Improvements relating to the Packing of Cocks, Valves, Piston-rod Glands, and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 12th Aug.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Packing of Cocks, Valves, Piston-rod
Glands, and the like.
We, WILLIAM BAYLIFF and THOMAS DUTTON BAYLIFF, both of The Wirral
Foundry, Beaufort Road, Birkenhead, Engineers, and BENJAMIN DRAPER, of 2,
Knowsley Grove, Everton, Liverpool, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
:-
This invention relates to means for rendering steam-tight the stuffing box
of cocks valves, piston-rods, and similar stuffing boxes, and the like, and the
invention has for its object to obtain a more perfect steam-tight joint, and at
the same time to lessen friction.
An objection attaching to the present method of packing stufting boxes with
soft packing, such as Tuck's packing, is that a great pressure may be put upon
the packing without obtaining a corresponding pressure of the packing against
the parts where it is really wanted. Taking for instance the stuffing-box of
a plug cock, the soft packing is compressed between the gland and the upper
portion or top of the plug. There is of course an expansion of the packing
against the wall of the stuffing box and against the spindle of the plug, but a
large proportion of the pressure is exerted on the top of the plug, where it is
not required. The consequence is that the plug is frequently found to be
immovable.
Another objection to the present method of using soft packing is that a great
deal of the packing is wasted, i.c., it never comes in contact with the surface
to be packed, and this is owing to the present imperfect method of applying
the pressure in the stuffing boxes.
According to the present invention, we employ in combination with soft pack-
ing, such as Tuck's packing, a series of bevelled rings whose function is to press
the packing in a direction at right angles to the direction in which pressure is
exerted by the gland. We also employ a specially constructed lower ring which
makes a steam-tight joint with the upper surface of the plug of a plug cock,
with a minimum of friction, or with the bush of a stuffing box.
The present invention is also partly applicable to metallic packing for stuffing
boxes.
In the drawing hereto annexed, Figure 1 shews our invention applied to a
plug cock, Figures 2 and 3 being modifications of the device shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 4 shews our invention applied to the stuffing box of a rod, Figure 5 being
a modification of the device shewn in Figure 4.
Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that a ring of soft packing, a, is inserted
between the rings b and c, which rings are bevelled in order that they force
the soft packing against the outer wall of the stuffing box when the gland is
screwed down, namely the rings force the packing in a direction at right angles
to that of the pressure exerted by the gland. It will of, course be understood
that several pairs of the rings b may be used in one stuffing box with a ring of soft

page_text: packing between each pair, similarly to the arrangement shewn in Figure 5.
The lower surface of the ring c, has formed upon it a circular ridge d of V-cross
section, which is accurately turned and ground and which enters a V-shaped
groove in the top of the plug. This provision serves two functions, namely
it reduces the friction on the top of the plug, and it makes a steam-tight joint
therewith, thus preventing steam or water from escaping between the rings b
and c, and the spindle of the plug. That is to say, the soft packing makes a
steam-tight joint with the wall of the stuffing box, and the ridge & prevents escape
of steam or water between the spindle and rings. It will thus be seen that the
ridge d obviates the necessity for the spindle of the plug to be packed with soft
packing and permits the use of an entirely metallic bearing surface for the plug
and spindle. In large stuffing boxes, the ring c may possess two or more ridges d,
arranged concentrically.
d
The modification shewn in Figure 2 consists in making the ring c in the
form of a sleeve which surrounds the spindle of the plug, and which is formed
with a bevelled ledge e' upon which are placed rings a of soft packing and
bevelled rings b, alternately. The action of the packing is the same as that
described with reference to Figure 1.
are
Figure 3 shews an arrangement of our invention, wherein the ridges
formed upon the cover e of a plug cock and enter grooves in the top of the plug.
These ridges prevent the escape of steam or water between the spindle and
gland. Liners f are inserted between the cover e and metal of the cock, for
the purpose of packing the joint. As the plug wears, the cover may be adjusted
down to it by removing a liner f. For additional security the gland may be
packed with a little soft packing.
