Improvements in and relating to Packing for Piston Rods, Valve Rods, and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Packing for Piston Rods, Valve
Rods, and the like.
We, FRANCIS PATRICK MARTIN, of Easton in the County of Northampton
and State of Pennsylvania United States of America Machinist and JORN
THOMAS MARTIN of Scranton in the County of Lackawanna and State of
Pennsylvania United States of America Attorney at Law, 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 :-
Our invention relates to packings for piston rods and valve rods or stems
for locomotive and stationary steam engines and for pump-rods and other similar
purposes.
One object of our invention is to provide a packing for the piston rods, and
valve-steins of steam engines and other similar mechanism, having such construction
that the packing ring, or rings will be compressed upon the rod, or stem, by the
force of the steam thrown in upon the same side of the piston, and whereby the
said compression is relieved when the steam is exhausted; to remove the frictional
or packing contact during the whole of the back stroke of the piston rod, whereby
the wear of the parts is materially economized, and a part of the effective power of
the steam saved from waste.
Another object of our invention is to provide a packing whereby the necessity of
the stuffing boxes ordinarily employed is wholly avoided, and which may be
applied either to novel constructions, organized with special view to the features of
the invention or applied to the old form of cylinder, or valve chest heretofore used;
a perfectly tight steam packing being produced in all cases and under all pressures,
with a marked reduction in friction, and with a material economy in wear and
in the consumption of lubricating material.
A further object is to provide a novel metallic packing ring, in one or more
parts, and closed upon the rod, or stem, by an elastic force contained, within the
ring itself, which force may be utilized either separately, or in conjunction with the
compression of steam acting upon the outer face of the said ring.
A still further object is to provide a novel and simple construction and
combination of parts whereby a new and improved system of packing may be
applied to rods, or stems, of any length, and upon glands of any known, or novel
form, without material change in organization.
Another object of our invention is to provide a simple and novel construction
whereby the several packing rings employed may each be arranged within a
separate ring seat, which shall be independent of the other, and similar seats in the
containing gland, housing or box surrounding said ring seats.
Another object is to provide a packing wherein one, or a series, of cleft
compressible packing rings are arranged within independent ring seats, the latter
being placed within a gland, or housing, which seats within the stuffing box a ring
having a concaved face and having perforations parallel with the axis of the rod
and which communicate with similar perforations in the ring seats, passing entirely
through the same, the latter perforations being entered by a series of radial
openings, which also communicate with an interior circumferential groove lying
directly behind the cleft, compressible, packing ring, whereby a
intercommunication of steam is provided having common access to the exterior
faces of all the packing rings, to bind them against the rod and produce a close
and steam tight packing, when steam is thrown in upon that side of the piston
upon which said rings are arranged.
constant
Another further object is to provide a novel construction whereby oil may be

page_text: ·
supplied to the piston rod in such manner as to lubricate the same with uniformity
over the whole portion subjected to friction, and whereby also a great economy in
the use of oil may be effected.
Another object also is to provide an improved form of packing for piston and
valve rods in which the live steam shall have access to the outer face of the
packing without requiring the drilling of long openings and the expense caused by
the frequent breakage of drills, as well as the time and skilled labour necessary,
which is, in itself, no small item in the cost of manufacture.
Another object is to provide a metallic packing whereby a steam tight joint or
engagement shall be produced and whereby also, the packing may be divided in
the axial plane of the rod, without injury to its efficiency and enabling it to be
removed and replaced, or new packing substituted without disconnecting the rod.
Another object of our invention is to provide means for clamping a metallic
packing down upon the rod, when first applied thereto to insure continuous and
uniform contact throughout.
A further object of our invention is also to combine with a rod-packing and with
the steam-housing enclosing the same means whereby the housing may be arranged
either upon the exterior of the stuffing box of the steam cylinder or partly within
and partly without said stuffing box, and whereby a tight steam joint may be
made at the mouth of the stuffing-box without the necessity of grinding a steam
face upon each of the engaging parts.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is an axial section showing our invention as applied to a known, or old
form of cylinder, or valve-chest.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of Figure I on the line - in said figure.
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in the axial line of the rod, or stem, and
showing the application of the invention to cylinders, or chests, especially
constructed therefor.
Figure 4 is a sectional view, showing a different construction.
Figure 5 is a similar view showing a further change in construction.
