IMPROVEMENTS IN PISTON ROD PACKINGS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN PISTON ROD
PACKINGS." A communication from abroad by Charles C. Jerome, of
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th January 1881.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PISTON ROD PACKINGS." A communication from abroad by Charles C. Jerome,
of Chicago, State of Illinois, United States of America.
The object of this Invention is to provide a metallic packing which shall have
but a single through-joint to be packed steam-tight, each ring being made in a
single piece, and adapted to be readily applied and removed without uncoupling the
piston-rod, the packing rings to be constructed and arranged in such a manner that
they will automatically adjust themselves to compensate for wear, and always
preserve a perfect steam-tight joint without exerting undue friction upon the
piston-rod.
The Invention consists, first, in a metallic packing-ring formed of two or more
connected sections, said sections being formed by partly severing the ring on its
inner side, thereby constituting a sectional packing-ring of a single piece of metal
having but a single through or open joint, and which may be readily applied and
secured within the packing cone or receptacle.
The Invention further consists in certain features of construction and combination
of parts, as will hereinafter be described.
The stuffing box has an outwardly projecting flange formed thereon, upon the
outer face of which is seated the gland, the latter being retained in place by means
of stud-bolts. Within the opening in the gland is located a packing-cone, which is
provided with an outwardly-projecting flange or collar, the latter being seated
within an annular groove formed between the stuffing box or gland, and by means
of which the packing-cone is retained in place.

page_text: In order to provide for lateral play or movement of the packing-cone due to the
uneven wearing of the piston or other cause, the said groove is of greater depth
than the width of the said flange or collar which projects into the groove, thereby
insuring a space on the outside of the collar for the free lateral movement of the
packing-cone. A conical or converging space is formed within the packing cone
for the reception of a metallic packing-ring, while the outer end of the packing-
cone is formed to snugly fit the piston-rod.
A follower is located within the stuffing box, the outer end of the follower being
made to correspond in front to the rear surface of one of the packing-rings and
form a seat therefor, while the opposite end of the follower is provided with a
flange, which constitutes a seat for the outer end of a spiral spring, the latter being
retained out of contact with the piston-rod by means of rear projection on the
follower.
The said flange of the follower is of less diameter than the interior of the stuffing-
box to insure an annular steam passage between the flange and stuffing-box, for the
purpose of allowing steam to flow on opposite sides of the flange, and operate as a
cushion to prevent the wedging of the rings or any undue pressure thereon.
The metallic packing-rings may be formed of any suitable metal, and preferably
cast with a single lap-joint, the adjacent ends of the ring at the joint being formed
gradually tapering to enable the rings to close around the piston-rod and preserve
their circular form, and thus insure a steam tight joint. Each ring is provided
with an annular flat seat, and bevelled seat or portion on its rear surface, aud
with a flat seat and bevelled seat or surface on its front side.
The outer surface of the ring is made slightly tapering from its rear to its front
side, to cause the ring to adapt itself to the tapering or conical packing receptacle,
and be readily forced when worn into the outer and contracted end of said
receptacle, while the interior or wearing surface of the ring is made to fit snugly
against the piston-rod.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th July 1881.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PISTON ROD PACKINGS." A communication from abroad by Charles C. Jerome,
of Chicago, State of Illinois, United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improvement in piston-rod packings. Heretofore
metallic packings have been constructed either in continuous rings or in two or
more separate sections, which latter, when properly arranged within the packing
receptacle, formed a continuous metallic packing around the piston-rod. Both
forms of packing have been found to be objectionable in use for several reasons,
among which may be recited the following: -A single continuous packing-ring cannot
be applied without uncoupling the piston rod, and, as such operation involves
considerable labor and delay, the continuous ring-packing has met with disfavour,
and cannot be introduced. Sectional packing rings made up of two or more
separate and detached sections require considerable time and skill for their proper
arrangement and application, owing to the fact that the sections must be held upon
the rod until the entire set has been arranged in place, and, as is often the case, the
sections (one or more) will work out of place, and drop into the sand or upon the
floor while being applied, and thereby become covered with gritty and abrasive
substances, which if not completely removed will seriously impair the efficiency and
durability of the packing. Again in such detached sectional packing-rings a
through-joint is formed at the adjacent ends of each section, and hence an additional
force is required to retain all such joints in a steam tight condition.
The object of this Invention is to provide a metallic packing which shall have
but a single-through-joint to be packed steam tight, each ring being made in a
single piece, and adapted to be readily applied and removed without uncoupling
the piston rod, the packing rings to be constructed and arranged in such a manner
that they will automatically adjust themselves to compensate for wear, and always
preserve a perfect steam-tight joint without exerting undue friction upon the
piston rod. The Invention consists, first, in a metallic packing-ring formed of two
or more connected sections, said sections being formed by partly severing the ring
on its inner side, thereby constituting a sectional packing-ring of a single piece of
metal, having but a single through or open joint, and which may be readily applied
and secured within the packing cone or receptacle.
