IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON RODS AND OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOHN ISRAEL HEMMINGWAY of Dixon Street Sheffield in the County of York
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON RODS AND OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES" to be
as follows:
The object of my Invention is to produce a comparatively economical metallic
packing for the stuffing boxes of piston rods of steam engines, and for other
similar purposes and I carry it into effect in the following manner.
I make a number of metallic halfrings either by turning a complete ring and
cutting it in two, or by punching such halfrings out of suitable sheet metal.
Two
of these halfrings will not make a complete circle, a space being left to allow for
wear. The inside diameter corresponds with that of the piston rod, the outside
being considerably less than the interior of the stuffing box.
I also prepare a number of complete washers of any suitable metal, the inside
diameter approximating to that of the piston rod, and the outside to that of the
interior of the stuffing box; also two sizes of spring rings similar to those known
"Ramsbottoms" rings, the smaller sizes to fit over and compress the two
halfrings, or metallic packings; the larger ones to fit loosely over the smaller rings
and expand against the stuffing box.
as
I first place a complete washer over the rod and pass it to the bottom of the
stuffing box to ensure a flat surface, I then put in a pair of halfrings or packings
with a compressing and expanding ring, then another complete washer, and repeat
the process until a suitable depth of packing is attained, the gland is then screwed
down in the usual way. I prefer to make the small or compressing ring rather
thinner than the halfrings so as to leave it free from the pressure of the gland. If
found desirable, a washer of some suitable elastic material may be used between
the gland and the top washer.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Agent,
George St., Sheffield.

page_text: I, JOHN ISRAEL. HEMMINGWAY of Dixon Street, Sheffield in the County of
York Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON RODS, AND OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say :-
The object of my Invention is to produce a durable, satisfactory and therefore
economical metallic packing, for the stuffing boxes of piston rods of steam engines,
pumps and other similar machinery, and as a packing for other mechanical
purposes.
My Invention as applied to a piston rod (for example) consists of a series of
metallic rings which are devided into two or more parts, and made so as to fit
round the piston rod. These rings are separated by means of flat washers, either
single or in sets of two or more; the outside of the washers fitting against the
inside of the stuffing box and the inside diameter of the washer being rather larger
than the diameter of the piston rod.
Between each washer and encircling the single ring, or series of rings as the case
may be, I place a contracting ring, or spring, its function being to compress the
rings upon, and cause them to grip the surface of the piston rod; it is made rather
narrower than the space between the washers in which the rings work, to enable it
to have a free action; and outside the contracting spring I place an expanding
ring or spring, which presses tightly against the side of the stuffing box, this
arrangement being repeated between each washer; and thus a complete piston. is
formed with each series of rings and washers.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood, I shall now refer to
the Sheet of Drawings accompanying this Specification, in which the same letters
of reference indicate the same parts in all the Figures.
Fig. 1, represents the top and side view of a pair of rings.
Fig. 2, represents one of the springs.
Fig. 3, represents a stuffing-box with the packing shown partly in section.
Fig. 4, plan of same.
Fig. 5, represents a packing in a metallic case ready for placing in
stuffing box.
Fig. 6, shows the rings encircled with a coiled compressing spring.'
&
A, A, are the rings, B, B, are the washers, C, C, are the contracting springs, and
D, D, are the expanding rings or springs.
E, in Fig. 5, is a circular metallic case in which all the various rings and springs
may be held together, and which may be placed bodily in the stuffing box.
F, Fig. 6, is a coiled spring, similar to a clock spring, but made to compress the
rings.
When the packing is placed in the stuffing box, as shown in Fig. 3, a spring may
be used between the top washer and the cover of the stuffing box, so as to hold the
parts together firmly but without rigidity..
My Invention may also be applied to various somewhat similar purposes, such
as the construction of an expansion joint for steam pipes in which one pipe would
slide within the other.
I wish it to be understood that I do not bind myself to use the exact number, or
the precise arrangement of the rings, washers or springs as shown in the Sheet of
Drawings, for instance, instead of the flat contracting spring C, I may use a
spring of square cross-section, similar to what are well known in the trade as
Ramsbottoms rings," or a coiled spring similar to a clock spring.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim, is:-
In metallic packings for piston rods and for other similar purposes, the use of
rings and washers in combination with contracting and expanding springs,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
ROBT. F. DRURY,
Agent for the Applicant.