IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS OR DRAIN VALVES FOR DRAINING STEAM PIPES & CYLINDERS, AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Davis, of Enfield, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS
OR DRAIN VALVES FOR DRAINING STEAM PIPES & CYLINDERS, AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Davis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th June 1880.
WILLIAM DAVIS, of Enfield, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS OR DRAIN VALVES FOR DRAINING STEAM PIPES
& CYLINDERS, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
I construct a valve-box enclosing an expanding chamber which is then immersed
in the steam. This chamber contains a mixture of ether and other ingredients, and
the principle of action of the valve is that the steam heat expands the chamber, and
by closing the aperture stops the escape of steam. When condensation takes place
in the valve-box or water is carried over with the steam, the water, reduces the
temperature of the spirit contained in the chamber, and thus causes the latter to
contract, letting the water run off until the steam again expands the chamber.
Over the chamber there is a bell shaped guard or screen made of spun copper,
which extends below the bottom of the chamber, say, 1½ inch, and any water lying
in the bottom of the valve-box would be forced up round the chamber by the steam
pressure, and thus chill the chamber, as the water would be between it and the
guard, so as to cut off the fierce heat of the steam.
What I claim as new is the general conformation of the valve-box, chamber, and
guard, and their combination, as above described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Davis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
December 1880.
"
WILLIAM DAVIS, of Enfield, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM TRAPS OR DRAIN VALVES FOR DRAINING STEAM-PIPES
AND CYLINDERS, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
I construct a valve-box enclosing an expanding chamber which is then immersed
in the steam. The chamber contains a mixture of ether and other ingredients, and
the principle of action of the valve is that the steam heat expands the chamber, and
by thus closing the aperture of the outlet stops the escape of steam. When
condensation takes place in the valve-box or water is carried over with the steam,
the water reduces the temperature of the spirit contained in the chamber, and thus
causes the latter to contract, letting the water run off until the steam again expands
the chamber.
Over the chamber there is a bell-shaped guard or screen made of spun copper,
which extends below the bottom of the chamber, say, 1½ inch, and any water lying
in the bottom of the valve-box would be forced up round the chamber by the steam
pressure, and thus chill the chamber, as the water would be between it and the
guard, so as to cut off the fierce heat of the steam.
Such being the nature and object of my Invention, I have for more clearly
illustrating the same annexed a Sheet of Drawings with Figures and letters of
reference corresponding with those in the following explanation :-
Fig. 1 is a full size clevation of steam trap for small engines.
Fig. 2 is a full size vertical section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a full size plan and section at A, B, Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 is a full size elevation of union to connect with extra pipe where required.
In Figs and 3, a is the steam inlet; b, the centre picce with holes h, h, for the
passage of steam; c, the chamber; d, the guard; e, the valve-box, the dotted line
showing position of bottom of chamber when expanded to close outlet; f, the
spindle with passage through it for filling chamber; g, the outlet pipe capable of
being screwed in or out to regulate discharge.
Having now described the nature and object of my Invention, I wish it to be
understood that what I claim as now therein is the general conformation of the
valve-box, expanding chamber and guard, and their combination.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Davis, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.