Abstract:
A remotely actuated packing follower for compacting the packing in a base and base extension situated around a rotatable or longitudinally pulsatable shaft exiting a structure. The remotely actuated packing follower comprises a piston slidably and sealingly mounted within a housing and a packing follower cap sealingly attached to the top of the housing. The packing follower cap has a channel for fluid from a remote source to flow from a hose attached to the channel. The piston, housing, and packing follower cap create a chamber. When sufficient fluid flows into the chamber, it pushes the piston away from the packing follower cap so that the bottom of the piston can push against the packing. An inner channel in the piston accommodates the shaft. Either the remotely actuated packing follower or a traditional anti-leak fitting is optional constructed of releasably connectable sections.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a device for maintaining packing closely adjacent to a rotatable or longitudinally pulsatable shaft where such shaft extends from a structure, including—but not necessarily limited to—a machine in order to minimize the leakage of fluid through the aperture which permits the shaft to extend from the machine or other housing. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The Inventor is aware of three patents for devices which utilize a fluid to place pressure on a seal. 
         [0005]    The device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,882 deals with a seal around a pump shaft whereas the devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,772,216 and 6,023,826 involve seals around a valve stem. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,882 employs both a fluid and springs to force carbon and silicon carbide seals together. 
         [0007]    Lines 39 and 40 in column 5 provide, “A rotary seal member 42 is mounted on the inboard end of sleeve 20.” Lines 67 and 68 of column further explain, “A stationary seal member 54 is provided axially outwardly of rotary seal member 42.” Lines 4 through 7 in column 6 continue, “A narrow axially inwardly facing seal face 58 extends from the seal portion 56 toward and sealingly engages the seal face 46 of rotary seal member 42.” Lines 15 through 32 of column 6 then provide, “ . . . the stationary seal 54 is made of carbon and the rotary seal member 42 is made of silicon carbide. 
         [0008]    “A second stationary seal member 54′ is provided outwardly of the first stationary seal member 54 in reverse orientation, i.e., with the seal face 58′ facing axially outwardly. Stationary seal member 54′ is identical to stationary seal member 54, and the corresponding portions thereof are designated with the same reference numerals differentiated by a prime designation. The ends of the stationary seal members 54, 54′ opposite seal faces 58, 58′ contact each other with notches 64, 64′ aligned. 
         [0009]    “Similarly, outwardly of the second stationary seal member 54′ a second rotary seal member 42′, identical to rotary seal member 42 and reversely oriented relative thereto, is provided, with a seal face 46′ contacting the seal face 58′ of the second stationary seal member 54′ . . . .” 
         [0010]    Next lines 5 through 11 in column 10 state, “In operation, sleeve 20 rotates with shaft 12 and carries with it rotary seal members 42, 42′ as well as lock ring 66 and springs 88. Stationary seal members 54, 54′ are held in a non-rotatably stationary position by lug 106 engaging notches 64, 64′ and gland 90. Springs 88 bias both pairs of seal faces 46, 58 and 46′, 58′ together and toward flange 26 at the other end of sleeve 20.” Lines 18 through 20 in column 10 declare, “Process fluid exerts a closing pressure force on seal faces 46, 58 as it exerts pressure on piston area B.” Lines 24 through 27 in column 10 continue, “Passing through notches 64, 64′ to the outer surface of sleeve 20, the barrier fluid exerts pressure on rear walls 52, 52′ of roatary seal members 42, 42′ at piston areas A and A′.” And lines 48 through 57 in column 10 state, “The springs 88 provide an initial bias toward the flange, and with process fluid exerting force on wall 62 of stationary seal 54, process fluid pressure further biases the assembly toward the flange. As barrier fluid pressure is applied at piston areas A and A′ inwardly from each end of the assembly with no net force in either direction, the spring force and any process fluid pressure at piston area B and the seal environment net pressure at B′, if any, always produces a net force toward the flange.” 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,216 has six embodiments. They all employ a piston to pressurize fluid which directly exerts a force on sealing members 32 and 34. And for the first two embodiments spring stacks 66 are utilized with the fluid to create the pressure on the sealing members 32, 34, as explained in 1 through 6 of column 5: “In operation, sealant 80 is injected through sealant fitting 44 to fill sealant space 36 to a predetermined pressure. Bolts 52 are tightened against spring stacks 66 to place a predetermined load on sealing members 32, 34 and sealant 80 as spacer ring 68 and follower ring 38 move downwardly into chamber 30 against external sealing member 34.” Of course, such tightening requires an operator to be near the shaft 12. 