The Invention further consists in certain features of construction and combinations
of parts, as will hereinafter be described.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a stuffing box and
piston-packing embodying the Invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the gland of the
stuffing box; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the improved metallic packing-rings; Fig. 4
is a view in perspective of the metallic packing-ring, showing it in its open
position; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a valve steam-packing. A represents
one head of a steam-cylinder, and B the stuffing box, having an outwardly
projecting flange C formed thereon, upon the outer face of which is seated the
gland D, the latter being retained in place by means of the stud-bolts E. Within
the opening F in the gland is located a packing cone G, which is provided with
an outwardly projecting flange or collar H, the latter being seated within an
annular groove I formed between the stuffing box or gland, and by means of which
the packing-cone is retained in place. In order to provide for lateral play or
movement of the packing cone due to the uneven wearing of the piston or other

page_text: '
The
cause, the said groove I is of greater depth than the width of the flange or collar H,
thereby insuring a space a on the outside of the collar H for the free lateral
movement of the packing cone. A conical or converging space J is formed within
the packing cone for the reception of the metallic packing ring K, while the outer
end of the packing cone is formed to snugly fit the piston rod L. A follower M is
located within the stuffing box, the outer end 6 of the follower being made to
correspond in form to the rear surface of one of the packing rings, and form a seat
therefor, while the opposite end of the follower is provided with a flange M¹, which
constitutes a seat for the outer end of the spiral spring N, the latter being retained
out of contact with the piston rod by means of the rear projection N' on the
follower. The said flange M' is of less diameter than the interior of the stuffing
box to insure annular steam-passage c between the flange and stuffing box,
for the purpose of allowing steam to flow on the opposite sides of the
flange M, and operate as a cushion to prevent the wedging of the rings or
any undue pressure thereon. The opposite end of spiral spring N is seated upon
the bushing ring O. The outer end of the gland D is provided with an inwardly
projecting flange F', against the inner face of which is seated a ring F² provided
with the tapering or bevelled face f². Fs represents fibrous material located
between the ring F2 and outer end of the packing cone. This fibrous material is
situated with lubricating material, and serves to lubricate the piston rod and
effectually prevent the admission of grit or dust within the packing cone.
follower M and bushing O are each provided with water grooves m², in which
water collects and serves to pack the piston rod. The metallic packing rings are
formed of any suitable metal, and cast with a single lap joint d, the adjacent ends
of the ring at the joint being formed gradually tapering, as shown, to enable the
rings to close around the piston rod, and preserve their circular form, and thus
insure a steam-tight joint. Each ring is provided with an annular flat seat e and
bevelled seat or portion e¹ on its rear surface, and with a flat seat f and bevelled
seat or surface f¹ on its front side. The outer surface g of the ring is made slightly
tapering from its rear to its front side to cause the ring to adapt itself to the
tapering or conical packing receptacle, and be readily forced when worn into the
outer and contracted end of said receptacle, while the interior or wearing surface h
of the ring is made to fit snugly against the piston-rod. In casting or molding the
packing-rings a T shaped piece of metal is placed in the mold at the back of the
ring, if the ring is to be formed of two connected sections, so that when the ring
is withdrawn from the mold the inner portion thereof will be separated, as at v,
while the outer portion of the ring will be separated from the inner portion by
the elongated slots or openings 1, 2, thus furnishing an elongated connecting
strip V between the two sections. It is necessary to insure sufficient length to the
connecting strip or portion V to allow the two portions of the ring to be bent
toward and away from each other without danger of breaking the sections apart.