Figures 6 and 7 are views of packing rings showing different constructions,
whereby the ring may be compressed to give a close packing, either by the force
of the steam, or by the power of an independent spring or similar elastic agent,
located in the body of the ring, and operating thereon either separately or in
conjunction with the compressing force of the steam.
Figure S is a central longitudinal section of a stuffing-box embodying our
invention.
Figure 9 is a section of one of the ring-seats.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a rod, and part of a cylinder-head
having a stuffing-box, equipped with our invention.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of a packing-ring showing the combination with
a packing ring of auxiliary rod and ring packings.
Figure 12 is a perspective view, showing a divided packing ring and illustrating
the manner of combining the same with a wear-plate or separating ring: one
half of the packing ring being removed from the wear-plate and partly turned to
show its reverse side.
Figure 13 is a central longitudinal section of one form of steam housing, a
port-ring being placed in its end but the metallic packing being removed.
Figure 14 is a central section in the plane of the axis of a steam housing built up
of a plurality of parts, the metallic packing being shown therein.
Figure 15 is a central longitudinal section showing part of a cylinder head and
a stuffing box in dotted lines and a steam-housing and packing in full lines, the
steam-housing and packing being placed in an outer box.
In the said drawings the reference numeral 1, in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive.
designates the cylinder-head or wall of the valve chest or pressure chamber, as the
case may be, it being noted that in ordinary, or known construction a box is
formed upon the exterior of the chaniber head or valve chest which will be

page_text: sufficiently indicated by the reference numeral 2, Figure 2; within this box 2 is
inserted a cylindrical shell 3, fitting with reasonable accuracy therein and having
its inserted end preferably seated upon a ring 4, having its face which lies next
the head 1, dressed off to give an annular concave recess 5, adjacent to the head:
This ring is internally grooved for the reception of a packing ring 6, the said ring
having the peculiar construction hereinafter described.
Through the ring 4, at suitable intervals, and parallel with the axis of the rod,
are drilled steam openings 7 which communicate with radial passages 8 opening
behind the packing ring 6 whereby the steam pressure will force the ring, which
is cleft for such purpose closely against the outer face of the rod, or stem 9, which
may be either a piston rod, or valve stem, or other rod passing into a pressure
chamber. When the stuffing-box is of the length ordinarily used, we may employ
an auxiliary, internal ring or sleeve 10, consisting of a cylindrical, metallic shell,
having such length that its end projects outward beyond the end of the box and
which is surrounded by the box 3 which is provided upon opposite sides with lugs,
or ears 12 (shown in Figure 2) through which bolts are passed and tapped into the
head or chest 1. Preferably this ring or sleeve is provided upon its interior
with a central annulus of metal 13 closely surrounding the rod, but upon each side
thereof is formed a seat for a packing ring 14, and in the exterior face of said
sleeve are formed longitudinal grooves 15, by which steam is conveyed to a double
series of radial openings 16 piercing the wall of the sleeve in rear of each packing
ring whereby each of said rings is pressed against the rod with a force proportioned
to the steam pressure exerted. Inasmuch however, as the sleeve may have a rotary
movement in which the sectional ring 4 does not partake, and whereby the
longitudinal channels of the one may break joints with the exterior grooves of the
other, we form in the edge of the sleeve, at its lower end, a bevelling groove 17.
whereby communication between the passages of the one member and the grooves
of the other is maintained under all relative arrangements.
Upon the outer end of the box 3, is formed an extension 18, having an annular
chamber 19 which closely surrounds the rod, and upon the upper side of this
extension is mounted an oil-cup 20 by which the rod or stem is lubricated while
below or at such point that it may not interfere with said oil cup, is a set
screw 21. This set-screw, as will readily be seen, may be turned up against the
rod, or stem 9, to lock the same in position should the necessity therefore arise.
For example, should an engine break down or become disabled, it may be necessary
to cover the ports, and to lock the valve stem in such position as to keep said ports
covered, and the construction set forth enables us to accomplish this result.
