Steam trap with spherical inverted bucket float

A steam trap assembly comprising:

• a casing defining a valve chamber therein;
• inlet means for introducing fluid generally consisting of condensate and steam into said chamber;
• outlet means defining an outlet passage for discharging condensate from said chamber, said outlet means including means defining a valve seat located on the interior of said chamber at the upper portion thereof, said valve seat forming a valve orifice constituting the initial portion of said outlet passage;
• a free-floating float member unconnected by any mechanical means with any part of said assembly so as to be freely movable within said valve chamber, said float member having an outer surface portion adapted to engage and disengage said valve seat for opening and closing said outlet passage;
• said float member being structured as a hollow shell member defining a downwardly directed opening with a generally continuous body having a substantially spherical configuration;
• and a mouthpiece member fitted in said opening to define said opening with a generally circular configuration, said mouthpiece member having a weight characteristic tending to bias the center of gravity of said float toward said opening to maintain the stability of said float without need for mechanical guidance or restraint.