Improvements in or applicable to Packing Rings of Pistons, Piston Valves, Air Pump Buckets, and the like,
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 15th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Packing Rings of Pistons, Piston
Valves, Air Pump Buckets, and the like,
I, WILLIAM BUCKLEY, of Patent Piston Works, Millsands, Sheffield, York-
shire, 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 improvements in the packing rings of pistons, piston
valves, air-pump buckets and the like; and is applicable to all kinds of such pack-
or by
ing rings, whether self-expansive, or expanded by springs or spring rings,
steam or other motive fluid; and has for its object to prevent the packing rings
from being pressed against the cylinder walls more than is necessary to ensure
their steam- or other fluid-tight contact therewith, either by the pressure of the
steam or other motive fluid which may obtain access to behind the packing rings,
or by any excess of pressure effected by the springs or spring rings employed to
expand them, or by any undue expansive action of the packing rings themselves,
and so to avoid unnecessary friction and wear of the packing rings and cylinder
pro-
walls and to economize power and lessen the frequency of renewals, by the
vision of means whereby the radial or circumferential distension of the packing
rings may be limited, in an effectual and readily adjustable manner, to any pre-
determined extent, without interference with the freedom of their radial or
circumferential contraction.
To this end, the invention consists in so forming or adapting the meeting ends
of the packing ring and a tongue piece serving as a steam stopping piece to cover
the opening between such meeting ends as to cause such parts to co-act in limit-
ing the radial or circumferential distension of the packing ring as may be desired,
while allowing it to freely contract to the extent of whatever play is allowed in
the opening between the packing ring meeting ends, as hereinafter more fully
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
On the drawings;-
Figs. 1, to 6, illustrate the principle of the invention, and show, in detail,
simple and efficient means of carrying out the same; Fig. 1, is a plan of a pair
of packing rings adapted with the present improvements; Fig. 2, is an elevation,
showing one of the rings in section; Fig. 3, is a plan of the meeting ends of
one of the rings adapted according to the present improvements; Fig. 4, is an
elevation thereof; Fig. 5, is a plan of a steam stopping piece adapted according
to the present improvements; Fig. 6, is an elevation thereof; Figs. 5*, are plans
of the filling pieces used to co-act with the adapted packing ring meeting ends
and tongue piece in attaining the object of the invention; and Figs. 6, are
elevations thereof;
The remaining figs. represent various modifications or equivalent ways of
carrying out the invention, and show the same applied to packing rings of different
sections:

page_text: Figs. 7, to 34, are elevations respectively of Figs. 7, to 34; Figs. 7", to 25",
30, 31, 33", and 34", being external views; and Figs. 20, to 29, and 32", being
internal views; and Figs. 7, to 344, are sectional elevations respectively of Figs. 7,
to 34, through the opening between the adjacent packing ring ends.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 1, to 6, the face of the packing ring, a,
at each of its meeting ends, is recessed across its width, as at g, with a sectoral
extension, gl, and is formed with an upraised lug, d, and the tongue piece, b,
is formed to fit the recesses, g, of the two meeting ends, and with
sectoral extensions, f, formed to fit in the recess extensions, g¹, and
with a slot, e, adapted to engage with the sides of the two lugs, d,
and sufficiently long to receive removable filling pieces, c, interposed between
the respective ends of the slot, e, and the adjacent lugs, d, when the
parts are in position, vide Fig. 1, and thus to connect the meeting ends of the
packing ring in such a manner as to limit their expansion without interfering
with their contraction.
When firstly fitting such rings to a cylinder, the filling pieces, c, used are of
a length just sufficient to fill the spaces between the respective lugs, d, and the
adjacent ends of the slot, e, when the packing rings are expanded to the diameter
of the cylinder at its largest part so as to allow the rings just to fill the cylinder
and to prevent their further expansion. When, after a time in use, it is found
necessary to allow the packing rings to further expand or to be further expanded,
the filling pieces, c, are correspondingly reduced in length or shorter pièces are
substituted.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 7, the packing ring ends are each formed
with two recess extensions, gl, which extend from the recess, g, on each side of
a central part of the ring left unrecessed, and the tongue piece ends are each
formed with two side extensions, f, adapted to fit in the recesses, g¹.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 8, the packing ring ends are cach
formed with one recess extension, gl, adjacent to its inner periphery, and the
tongue piece ends are each formed with one side extension, f, adapted to engage
therewith.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 9, the lugs, d, slot, c, and fillings, c,
are located nearer adjacent to the inner periphery of the packing ring, and the
tongue piece is formed wider than the face of the packing ring and with end
extensions, f, adapted to fit against the inner periphery of the ring.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 10, the lugs, d, slot, e, and fillings, c,
are located nearer adjacent to the outer periphery of the packing ring, and the
recess, g, and tongue piece, b, do not extend the full width of the packing ring,
and the narrow unrecessed parts, f', of the packing ring ends extend to the
opening between the latter and serve to support the inner periphery of the tongue
piece to prevent steam from passing by the tongue piece ends.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 11, differs only from that represented in
Figs. 10, in shaping the recesses, g, so as to surround the lugs, d, and in forming
the tongue piece with a separate slot, e, for each lug.
