Improvements relating to the Construction of Packed Cocks.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application. 8th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 7th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 7th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Construction of Packed Cocks.
I, ROBERT THOMPSON BAINES of 6 Fenchurch Buildings, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is a Packed cock to which Ashestos; fibrous, or other
soft packing can be applied in grooves cast on the inner circumference of the shell of
Cock. These grooves aro so formed that the packing inserted is controlled through-
out the entire length of the grooves by the gland or glands. When the gland or
glands is or are screwed down, the packing is moved and compressed throughout the
entire length of the grooves, and is forced against the periphery of the plug, thus
stopping any leak through the grooves caused by the washing away of the packing
by bringing into position fresh packing to replace that lost.
While posessing the feature described these grooves are so formed as to present only
a very small surface of the packing material to the plug, thus reducing friction and
at the same time rendering the cock more durable, by decreasing the liability of the
packing being washed away by the fluid. By a simple arrangement fresh packing can
be inserted in the ordinary way under the glands when required; this can be done
while the cock is under pressure, and either open or closed, and without the aid of
special skill or tools.
I cast on the inner circumference of the shell four projecting pieces of oval form
having knife edges at top and bottom. On the faces of these and also forming part
of the same casting, are four thin metal slips, the distance between each from end
to end being about the same as that between each of the four oval projections where
they most closely approach one another. These slips are the same length as the
projecting pieces, but both are shorter than the barrel of cock, and they have knife
edges at top and bottom. Through two of the peculiarly shaped projections, thus
formed between the four grooves, the water way passes. The four grooves are parallel
at front between the slips thus presenting a small surface of packing to the plug, but
as they narrow between the oval projecting pieces behind the slips they increase in
depth at back so that they are approximately of the same sectional area throughout.
Being therefore about the same holding capacity throughout their entire length, the
packing flows easily along them when gland pressure is applied. The grooves
meeting together at top and bottom with a knife edge formation, no ledges are formed
upon which the packing would lie and compact under the first pressure of the gland,
as in other systems, thereby rendering the gland immovable downwards upon the
packing in the grooves, and thus making it impossible to take up any leak through
the grooves by pressure upon the packing therein from the gland."
My system being to force the Asbestos or other packing against the periphery of
the plug I can use a parallel plug successfully, which is impossible in other systems.
I can therefore withdraw the gland or glands while the cock is under pressure, and
either open or closed, and insert fresh packing under the glands in the ordinary way,
as there is no danger with proper care of the parallel plug blowing out. I prefer to
work these cocks with a gland fitted at eitlier end of the plug, but I also make
them with a gland at top end only, making the bottom end solid, and letting the
packing grooves meet under either water way.
It is obvious the general arrangement of the projections supporting the slips may
be considerably modified. Instead of being oval they might be round, square,
triangular or any other suitable shape. They might also be larger or smaller than
the slips, and if smaller two or more projections might be advantageously used to

page_text: support each slip. The formation of the slips might be altered. The back wall of
the shell instead of deepening towards the centre might be parallel, or even be
made to incline inwards, towards the middle, or outwards throughout the whole
length.
Dated this Sixth day of November 1888.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Construction of Packed Cocks.
I, ROBERT THOMPSON BAINES Engineer of 6 Fenchurch Buildings London, E.C.
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 the means of packing Cocks in which Asbestos, fibrous or
other soft packing material is employed. On the inner circumference of the shell
projecting pieces of oval, square, triangular or round shape are formed, forming
grooves between them, which grooves increase in depth as they decrease in width, so
that the said grooves are of approximately the same sectional area throghout their
lengths. The projecting pieces are provided with knife edges at top and bottoni,
whereby a free flow of the packing material is ensured, throughout the grooves,
under gland pressure, there being no ledges formed, upon which the packing material
can lie and compact.
The invention consists in placing shields or, slips of metal, to be cast, cut or other-
wise formed upon the fronts of the projections above described, both shields and
projections having knife edges at top and bottom, whereby, while still ensuring a
free flow of the packing throughout the entire length of the grooves, a less surfaci
of the packing material is exposed to the action of the fluid, all as hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying Drawings
--
Figure 1. is a sectional elevation of the Cock.
Figure 2. is a top view of same with upper gland and packing removed.
Figure 3. is a transverse section on the lines A-B figure 1.
Figuro 4. is a vertical section view of the casing on the line C-D figure 3 in
both of which figures plug is removed.
Figure 5..is a section of the shell.
.
