The illustrations we give represent an expansion trap by Mr. Hyde, and
made by Mr. S. Farron, Ashton-under-Lyne. The general appearance of this
arrangement is as in Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, the center view, Fig. 2, showing
what is the cardinal feature of the trap, viz., that it contains a
collector for silt, sand, or sediment which is not, as in most other
traps, carried out through the valve with the efflux of water. The escape
valve also is made very large, so that while the trap may be made short,
or, in other words, the expansion pipe may not be long, a tolerably large
area of outlet is obtained with the short lift due to the small movement
of the expansion pipe.

[Illustration: IMPROVED STEAM TRAP.]

The object of a steam trap is for the removal of water of condensation
without allowing the escape of steam from drying apparatus and steam pipes
used for heating, power, or other purposes. One of the plans employed is
by an expansion pipe having a valve fixed to its end, so that when the
pipe shortens from being cooler, due to the presence of the water, the
valve opens and allows the escape of the water until the steam comes to
the trap, which, being hotter, lengthens the pipe and closes the valve.
Now with this kind of trap, and, in fact, with any variety of trap, we
understand that it has been frequently the experience of the user to find
his contrivance inoperative because the silt or sand that may be present
in the pipes has been carried to the valve and lodged there by the water,
causing it to stick, and with expansion traps not to close properly or to
work abnormally some way or other. The putting of these contrivances to
rights involves a certain amount of trouble, which is completely obviated
by the arrangement shown in the annexed engravings, which is certainly a