Instead of the slot or slots, e, being entirely enclosed, as hereinbefore described,
they may be open at one side and formed as recesses. Instead also of using an
extended slot or recess, e, for both lugs, d, or a separate extended slot or recess for
each lug, and filling pieces for blocking up the excess space in the slot or recess or
slots or recesses, as herein before described, the slot or recess (or each slot or recess)
can be made of a length only slightly exceeding the combined lengths of the
two lugs, (or the length of each lug,) and the substance of the tongue piece be
left, where, in the preceding examples, is the excess space occupied by the filling
pieces, so as to allow of the slot or recess or each slot or recess being extended as
may be required, by filing away a little of such substance of the tongue piece,
when it is required to allow for further expansion of the packing rings.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 12, differs only from that represented in
Figs. 11, in the lugs, , being located at the outer periphery of the packing ring,

page_text: and in the slots being open at the outer side and formed as recesses, e, each of
which only slightly exceeds the length of its lug, d, and has its outer end, c¹,
filed away when it is desired to allow of the further expansion of the packing ring.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 13, differs only from that represented
in Figs. 8, in the lugs, d, being located at the inner periphery of the packing
ring and in the slot being open at the inner side and formed as a recess, e, and
in the fillings, e, being angular in form so as to fit between the lugs and the tongue
piece for being held in position.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 14, differs only from that represented in
Figs. 13, in that, in lieu of the fillings, c, being used, the recess, e, only slightly
exceeds the length of the two adjacent lugs, d, and, when required, its outer
ends, c, are filed away as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 12.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 15, differs only from that represented
in Figs. 1, to 6, in that the parts of the packing ring ends occupied (in the
arrangement represented in Figs. 1, to 6,) by the inner concentric sectoral part
of the tongue piece, b, (Fig. 5,) is, in the present modification, not recessed, so
that the packing ring is not recessed across its face, and the slot in the tongue
piece is formed as a recess, e, open on the inner side.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 20, differs only from that represented in
Figs. 15, in that the sectoral recess extensions, g¹, in the packing ring and the
sectoral projections, f, of the tongue piece are replaced by a continuous inclined
sectoral recess, g², made in the packing ring meeting ends below the general
plane of the tongue piece and by a corresponding inclined sectoral projection, f²,
made on the tongue piece.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 16, differs only from that represented in
Figs. 12, in that each of its recesses, e, is longer than its lug, d, and is fitted with
a filling, c.
In lieu of the tongue piece being made with its recesses or slots and the co-
acting lugs of the packing ring and the filling pieces all lieing in the same
plane, as in the arrangements hereinbefore described, these controlling parts
of the tongue piece may project from its surface and engage with opposing parts
of the packing ring meeting ends in a plane lieing below or partly below that of
the tongue piece. Examples of this modification are represented in Figs. 17,
18, 19, 21, and 22, the projecting parts (the equivalents of the slots or recesses, e,)
of the tongue piece being marked, e', and adapted to engage directly with the
lugs, d, of the packing ring (vide Fig. 21,) or to have fillings, e, interposed between
such co-acting parts, as represented in Figs. 17, 18, 19, 21, and 22.
23
Figs. 22, to 24, represent different modifications of applying the invention to
packing rings of the "Ramsbottom type, in which the lapping portion, f, of
the tongue piece projects on the inner periphery of the ring and extends to the
full depth thereof preventing steam from passing the opening between the pack-
ing ring meeting ends.
Instead of the tongue piece being unsecured and prevented from displacement
as regards its desired relation to the packing ring only by the means described
with reference to the preceding modifications, it may, as, for example, in the case
of packing rings of plain broad section, be bolted or secured to the packing ring,
and the packing ring and tongue piece may be similarly adapted with parts co-
acting to attain the object of the invention, as described with reference to the
preceding modifications. An example of this modification is shown in Figs. 25,
and needs no further description.
In like manner, instead of the packing ring being recessed and slotted and
formed with lugs, d, integral therewith and adapted to co-act with correspondingly
formed tongue pieces as described with reference to the preceding modifications,
it may be fitted or adapted with a projecting part or with a slotted or recessed
part bolted or secured to its one end and respectively adapted to engage with a
slotted tongue piece or with a tongue piece having a projecting part or parts

page_text: and bolted or secured to the other end of the packing ring. Examples of this
modification are represented in Figs. 26, to 28.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 26, the tongue piece is bolted at 6ª,
at one end to one end of the packing ring, and has a slot, e, at its other end
fitted with a bolt, d, (the
opposite the other end of the packing ring, which
equivalent of a lug, d,) and a filling, c, (having a shield, e²) is inserted between
the bolt, d, and the end of the slot, e, in the tongue piece.
