US2104367A - Radiator siphon trap - Google Patents

Description

Jam 4, 1938. E. N. GROGAN RADIATOR SIPHON TRAP Filed Nov. 11, 1956 2Sheets Sheet l in Denier Attorneys Jan. 4: 193% E. N GROGAN RADIATOR SIPHON TRAP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A5 7! "gap g/3% a ay W Attorneys Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to valves and more particularly to what is known in the art as low pressure steam traps for use on radiator return lines of heating systems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a siphon trap for radiators for economically taking care of condensation and consequently reduce fuel cost, increase boiler efiiciency and to reduce maintenance cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator siphon trap which will insure a return of the products of condensation to the heating unit at a temperature higher than is now realized in the types of traps presently used, and whereby this result is obtained without additional loss of heat units in the radiator.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:--

Figure 1 is an elevational view illustrating the application of the trap.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view with parts broken away and shown in section illustrating the trap.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the valve assembly portion of the trap.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through a valve seat and Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the valve seat.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a primary valve stem and Figure '7 is a sectional view through a secondary valve tube.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that the invention, which latter is adapted for use on the radiator of a heating system between the outlet or return 5 of the radiator 8 and the return line I, comprises a casing or hous- 40 ing 8 which is of conventional and well known construction and has its inlet side suitably coupled with the radiator outlet 5 as at 9 and its bottom outlet suitably coupled with the return pipe T as at I0.

Arranged within the housing or casing 8 is a thermostat I I having an internally threaded socket or pin extension I2 associated therewith as clearly shown in Figure 2.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided above the outlet ll] of the valve casing a threaded bore I3 into which is screwed a valve seat member I4 the head of which is diametrically enlarged to engage the inner end of the bore I3 as at I5.

The seat I4 is provided at the center thereof with a hollow socket-like portion I6 from which extend inclined radial passages I'I, while at the inner or lower end of the hollow or socket I6 the valve seat I4 is internally threaded as at I8.

A secondary valve tube I9 in the form of a tube open at one end is provided, and said secondary valve tube III at the open end thereof is threaded asat for screw threaded engagement with the threaded aperture I8 of the seat I4. Adjacent its closed end the secondary valve tube I9 is provided with a bore H.

A primary valve stem 22 has an enlarged threaded end 23 that is screwed into the socket or pin extension I2 of the thermostat II while for the major portion of the length thereof the primary valve stem 22 is provided with a bore 24 that opens at the free end of the stem and slidably accommodates the secondary valve tube I9 as shown in Figure 2.

Intermediate its ends the primary valve stem 22 is provided with a shoulder 25 that is adapted to engage the seat I4 when the thermostat II is expanded in a manner to prevent the escape of steam from the radiators.

Above the shoulder 25 the primary valve stem 22 is provided with a port 26 that is adapted to align with the port 2| of the secondary valve tube I9 when shoulder 25 is seated against the seat 24. Thus it will be seen that while the escape of steam from the radiator is effectively prevented the products of condensation will pass through the aligned ports 2I and 26 and through the secondary valve tube I9 to the return line I.

When, however, the temperature of the radiator falls a material degree, the thermostat II will contract for unseating the valve 22 permitting a free flow of the steam and water through the trap to the return line I, the water then passing down through the hollow I6 and passages IT to the return line I. It will be seen that as the seat I4 or the shoulder 25 wears valve stem 22 may be readily adjusted relative to the pin I2.

In connection with the above it will be appreciated that when the radiator is cold and filled with air valve 22 is in the position shown in Figure 2. The admission of steam through the radiator will force the cold air from the radiator out through the trap, the cold air passing through the ports I! and into the return pipe, it being noted that any water which might tend to collect in the radiator will have previously drained out from the radiator through the ports II. As the steam enters the radiator and warms the same air is forced from the radiator through the trap and out through the return pipe connected with the trap. However, as soon as steam begins to pass the thermostat H will begin to expand so that valve 22 is lowered to engage the shoulder 25 thereof with the seat I4 whereupon steam cannot pass through the trap.

