IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON-RODS AND THE LIKE
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London for an invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON-RODS AND THE LIKE
communicated to him from abroad by Charles Campbell of Newark, New
Jersey, United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake, at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th September 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKING FOR
PISTON-RODS AND THE LIKE a communication to him from abroad by Charles
Campbell of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
"
This invention relates to packing for piston-rods and the like, and more
particularly to packing composed principally of metal rings whose ends are cut at
right angles to their sides, and which are adapted to be compressed by the action
of the steam 'from the steam cylinder and to thereby surround a rod more
effectually when the pressure is on.
The object of the said invention is to provide more effectually against the
escape of steam or other fluid from a cylinder and to overcome various objections
heretofore urged against metal packings.
The said invention consists essentially in the novel arrangement and combination
of parts, as herein set forth.
In carrying the said invention into practice I arrange within the stuffing box
two or more soft metal rings which engage with and encircle the rod. Around
these inner rings I place one or more outer rings, which cover the joints of the said
inner rings.
I prefer to arrange these rings in sets of three, that is with inside rings, an
outside'ring, and an intermediate ring or rings with their ends cut at right angles
to their sides, so that any end pressure will not tend to separate them from one
another, and the joints may be readily made steam-tight with the least expenditure
of labor and skill.
.

page_text: The inner rings are split diametrically, or they may be cut but once, as
adjustment may require.
The outer ring and the intermediate ring, where both are used, should be cut
upon one side only so as more effectually to cover the joints of the inner rings and
prevent the escape of steam. The outer ring may be made of spring metal and
have a normal tendency to exert a pressure upon the inner rings to hold them in.
position when the steam pressure is off. The said outer ring, as well as the
intermediate ring or rings, may be made of drawn brass or other metal tubing in
order to facilitate and cheapen the cost of production.
In order to facilitate the adjustment of the rings without removing the cross-
head from the rod, a segment may be removed therefrom equal, or nearly equal, in
width to the diameter of the rod, thereby enabling the said rings to be easily
slipped over the rod and adjusted upon the inner rings telescopically ns will be
rendily understood.. The segment from the outer ring is secured, by means of
screws, to the outer surface of the intermediate ring, and the segment from the
latter is secured to the inner surface of the outer ring at the opposite side in the
same manner, or if preferred they may be soldered in position; the foriner method,
however, is deemed preferable, as it can be done before the rings are cut, by
inserting one within the other.
The results of this method of construction are thint outer rings may be adjusted
upon the rod without removing the cross-head and without splitting them
diametrically; that they may be capable of holding the inner rings together when
in position; and, that they may be provented from turning upon each other and
bringing the joints into juxta-position while in operation, as will be readily
understood.
In order to prevent the intermedinte ring or rings from turning upon the inner
rings an aperture may be drilled longitudinally, at the joint between the said
rings, far enough to intersect with all the inner rings and a pin or key inserted
therein.
When the stuffing box is mado purposely for this packing it is bored of an
uniform size throughout and large enough to admit the packing and leave an
annular space or chamber between the box and the packing to admit steam from
the cylinder, and a recess is formed on the inner surface of the cylinder head to
admit, loosely, the inner or loose glund or ring which rests against, and covers, the
inner end of the packing, and is secured in position by means of screws which
serve to hold it in contact with the packing when the pressure of the steam is off.
The said inner gland, however, being subject to the action of the steam, is thereby
pressed against the packing when the engine is in operation and the whole is thus
rendered automatic. in its action, and the friction upon the rod is removed or
greatly decreased during one half of its stroke, ns will be understood.
The annular steam chamber, heretofore referred to, communicates with tho
steam cylinder by means of steam passages forined. in the cylinder head, or by n
passage around the rod and between the bottom of the stuffing, box and the end
ring. It will thus be seen that at every stroke of the piston the pressure of the
steam is brought to bear directly upon the end and also, upon the wholo circum-
ferential surface of the packing simultaneously, thereby equalizing the pressure
upon all sides. and, greatly increasing the effectiveness of the packing as already
stated.