The arrangement represented in Figs. 27, differs only from that represented in
Figs. 26, in that the bolt, d, is fitted to a piece, d*, bolted to the packing ring
at **, and having a slot, e², in which may be adjusted the bolt, d, which serves
as a lug engaging with the end of the slot, e, formed in the tongue piece.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 28, the tongue piece bolted to the
one packing ring end is formed with a lug, d, and the piece, d*, bolted to the
other packing ring end is formed with a slot, e, engaging with the lug, and a
filling, c, is fitted to the slot between its end and the co-acting lug, d.
Figs. 31, to 33, represent further modifications of the invention, especially
applicable to plain packing rings usually employed in locomotives and other
engines and which are usually dependent upon the pressure of steam admitted
behind them for their expansion.
These figs. represent tongue pieces of saddle shape; that of Figs. 31, being
formed with lugs, d, fitting into slots, h, made in the ring, one on each side of
the opening between its meeting ends; that of Figs. 32, being formed with slots,e,
engaging with oblong headed bolts, d, serving as lugs and screwed into the ring,
one on each side of said opening; and that of Figs. 33, being formed with lugs, 2,
adapted to engage with recesses, h, formed in the edge of the ring, one on each
side of said opening. In each of these examples, any desired adjustment of the
packing ring may be effected by removing a little of the substance from the lugs
or slot or recess ends.
Figs. 29, and 30, represent a further modification of the invention, wherein
each of the pieces bolted or secured to the packing ring ends is adapted to serve
as a tongue piece, and wherein the two tongue pieces are adapted to co-act in
limiting the radial or circumferential distension of the packing ring.
Figs. 34, represent a further modification of the invention wherein each of the
packing ring ends is recessed, as at g, and formed with lugs, d, whereby both such
ends are adapted to co-act in limiting the radial or circumferential distension of
the packing ring, and wherein a lapping plate, f, secured to the one packing
ring end prevents steam from passing the two such ends.
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. In packing rings for pistons, piston valves, air-pump buckets and the like,
so forming or adapting the meeting ends of the packing ring and a tongue piece
serving as a steam stopping piece to cover the opening between such meeting
ends as to cause such parts to co-act in limiting the radial or circumferential
distension of the packing rings as may be desired, while allowing them to freely
contract to the extent of whatever play is allowed in the opening between the
packing ring meeting ends, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In packing rings for pistons, piston valves, air-pump buckets and the like,
so forming or adapting the meeting ends of the packing ring and a tongue piece
serving as a steam stopping piece to cover the opening between such meeting
ends and fitting such parts with intervening filling pieces as to cause such parts
to co-act in limiting the radial or circumferential distension of the packing rings
as may be desired, while allowing them to freely contract to the extent of what-
ever play is allowed in the opening between the packing ring meeting ends,
substantially as hereinbefore described.

page_text: 3. In packing rings for pistons and the like, in combination, a packing ring
recessed at its meeting ends to an even depth, a lapped or lapping steam stopping
piece of even thickness, the recessed parts of the packing ring being formed with
lugs or parts raised to the level of its surface and the tongue piece being formed
with a closed slot or slots or open sided recess or recesses adapted to engage with
such lugs and of a length considerably exceeding their length, and filling pieces
adapted to occupy the excess space between the lugs on the packing ring and the
outer ends of the slot or recess or slots or recesses in the tongue piece, and the
whole co-operating to limit the radial or circumferential distension of the packing
ring to the extent determined by the inserted filling pieces without interfering
with the contraction of the ring to the extent of the opening between its meeting
ends, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In packing rings for pistons and the like, in combination, a packing ring
recessed at its meeting ends to an even depth, a lapped or lapping steam stopping
tongue piece of an even thickness, the recessed parts of the packing
to the level of its
ring being formed with lugs or parts raised
surface and the tongue piece being formed with a closed slot or slots or open
sided recess or recesses adapted to engage with such lugs and of a length just
exceeding their length, such parts co-operating to limit the initial distension of
the packing ring and to allow for its further expansion by the outer ends of the
slot or slots or recess or recesses being filed away, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
5. Modifications of the foregoing in which the tongue piece is formed with
projecting lugs below or partly below its plane and in which the packing ring is
more deeply slotted or recessed to form opposing parts adapted to co-act with
the projecting parts of the tongue piece either directly therewith or by means of
interposed fillings, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 16, to 22, by
way of example.
6. Modifications of the foregoing in which the tongue piece is secured to one
end of the packing ring and adapted to engage with co-acting parts formed
integral with the other end of the packing ring, as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figs. 25, by way of example.
7. Modifications of the foregoing in which the tongue piece is secured to the
packing ring and is adapted to engage with co-acting parts secured to the packing
ring, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 26, to 28, by way of
example.
8. The modifications of the foregoing herein before described with reference
to Figs. 31, to 33.
9. The application to a packing ring of separate tongue pieces respectively
secured to the packing ring meeting ends and adapted with co-acting locking
parts, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 29, and 30.
10. The formation of the packing ring meeting ends with co-acting locking
parts in combination with a lapping plate secured to the one packing ring end
and serving to prevent steam from passing the two such ends, as herein before
described with reference to Figs. 34.
11th dow of November 1808
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.