Improved Packing for Stuffing-boxes and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: e of Application, 24th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 29th Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Packing for Stuffing-boxes and the like.
I, WILLIAM REID, of Fenchurch Street, in the County of London, 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:
This invention relates to packing for stuffing-boxes and the like through which
piston-rods and the like work, and consists in forming the same of fine metallic
wire continuously and closely wound in successive layers of helical convolutions
as hereinafter more particularly described.
The improved packing may be wound in a cylindrical or tubular bobbin like
form of the required internal and external diameters according to those of the rod
and stuffing-box intended to be fitted therewith and of any required depth, and
may be applied and used in such condition if it can be put on to the piston or
rod end ways thereof, or, it may be obliquely or squarely cut so as to permit of
its being placed about a piston or other rod in working position, with its oblique
ends overlapping or its squarely cut ends abutting, in either of which lastly
referred to events successive rings of the packing would be superposed or other-
wise juxtaposed so as to break joint. Or, the wire may be continuously wound
in an annular, cylindrical or tubular bobbin of larger diameters than as aforesaid
and the packing be cut therefrom in any required lengths which can be bent around
the piston or other rod, with the ends overlapping or abutting as aforesaid.
The wire may be passed through melted tallow or through a melted compound
of tallow and French-chalk or through any other suitable lubricant immediately
before being wound as aforesaid, in which event such if any interstices as there
may be between the adjacent wires will be entirely filled by the adhering lubricant,
and so far as the latter exudes on the surface against which the rod works it will
aid in keeping the parts lubricated. Or, the bobbin when formed, or, the segments
cut therefrom, may be dipped into or soaked in any such lubricant.
In any of such modifications the successive convolutions and layers of the wire
may be kept in their proper relative positions by a continuation of the wire
wound around the annular part of the bobbin. Or, in lieu thereof, a cotton or
fibrous band may be helically wound around the ring of the bobbin so as to leave
it of an annular formation, or round the segments cut therefrom, to keep the
successive convolutions and layers of the wire of the packing in their proper
relative positions until they be placed in the stuffing-box; and as
a further
modification such band may also be dipped into or soaked in any such lubricant
as aforesaid before it is applied to the bobbin or segment of wire; or the bobbin
or segment as adapted therewith may be dipped into or soaked in any such
lubricant.
It is preferred to use for the purpose of the invention, galvanized soft iron or
steel wire, but wire made of other suitable metals or metallic compositions which
will not readily oxidize may also be used. The special utility of the wire arises
from its being made of a fine gauge, preferably of about 30 B. W. G. though.
the invention is not restricted to the use of wire of such gauge, and from its
being closely wound in successive layers of helical convolutions, yielding a flexible
metal packing, as it were of a close fibrous structure in which the attraction of
cohesion between the fibres is absent and all adjacent fibres can move end wise
and laterally relatively to each other, so that when the packing-glands are screwed
down and the packing is compressed, it can laterally distend both against the
walls of the stuffing-box and into steam, air and water tight contact with the
piston-rod or other adjacent working part.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A metallic packing for stuffing-boxes and the like composed of any suitable fine
wire continuously and closely wound in successive layers of helical convolutions
and used in such condition or otherwise substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 24th day of October 1890.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.