IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Lancaster of the firm of Lancaster and Tonge of
Pendleton in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Lancaster at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd August 1882.
HENRY LANCASTER of the firm of Lancaster and Tonge of Pendleton in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
"
"
My Invention relates to the steam traps which are used to effect the discharge of
the water of condensation from steam pipes and apparatus in which steam is used as isė
well understood. In my improved steam trap I employ a hollow screw spindle on
which is loosely mounted a valve and which is connected by means of a hollow
arm with a float. The water issues from the outlet into a small valve chamber.
whence it escapes through ports in the hollow spindle into the said float the issue.
of steam raising the float and by turning the spindle closing the valve. In one
construction I use a rounded or mushroom shaped valve which is mounted on the
solid end of the spindle which at the part is reduced in diameter and is formed
with a conical shoulder which fits against a seating on the valve to form a
sufficiently tight joint and to lessen the friction or the end of the spindle may be
formed with a conical point not extending through the valve. I may use a seating
of vulcanised caoutchouc, and I may modify the arrangement for rotating the
spindle. I am aware that the hollow screw and the hollow float have been used
previously to my Invention but the apparatus has been liable to derangement in
consequence of the valve used sticking fast in it's seating.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Lancaster in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd February 1883.
HENRY LANCASTER of the firm of Lancaster and Tonge of Pendleton in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
"
My Invention relates to the steam traps which are used to effect the discharge
of the water of condensation from steam pipes and apparatus in which steam is
used as is well understood. In my improved steam trap I employ a hollow screw
spindle on which is loosely mounted a valve and which is connected by means of a
hollow arm with a float. The water issues from the outlet into a small valve
chamber whence it escapes through ports in the hollow spindle into the said float
the issue of steam raising the float and by turning the spindle closing the valve.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood I have attached hereunto a
sheet of drawings to which I will refer hereinafter. In the said drawings Fig: 1.
represents an elevation and Fig 2 a plan both partly in section of a steam trap
constructed in accordance with my Invention Figs 3 and 4 illustrating the con-
struction of the valve. In Figs 1 and 2 a is the metal cistern to one side of which
is secured the water inlet branch b. A pap c which projects into the cistern is
formed as a screw nut to suit a hollow screw spindle d which is connected by
means of a bollow arm e with a hollow float f. The end of the spindle d is
separately represented on a larger scale by Fig 3 wherein g is a valve which is
loosely mounted upon the reduced end d². of the spindle and is kept in place by
means of a nut h. A conical shoulder d³ is formed on the end of the spindle and
the hole in the valve is coned to correspond so that a sufficiently steam tight joint
is formed and the spindle is also free to turn with a minimum of friction. The
face of the valve is slightly coned and the valve face in 6 is coned in a contrary:
direction in order to lessen the tendency of the valve to stick fast but this con-
struction may be varied. Slots i in the spindle open out of the chamber k into the
hollow spindle. A hole is formed in the lower part of the float and water is free
to enter through this hole into the float thereby sinking it into the position
indicated by the dotted lines. When in this position the way through 6 is open
and water can flow through the valve opening and the slots i into the float whence
it passes downwards through the hole and also upward through a pipe m into
the cistern as in some other forms of steam traps. When the steam escapes it
drives the water out of the float thereby raising it and closing the valve by reason
of the turning of the screw spindle in the nut c. It will be seen that when the
valve is in contact with the seating the end of the spindle turns in the valve
without the latter turning so that the valve is tightly pressed upon the seating.
The wearing of the seating and the tendency of the valve to stick are thus
obviated. Fig 4 illustrates a modification in the mounting of the valve upon
the spindle end which latter in this example does not pass through the valve but is.
formed with a conical point which bears against the conical bottom of a hole
drilled in the valve. The form of the valve face is also varied. To divert the
water issuing from the pipe m into a downward direction I apply a concave mush-
room shaped thin metal shield n above the discharge mouth of the said pipe. I am
aware that the hollow screw spindle and the hollow float have been used previously
to my Invention but the apparatus has been liable to derangement in consequence
of the valve used sticking fast in its seating.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention and

page_text: the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect I would have it to be
understood that I claim
.
First the combination of the loosely mounted valve g with the other parts the
whole forming a complete steam trap substantially as set forth and indicated
hereinbefore and in and by the accompanying drawings.
And secondly in a steam trap having a hollow float connected by means of a
hollow arm with a hollow screw spindle, furnishing such screw spindle with a
reduced end d. formed with a conical shoulder d². and provided with a valve loosely
mounted upon the part d'. and pressed against a seating by the turning of the
screw spindle substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Lancaster have hereunto set my hand
and seal this first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty-three
HENRY LANCASTER (L.S.)