Improvements in Metallic Packing for Pistons, Piston Rods, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1893
[Communicated from abroad by THOMAS TRIPP, of Avon, in the County of
Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer.]
Improvements in Metallic Packing for Pistons, Piston Rods,
and the like.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
My invention relates to metallic packing for pistons, piston valves, and the like;
and when the packings are enclosed in my improved metallic packing case, it
particularly relates to metallic packings for pump plungers, piston rods, and the
like, especially in places where high pressure steam and other gases or fluids are
used.
My invention has for its object a packing, each piece of which may be so made
as to be strong and durable and having no delicate portions. The method of
construction being such, that the packing pieces, when assembled form a packing
of great strength, and the pieces are so interlocked as to permit radial movements.
By reason of above described features, the packing will be extremely effective and
durable.
Further objects of the invention are the relieving of the pressure of the packing
against the rod; the relieving of the pressure upon the packing itself; the
enclosure of the packing within the case, in such a manner, as to greatly increase
its efficiency and durability; the construction of the packing in such a manner as
will permit of its being handled readily and safely; and the construction of the
packing and its case and the mode of application by which the highest economical
results will be ensured.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a plan of a piston rod packing composed of four like separate
pieces, the said view illustrating the theoretical layout or design of the packing.
Figure 2 represents a four piece piston rod packing, in plan, ready for use.
Figure 3 represents a plan of a four piece packing adapted for use in pistons,
piston valves and the like.
Figure 4 represents a plan of a six piece piston rod packing.
Figure 5 is an elevation of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is an elevation of Figure 3.
Figure 7 represents, upon an enlarged scale, a plan, of two of the pieces of the
packing shown in Figure 2, illustrating the method of construction of the packing,
as composed of four like pieces.
Figure 8 represents, in elevation, one of the packing pieces shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 represents, in elevation, the other packing piece, shown in Figure 7.
Figure 10 represents a plan, upon an enlarged scale, of two pieces of a six piece
packing shown in Figure 4 illustrating the method of construction.
Figure 11 represents, in elevation, one of the packing pieces shown in Figure 10.
Figure 12 represents in elevation the other packing piece shown in Figure 10).
Figure 13 represents a four piece rod packing as applied to the piston rod of an
engine the piston med and nistra
king haion show in elevation and the

page_text: Figure 14 18 a rull plan view of Figure 13 the siding rings and gland being
removed in order to more clearly show the packing.
Figure 15 represents a six piece piston packing as applied to a steam cylinder
and piston, the piston being shown in elevation, and the cylinder in section.
Figure 16 is an inverted plan of Figure 15 the piston follower being removed in
order to show more clearly the packing, and the cylinder being represented in
section.
Figure 17 represents the packing and case as applied to the piston rod of a steam
engine, the packing, piston rod, spiral springs, and gland bolts being shown in
elevation, the gland, outer case, inner case, and cone joint ring being shown in
central section.
Figure 18 is a full view, in elevation, of Figure 17 the gland bolt nuts and outer
case being removed to show more clearly the inner case and cone joint ring.
Figure 19 shows the inner case in central section, and
Figure 20 represents, in full inverted plan, the upper portion of the inner case as
shown by Figure 19.
Figure 21 shows the cone joint ring in central section.
Figure 22 represents in full inverted plan, the cone joint ring as shown in
Figure 21.
Figure 23 represents, in plan, the metallic packing, shown in elevation in
Figure 17.
Figure 24 represents, in plan one of the packing pieces.
Figure 25 represents, in side elevation, one of the said packing pieces.
The method of construction of this packing, as represented by Figure 1 is as
follows:
:-
The outer circle 30 is first drawn. Then on the said outer circle 30 as a packing
composed of four pieces is desired, the four points (31-32-33 and 34 equally
spaced) are laid out. Between these points, the lines 35-36-37 and 38 are
drawn, these lines represent the interlocking surfaces. It will be noticed, that the
interlocking surfaces, opposite each other, are parallel. That is: Surface 35 is
parallel to surface 37, so also is surface 36 parallel to surface 38. Finally, the
inner circle 39 is drawn, touching the interlocking surface lines.
In order to adapt the packing, shown in Figure for use upon piston rods and
the like, the interlocking fingers 40 are cut back, as shown by Figures 2 and 5 so
as to permit the contraction of the packing pieces, to compensate for wear without
the projecting of the fingers beyond the outer circle of the packing, which would
interfere with the correct working of the springs, that are placed about the packing
as shown by Figures 13 and 14.
To adapt the packing for use in cylinders and for piston valves and the like, the
packing ring, as represented in Figures 3 and 6 has the outer circle 41 drawn
within the lay-out points so as to present the wearing surfaces 42 having some
considerable area, instead of a line, such as would be presented for wear, if the
outer circle extended to the layout points, as shown in Figure 1. At the same
time, the inner circle 43 is drawn considerably within the interlocking surfaces so
as to give sufficient width to the packing ring to provide the requisite strength.
The relieving cuts 44 are made in order to provide for a slight contraction of the
packing which sometimes occurs when in use.