It will thus be observed that the rings may be readily placed upon the piston rod
and forced within the outer end of the packing cone, the operation being performed
without rendering it necessary to uncouple the piston-rod, and further, without
requiring but a single through or open joint in each ring. When the packing-
rings are secured. in place the flat annular seat e on the rear side of one ring will
rest upon the flat annular seat f upon the front side of the next ring. This
construction of packing-ring insures a positive and uniform feeding movement to
the entire number of the packing-rings in the packing cone, which result cannot
be secured where the rings are made tapering on the outer surfaces, as in the latter
case the feeding movement is due to the frictional contact of the rings, and it is
often the case that one ring will slip and become wedged upon the next succeeding
ring, and thus impair the efficiency of the packing. The forward ends of the rings
are cut off as at i, so that when the rings are arranged within the packing-cone
several annular grooves ; will be formed in the rear portion of the metallic packing
surface, within which grooves the lubricating material will accumulate and operate
to thoroughly lubricate the piston-rod. In piston rod packings constructed and

page_text: adapted for the employment of the power of steam to force metallic packing within
a converging or conical packing-receptacle, the follower is made to snugly fit the
stuffing box and serve as a piston to transmit the power of the steam to the
metallic packing-rings. In devices of such construction a light spiral spring is
sometimes used simply to retain the packing-rings in place when steam is cut off
from the cylinders. Piston rod packings constructed as above are faulty in
operation owing to the fact that the pressure on the metal packing-rings is
constantly varying, as the pressure of steam is sometimes very slight and does not
serve to set the rings closely around the piston rod, while on the contrary the
pressure of steam is often so great as to firmly wedge the rings around the piston-
rod and produce an unnecessary and undue amount of friction thereon. In the
improved device the flange on the rear end of the follower is cut away to allow the
steam which escapes from the cylinder into the stuffing box to flow on opposite
sides of said flange, and thereby partially counterbalance the pressure thereon, the
outer pressure exerted on the follower being equal to the difference between the
areas of the front and rear surfaces of said follower. The spiral spring is of such
size to maintain a uniform and effective pressure on the follower, causing it to
force the packing rings into the converging space between the piston rod and
packing cone, and maintain a perfect steam tight joint at all times without
subjecting the packing-rings to any undue wear.
In Fig. 5 I have represented a valve steam packing embodying the Invention,
wherein R is the stuffing box, which is constructed separate from the valve chest
and adapted to be secured thereto by means of bolts inserted through the flange R'
and the valve chest. The stuffing box R is provided with a bushing S which is
turned to snugly fit the valve stem S¹. Within the cylindrical bore of the
bushing S are formed any desired number of annular grooves s which fill with
water in the operation of the device, and thus serve to water pack the valve stem.
T is a face plate having a conical or tapering receptacle T¹ formed on its inner
surface for the reception of metallic packing rings or fibrous packing material T³,
the packing being retained in contact with the valve stem by means of a spiral
spring Ts, one end of which is seated upon the outer end t of the bushing S, while
the opposite end of the spring rests upon the follower ring U which seats against
the packing. The elongated bushing S serves to retain the valve stem in perfect
line, and thus prevent the valve yoke from pounding the valve, or uneven wear of
the valve stem or packing. The outer end of the face plate is screw threaded for
the attachment of the cap V, against the inner surface of which is seated a ring V¹
situated around the valve stem. The fibrous material V2 is saturated with
lubricating material, and discharges it upon the valve stem, and also serves to
prevent the admission of dust or grit to the packing. W is a drip pipe for the
escape of water from the interior of the stuffing box. It will be observed that the
conical packing receptacle is located partly within the stuffing box, the face plate
having a boss X formed on its rear side which is made to snugly fit within the
outer end of the stuffing box, and thus remove all side strain from the bolts and
insure a strong and durable connection. This construction enables me to provide
a long packing receptacle without impairing the strength or increasing the length
of the face plate. Instead of employing a separate bushing S it may be cast
integral with the stuffing box. It is evident that many slight changes in details in
construction and relative arrangement of parts might be resorted to without
departing from the spirit of the Invention, and hence I do not restrict myself to
the exact construction and arrangement of parts shown and described.

page_text: sides, and formed with a single lap-joint, the inner portion of the ring being severed
at one or more points, substantially as set forth.
3. A metallic packing ring having its inner or wearing faces subdivided into
two or more sections which are connected by an outer portion of the ring,
substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with a packing cone and follower of a series of metallic
packing-rings each provided with flat annular seats on their front and rear sides,
substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with a packing cone and follower of a series of metallic
packing rings formed with a single lap joint, and with the converging end of the
ring cut away to form lubricating grooves between the adjacent rings, substantially
as set forth.
6. The combination with the conical packing receptacle and metallic packing
rings of the face plate, a ring seated against the inner face, and fibrous material
located between said ring and outer end of the packing receptacle, substantially as
set forth.
7. The combination with a stuffing box provided with a face plate having a
tapering or conical recess formed on its inner side of an elongated guide for
the valve stem located in the stuffing box next to the valve chest, and serving
to prevent lateral displacement of the valve stem, and a spring interposed between
said elongated guide and the packing, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination with the stuffing box of a face plate having a conical
receptacle formed therein and adapted to enter the outer end of the stuffing box,
substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with the face plate having a conical packing receptacle
formed therein of a bushing provided with water grooves, and a spring seated on
the bushing at one end and follower at its opposite end, substantially as set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of July, A.D. 1881.