An Improved Metallic Packing for Piston Rods, Valve Rods, Pump Rods, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Metallic Packing for Piston Rods, Valve Rods, Pump
Rods, and the like.
I, ASA BLAND, of 34, Clayton Heights, near Halifax, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In constructing a metallic packing according to my invention one of the discs
which surround the piston rod is provided with two or more grooves or recesses
into each of which is placed a packing block preferably composed of brass and
made hollow to fit the piston rod. The hollow part of the packing block is filled
with antifriction or Babbitt" metal and these packing blocks are forced or
pressed against the piston rod by means of one or more spiral springs lying in
a pocket attached to the disc first mentioned or the pockets may be formed in a
separate metal ring surrounding the disc, therefore as the antifriction metal
wears away through the action of the piston rod passing to and fro, the springs
always keep the packing blocks above mentioned at one uniform tension upon
the piston rod whereby it is always kept steam tight.
A duplicate part of that already described consisting of another disc and two
or more packing blocks is placed upon that already mentioned, but the packing
blocks in this case are arranged cross wise of those in the other disc in order
to break the joint, consequently there are four or more packing blocks acting
upon the piston rod, thus it is made absolutely and perfectly steam tight.
The recesses in the discs, which may be two, three or more for receiv-
ing the packing blocks are made square or bevilled or made semicircular or
concave. and so are the accompanying packing blocks which fit therein. In
conjunction with this metallic packing, I employ a ball joint or crescent shaped
disc, fitting into the case which holds the parts together, so that if the shaft or
spindle gets out of truth the ball and socket joints permit the metallic packing
to adjust itself to irregularities in either the vertical or horizontal position of
the rod.
The two discs which contain their metallic packings are placed between the
face of the ball joint, and the face of a spring holder the latter of which forces
the two discs and the ball joint against the outer casing. The springs enter
into recesses in the spring holder, one end of the said springs acting against the
cylinder head so that the springs are always in a state of compression, pressing
or forcing the packing blocks tightly together and also tightly against the ball
joint.
According to another method of constructing metallic packing the disc is
divided into three equal parts having bevilled, square or semicircular recesses
for the reception of three packing blocks containing antifriction metal in the
same manner as those already described.
These packing blocks are each made with two layers, the upper layer projecting
over and overlapping the lower layer of the next succeeding block.
These packing blocks and their projecting and overhanging parts, are forced

page_text: into contact with the piston rod by means of springs in a pocket on the disc in
the same manner as already described in the first part of the invention. In this
case instead of four packing blocks to encircle the rod, only three are required.
I also use a ball and socket joint for permitting the metallic packing to adjust
itself to irregularities of the piston rods or shafts as already mentioned.
In order to press or force the three packing blocks against the piston rod, I
employ a disc having three bevilled projections which act upon bevil edges
of the upper layers of the packing block. These bevilled projections are forced
by a spiral spring; against, the said bevilled packing blocks, whereby the parts
are always in a compressed condition for acting on the piston rod and allowing
for wear of the internal sides of the packing blocks.
This last arrangement will be found of great advantage where there is not
sufficient room for the pocket and springs in the first illustration.
A modification of my improved packing, consists in making the outer 'disc
eccentric within, that is, with a greater thickness of metal on one side, than on
the opposite side. This internal eccentric ring is passed over the piston rod, but
between the piston rod and the inner eccentric side of the outer ring, are inserted
two or more corresponding blocks composed of antifriction metal which fill up
the space between said piston rod and inner side of the ring. These filling up
blocks or packing are made so that their meeting ends do not adjoin, but between
the meeting ends I insert a spiral or other form of spring, so that as the packing
blocks wear, which they do slightly, by constant use, the spiral spring acting
against each end of the split blocks or ring, forces the wedge shaped split blocks
forward, so as to more completely encircle the piston rod as the blocks become
worn.
By this means the divided packing blocks are made to follow up and com-
pensate for their wear on the spindle, whereby the said blocks are always forced
into contact, with, the piston rod. Instead of the divided packing blocks being
divided into two parts they may be divided into three or more parts as thought
desirable. In putting these packing blocks upon the piston rod, a second set
of packing blocks like those just described is placed upon the first set of blocks,
care being taken that the divided blocks do not occupy the same relative positions to
each other, but one overlapping the other in order to break the joint so that the pres-
sure on the spindle is equal in consequence of the blocks entirely encircling the said
rod.
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Metallic Packing for Piston Rods, Valve Rods, Pump
Rods, and the like.