We may dispense with certain parts of the construction described in order to
accommodate the same to different lengths and varying constructions of the rod or
stem to which they are applied. For example, we may use a ring 22, which is in
many respects, similar to the ring 4 shown in Figure 1. It differs therefrom,
however in the following particulars. The ring 22 (Figure 5) is of greater length,
in an axial direction, and is not only grooved internally to provide a seat for a
packing ring 23, similar to the ring 6, but is also provided with steam passages 24
parallel to the axis and communicating with radial steam ways 25, which enter
the grooved seat for the ring 23 immediately behind said ring. The steam
passages 24 are prolonged, however to communicate with a separate series of steam
ways 26, which open into a seat containing a packing ring 27, of greater width,
which lies in a seat in the single sectional ring 22, and may be extended to lie
partly in an annular recess formed in the end of the gland 32.
Substantially the same construction may be applied to old forms of construction
in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 5.
In some cases, also we may substitute for the construction described, that shown
in Figure 4, in which a box 33 of comparatively narrow width is substituted for
the box 33. The interior of this box 33 is grooved to provide a seat for a
packing ring 34, and steam passages 35 are provided having communication with
radial ways 36 opening behind the ring. In this modification the sectional ing is

page_text: dispensed with, its parts being essentially embodied in the box 33. Lugs 37 are
provided whereby the box may be secured upon the head of the cylinder or chest
by means of bolts.
Where the gland or box is of unusual length we may insert an additional sleeve
or ring 3 (Figures 1 and 3) having a seat for a packing ring which may partly
enter the end of the ring 4. But this additional ring is not essential, being simply
used to extend the packing to accommodate various lengths. When used it is
provided with radial steam ways, communicating with the horizontal steam channels,
whereby steam is thrown into the ring-seat behind the packing ring, as in the other
forms shown.
The packing ring 14, may be constructed in either of the ways shown in
Figures 6 and 7, so that it will be capable of compression to produce a close
packing, either by the force of steam, or by the power of an independent spring 14ª
located in the body of the ring and acting thereon either alone, or in conjunction
with the compressing force of the steam. By providing these rings with long
overlapping portions, as shown, the usual necessity of breaking joints to prevent
leakage is avoided, and we can put the rings in at random because the long laps
of each ring will always form a perfect joint and cause the rings to act substan-
tially as solid rings, so far as leakage is concerned. We prefer to make the small
ring 6, of some material more flexible or pliable than metal, such for instance,
as asbestos and if desired we may use vulca-beston for the larger seats.
We may employ one or more ring seats 26, which in their general form
correspond closely with those already shown and described, each having such
exterior diameter as to enter a stuffing box 27, as in Figure 8, and being
provided also with an internal collar or flange 28, which fits the rod.
The lower ring-seat or that one lying next to the cylinder head 1 is formed
with a concaved face to provide a steam chamber 29, which receives steam
from the cylinder through the rod-opening. Piercing the annular walls of the
ring-seats at suitable intervals are steam ways 30, passing entirely through the
ring and parallel with its axis. Communicating with these openings are radial
steam-ways 31, passing from the inner face of the annulus into cach steam way 30
these radial ways being arranged substantially in the central portion of the inner
face of the annulus. In this face and intersecting with each radial opening is
a channel 32 (Figures 8 and 9) of shallow depth and having any suitable width.
Cleft packing-rings 33 are arranged within each ring seat in the manner already
described.
In each of the ring seats, with the exception of the two at the extremes of
the series, we form steam-channels 34 and 35 (Figure 9) the former in the inner
and the latter in the outer face, as shown in Figure 9. These channels intercept
the extremities of the steam-ways 30, and thereby allow a complete and perfect
circulation or communication of steam, should the ring-scats shift one upon the
other in such manner that the steam-ways 30 no longer coincide. In the lower
or inner ring seat obviously no channel is required in the concave face, and in
the upper or outer seat it is unnecessary as the steam-ways 30 do not pass through
the annulus and need only be formed of such length as to communicate with the
radial openings 31. The operation of this modified form of packing is so obvious
as to require no detailed description. The several ring-seats are held in place by
a gland 36, which may be bolted in place, by means of bolts passing through
opposite lugs, or it may be tapped into the stuffing-box or otherwise fastened.
As it may in some cases, be desirable to prevent the ring seats from turning
one upon the other, we may effect this result by means of short dowel-pins 37.
arranged between the steam-ways 30, and entering correspondingly arranged
openings in the adjacent ring-seats.
