Old steam trap question

Jim Bennett

I found it in my LAOSH Companion. That Bourden tube looks like it must have been very strong, as in not a lot of stress to the metal. Seems like it would outlast traditional radiator traps.

Just my impression,

Jim

MikeC_2

Old steam trap question

Recently worked on old system in Dansville NY. Determined that it was a vapor system with old loop seals. Found system running at 5lbs. Lowered steam pressure to 10 oz., and installed vapor stat. System worked fine however, noticed old steam traps, I had never encountered. Enclosed is a picture of an old vento trap. For my curiosity has anyone else seen any of these? I would like to get some history on this system.
Thanks, Mike C

Jim Bennett

Haines Vento

I have never seen these but i did a google search and found a Barnes and Jone page with repair parts for them.

Jim

http://www.barnesandjones.com/cusg_hm1.htm

Christian Egli_2

Nice catch

Oooh, this is a nice candidate for the venting charts by Gerry Gill and Steve Pajek.

I don't suspect there's anything wrong with it? It's a metallic element, right?

gerry gill

send it,

i'll test it and ship it back..least you'd know if the replacement passed air at about the same rate..

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Steamhead (in transit)

That trap element was a Bourdon tube

similar to that used in a pressure gauge. I think Haines was the only manufacturer to build traps like that.

Look again at that Barnes & Jones info. It says repair parts are not made for Haines Vento traps, and to replace them with B&J traps (or whatever your favorite trap brand is).

Did this system have a Return Trap or anything else made by Haines?

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Mad Dog_2

Nothing on THAT to break

Nice find...where exactly is Dansville? Mad Dog

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Steamhead (in transit)

It's south of Rochester

along I-390.

The William S. Haines Company was located in Philadelphia. I found one of their ads in a 1941 ASHVE Guide. Besides the Vento radiator trap, they also made Return Traps, F&T traps (which used the same Bourdon element for the thermostatic function) and modulating radiator valves- the latter had the letter "H" on the body. In this case it doesn't stand for "Hammond".

Unlike some other equipment that was made in Philly, I have yet to see a Haines system in the Baltimore area. They must have had a pretty strong distributorship or wholesaler in the Rochester area.

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Unknown

Cool Frank,

Like I always say, your the man!!!

Jim Bennett

Steamhead

Do you know how these traps work? What did it use to close against steam?

Never seen one like that.

Steamhead (in transit)

That U-shaped Bourdon tube

was filled with an alcohol/water mixture, same as a regular trap element. When this was heated, it turned to steam and expanded, increasing the presure inside the tube. The pressure caused the tube to unbend slightly, and this closed the trap.

Most pressure gauges work the same way, except that the pressure comes from the pipe connection rather than an alcohol/water mixture.

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