I, ASA BLAND, of 34, Clayton Heights, near Halifax, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention. and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
In constructing a metallic packing according to my invention, one of the discs
which surround the piston rod is provided with two or more grooves or recesses
into each of which is placed a packing block preferably composed of brass and
made hollow to fit the piston rod. The hollow part of the packing block is filled
with antifriction or "Babbitt" metal, and these packing blocks are forced or

page_text: 5
pressed against the piston rod by means of one or more spiral springs lying in
a pocket attached to the disc first mentioned or the pockets may be formed in a
separate metal ring surrounding the disc, therefore as the antifriction metal
wears away through the action of the piston rod passing to and fro, the springs
always keep the packing blocks above mentioned at one uniform tension upon
the piston rod, whereby it is always kept steam tight.
The packing blocks above mentioned may be made entirely of antifriction
metal if desired.
A duplicate part of that already described consisting of another disc and two
or more packing blocks is placed upon that already mentioned, but the packing
blocks in this case are arranged crosswise of those in the other disc in order
to break the joint, consequently there are four or more packing blocks acting
upon the piston rod, thus it is made absolutely and perfectly steam tight.
The recesses, in the discs, which may be two, three or more in number, for receiv-
ing the packing blocks are made square or bevilled or made semicircular or
concave, and so are the accompanying packing blocks which fit therein. In.
conjunction with this metallic packing, I employ a ball joint or crescent shaped
disc, fitting into the case which holds the parts together, so that if the shaft or
spindle gets out of truth the ball and socket joint permits the metallic packing
to adjust itself to irregularities in either the vertical or horizontal position of
the rod.
The two discs which contain their metallic packings are placed between the
face of the ball joint, and the face of a spring holder, the latter of which forces
the two discs and the ball joint against the outer casing. The springs enter
into recesses in the spring holder, one end of the said springs acting against the
cylinder head so that the springs are always in a state of compression, pressing
or forcing the packing blocks tightly together and also tightly against the ball
joint.
According to another method of constructing metallic packing the disc is
divided into three equal parts having bevilled, square or semicircular recesses
for the reception of three packing blocks containing antifriction metal in the
same manner as those already described.
These packing blocks are each made with two layers, the upper layer projecting
over and overlapping the lower layer of the next succeeding block.
These packing blocks and their projecting and overhanging parts, are forced
into contact with the piston rod by means of springs in a pocket on the disc in
the same manner as already described in the first part of the invention. In this
case instead of four packing blocks to encircle the rod, only three are required.
I also use a ball and socket joint for permitting the metallic packing to adjust
itself to irregularities of the piston rods or shafts as already mentioned.
A modification of my improved packing consists in making the outer disc
eccentric within, that is, with a greater thickness of metal on one side, than on
the opposite side. This internal eccentric ring is passed over the piston rod, but
between the piston rod and the inner eccentric side of the outer ring, are inserted
two or more correspondng blocks composed of antifriction metal which fill up
the space between said piston rod and inner side of the ring. These filling up
blocks or packing are made so that their meeting ends do not adjoin but between
the meeting ends I insert a spiral or other form of spring, so that as the packing
blocks wear, which they do slightly, by constant use, the spiral spring acting
against each end of the split blocks or ring, forces the wedge shaped split blocks
forward, so as to more completely encircle the piston rod as the blocks become
worn. By this means the divided packing blocks are made to follow up and com-
pensate for their wear on the spindle whereby the said blocks are always forced
into contact with the piston rod. Instead of the divided packing blocks being
divided into two parts they may be divided into three or more parts as thought
desirable. In putting these packing blocks upon the piston rod, a second set
of packing blocks like those just described is placed upon the first set of blocks

page_text: care being taken that the divided blocks do not occupy the same relative positions
to each other, but one overlapping the other in order to break the joint so that
the pressure on the spindle is equal in consequence of the blocks entirely encirc-
ling the said rod.
To illustrate my invention more clearly, I have annexed the accompanying
sheets of drawings, wherein:-
Fig. 1 is section shewing the application of my improved metallic packing.
Fig. 2 shews one of the discs for carrying the packing blocks filled with anti-
friction metal, and
Fig. 3 is section on line 1-1 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shews the box or casing having pockets and springs for forcing the
packing blocks against the rod to be packed.
Fig. 5 shews the method I may adopt where the packing cannot be passed on
from the end of the rod.
Fig. 6 shews a modification of my improved metallic packing, and
Fig. 7 is section on line 2-2 of Fig. 6.
- Fig. 8 is a further modification of Fig. 6.
