Improvements in Metallic Packing.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1895-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1896
Improvements in Metallic Packing.
I, EDWARD MISKIN HEDLEY, of 12 Reid Street, Elizabeth, in the County of
Union and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Mechanical 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:-
The objects of my invention are, first, to construct a metallic packing for pistons,
valve stems, and pump plunger rods, so that steam, or any vapours or liquids shall
be effectually prevented from escaping therefrom; second, to construct the said
packing entirely of metal, and in such a manner, that any wear of its parts shall be
and
at all times compensated for by the automatic adjustability of such parts;
third, to provide a means for automatically adjusting the said parts to form a
constantly effective packing, by such adjustment.
With these objects in view, reference is had to the annexed Specification and
drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the complete metallic packing and
automatic compensating means.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cage having a slip joint.
Fig. 3 is an end view of the three segments, constituting the metallic packing
proper.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of two of the packing segments, with the third
segment removed.
Fig. 5 is a front end view, partly broken away, of the outer cover or gland for
said packing, and improved oil cup.
Fig. 6 is one of a pair of metal stop rings or gaskets.
Fig. 7 is an edge view of Fig. 6, partly broken away, and Fig. 8 is an elevation
view of a helical spring.
A indicates a valve stem. Around said stem are arranged, preferably, although
the number may be varied, three segments B, B, B. These segments are all of the
same construction, and have each two projections b, b, arranged oppositely, and
each on different sides of a line drawn concentrically through the centre of said
segments, as shown; each projection 6 of said segments overlapping, and having a
close contact with similar projections on the next segment adjacent thereto, so that
when all of the said segments are placed around a valve stem, they thus interlock
to form a complete circle and packing, having only radial breaks, c, c, c, longitudinal
with the long line of said valve stem; each of the concentrically arranged joints
being close joints formed by the union of the sides of the overlapping projections b.
A large thread e is formed along the outer diameter of the three segments, and a
closely wound helical spring F of a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of
the segments B, is formed and screwed into the said threads e, over the said
segments B. The coils of the said spring, in being thus screwed over the
said segments, are thereby spread as wide apart as the said threads e into which
the said coils fit. It is thus seen that the spring F, in addition to binding the
segments around a valve stem or piston, also binds the overlapping edges d of
the projecting portions 6 of the segments B, closely together.
Thus it is seen that the segments form a continuous metallic packing ring, which
always closely fits the piston or valve stem, and readily and automatically
compensates for wear of either of the said parts.

page_text: The ends of the said segments are preferably evenly finished off, and stop or end'
rings G having an inner even surface g and an outer bevelled surface g¹ are fitted
closely around said stem or piston, and abut against the ends of the said segments.
The said segments are given their position upon the valve stem, and the said
rings G are held tightly against the said segments by means of a cover or
gland H, H, and a spring I located inside of said cover or gland.
A slip joint casing, formed of the parts J, J', surrounds, and entirely encloses
the above said segments; the said slip joint being formed as at j by means of the
parts J, J, nicely telescoping upon each other. A battened inner surface j', j², is
arranged respectively within the interior of each of the portions of the said
cases J, J the said battened surfaces having a contact with, and serving the
purpose of, holding the rings C against the ends of the segments B.
A ledge 1 formed upon the portion J¹ of the casing, and against the centering
ring located within and against one end of the part H' of the cover or gland.
The opposite portion J of the said casing is fitted with a metallic packing or
gasket M, preferably formed or located in the end of the said casing J, as shown,
said gasket having a close contact with a surface m' of the inner portion of the
cover or gland H. It is thus seen that a tight joint is formed at the joints j',, d,
the union of the pieces B, B, B, with the movable stem, and between the gasket M
and the surface m' of the portion H of the cover or gland; which latter is formed
of the two parts H, H', as shown by the breech h in which is interposed a gasket /¹
to render the union of the parts H, H' tight at their meeting portion.
Ordinary bolts are passed through holes n which are formed in the projecting
portions N, at the parts H, H', only one of which projections is here shown to
bind the said parts tightly together, as in ordinary stuffing boxes.
Figs. 1 and 5 represent a front section, and a front broken view, respectively, of
an improved oil box formed by casting the part H so that a recess O will be
formed concentric with the valve stem, in which recess can be packed oiled waste
or other lubricating material. A mouth o is formed, as shown in a projection Ò¹,
and communicates with the said recess O.
Though the foregoing construction as set forth is to be preferred, I however
reserve the right under the principle of this invention to adapt the same to all such
constructions as may comprise metallic packing, and to modify the said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be employed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. A metallic packing composed of two or more segments of a ring, a thread
formed around and along the circumference of said segments, a helical spring
arranged to fit said thread and to combine and hold said segments together, the
convolutions of said thread being spaced farther apart than the normal relative
positions of the convolutions of said helical spring, substantially as set forth.
2. In a metallic packing, having a metallic packing ring, surrounding a rod, a
cage fitted over said rod and surrounding said packing, means whereby a close joint
is formned between the interior of said cage and the ends of said packing, the outer
portion of said cage having close contact with a gland surrounding said cage and
said packing, and means for holding said cage in place, substantially as set forth.
3. In a metallic packing, having a metallic packing ring surrounding a rod, a
cage having a close telescoping joint and surrounding said rod and packing, a gland
surrounding said cage and packing and having a close contact with said cage, and
means located within said gland for automatically adjusting said cage upon said
packing, to cause the said packing to form a close and constant contact with said
rod, substantially as set forth.
4. In a metallic packing having a metallic packing ring surrounding a rod, a
cage, having a close telescoping joint, and surrounding said rod and said packing,
and having a close contact with said cage, the said telescoping joint being formed
by two portions of said cage sliding upon each other, a bevel formed in an end of

page_text: said cage, said cage, by means of said bevel, forming a close joint with said
packing, and automatic means for adjusting said cage upon said packing,
substantially as set forth.
5. In a metallic packing, having a metallic packing ring formed of segments.
surrounding a rod, a cage, formed of two parts and having a close telescoping
joint and surrounding said rod, a bevel formed at the interior of each of said
cage parts concentric with said rod, a stop ring abutting against each end of said
segments, bevels formed on one surface of each of said stop rings, the said bevels
having close frictional contact with the aforesaid bevels of the said cage parts, a
spring exerting a continuous pressure upon a portion of said cage and upon said
segments, and a contact formed between a portion of one of said cage parts and a
gland, the said gland surrounding the whole construction, substantially as set
forth.
6. The improvements in metallic packing, substantially as, and for the purposes
herein before described, set forth, and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.