         [0012]    And the Valve Packing Compression Apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,826 employs an hydraulic pump to move a first end of a rocker arm. The second end of the rocker arm forces a gland follower into a stuffing box to compress packing rings. When the desired force is achieved, fasteners are “hand tightened”; and the hydraulic pump is deactivated. 
         [0013]    A more detailed explanation is given in lines 26 through 43 of column 8: “With the hydraulic pressure output of hydraulic pump 60 set by the regulator 62 (ref. FIG. 1) at a predetermined value, on/off valve 66 is switched to the ‘on’ position. . . . Once valve 66 is switched to the ‘on’ position, piston 58 extends from hydraulic ram 54 urging rocker arm 70 to pivot about dowel pin 72. Tines 78 and 80 drive gland follower 28 vertically down into the stuffing box bore 18 of stuffing box 16 compressing packing rings 24 (ref. FIG. 1) a predetermined amount. When the loading force levels off and remains steady, fasteners 108 and 110 are hand tightened and thereafter on/off valve 66 is switched to the ‘off’ position, retracting hydraulic ram 54. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present Remotely Actuated Packing Follower comprises a piston sealingly and slidably mounted within a housing. A ledge separates the upper portion of the piston from the lower portion of the piston; and the outer surface of the upper portion of the piston is inwardly offset from the outer surface of the lower portion of the piston to create a chamber surrounded by the top of the ledge, the outer surface of the upper portion of the piston, the inner surface of the housing, and the bottom of a packing follower cap sealingly attached to the top of the housing. The piston has an inner channel of such a cross-sectional shape and dimensions as slidably to accommodate a shaft extending from a structure 
         [0015]    The packing follower cap possesses a channel proceeding from the top of said packing follower cap to the bottom of said packing follower cap and thereby establishing fluid communication from a beginning of the channel to the chamber. Preferably, a fitting, for connecting a hose, is attached to said packing follower cap at the beginning of the channel in fluid communication with channel so that fluid from a remote source may be introduced into the chamber to force the piston down so that the bottom of the piston compresses packing around the shaft. 
         [0016]    No springs are utilized, and no operator needs to be near the shaft. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a traditional traditional anti-leak fitting. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  portrays a second embodiment of a traditional traditional anti-leak fitting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the Remotely Actuated Packing Follower. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the Remotely Actuated Packing Follower. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a packing follower cap built with at least two releasably connectable packing follower cap longitudinal sections. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a plan view from above of a packing follower cap built with two releasably connectable packing follower cap longitudinal sections. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a piston built with two releasably connectable piston longitudinal sections. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a plan view from below a piston built with two releasably connectable piston longitudinal sections. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of a housing. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a plan view from below a housing built with two releasably connectable housing longitudinal sections. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a splittable and recombinable Remotely Actuated Packing Follower. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a splittable and recombinable traditional anti-leak fitting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    When a rotating or longitudinally pulsating shaft exits a structure, it is often desirable to minimize or eliminate fluid from leaving the shaft (as in the case of a well drill) or fluid from entering the shaft (as in the case of the shaft connecting a marine engine and a propeller). 
         [0030]    A device that has been traditionally used to accomplish this purpose is sometimes termed a “gland” and other times, a “stuffing box.” Still other references indicate the male portion of the device comprises a gland and a gland follower while the female portion of the device is designated as the stuffing box. 
         [0031]    In any event, the traditional device is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . And, with the goal of eliminating confusion, logical terminology for the device and its components will be designated herein. 