Referring to the drawings letter a represents a piston rod passing through the
head of cylinder b. Against the head of the cylinder b, I place an annular ring,
or spring holder c carrying spiral springs d acting against an annular ring e.
This annular ring e presses the discs f carrying the packing blocks g filled with
antifriction metal tightly against one another. In the arrangement shewn
in Fig. 1, two of these dises f are employed, but any other number may be em-
ployed as found most convenient. On the side of discs f opposite to the annular
ringe I place another ring h. having a curved face and resting against a cor-
responding curved face formed on case k, thus forming a ball and socket joint
which will adjust itself to any irregularities. The case k encloses all the parts,
and is secured to the cylinder head by screws m. The discs f are herein
shewn as having the grooves therein almost semicircular (see Figs. and 3) for
the reception of the packing blocks g, and this is the form I have found most
suitable, but the grooves or recesses may be of any convenient shape, square,
octagonal, bevilled or otherwise.
The method I employ to press or force the packing blocks against the piston rod
is shewn at Fig. 4. The disc f is surrounded by a casing n having pockets o
for the reception of spiral or other springs of which act to press the blocks g
against the piston rod a. Instead of the pockets o being formed in a separate
casing n as shewn they may be attached to or form part of disc f. In order to
completely encircle the rod, and make a tight packing, one disc is placed at right
angles to the other and to keep them from moving around with the rod and
getting out of relative position one to the other a pin or pins n' is or are formed
on the casing n which pin or pins enters or enter a hole or holes in lugs na
formed on the next adjacent block. Instead of forming a pocket on the casing n,
I may bore out the packing blocks to receive the springs, thus economising space.
Where it is not possible to pass the packing on from the end of the rod, the
parts may be, made in halves and secured together as shewn in Fig. 5.
Fig. 6 shews another arrangement of my improved packing. In this case I
form the packing blocks peccentric with the rod and press them against the
rod by means of a spring or springs 7 which may be spiral or otherwise as
found most suitable. The packing blocks and springs are enclosed by a disc p*
made eccentric internally.
In employing this form of packing another pair of packing blocks and spring
and disc would be placed over the one already mentioned in order to break the
joint, the second pair of packing blocks occupying the position shewn in dotted
lines.
Fig. 8 shews a form of packing on the same lines as that shewn in Fig. 6, but
with four eccentric packing blocks arranged to encircle the rod, a spring or
springs being inserted between each pair of blocks to force them against the

page_text: piston rod and compensate for wear. In this case also another set of blocks
would be arranged to occupy the position shewn in dotted lines in order to com-
pletely encircle the rod and break the joint.
Fig. 9 shews one of the discs f having three grooves for the reception of three
packing blocks, which are preferably forced against the rod by the means shewn
in Fig. 4, although other, methods may be employed.
Figs. 10 and 11 shew another arrangement of my improved packing. In this
case I divide the packing disc into three equal parts, into which fit three over-
lapping blocks r, r¹, ³, suitably recessed to receive antifriction metal as shewn
in Fig. 12. These blocks are pressed against the rod by springs as shewn and
described with reference to the other arrangements of packing, but other methods
may be employed if desired.
One advantage of this arrangement is that only one set of blocks is necessary
to completely encircle the rod and pack same efficiently, the upper layers of the
packing blocks serving to break the joint.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A metallic packing for piston rods, valve rods, and the like, consisting of
one, two or more discs having two or more grooves or recesses in each disc adapted
to receive packing blocks containing antifriction metal, such packing blocks
being pressed or forced inwards or against the rod to be packed by means of spiral
springs or by other equivalent means, all being arranged and acting, substantially
as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 and also Fig. 9.
2. A metallic packing for piston rods, valve rods, and the like, comprising
two packing blocks such as p enclosed by an internally eccentric disc such as ³,
said packing blocks being forced inwardly or against the rod to be packed by
means of spiral or other form of springs, all arranged and acting, substantially
as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.
3. A metallic packing for piston rods, valve rods, and the like, comprising
four eccentric packing blocks enclosed by a packing disc, said blocks being forced
inwardly or against the rod to be packed by means of spiral or other form of
springs, substantially as shewn and described with reference to Fig. 8.
4. A metallic packing for piston rods, valve rods, and the like consisting of a
disc divided into three or more equal parts, and having adapted to fit therein
three or more overlapping packing blocks containing antifriction metal, the
said packing blocks being forced inwardly or against the rod to be packed by
springs or equivalent means, substantially as shewn and described with reference
to Figs. 10, 11, and 12.
1
100
1
1
1000
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Patent Agents, Halifax, Agents for Applicant.