In order to supply oil to the rod with the utmost economy without waste, and
with a substantially uniform lubrication of all the parts subjected to friction we
tap through the stuffing box, a small oil pipe 38, which passes through one of the
ring-seats between the steam-ways, and at such a point in said ring-seat, that it

page_text: may penetrate the interior flange 28 of said ring-seat, discharging upon the surface
of the rod between the adjacent cleft packing-rings. This pipe may be connected
with an oil-cup 39, or it may communicate with a lubricating pipe, leading from
the cab or from any other point. The oil entering by this channel cannot be
blown out by the steam neither is it wiped off the rod by the packing, as the rod
enters the stuffing-box as is the case where an exterior application is made. On
the contrary it is contained within the opposite extremities of the point of.
contact, being substantially retained by the two packing-rings between which it
enters, thereby affording much more perfect and complete lubrication, and effecting
a most important saving in consumption as we are able to thoroughly and uniformly
oil the rod with half the quantity of oil usually consumed.
An interior circumferential channel 40 (Figure 9) is preferably formed in the
inner face of the flange, or collar 28, which is penetrated by the oil pipe. This
channel forms a species of reservoir for the oil and aids in preventing it from
being carried out of the stuffing box by the piston, or other rod.
In the construction. heretofore mentioned it is desirable to grind the seating
faces of the port-ring and of that part of the cylinder-head on which it rests to a
steam fit and to pack the rod at the mouth of the stuffing box to prevent leaking
of steam. In applying the packing to cylinders having old forms of stuffing-
boxes, the steam housing will frequently project beyond the mouth of the box,
and it may be necessary to thread the exterior to receive the screw-cap. Or
where a gland was inserted a steam joint had to be made between the end of the
gland and the outer ring, and between the cylindrical face and the mouth of the
box. While the packing in such cases operates successfully, the expense and
time required in fitting up an engine is entitled to consideration.
In carrying the live steam to the back of the metallic packing, to compress the
latter upon the rod, it is desirable in some cases, to drill extended steam passages
in the steam housing and to form passages intersecting the same, and this method
is the cause of the destruction of a considerable number of drills. The highest
degree of skill and the utmost exercise of patience and caution can only reduce the
number of breakages. Morcover, the class of labour required is in itself, a large
item in the expense account. Referring to Figures 10 to 14 of the accompanying
drawings the reference numeral 1, in Figure 10, designates the cylinder head of a
locomotive or other steam engine, having a stuffing box 2, of any ordinary con-
struction, and having a rod-opening 3.
The numeral indicates the steam housing, of such exterior diameter as to fit
loosely in the stuffing-box, its greatest length being somewhat less than the depth,
or interior length, of the stuffing-box. At the inner end of this shell is a thick
inwardly turned collar 5 (Figure 10) which closely approaches the surface of the
piston rod 6, but does not touch the same. In front of this collar is an off-set 7,
the face of which lies about half way between the surface of the rod and the
interior face of the stuffing-box. In front of this offset, which is of narrow width,
the whole interior face of the shell is cut away to form an annular, internal recess
or steam chamber 8, which extends to a narrow and shallow flange or inwardly
turned collar 9, upon the outer end of the housing. The outer Hat face of this
collar lies a little within the open mouth of the stuffing-box. Live steam is
adimitted to the chamber 8 through a scries of steam passages 10 drilled through.
the flange 5 and passing just behind or back of the offset 7 and entering the inner
end of the steam chamber at the base of said offset. The steam passages are drilled
at an angle with the axis of the rod, being outwardly divergent, and are formed at
such intervals as to give the necessary volume of steam.
The annular recess 8 formed in the inside of the inserted case or shell 4, not only
constitutes a steam-chamber common to a series of cleft packing rings, but it.
provides the requisite space for up and down movements of such rings, whereby the.
latter can be made greater in diameter than the wear plates 13, which is a desirable
construction. By providing the annular recess 8, the packing rings can move up
and down and consequently we prevent the piston-rod from riding on the rings

page_text: which would soon destroy them. The wear of the cross-heads guides, cylinders
and piston heads of an engine, soon permits the piston-rod to move up and down, but
in our construction this does not permit the piston rod to ride on the cleft packing-
rings because the latter can move up and down in the annular recess S of the
inserted case cr shell 4.