In Figure 4 is shewn an arrangement of our invention for packing a rod,
such as a piston rod, or the rod of a screw down valve, wherein the rings bare
doubly bevelled so as to force the rings of soft packing a inwardly against the
rod g as well as outwardly against the wall of the stuffing box h.
In Figure 5 the plug cock arrangement shown in Figure 1 is adapted to
the packing of a rod, that is to say, the soft packing a bears against the rod
only, steam or water being prevented from escaping between the rings band
the wall of the stuffing box by the V-ridge d which enters a V-groove in the
bush i. One or more pairs of rings b and soft packing may be introduced, as
shewn, above the lower pair of rings b and c.
Instead of employing one or more pairs of rings band soft packing above the
ringe in the arrangement shewn in Figure 5, metallic packing of any suitable
type may be used, as will be understood.
Where the V-groove which receives the ridge d may be liable to collect grit
or sediment, the relative positions of the ridge and groove shewn in the figures
may be inverted, that is to say, the groove may be formed in the ring cor
cover e and the ridge may be formed on the plug of the cock or on the bush i.
In order to prevent "knife edging" of the soft packing by the rings b and c,
i.e., where the packing is liable to be drawn in between the rod and the rings,
we may give the bevelled edges of said rings a curved lip b¹ as shewn in Figure 6.
In most cases the soft packing will be fabricated with a cross section corre-
sponding with that of the space between the bevelled or curved edges of the
rings band c.
When required, the rings b and c may be cut in two or more sections.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The employment, in combination with soft packing, in a gland stuffing box,
of rings, such as b, having one or more bevelled edges, said packing being placed
in the space between the bevelled edges of adjoining rings, whereby the said 5
packing is forced in a direction at right angles to the direction in which pressure

page_text: is exerted by the gland, substantially as described with reference to the
drawings.
2. The employment, in the gland stuffing box of a plug cock, of a ring, such
as c, having one or more V-ridges or grooves adapted to enter or receive V-
grooves or ridges in or on the said plug, whereby the friction on said plug, due
to the pressure of the gland, is reduced to a minimum, substantially as described
with reference to the drawings.
3. The combination, in the gland stuffing box of a plug cock, of rings, such as b
and c, each having a bevelled outer edge forming a space for soft packing, the
ring and the said plug having one or more V-ridges, and grooves respectively
or conversely, the function of said bevelled rings being to force the soft packing
against the wall of the stuffing box, and the function of said V-ridges and
grooves being to make a steam or water-tight joint with the top of said plug,
with a minimum of friction, substantially as described with reference to drawings.
4. The employment, in the gland stuffing box of a plug cock, of a sleeve, c,
having a V-ridge adapted to enter a V-groove in the top of said plug, and a
bevelled ledge, e, adapted to form in combination with the gland (or a ring )
a space for the reception of soft packing, whereby such soft packing is forced.
against the wall of the stuffing box whilst the V-ridge and groove make a steam
or water-tight joint with the top of said plug, with a minimum of friction, sub-
stantially as described with reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.
5. As a means of effecting a steam or water-tight packing of a plug cock with
a minimum of friction on the plug, the formation on or in, the cover thereof of
one or more V-ridges or grooves, adapted to bear in or on corresponding grooves
or ridges formed in or on the said plug, substantially as described with reference
to Figure 3 of the drawings.
C. The employment, in a gland stuffing box, of a ring, such as e, having one
or more V-ridges or grooves adapted to enter or receive V-grooves or ridges
in or on the lower bush of said stuffing box, and make a steam-tight joint
therewith, whereby the escape of steam between the packing and the wall of
the stuffing box is prevented, substantially as described with reference to Figure 5
of the drawings.
7. The combination, in a gland stuffing box, of rings, such as b and c, each
having a bevelled inner edge forming a space for soft packing, the ring & having
one or more V-ridges or grooves adapted to enter or receive V-grooves or ridges
in or on the lower bush of said stuffing-box, the function of said bevelled rings
being to force the soft packing against the rod being packed, and the function
of said V-grooves and ridges being to make a steam tight joint with the said
bush, substantially as described with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings.
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Chartered Patent Agent,
10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool,
Agent for the Applicant.