The packing represented in Figure 4 composed of six pieces, is constructed in
a similar manner to the packing shown by Figure 1 as follows: On the outer
circle 45 are laid out the six (equally spaced) points 46 as the packing is composed
of six pieces, and between these points are shown the interlocking surface lines 47
opposite interlocking surfaces being parallel.
";
In constructing a packing composed of any even number of pieces, the outer
circle of the packing is divided into as many equally spaced points as there are
pieces of packing, and all opposite interlocking surfaces are parallel. Two of the
packing pieces, composing the packing represented in Figure 2 are shown, upon an
enlarged scale, in Figures 7 8 and 9 and they are constructed as follows:-The

page_text: outer circle 48 is divided into the four equally spaced points 49 50, 51 and 52 and
between these points the interlocking surface lines 53-54-55 and 56 are made.
The interlocking fingers 57-58-59 and 60 are cut back or away as shown.
Figure 8 represents in elevation, packing piece 61 and it will be observed that
one part of the packing slightly overlaps the other, and Figure 9 represents in
elevation packing piece 62 which is constructed in the same manner as packing
piece 61 and all the packing pieces, (four in number) are constructed in the same
manner as pieces 61 and 62 and therefore all are alike.
In a like manner are constructed the two packing pieces, represented by
Figures 10, 11 and 12 upon an enlarged scale composing the packing shown by
Figure 4. The outer circle 63 is divided into six equally spaced points 64 between
these points, the interlocking surfaces 65 are constructed, and the interlocking
fingers 66 are cut back as shown. Figure 11 represents, in elevation, packing
piece 67 and Figure 12 represents in elevation, packing piece 68. These two
packing pieces are alike and in each piece, one part overlaps the other. The
packing represented by Figure 4 is composed of six pieces like packing piece 67.
The packing is applied to a piston rod as illustrated by Figures 13 and 14, are
as follows: The piston rod 69 and a portion of the gland 70 of an ordinary steam
engine are shown. To the gland is fastened by means of bolts not shown, which
pass through the holes 71 and 72 the double case 73 within which is placed the
packing 74. This packing is composed of four pieces made the same as the packing
represented by Figures 2 and 3 and the packing pieces are held in contact with the
piston rod by the use of the springs 75 and 76.
The packing is securely held in its position between the sliding rings 77 and 78.
and the follower ring 79, by means of a set of spiral springs, two of which
springs 80 and 81 are shown in Figure 13. It will be observed that the packing
will go with the rod, which in operation may have a slightly irregular movement.
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the application of a six piece packing same as
represented by Figure 4 (except that it is arranged for a piston packing,) to a
piston of an engine.
The engine cylinder 82 is provided with a piston, composed of the piston head 83
and the follower 84, between which the packing is placed and held in contact with
the cylinder by the use of a set of spiral springs as 85. The piston is provided
with the piston rod 86.
The packing, by reason of its construction, is especially adapted for use in steam
under high temperature for the reason that each packing piece may be readily and
cheaply made of any desired quality or kind of metal. It may also be made very
narrow, that is to say, the area presented for steam pressure to act upon to press
the packing against a piston rod, may be reduced to a minimum quantity without
impairing its value.
By reason of its interlocking qualities, the packing is not liable to tip, especially
when used in piston valves, and for the same reason, it is peculiarly adapted to rods
having a rotary motion.
The packing represented by Figures 23, 24 and 25 and shown in elevation in
Figure 1 (which may be composed of any even number of packing pieces, four or
more in number) is composed of four like packing pieces, and it is constructed as
follows:-Each packing piece 90 is made in the manner shown by Figures 24
and 25 and is composed of two segmental portions, preferably cast together as one
piece, one portion slightly overlapping the other. The interlocking fingers 91 are
cut back as represented in order to prevent the projecting of the fingers beyond the
outer circumference of the packing, as the packing pieces advance toward the rod,
when in use, to compensate for wear. The interlocking surfaces 92 are so made
that the opposite surfaces are parallel, and the packing is bored to fit the rod.
When the packing pieces are assembled, as shown by Figure 17, they are held in
contact with the rod by the use of the springs 93 and 94. The inner case 95
epresented by Figures 19 and 20 and shown in Figures 17 and 18 is constructed
s follows :—The shell or cylindrical portion 96 is provided with the head 97 and

page_text: they are preferably cast together. The follower 98 forms the lower head, and both
heads are bored to fit the piston rod. The head 97 is provided with the cone 99.
The cylindrical portion of the case is sufficiently large to receive loosely within
it the packing as shown by Figure 1. The case is provided with the joiut
surfaces 100 and 101 and the packing is designed to fill the space between these
surfaces.
The cone joint ring 102, represented by Figures 21 and 22 and shown in
Figure 17 and 18 is provided with the joint surface 103, the roughened
surface 104.
Figures 17 and 18 illustrate the application of the packing and case to the piston
rod of an engine. The gland 105 and the rod 106 being of an ordinary construction
and arrangement. The double outer case 107, and base portion 109 is securely and
.tightly bolted to the gland by means of the gland bolts 110 and 111. The base
portion is provided with the set of spiral springs 112 as shown.