The inner end-face of the flange 5 is cut away or counter-sunk from the inner
margin of the flange to a point extending to or a little beyond the mouths of the
steam passages 10. In the annular face lying radially outside of, or beyond
the steam passages 10, is inserted a circular cushion 12, of soft metal, which
is usually set in a dovetailed channel and allowed to project somewhat beyond the
outer surface of the annulus, that it may seat upon the cylinder-head around the
rod opening 3, and between the steam passages 10 and the interior face of
the stuffing-box, and form, under pressure, a perfectly sealed joint, impervious to
the steam flowing through the rod-opening.
Within the steam housing 4 is inserted a wear-plate, or ring 13, preferably of
brass, having such interior diameter as to fit the rod closely, but moving easily
thereon its exterior diameter being such that it lies loosely within the offset 7, and
against the outer face of the flange 5. It may be solid, or cleft or lapped in the
usual manner of metallic packing rings such as are shown in Figure 3, and its
thickness is equal to or a little greater than that of the inner circular face of the
offset 5. Outside the wear-plate 13 is placed a packing-ring 14, composed by
preference, of a composition of Babbitt métal, tin and lead, though we do not limit
ourselves thereto, nor to any special alloy. The ring is cleft in the ordinary
manner, and upon its outer face or back, is formed a substantially central groove, 16
of suitable depth, extending entirely around the ring. When the latter is placed
upon the rod and its ends lapped, a wire 17, usually of copper, is placed in said
groove and its ends joined and twisted together, thereby drawing the ring closely
down upon the rod and causing it to conform thereto in every part. The twisted
ends of the wire are cut off so as to project but little if at all, beyond the back of
the ring. It may be mentioned, at this point, that in order to draw the ring out of
the steam housing 4, a notch 18 (Figure 10) may be formed in the collar 9, if
necessary.
The metallic wire encircling the cleft packing ring and having its ends tied,
together, is an important and desirable feature, which differs substantially from a
mere packing arranged in the annular groove formed in the periphery of a packing-
ring, and also from springs which yieldingly press ring-sections on a piston-rod.
The main object of the tied wire is to hold the cleft-ring tightly clamped on the rod
when the ring is first applied thereto, thereby accurately and perfectly closing the
cleft ring on the rod at the beginning, to avoid the possibility of the cleft ring
being pinched so that it will not close tightly round the rod. Sometimes the soft
metal ring expands in a minute or two after the steam strikes it, and the cast iron
casing does not fully expand for some time thereafter. It is during this time that
the tied wire accomplished its object, to wit:-it prevents the cleft ring being
pinched between the surfaces of the wear plates until the housing fully expands and
the ring works freely by the steam pressure. By this means the cleft ring is
properly and accurately set to the rod at the beginning and it remains true there-
after.
The packing is built up in the steam-housing by a second wear-plate 13, a second
packing-ring 14, and a third wear plate 13, outside the second packing ring 14,
both packing rings being thus arranged between wearing surfaces of a different
metal. The packing may be built up further in the same way, if necessary but as
shown in Figure 10, the two rings 14 and wear-plates 13 fill the steam housing, the
outer wear-plate projecting a little from the mouth of the housing for a purpose
about to be described. The packing rings are preferably made of such thickness
that their backs or exterior faces are about flush or nearly so with the wear plates,
thereby leaving an amply space in the chamber 8.
In the mouth of the stuffing-box 2 we insert a sealing-ring 19 (Figure 10) which

page_text: may be of cast iron, or other suitable metal, having a rod opening which will permit
the necessary lateral play of the rod, and of such thickness that it projects some-
what from the stuffing-box. In the inner face of the sealing-ring is formed a dove-
tailed channel, of suitable width, within which is inserted a cushion 20 of soft metal,.
so located that its middle portion will overlie the circular aperture between the back
of the outer wear-plate 13 and the margin of the collar 9. This soft metal cushion,
like the circular cushion 12, projects from the face in which it is set to enable it to.
yield to pressure without bringing the surface of the sealing plate into contact with.
the steam-housing.
.
Upon the rod is slipped a pressure-plate 21, having a rod opening larger than
the rod and provided with lugs 22 through which pass bolts 23, their threaded ends
being screwed into the cylinder-head. The pressure exerted by these bolts drives
the cushion 12 against the cylinder face and the sealing ring 19 against the end of
the housing and outer wear-plate with sufficient force to project the soft metal into
every inequality and effectually seal the points at which steam might, otherwise, escape..