The rings may sometimes be prevented from turning upon each other, by means
of screws or pins.
In some casos I prefer to interpose a spring and an end plate between the
bottom of the stuffing box and the end of the packing, to exert an end pressure
upon
the packing and prevent any longitudinal movement, of the same..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of an
Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said William Robert Lake in the.
Patent Office on the 22nd March 1884.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKING FOR
PISTON RODS AND THE LIKE" A communication to me from abroad by Charles
Campbell, of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
This invention relates to packing for piston-rods and the like and more
particularly to packing composed principally of metal rings, whose ends are cut at
right angles to their sides and which are adapted to be compressed by the action of
the steam from the steam cylinder and to thereby surround a rod more effectually
when the pressure is on.
The object of the said invention is to provide more effectually against the escape
of steam or other fluid from a cylinder and to overcome various objections
heretofore urged against metal packings.
The said invention consists essentially in the novel arrangement and combination
of parts, as herein set forth,
În the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved packing and
Figure 2. is a vertical transverse section of the same, on the line ;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of a stuffing box and packing adjusted therein
on the line x figure.2
Figure 4 is an end elevation showing a modified form of packing and a spring-
binding ring or hand.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a stuffing box and of the packing therein on
the line figure 4. not however showing the spring binding ring.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section on the line y, of figure 4;
Figure 7 is an elevation showing the inner side of the cylinder head and the
loose gland shown at the left of figure 5, and
Figure 8, is a modification showing a spring and a flat ring interposed between
the end of the packing and the bottom of the stuffing box, all of which will be
hereinafter fully explained
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures
In figure 3 a indicates a stuffing box which is formed upon the cylinder in the
usual manner, and 6 the follower or gland covering the projecting end of the said
stuffing box and held in position by bolts and nuts or by any of the ordinary
means.
Within the stuffing box are arranged a series. (two or more) of soft metal rings c,
which engage with and encircle the rod as indicated in figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Around these inner rings I place one, or more outer rings, as d or e or both which
cover the joints of said inner rings, as indicated in the same figures.
I prefer to arrange these rings in sets of three, that is with inside rings can
outside ring ring e, and an intermediate ring or rings d, with their ends cut at
right angles to their sides, so that any end pressure will not tend to separate
them from one another and the joints may be readily made steam-tight at the least
expenditure of labor and skill."
The inner rings c are split diametrically, as indicated in figure 4 or they may be
cut, but once, as indicated in figure 2, as opportunity for adjustment may require.
The outer ring and the intermediate ring where both are used should be cut
upon one side only either as indicated in figure 2 or in figure 4, so as more

page_text: effectually to cover the joints of the inner rings and prevent the escape of steam.
The outer ring inny bo mado of spring motul and finve a normal tendency to exert
a pressure upon the inner rings to hold them in position when the steam pressure
is off. The said outer ring, as well as the intermediate ring or rings, & may be
made of drawn brass or other metal tubing in order to facilitate the manufacture
and cheapen the cost of production.
"In order to facilitate the adjustment of the rings d, or e, without removing the
cross-head from the rod, a segment m may be removed therefrom equal or nearly
equal in width to the diameter of the rod, as clearly indicated in figure 4, thereby
enabling the said rings to be easily slipped over the rod and adjusted upon tho
inner rings telescopically as will be readily understood. The segment of the outer
ring is secured, by means of screws n to the outer surface of the intermediate ring,
and the segment of the latter is secured to the inner surface of the outer ring at
the opposite side in the same manner, or if preferred the said segments may be
soldered in position; the former method however is deemed preferable as it can be
done before the rings are cut by inserting one within the other, as will be
understood by reference to figure 4.
The results of this method of construction are that the outer rings, d or e may
be adjusted upon the rod without removing the cross-head and without splitting
them diametrically; that they are capable of holding the inner rings together
when in position and, that they are prevented from turning upon each other and
bringing the joints into juxtaposition while in operation, as will be readily
understood.
In order to prevent the intermedinte ring or rings from turning upon the inner
rings an aperture o, may be drilled, longitudinally, at the joint between the said
rings far enough to intersect with all the inner rings, and a pin or key insertod
therein as clearly indicated in figure 6.