         [0032]    The device, itself, is termed an “anti-leak fitting”  1  and comprises two principal parts: a male portion  2  and a female portion  3 , as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0033]    The male portion  2 , itself, comprises a cap  4  and a packing follower (sometimes also called a “gland follower”)  5 . The cap  4  extends away from a central aperture  6  which has such a dimension as to accommodate the moving shaft  7  and may, for example, be in an elongate, circular, or oblong shape. At least two outer apertures  8  in the cap  4  are preferably located radially outward, preferably—when there are two apertures—in substantially opposite directions from the central aperture  6 . Extending from a lower side  9  of the cap  4  and, preferably, concentrically aligned with the central aperture  6  is a lower extension (termed the “packing follower”)  5  having a hollow central portion  10  preferably with the same cross-sectional shape  11  as the cross-sectional shape  12  of the shaft  7  and having such dimensions as to permit the shaft  7  (or a sleeve (not illustrated) that is optionally placed around the shaft  7 , in order to reduce wear, and moves with the shaft  7 ) to move within the hollow central portion  10  and also having an outer diameter  13 . 
         [0034]    The female portion  3  comprises a base  14  preferably having the same shape and dimensions as the cap  4 ; a base extension  15  proceeding upward and, optionally, also downward or only downward having a central aperture  16  preferably with the same shape as the shape of the outer portion  17  of the cross section  18  of the lower extension (packing follower)  5  and also having such dimension as to accommodate the lower extension (packing follower)  5 ; packing  19  within the central aperture  16  of the base extension  15  having such a shape and dimensions that it is adjacent to the shaft  7  (or to a sleeve (not illustrated) that is optionally placed around the shaft  7 , in order to reduce wear, and moves with the shaft  7 ) when the base extension  15  has been installed around the shaft  7 ; a stop  20 , which is usually a flange  21  extending inwardly from an inner wall  22  of the base extension  15  (but which can optionally be a flange extending outward from the sleeve if the shaft  7  moves only rotationally) in order to limit the motion of the packing  19 ; at least two studs  23  projecting from the upper surface  24  of the base  14  and so located as to be aligned with two of the outer apertures  8 , in the cap  4 ; nuts  25  for placement on the free ends  26  of the studs  23 , after such free ends  26  have passed through the outer apertures  8  for securing the cap  4  to the base  14  and urging the cap  4 , and thereby the lower extension (packing follower)  5  toward the base  14 , which urging causes a force to be exerted by the bottom  27  of the lower extension (packing follower)  5  on the packing  19  and, because of the stop  20 , also causes the packing  19  to have its inner surface  28  move farther inward (in order to compensate for wear of the packing  19  caused by the movement of the shaft  7  (or sleeve, when a sleeve is employed) against the packing  19  and to improve the fluidic seal created by having the packing  19  adjacent to the shaft  7  (or sleeve, when a sleeve is employed)); and a means for attaching the base  14  to the structure (not illustrated) (often a casing, in the drilling industry) from which the shaft  7  exits. Often such means is two or more apertures (or channels)  29  for accommodating bolts to which nuts are fastened, bolts that screw into the structure, or studs projecting from the structure which are similar to the studs  23  extending from the upper surface  24  of the base  14 . 
         [0035]    Frequently, because of operational constraints, the nuts  25  have to be tightened while the shaft  7  is moving, creating a substantial danger for the person who is required to do the tightening. And sometimes, as with the propeller shaft for a boat, the anti-leak fitting  1  and, consequently, the nuts  25  are within another housing (not illustrated). 
         [0036]    The present invention, i.e., the Remotely Actuated Packing Follower, eliminates the need for the individual doing the tightening to be near a moving shaft  7  and also, when the anti-leak fitting  1  is within another housing (not illustrated), the need to gain access to the nuts  25  through a housing by remotely actuating the lower extension (packing follower)  5 . 
         [0037]    The Remotely Actuated Packing Follower replaces the elements of the male portion  2  of the anti-leak fitting with a cap  30  designated the “packing follower cap,” a piston  31 , and a housing  32 , as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0038]    The housing  32  has an inner channel  34  of such a cross-sectional shape (preferably, circular) and dimensions as sealingly and slidably to accommodate the lower portion  35  of the piston  31 . Preferably, an O-ring  36 , designated the “housing O-ring,” is located in the inner surface  37  of the housing  32  near the lower end  38  of the inner channel  34 . And the housing  32  also possesses a means for attaching the housing  32  to the female portion  3 . Preferably, such means is two or more apertures (or channels)  39 , for accommodating the studs  23  extending from the upper surface  24  of the base  14 , and nuts  25 ; such apertures (or channels)  39  are located in a flange  40  extending outwardly from the housing  32 , preferably near the bottom  41  of the housing  32 ; and such apertures (or channels)  39 , when there are two such apertures (or channels)  39  are also preferably in substantially opposite directions from the inner channel  34 . 
