An Improved Spring Ring for Pistons, Piston Valves, and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Spring Ring for Pistons, Piston Valves, and
the like.
1, WILLIAM LOCKWOOD, of Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Yorkshire, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved spring ring for pistons, piston-valves and
the like. The improved ring is made in one continuous piece so sawn or slit as to
be formed with or into outer layers respectively adapted to bear against the piston
flange and the junk ring, and with an intermediate layer adapted to be acted upon
in manner hereinafter stated and to react against the respective outer layers
alternately so as to tend to separate or thrust them apart axially, all layers of the
continuous ring being self-distensive radially.
In carrying out the invention, I saw or slit the ring, nearly all around, parallel
with its top and bottom faces, into three layers, preferably of equal thickness,
stepping the outer layers respectively into the intermediate layer at an adjacent
part so that the ends of such latter layer can approach and recede from each other,
and transversely cutting the outer layers adjacent to but respectively on opposite
sides of the stepped part of the intermediate layer so as to form each thereof with
a free end which can approach and recede from the opposite meeting part of the
relative outer layer. The meeting parts of each outer layer are recessed and
tongued and fitted with corresponding closing pieces serving to maintain the depth
of the ring at such parts, and to ensure the meeting. parts of such layers distending
together radially.
Within such split ring, I insert a ring or two separate rings carrying series of
externally radiating projections which are inserted alternately between the respective
outer layers and the intermediate layer of the split ring, separating the same to the
desired extent. When such spring ring so adapted is fitted in position for use,
the axial compression of the split-ring tends to give a waved conformation to the
intermediate layer, which reacts against the outer layers, so giving the required axial
action of the outer layers of the split-ring against the piston-flange. and junk-ringį
the radial distension of the split ring against the cylinder walls depending upon its
self-expansion, the inner projection-carrying ring or rings being made as a spring
ring or rings, of any suitable formation, of sufficient expansive energy to follow up
the split ring as it wears away by friction against the cylinder walls, so as to keep
said projections always in engagement with the outer and intermediate layers of
the split ring, and to prevent itself or themselves from being driven in by the
steam pressure.
The inner ring may be made entire or in sectoral lengths with distending springs
at the meeting ends.
The layers of the split-ring may, however, be separated axially by interposed
coiled or other springs.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agents,

page_text: An Improved Spring Ring for Pistons, Piston Valves, and
the like.
I, WILLIAM LOCKWOOD, of Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Yorkshire, 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 an improved spring ring for pistons, piston valves and
the like. The improved ring is represented on the accompanying drawing in
perspective, and is made in one continuous piece of suitable metal so sawn or slit as
to be formed with or into outer layers a, b, respectively adapted to bear against
the piston flange and the junk ring, and with an intermediate layer c, adapted to be
acted upon in manner hereinafter stated and to react against the respective outer
layers a, b, alternately, so as to tend to separate or thrust them apart axially, all
such layers of the ring being self-distensive radially.
In carrying out the invention, I saw or slit the ring, nearly all around, parallel
with its top and bottom faces, into the three layers a, b, c, preferably of equal
thickness, stepping the outer layers a, b, respectively into the intermediate layer at
the adjacent parts d, which can approach and reccdc from each other as the ring is
decreased or increases in diameter, and transversely cutting the outer layers as
at a, b, adjacent to but respectively on opposite sides of the stepped parts d, of the
intermediate layer, so as to form each of such outer layers with a free end a², 63,
which can approach and recede from the opposite meeting parts a³, 63, of the relative
outer layer. The meeting parts of each outer layer are also recessed as at a, b,
and tongued as at a, b, and fitted with corresponding closing pieces e, serving to
maintain the depth of the ring at such parts, and to ensure the meeting parts of
such layers distending together radially.
Within such split ring, I insert a self-expansive ring, or two such rings, f,
formed or provided with series of externally radiating projections f¹, which are
inserted alternately between the respective outer layers a, b, and the intermediate
layer c, of the split ring separating the layers of such ring to the desired extent.
When the improved spring ring so adapted is fitted in position for use, the axial
compression of the split ring between the piston flange and the junk ring tends to
give a waved conformation to its intermediate layer c, which reacts against the
outer layers a, b, so giving the required axial action of the outer layers of the
split ring against the piston-flange and junk-ring. The radial distension of
the split ring against the cylinder walls depends upon its self-expansion, and is not
dependent upon, though it may be aided by, the spring ring or rings f, which may be
made of any suitable formation and of sufficient energy to follow up the split ring
as it wears away by friction against the cylinder walls, so as to keep the
projections, always in engagement with the outer and intermediate layers of the
split ring, and to prevent itself or themselves from being driven in by the steam
or other pressure.
The inner ring or rings may be made entire or in sectoral lengths with coiled or
other distending springs between the meeting ends..
The layers of the split ring may, however, also be separated axially by coiled or
other springs interposed between the adjacent layers.
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
1. A split ring for pistons, piston valves and the like made in one continuous

page_text: piece sawn or slit into outer end layers and an intermediate layer, such layers being
stepped together, and the outer layers being respectively transversely cut, and
recessed, tongued and fitted with closing pieces at their end meeting parts, as set
forth.
2. In combination, a split spring ring such as that referred to in Claim 1, and
an inner self-expansive ring or rings having external radiating projections
arranged between the respective outer layers and the intermediate layer of the
spring ring and adapted to operate conjunctively therewith, as set forth."
3. The modifications herein before referred to.
Dis 7th dose of December 1806
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.