When the stuffing box is made purposely for this packing it is bored of uniform
size throughout and large enough to admit the packing and leave an annular
space or chamber between the box and the packing to admit steam from the
cylinder, and a recess 2 is formed on the inner surface of the cylinder head to
admit, loosely, the inner or loose gland or ring g which rests against and covers
the inner end of the packing, as clearly indicated in figure 5, and is secured in
position by means of screws 3 whichi sorve to hold it in contact with the packing
when the pressure of the steam is off. The said inner gland, however, being
Bubject to the action of the steam, is thereby pressed against the packing when tho
engine is in operation and the whole is thus rendered automatic in its action, and
the friction upon the rod is removed or greatly decreased during one linlf of its
stroke, as will be understood
The annular steam chamber, heretofore referred to, communicates with the
steam cylinder by means of steam passages, figures 3 and 5 formed in the
cylinder head, or by a passage p around the rod and between the bottom of
the stuffing box and the end ring as clearly indicated in figure 3. It will thus
be seen that at every stroke of the piston the pressure of the steam is brought to
bear directly upon the end and also upon the whole circumferential surface of the
packing simultaneously, thereby equalizing the pressure upon all sides and greatly
increasing the effectiveness of the packing as already stated.
When the packing is made and adjusted as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, the
rings may be prevented from turning upon each other by means of screws or
pins, as clearly shown in figure 3 I sometimes arrango in. combination with
the packing rings an end ring and a ring or piece g of fibrous packing
In some cases I prefer to interpose a spring, as sand an end plate as s² between
the bottom of the stuffing box and the end of the packing, as will be understood by
reference to figure 8, to exert an end pressure upon the packing and prevent any
longitudinal movement of the same.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood

page_text: that I do not claim broadly the use of concentric packing rings, as such have been
used before, although not in the same relations and combinations nor accomplishing
the same results as herein described, but I claim :—
First. The combination of a series of diametrically split metal rings, c adapted
to encircle the rod and one or more overlapping rings d or e, arranged to cover or
break the joints of the said split rings and having a normal tendency to exert a
pressure upon the same and clasp them to the rod, substantially as, and for tho
purposes, set forth.
Second. The combination with a series of split metal rings, c and overlapping
rings dor e covering or breaking the joints thereof, of end rings, r, r¹, the former
of which is equal in diameter to the outer ring and provided with steam passages, p
to allow the steam to enter the steam chamber formed between the packing and
the stuffing box, and the latter of which is equal in diameter to the bore of the
stuffing box, and both forming steam-tight joints against the packing as, and for
the purposes, herein set forth.
Third. The combination with a stuffing box and gland, of a series of split metal
rings adapted to encircle the rod, an over-lapping ring or rings covering or
breaking the joints thereof, and an annular chamber formed between the rings and
the stuffing box and communicating with the steam cylinder by steam passages, h,
in the cylinder head, whereby the steam is admitted to and exerts an equal pressure
upon all sides of the packing, as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fourth. In steam packing, the combination of a single outer ring e cut
lengthwise upon one side only, and concentric inner rings cut lengthwise
diametrically, and pins n, n' or o for preventing the said rings from turning upon
each other while in use, as, and for the purposes, set forth
Fifth In combination with a stuffing box, the packing rings arranged to form
a steam chamber between them and said stuffing box, the end ring 7, the fibrous
packing g, and the follower, the said parts being arranged to operate substantially
as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Sixth. The combination in steam packing, of a series of inner rings adapted to
encircle the rod, and an outer ring, split longitudinally, at one side only, overlapping
the joints of the said inner rings and having a normal tendency to exert a pressure
thereon, as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The combination of a series of inner rings split diametrically, an outer
ring or rings covering and overlapping the joints of said inner rings, and a
spring, s¹, or an elastic cushion, interposed between the end of the said packing and
the bottom of the stuffing box, as, and for the purposes, set forth.
In Witness whereof 1 the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty second day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty four
YY AUD
ROD LAKE (LS.)