         [0039]    The outer surface  42  of the upper portion  43  of the piston  31  is inwardly offset from the outer surface  44  of the lower portion  35  of the piston  31  and connected to the lower portion  35  of the piston  31  with a ledge  45  in order to create a chamber  46  surrounded by the top  47  of the ledge  45 , the inner surface  37  of the housing  32 , the outer surface  42  of the upper portion  43  of the piston  31 , and the bottom  48  of the packing follower cap  30 . Both the upper portion  43  and the lower portion  35  of the piston  31  preferably have a cylindrical cross section. The piston  31  possesses an inner channel  49  of such a cross-sectional shape (preferably, circular) and dimensions as slidably to accommodate the shaft  7 . 
         [0040]    The packing follower cap  30  has an inner channel  50  of such a cross-sectional shape (preferably, circular) and dimensions as sealingly to accommodate the upper portion  43  of the piston  31 . Preferably, an O-ring  51 , designated the “packing follower cap O-ring,” is located in the inner surface  52  of the inner channel  50  of the packing follower cap  30 ; and, also preferably, an O-ring  53 , designated the “piston O-ring,” is located on the outer surface  44  of the lower portion  35  of the piston  31 . A channel  54  proceeds from the top  55  of the packing follower cap  30  to the bottom  48  of the packing follower cap  30 , thereby establishing fluid communication from the beginning  56  of the channel  54  to the chamber  46 . 
         [0041]    A fluid (not illustrated), preferably grease, can then be introduced through the beginning  56  of the channel  54  and forced through the channel  54  into the chamber  46 . The pressure exerted by this fluid, consequently, urges the ledge  45  and, therefore, the entire piston  31  toward the packing  19 . The bottom  57  of the piston  31  then acts on the packing  19  just as does the bottom  27  of the lower extension (packing follower)  6  in the traditional “anti-leak fitting” and produces the same desired inward movement of the inner surface  28  of the packing  19 . 
         [0042]    Preferably, a fitting  58  for connecting a hose (not illustrated) is attached in fluid communication to the packing follower cap  30  at the beginning  56  of the channel  54 ; and a check valve  59  is inserted into either the fitting  58  or the channel  54  in order to prevent the fluid from escaping backward, i.e., from the chamber  46  to the channel  54 ) through the channel. And, even more preferably, the check valve  59  and fitting  58  are in the form of a unitary zerk. Because of the check valve  59 , fluid need not be supplied continually. 
         [0043]    Also, a means exists for sealingly and removably securing the packing follower cap  30  to the housing  32 . This preferably comprises threads  60  on the outer lateral surface  61  of the lower portion  62  of the packing follower cap  30  and mating threads  63  on the upper portion  64  of the inner surface  37  of the housing  32 . Also preferably, two or more cavities  65  are present in the top  55  of the packing follower cap  30  in order both (a) to facilitate tightening of the follower cap  30  threads  60  to the mating threads  63  and (b) to assist with the machining needed to create the threads  60 . Optionally, however, the packing follower cap  30  can be permanently attached to the top  66  of the housing  32  to enclose such top  66 , preferably as an integral part of such housing  32 . 
         [0044]    Thus, the tightening of the packing  19  against the shaft  7  (or sleeve, when a sleeve is employed) and the resultant improvement of the fluidic seal created by having the packing  19  adjacent to the shaft  7  (or sleeve, when a sleeve is employed) can be accomplished remotely and not require an individual to be near the moving shaft  7 . 
         [0045]    Optionally, in order to obviate the need for disassembling the structure having a rotating or longitudinally pulsating shaft exiting such structure when either a traditional anti-leak fitting or the Remotely Actuated Packing Follower of the present application is to be removed temporarily form attachment to such structure the traditional anti-leak fitting or the Remotely Actuated Packing Follower, depending on which has been attached to the structure, is splittable and recombinable. 
