the side of the casing near the top, and is internally shielded by a
baffling flange to prevent the current of steam or water from impinging directly on
the float. The float is of a cylindrical form preferably made of sheet steel and
made with cylindrically flanged curved top and bottom completely enclosing the air
space of the float. A vertical tube having a closed upper end is fixed concentrically
in the float; and this tube is fitted to slide on a central fixed vertical tube closed
at its upper end and forming an inward extension of an outlet piece fixed in the
bottom of the casing. Near the bottom the fixed central or outlet tube has formed
in it a number of holes which are covered by the tube of the float when the float
is in its lowest position; and when the float is in that position complete closure is
insured by a bevilled surface at the mouth of the float tube fitting upon a bevilled
When the
shoulder formed on the outside of the central fixed or outlet tube.
float is raised by the water which enters the vessel the float tube uncovers the
outlet tubes and allows the water to pass off; but the float tube closes the holes
before the water in the vessel descends so low as to uncover the holes to the steam.
To insure this closing action an adjustable spring is applied to the float by means
of a rod suitably connected to the top of the float and extending out through a
stuffing box in the cover. This rod not only serves for the convenient application
of the spring but also for moving the float by hand in order to ascertain that it is
in working order and not sticking.
Dated this Eighteenth day of August 1891.
EDMUND HUNI,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Traps.
I, ALPHONSE LOUIS SELLIER, of San Fernando, Trinidad, British West
Indies, Engineer, 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, that is to say:-
My said invention comprises improved constructions and combinations of the parts
of steam traps or apparatus for automatically discharging water of condensation
from steam pipes or from any apparatus heated by steam. My improved apparatus
can be made of various sizes and is advantageously applicable for dealing with
large quantities of water due to condensation, whilst it is equally suitable for steam
of high or low pressure or of varying pressures.

page_text: In carrying out my invention I employ a vertical cylindrical vessel having formed
in its side near the top an inlet from the steam pipes or other apparatus. A float
is arranged to slide on a fixed tube having holes to be closed by the float and
forming an inward extension of an outlet piece fixed in the bottom of the vessel.
When the float is in its lowest position complete closure is effected but when the
float is raised by the accumulation of water the holes become uncovered and the
water escapes. The descent of the float is insured by means of a spring arranged
on a rod suitably connected to its top and extending out through the cover of the
vessel.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings
showing in vertical section an example of my improved steam trap.
A vertical cylindrical vessel or casing, A, of cast iron is provided with a bolted-
on top cover, B, the removal of which gives easy access to internal parts. An
inlet, C, from the steam pipes or other apparatus is formed in the side of the
casing, A, near the top, and is internally shielded by a baffling flange, D, to prevent
the current of steam or water from impinging directly on the float, E. The float, E,
is of a cylindrical form, preferably made of sheet steel, and made with a
cylindrically flanged curved top, E', and bottom, E, completely enclosing the air
space of the float. A vertical tube, F, having a closed upper end, F', is fixed con-
centrically in the float, E; and this tube, F, is fitted to slide on a central fixed
vertical tube, G, closed at its upper end by a screw plug, H, and forming an
inward extension of an outlet piece, J, fixed in the bottom of the casing. Near
the bottom the fixed central or outlet tube, G, has formed in it a number of holes, K,
which are covered by the tube, F, of the float, E, when the float is in its lowest
position; and when the float, E. is in that position complete closure is insured by
a bevilled surface, L, at the mouth of the float tube, F, fitting upon a bevilled
shoulder forn.ed on the outside of the central fixed or outlet tube, G, when the
float, E, is raised by the water which enters the vessel, A, the float tube, F, uncovers
the outlet holes, K, and allows the water to pass off; but the float tube, F, closes
the holes, K, before the water in the vessel, A, descends so low as to uncover the
holes to steam. To insure this closing action an adjustable spring, M, is applied
to the float, E, by means of a rod, N, suitably connected to the top of the float
and extending out through a stuffing box, P, in the cover, B. This rod, N, not
only serves for the convenient application of the spring, M, but also for moving
the float, E, by hand in order to ascertain that it is in free working order and not
sticking.
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 :-
1. The arrangement, construction, and combination of parts constituting my
improved steam trap substantially as, and for the purposes, hereinbefore described,
and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a steam trap, the combination with a float arranged by its ascent aud
descent to uncover and cover outlet openings in a fixed tube on which it slides,
of an adjustable spring to insure quick descent, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Dated this Sixteenth day of May 1892.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.