Figure 6. is a sectional view of the shell, shewing formation of grooves when only
one gland is used.
Figure 7. is a section of the same taken in line with the inlet and outlet ports.
Figure 8. is also a sectional view of the same taken on a diagonal line as in
figure 4.
Figure 9. is a transverse section through the line E-F figure 7.
Figure 10. is an elevation of the plug shewing the method of applying the packing
to the plug.
Figure 11. is a transverse section of the plug.
Figure 12. is a section of plug on the line M-N figure 11.
The shell A, the outer circumference of which is formed of any desired shape is
provided with inlot and outlet ports or ways, and having at top and bottom lugs or
ears to which the glands are connected.
On the inner circumference of the shell are four projecting pieces (e) of oval, or
other form, cast therewith, having knife edges at top and bottom, the ways being
formed through two of said projections through which the water, steam or other
Auid may pass.
On the faces of the projections and forming part thereof are four thin metal
slips (d) the distance between each from edge to edge being about the same as that
between each of the four projections where they most closely approach one another.

page_text: These slips are the same length as their projecting pieces, but both are shorter than
the barrel of the Cock, and these slips are also provided with knife edges at top and
bottom. The four grooves in which the packing (c) is placed are parallel at front
between the slips to present a small surface of packing to the plug, but as they
narrow between the projecting pieces behind the slips, they increase in depth
so that they are of approximately the same sectional area throughout their whole
length.
(b, b) are the glands or followers for compressing the packing into the grooves and
which are provided with lugs or ears perforated for the passage of bolts by which the
gland is tightened.
As the holding capacity of the grooves, as before intimated, is nearly equal
throughout their entire length, the packing material will flow readily along them
when gland pressure is applied, and as the grooves join each other at top and bottom
with a knife edge, and as the slips on their faces have also knife edges inclining from
the plug to the grooves, no ledges are formed, upon which the packing would lie and
compact under the glands, and therefore said glands fully control the packing until
they are screwed home.
The plug (a) is made straight or parallel, which form I am enabled to use with the
cock packed as above described, and which is the most desirable.
any
.
washed or
When it is desired to apply fresh packing to supply the place of
worn out of the grooves, the glands can be removed and fresh packing laid under in
the ordinary way, and the glands replaced and forced or drawn down thereon. This
can be done whilst the Cock is under pressure and either open or closed, as being able
with the form of device described to force the packing throughout the entire length
of the grooves against the parallel plug, it will be seen that with ordinary care, there
will be no danger of said plug blowing out.
I sometimes construct these Cocks with one gland only as shown in figures 6, 7
and 8, in which case the bottom is made solid, with the packing grooves meeting
under the waterways.
I sometimes apply this arrangement to the plugs of Asbetos-packed Cocks instead
of to the bodies, see figures 10, 11 and 12. When thus arranged I cast the shield
entirely over the face of one of the grooves, which groove is that which works over
the inlet passage of the cock-body when opening and closing the cock. When thus
applied, a suitable check or stop is usually fitted to prevent the plug being turned
further than is necessary to fully open or close it.
It will be obvious that the packing can be applied to this plug on the same
system as the solid bottom cock, letting the packing meet under the waterways of the
plug.
It will be readily apparent that the general arrangement of the projections
supporting the slips may be modified, as instead of being oval, they might be round,
square or triangular, and might be larger or smaller than the slips; if smaller two or
more projections might be used to support each slip, and the formation of the slips
might also be changed. It will also be obvious that the back wall of the shell instead
of deepening towards the centre might be parallel, or even be made to incline inwards
towards the centre, or inward or outward throughout its whole length, and the four
pieces might be cast upon the bottom of the shell of a solid bottom cock letting the
bottom of the plug bear upon a layer of packing rising above the lower end of the
four slots thus formed, the packing lying between the water passages on either side.
But these & like modifications suggest themselves without further description.
The construction of parts hereinbefore described, it will be readily seen, produce
an automatic self-feeding Cock, for as the packing material is placed under the glands,
in the neck of the Cock, and the glands screwed down the packing will be caused to
automatically flow throughout the entire length of the grooves, and the space provided
for it in the body of the shell, without any resistance, whilst the shields only permit
the exposure of a sufficient surface of packing to ensure the tightness of the
cock.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven
tion, & in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :
The shields formed upon projections on the inner circumference of the shell, or
upon the bottom of shell, or upon the plug, accordingly as they are applied, sub-
stantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this Fifth day of August 1889.
ROBERT THOMPSON BAINES.