         [0046]    For the traditional anti-leak fitting the cap  4  is built, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  67 , designated the “cap longitudinal sections,” with no section  67  being so large that such section  67  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  67  have been separated from one another, and the packing follower  5  is similarly is built with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  68 , designated the “packing follower longitudinal sections,” with no section  68  being so large that such section  68  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  68  have been separated from one another. As a further option, if it is desired to remove the base  14  and the base extension  15 , the base  14  is built with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  69 , designated the “base longitudinal sections,” with no section  69  being so large that such section  69  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  69  have been separated from one another, and the base extension  15  is similarly is built with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  70 , designated the “base extension longitudinal sections,” with no section  70  being so large that such section  70  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  70  have been separated from one another. 
         [0047]    Releasable connectors  71  are utilized releasably to connect the sections  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70 . Preferably, bolts  72  and nuts  73  are used in conjunction with apertures  74  in the cap  4  and apertures  75  in the base  14 . 
         [0048]    Additionally, silicone gasket maker such as that manufactured by Permatex (a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, Inc.) of Hartford, Conn., is preferably placed between the edges  76  of the sections  67  of the cap  4  which mate with one another, the edges  77  of the sections  68  of the packing follower  5  which mate with one another, the edges  78  of the sections  69  of the base  14  which mate with one another, and the edges  79  of the sections  70  of the base extension  15  which mate with one another. 
         [0049]    For the Remotely Actuated Packing Follower of the present application the cap  30  is built, as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  11 , with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  80 , designated “packing follower cap longitudinal sections,” with no section  80  being so large that such section  80  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  80  have been separated from one another, the piston  31  is built, as depicted in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  11 , with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  81 , designated “piston longitudinal sections,” with no section  81  being so large that such section  81  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  81  have been separated from one another, and the housing  32  is built, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  82 , designated “housing longitudinal sections,” with no section  82  being so large that such section  82  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  82  have been separated from one another. Again, as a further option, if it is desired to remove the base  14  and the base extension  15 , the base  14  is built with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  69  with no section  69  being so large that such section  69  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  69  have been separated from one another, and the base extension is similarly is built with at least two releasably connectable longitudinal sections  70  with no section  70  being so large that such section  70  can not be removed from around the shaft  7  after the sections  70  have been separated from one another. 
         [0050]    Releasable connectors  71  are utilized releasably to connect the sections  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  80 ,  81 ,  82 . Preferably, Allen screws  83  are employed in conjunction with threaded apertures  84  in the cap  30  and threaded apertures  85  in the piston  31  whereas bolts  86  and nuts  87  are used in conjunction with apertures  88  in the housing  32 . And if the base  14  as well as the base extension  15  are removable, bolts  72  and nuts  73  are utilized in conjunction with apertures  74  in the base  14 . 
         [0051]    And once again, silicone gasket maker such as that manufactured by Permatex (a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, Inc.) of Hartford, Conn., is preferably placed between the edges  89  of the sections  80  of the cap  30  which mate with one another, the edges  90  of the sections  81  of the piston  31  which mate with one another, the edges  91  of the sections  82  of the housing  32  which mate with one another, the edges  78  of the sections  69  of the base  14  which mate with one another, and the edges  79  of the sections  70  the base extension  15  which mate with one another. 
         [0052]    When O-rings  36 ,  51 , and  53  are employed with the splittable and recombinable option for the Remotely Actuated Packing Follower, splittable and recombinable O-rings, such as those termed “ball-and-socket o-rings” that are manufactured by the A.W. Chesterton Company of Woburn, Mass., and which consumers are able to view on the Internet at http://www.chesterton.com/Product %20Documents/MSD/Product %20Brochures/sb442_EN.pdf. are utilized, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0053]    As used herein, the term “substantially” indicates that one skilled in the art would consider the value modified by such terms to be within acceptable limits for the stated value. Also as used herein the term “preferable” or “preferably” means that a specified element or technique is more acceptable than another but not that such specified element or technique is a necessity.