Upon the aforementioned seating of valve 22 port 26 will aline with port 2!. These ports 26, 2| are minute so that when the ports are alined no material amount of live steam will escape therethrough, although the ports are of such a size as to permit a free escape of air and condensate. In this connection it will be further appreciated that the construction of the thermostat H is such as to provide a sensitive control, allowing water and air to pass freely, but preventing any appreciable amount of steam from passing until valve' 22 has moved upwardly in response to the contraction of the thermostat H a material distance from its seat M. In this connection it will be further appreciated that any slight contraction of the thermostat ll will tend to raise the valve element 22 so as to move the port 26 out of alinement with the port 2i, permitting, when the radiator cools, the escape of air and water at a more rapid rate and consequently live steam will more quickly enter the radiator from the inlet side thereof to the end that a constant, or only slightly variant temperature will be maintained within the radiator.

An advantage, as obtained by this valve, of permitting a constant escape of air and condensate without a material escape of steam is that the radiator is substantially at all times filled with live steam, when the system is in operation, the escape of condensate from the radiator being permitted approximately at the rate at which it is formed.

To lock the valve stem 22 and the pin l2 against axial separation, said pin I2 is provided at diametrically opposite sides thereof with openings which align with a slot or opening 26 to receive a cotter pin or the like 21.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, utility and advantages and the operation of the invention will be had without a more detailed description thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A low pressure steam trap including a casing having an inlet neck adapted to be coupled with the outlet of a radiator and an outlet neck adapted to be coupled with the return line of a heating system, said casing having a thermostat arranged therein and provided with an internally threaded pin, a valve seat removably secured within the casing in line with the outlet of the casing, the valve seat being provided with an axial socket opening at the top of the seat and with a threaded opening concentric to the socket and opening through the bottom of the seat, a secondary valve tube disposed axially of the seat, said tube being closed at one end and open at its other end, and at said last mentioned end being externally threaded for threaded engagement within the threaded opening of the valve seat, said tube adjacent the closed end thereof being also provided with a lateral port, and a valve stem having a sliding fit on the secondary valve tube and having a threaded end screw threadedly engaged with the pin of the thermostat, said valve stem intermediate its ends being provided with a shoulder adapted, upon expansion of the thermostat, to engage said seat, and said valve stem above said shoulder being provided with a port to align with the port in the secondary valve tube when said shoulder is engaged with the seat whereby to provide for an even flow of water from the radiator through the trap and into the return line of the heating system when said shoulder is engaged with the valve seat.

2. A low pressure steam strap including a casing having an inlet neck adapted to be coupled with the outlet of a radiator and an outlet neck adapted to be coupled with the return line of a heating system, said casing having a thermostat arranged therein and provided with an internally threaded pin, a valve seat removably secured within the casing in line with the outlet of the casing, the valve seat being provided with an axial socket opening at the top of the seat and with a threaded opening concentric to the socket and opening through the bottom of the seat, a secondary valve tube disposed axially of the seat, said tube being closed at one end and open at its other end, and at said last mentioned end being externally threaded for threaded engagement within the threaded opening of the valve seat, said tube adjacent the closed end thereof being also provided with a lateral port, and a valve stem having a sliding fit on the secondary valve tube and having a threaded end screw threadedly engaged with the pin of the thermostat, said valve stem intermediate its ends being provided with a shoulder adapted, upon expansion of the thermostat, to engage said seat, and said valve stem above said shoulder being provided with a port to align with the port in the secondary valve tube when said shoulder is engaged with the seat whereby to provide for an even flow of water from the radiator through the trap and into the return line of the heating system when said shoulder is engaged with the valve seat, and said valve seat upwardly from its bottom end being provided with radial ports through which steam passes from the trap when the shoulder of the valve stem is in raised position out of engagement with said valve seat.

3. In a valve of the character described, a valve seat provided with an axial socket opening at the top of the seat and a threaded opening at the bottom of the seat, a secondary valve tube having an open end externally threaded and threadedly engaged in the opening of the valve seat, said tube being closed at its opposite end and provided adjacent said opposite end with a lateral minute intake opening, and a valve stem having a sliding fit on said secondary valve tube, said valve stem having a diametrically enlarged portion to engage with said seat, and also having a lateral minute port'aligning with the port in the secondary valve tube when the valve stem is in seated position.

EDGAR N. GROGAN.

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