Improvements in or applicable to Pistons.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 1st Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Pistons.
I, WILLIAM LOCKWOOD, of Ocean Works, St. Mary's Road, Sheffield
Yorkshire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in or applicable to pistons for the
cylinders of locomotive and other engines.
According to the invention I make the piston block of an annular formation
with top and bottom outer projecting flanges approximately fitting the walls of
the cylinder and forming with the connecting web an outer peripheral channel
adapted to receive the piston ring or rings. The block is also formed with an
inner projecting flange about midway of its depth and by means of which it is
connected with the piston rod, the connection being effected by two outwardly
bulged plates the peripheries of which are bolted to the opposite sides of the said
inner projecting flange of the block, and the centre parts of which (where the
plates are widest apart) are made with concentric through openings adapting the
plates to be fitted around and bolted to the opposite sides of an outer flange
projecting around a. centre block to which the piston rod is directly connected, the
rod being formed with a tapering end engaging with a tapering opening formed
centrally through the block and secured at the outer and smaller end by nuts in a
usual manner.
The piston ring, of the improved formation hereinafter described, is preferably
made self-expansive, but, if required-it may be used conjunctively with auxiliary
expanding ring.
The improved ring is so formed as to dispense with the usual necessity of
separate or loose tongue-pieces or the like intended for closing the opening between
the meeting ends of the ring, by making the ring, adjacent to the said meeting
ends (either on its inner or outer periphery) with a closing part (of any required
segmental extent) formed integral with the ring or so connected thereto as at all
times when in use to entirely occupy and close the whole depth of space taken up
by the ring, for any suitable width thereof, and by so shaping the said meeting
ends as to occupy the remainder of the width of the ring, for a part of the depth
thereof, and for a segmental extent depending upon that of the said closing part,
the remaining part of the cross section of the ring within such segmental extent
serving to connect the said closing part with the remaining part of the ring
connecting the said meeting ends.
With such improved formation of ring the said meeting ends may separate to
any extent not exceeding the segmental extent of the said closing piece without
opening a through passage for the steam or other motive agent, the said meeting
ends lying in the recesses formed in the inner or outer periphery of the ring and
sliding against the said closing part and therewith and with the said connecting
parts closing the entire cross-section of the ring.
In making such piston rings of steel, the said closing part thereof adjacent to
the said meeting ends, may be made separately, and separate rings, each of the
width, but of half the depth of the entire ring, and formed with an appropriately
shaped meeting end and of the required segmental extent, may be welded or
otherwise suitably united with the ends of the said closing part so as to make the
complete ring.
In making such piston rings in cast iron, they may be made entire and then
drilled and slit or cut so as to obtain the formation required. In such case,
spacing pieces may be placed between the upper and lower rings formed by cutting

page_text: the entire ring, or such spacing apart may be effected by an inner ring formed
with an outer flange about centrally of its width and adapted to enter between
such upper and lower rings.
Dated this 27th day of November 1891.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.'
Improvements in or applicable to Pistons..
I, WILLIAM LOCKWOOD, of Ocean Works, St. Mary's Road, Sheffield,
Yorkshire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in or applicable to pistons for the
cylinders of locomotive, marine and other engines.
On the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1, represents the improved piston in sectional elevation.
Fig. 2, represents the same in plan view, partly in section.
Fig. 3, represents a perspective view of the piston-ring; and,
Fig. 4, represents several sections thereof respectively at a, b, c, d, e, Fig. 3.
According to the invention, I make the piston with a peripheral block 5, of an
annular. formation, with top and bottom outer projecting flanges 6, approximately
fitting the walls of the cylinder and forming with the connecting web. 7, an outer
peripheral channel 8, adapted to receive the piston ring or rings 9.
The block 5, is also formed with an inner projecting flange 10, midway of its
depth, and by means of which it is connected with a central annular flanged solid
or built-up block 11, and with the piston rod 12. This connection is effected by
two outwardly bulged plates 13, the peripheries of which are bolted or rivetted as
at 14, to the opposite sides of the inner projecting flange 10, of the block 5, and
the centre parts of which (where the plates 13, are widest apart) are bolted or
rivetted as at 15, to the opposite flanges 16, of the block 11. The plates 13, and
block 11, are made with a central opening 17, into which the corresponding
end 12*, of the piston rod 12, is inserted, the piston rod and the built-up piston
.being secured together by a screw nut 19, in a usual manner.
The piston may be fitted with a self expansive-ring or rings 9, of the improved
formation hereinafter described, or with a ring or rings used conjunctively with an
auxiliary expanding ring or rings.
י
1.
The improved ring is so formed as to dispense with the usual necessity of
separate or loose tongue-pieces or the like used for closing the opening between
the meeting ends of the ring.
The ring is made with a solid part 21, of its full cross-section (vide section a,
Fig. 4). On each side of such part 21, the ring is continued solid, but is. made
with a recess 22, (vide section b, Fig. 4) preferably of about one-half. the width
and of one-half the depth of the ring, the recesses being respectively made on the
upper and under or opposite faces of the ring (vide Fig. 3) either on the inner.or
on the outer periphery thereof. The remaining sectoral extent of the ring is
formed in contiguous layers, each being made of the full width and of one-half the
depth of the ring (vide section e, Fig. 4,) and being formed with a continuing
part 23, (ride section d, Fig. 4,) equal in length to the recess 22, and adapted
to fit the same so as to complete the cross section of the ring (vide section c,
Fig. 4).
Both such layers of the ring are united to the said solid part 21, the one
springing from the one side (say the upper) thereof (vide Fig. 3,) and the other
springing from the other or lower side thereof. They abut against and can freely
distend, collapse or move relatively to each other.

page_text: With such improved formation of ring, the ends 23, may separate to any extent
not exceeding the sectoral extent of the recesses 22, without opening a through
passage for the steam or other motive agent, the ends 23, lying in the recesses 22,
and sliding against the solid part and therewith closing the entire cross-section of
the ring.
In making such piston rings of steel, the solid and recessed part 21, thereof may
be made separately, and separate rings, each of the width, but of half the depth of
the entire ring, and formed with an appropriately shaped end part 23, of the
required sectoral extent, may be welded or otherwise suitably united with the
part 21, so as to make the complete ring.
In making such piston rings in cast iron, they may be made entire and then
drilled and slit or cut so as to obtain the formation required. In such case
spacing pieces may be placed between the upper and lower rings formed by cutting
the entire ring, or such spacing apart may be effected by an inner ring formed
with an outer flange about centrally of its width and adapted to enter and close
the space between such upper and lower rings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is: --
1. The combination in a piston, of a peripheral flanged block 5, fitted with a
piston ring or rings; a central flanged solid or built-up block 11, fitted to a
piston rod; and uniting bulged plates 13; substantially as set forth.
2. The formation of a piston ring with a solid uniting part 21, recessed as
at 22, and with contiguous layers of ring formed with continuing ends 23, as
set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1892.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.