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1. * GB780182 (A)
Description: GB780182 (A) ? 1957-07-31
Steam trap
Description of GB780182 (A)
PATENT SPECIFICATION
780,182 -aid Date of Application and filing Complete Specification:
Jan. 21, 1953.
No. 1803/53.
Application made in Germany on Jan. 21, 1952.
Complete Specification Published: July 31, 1957.
Index at Acceptance:-lasses 64(2), R1, T13; and 135, VT4B.
International Classification:-FO6k. F22g. GOlk.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Steam trap We, HERMANN SCHULTE-MATTLER and FRIEDRICH ScHmrrz of
Burscheid bei K6Iln and K6ln-Sulz, Morbacherstr.69 respectively,
Germany, both of German Nationality, being the responsible partners of
Firma Hochdruck-Dichtungs-Fabrik Schmitz & Schulte, do hereby declare
the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us,
and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly
described in and by the following statement: Steam traps have the
function of allowing the accumulated water of condensation to drain
off constantly and as rapidly as possible from a flow of steam, while
rendering it difficult for the steam to flow through a water discharge
opening or completely preventing it from doing so. At the same time,
it is desirable to arrange that the device is capable of adjustment
for use over a large temperature range and particularly that the water
discharge opening should be adjustable to allow for the rapid
discharge of condensate without escape of steam.
Moreover, the mechanism should be rapidly responsive to slight
fluctuations in temperature in order to be able to operate correctly
and promptly, having regard to the conditions prevailing in the
conduit carrying the steam at any given time.
Steam traps are known in which the outlet for the condensate produced
under normal conditions of operation is combined with the outlet for

2. large quantities of condensate produced, for example, when " starting
up ", the flow resistance or the clear aperture of this single outlet
being made variable. The adjustment of the cross-section of the outlet
is effected automatically according to the load at any given time,
i.e. the quantity of condensate flowing in a given unit of time, for
example by means of floats or the like.
Designs of this type heretofore produced have the disadvantage that
they operate too [Price 3s. 6d.] slowly and do not adapt themselves
quickly and reliably enough to the conditions prevailing in the
piping. In addition, unwieldy housings, which require a great deal of
space result. The cost of manufacturing such a steam trap is high.
The invention has for its object to provide a steam trap wherein the
disadvantages hitherto obtaining are eliminated.
According to the invention, there is provided a steam trap provided
with a constantly open minimum discharge opening for the discharge of
condensate and a controllable closure member adapted automatically to
vary the cross-section of the discharge opening depending on the
amount of condensate, characterized in that the controllable closing
member is formed as a generally cylindrical rotary member which is
mounted with play in its seat and is provided upon its peripheral
surface with laterally extending flattened portions for varying the
crosssection of the discharge opening upon rotation of said rotary
member.
The control of the rotary member is advantageously effected by means
of a bimetallic strip, which is preferably wound spirally.
The said bimetallic strip is secured at one end to the rotary member,
while the other end is anchored in the housing.
The arrangement according to the invention has the advantage of the
ability to react rapidly to the changing conditions- in the apparatus
and of reliable functioning.
In normal operation, i.e. during steady running conditions of the
apparatus, the minimum discharge opening, which always remains open,
provides for the constant draining off of the condensate accumulating,
it being rendered difficult for the steam to pass through owing to the
effect of the gap at the rotary member. Upon a sudden increase of
condensate for example, when the apparatus is started-up, the minimum
opening is immediately so enlarged that the trap can meet all demands
without any 2 780,182 manual control or the like being necessary.
The use of bimetallic strip in the arrangement according to the
invention has the advantage that a great length can be accommodated in
a small space and owing to the great length, high sensitivity of the
control means is obtained.
As the rotary member is loosely mounted in its seat and hence does not
oppose any frictional effect to the adjustment process, the sensitive

3. response of the system according to the invention to the changing
steam conditions is further enhanced. Furthermore, the arrangement
according to the invention renders it possible to obtain a very
compact design of steam trap. The steam trap can be mounted directly
in a pipe -line after the manner of a "straight through" valve. It is
expedient to allow the discharge of the liquid to take place by stages
through a plurality of chambers in the trap.
One constructional example of steam trap according to the invention is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows the steam trap in longitudinal section. Figure 2 is a
plan view of the bimetallic strip and housing therefor with the cover
removed. Figure 3 shows in part section the rotary member of Figure 1
in another position and Figure 4 is a section of Figure 3.
In the construction shown in the drawings, the trap consists of a
housing 1, having an inlet 2 communicating with passage 3 leading to a
chamber 4. A rotatable generally cylindrical member 5 serves for
regulating the discharge.
The rotary member S extends with clearance through discs 7 having
recesses 18 forming a plurality of chambers.
There is thus provided by the discs 7 and spacers 7 having openings
18' corresponding to the recesses 18, a constantly clear, annular
discharge opening 6 surrounding the member through which the
condensate can flow off under steady running conditions of the
apparatus through passages 8 leading to an outlet 9. The rotary member
5 is provided laterally with flattened positions 10, which, co-operate
with the discs 7 to produce upon suitable rotation of the rotary
member 5, an enlarged discharge opening 11, the crosssection of the
opening 11 being reduced or enlarged more or less, according to the
extent of rotation of the member 5, from the normal position shown in
Figure 1 and this variation in the cross section of the opening 11
takes place automatically, for example the opening is enlarged on "
starting-up " of the apparatus, when large quantities of condensate
are usually produced.
The control of the rotary member 5 is effected by means of bimetallic
strip 12, positioned in the chamber 4 the said strip being coiled so
as to be able to accommodate the greatest possible length in a small
space and in order to obtain a greater sensitivity to slight
fluctuations in temperature. 70 One end 13 of the strip 12 is inserted
in a selected one of a plurality of radial grooves 14 in a plate 15,
positioned in the housing and forming the wall of chamber 4 and the
strip is connected at its other end 75 16 to the rotary member 5 by
engaging in a notch 17 in the rotary member 5. The conditions under
which the strip 12 effects rotation of the member 5 to produce the
enlarged opening 11 are determined by suitably positioning the end 13

4. of the bimetallic strip in a selected groove 14. As the rotary member
5 is mounted with a clearance within the discs 7, the friction is
reduced to a minimum, so that the trap can operate 85 on slight
fluctuations in temperature. As many discs 7 as may be desired can be
provided in series in order to obtain the desired throttling effect
for the passage of the steam through the annular discharge 90 opening
6. The rotating movement of the rotary member 5 is advantageously
limited by abutments (not shown).
The inlet 2 and cutlet 9 are disposed coaxially in the housing and the
steam trap 95 can be connected in a pipe line in a similar manner to a
valve having coaxial inlet and outlet ducts.
The chamber 4, in which the bimetallic strip is housed, is closed by a
cover 19 100 secured to the housing and, in order to render the
process in the steam trap visible, the cover 19 is advantageously
formed of transparent material.
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