The metallic packing is assembled and applied as shown by Figures 17 and 18
as follows:-The base portion of the outer case provided with the spiral springs is
first fitted to the gland, the inner case containing the packing is then placed on the
rod, the cone joint ring is placed in its position, and finally the outer case is bolted
to the gland.
The following are some of the special points of construction and arrangement:-
These should be, as shown, annular spaces left between the rod and the gland, and
outer case, to permit the slightly irregular movements, in operation, of the piston
rod, and for the same reason, an annular space should be left between the inner
and outer cases. The spiral springs should be of a strength sufficient to keep the
cone joint tight between the cone, on the inner case, and the cone joint ring, also,.
to keep tight, the joint between the cone joint ring and joint surface of the outer
The packing should be fitted between the joint surfaces of the inner case,
in a manner similar to the fitting of piston rings of common type. By the use of
the cone joint, any slight tipping of the inner case will not particularly effect the
tightness of the cone joint. The cone joint ring in operation, when under pressure
is out of balance only to the extent of the area of the ring in contact with the joint
surface of the outer case which is made so as to present a small joint surface area.
The springs around the packing should be only of a strength sufficient to keep the
packing in contact with the piston rod.
case.
Among the many advantages possessed by my device, in operation may be found.
the following:The packing being fitted into the practically steam tight inner
case, it is relieved, wholly or in part, from steam pressure, therefore it is free to
operate, as a packing, without being subjected to the strains and pressure, to which
it would be subjected if the packing was exposed, as is usually the case with this
class of packing, to the full pressure of the steam. The result is, that the friction
of the packing against the rod is greatly reduced, and the packing will wear a long
time, thereby producing highly economical results. And at the same time the
packing is not subjected to wear, due to the action of the spiral springs, by reason
of its being enclosed in the inner case. All or nearly all of the pressure exerted
by the spiral springs and steam to keep the cone joint tight, is borne by the inner
case, the packing not being affected.
The construction of the cone joint and cone joint ring is such that the highest
results are obtained, for reasons, previously specified.
The packing being enclosed in the inner case, may be readily and safely applied,
removed, and handled.
The packing by reason of its interlocking construction may be made quite narrow,~
thereby occupying very little space, without affecting its efficiency.
In some cases, especially where the packing is of considerable size, the cone joint
may be dispensed with.
It is obvious, that other forms or styles of metallic packing than that shown
and described, may be used, in connection with the inner case, with advantageous
results.
.

page_text: For special purpose the spiral springs, cone joint and cone joint ring may be
dispensed with and the inner case may be fitted within the outer case, same as the
metallic packing is fitted within the inner case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A metallic packing composed of an even number of packing pieces, four or
more in number, each packing piece being composed of two united segmental parts
overlapping each other at their inner ends, the interlocking surfaces of said
packing pieces being parallel on opposite sides of the packing, substantially as
described.
2. A metallic packing composed of an even number of packing pieces, four or
more in number, each packing piece being composed of two united segmental parts
overlapping each other of their inner ends, each segmental part being bevelled at
one end on its outer face and being straight at its other end on its inner face said
bevelled and straight faces of the several pieces being forming interlocking surfaces
which are parallel on opposite sides of the packing substantially as set forth.
3. A metallic packing composed of an even number of packing pieces, four or
more in number, each packing piece being composed of two united segmental parts
overlapping each other at their inner ends, the interlocking surfaces of said
packing pieces being parallel on opposite sides of the packing, means for holding
said packing pieces, and a spring or springs for forcing them in contact with the
wearing surfaces, substantially as set forth.
4. In a steam packing, the combination of an outer case, a steam tight inner case
disposed in said outer case and movable therein, and a packing disposed in said
inner case, substantially as set forth.
5. In a steam packing, the combination of an outer case, a steain tight inner case
disposed in said outer case and movable therein, and provided with an annular cone
joint on one face, a cone joint ring disposed in said outer case between a joint
surface thereon and said cone joint, and a packing disposed in said inner case,
substantially as set forth.
6. In a steam packing, the combination of an outer case an annular inner case
disposed in said outer case and movable therein, springs disposed in said outer case
and bearing against said inner case, a packing disposed in said inner case, and
springs within said inner case for forcing the packing into contact with the wearing
surface.
7. In a steam packing, the combination of an outer case, an annular steam tight
inner case disposed in said outer case and movable therein, and a packing within
said steam tight inner case, said packing being composed of an even number of
packing pieces each packing piece being composed of two united segmental parts
overlapping each other at their inner ends the interlocking laces of said packing
pieces being parallel on opposite sides of the packing, substantially as set forth.
8. In a steam packing, the combination of an outer case, a closed inner case
disposed in said outer case and movable therein, and a metallic packing disposed in
said inner case and movable therein, substantially as set forth.
9. In a steam packing, the combination of an outer annular case a closed inner
annular case disposed in said outer case and provided on its upper and lower inner
faces with joint surfaces, a metallic packing disposed within the said inner case,
said packing being of smaller diameter than the interior diameter of said inner
case, and being fitted to move within the said case between the said joint surfaces
thereof, and springs disposed within said inner case for forcing said packing into
contact with the wearing surfaces.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.