The steam pressure in the chamber 8 compresses the rings 14 upon the rod, making
a steam-tight joint the instant steam is thrown into the end of the cylinder through
which the rod passes, but released the rings as the steam is cut off and exhausted,.
so that there is no sensible friction as the rod moves outward. After the rings.
become worn the wire 17 will probably become loose, but is rarely displaced, and
if it should be, it can cause no trouble. We drill a small aperture 24 in the
onter face of the sealing ring to permit the insertion of a tapered metallic rod
which may be wedged therein by a tap from a hammer and which forms an
extremely convenient aid in removing the sealing-ring after the packing has been
in use for some time, when the accumulation of oil and dirt has caused the ring
to stick in the stuffing-box. The aperture may, if preferred, be threaded and a
second aperture may also be formed diametrically opposite, but usually one will be
sufficient.
Instead of drilling the steam passages 10 in the end of the steam housing, as in.
Figure 10, we prefer to cut grooves 25 in the inner face of the flange 5, as shown
in Figure 13, and to cut a shallow and narrow steam channel 26 around the outer
face of said flange upon the edge of the face containing the grooves 25 which are
intersected at their ends by said steam channel. With this construction we formi
in the wear-plate or ring 13, lying within the offset 7, a series of radial notches 27,
cut. in the face lying next the flange 5 and communicating, each, with a notch 28
formed in the back or outer surface of the wear-plate and decreasing in depth from
the inner face of the wear plate to the outer face thereof. We also cut a steam.
channel 29 upon the inner face of the wear-plate next to the rod, as shown in
It should be
Figure 13 said channel intersecting each of the radial notches 27.
noted, however, that when the steam channel 26 is present, we may use a wear-.
plate having the radial notches 27 and the notches 28, but without the steam
channel 29 and in like manner, when the latter channel is present in the wear-plate,
the steam channel 26 in the flange 5 is not essential. This construction gives an
ample flow of steam into the chamber 8, and wholly obviates the necessity of
drilling even the comparatively short passages 10.
In building up the packing it is sometimes necessary to use a greater or less.
number of packing rings to fill the stuffing box, and in such a case we divide the
steam-housing 4 in the same plane with the front wall of the offset 7, as shown in
Figure 14. The inner wear plate is then of the same thickness as the offset so its
outer face will be flush with the section face of this part of the housing. Prefer-
ably, however, we use a packing ring at this point, similar to the rings 14, but
without the wire 17 and of less thickness.
Against the wear-plate or packing-ring last mentioned as the case may be, is
placed a separating plate, or ring 30 (Figure 14) having an outer diameter equal.
substantially to that of the housing, and an inner diameter about the same as that
of the flange 5. Through this separating plate are drilled openings 31, so arranged.

page_text: as to radial distance and intervals as to register with the steam passages 10. An
intersecting channel 32 is also cut upon each face of the separating plate, to
provide steam-ways in case the parts are turned so that the openings 31 fails to
register with the steam passages 10.
In front of the separating plate is placed a section of housing 33, corresponding
in most respects with the forward or outer end of the housing 4, save that steam
ways 34, parallel with the rod, are drilled from its inner face to or a little past
the centre, said ways registering when the parts are turned into proper position,
with the steam openings 31 in the separating plate. Radial openings 35 cut from
the inner face of this part or section of the housing to intersect the steam ways 34
and admit steam to the back of a packing ring 14, which lies against the separating
plate 30, the latter acting also as a wear plate. The flat faces of the separable
parts are ground to form steam joints. When no more than the parts described
are used, the packing will be completed by an outer wear plate 13, as in Figure 10
and a sealing ring and pressure plate similar to the parts 19 and 21 in Figure 10
will be employed.
We also propose to divide the rings in certain cases, to enable a worn or broken
packing to be removed and a new one substituted without disconnecting the rod.
This construction is shown in Figures 11 and 12, in which the reference numeral 36,
designates a packing ring of suitable soft metal, made in two substantially equal
parts or sections, each of which may be, and usually is, a very little less than a
complete semi-circle so that when placed upon the rod there will be a narrow
space between its ends and the ends of the other part, or section. The wear plate
or ring 13, is similar to those already described, save that recesses are cut in the
flat face adjacent to the packing in which are closely fitted section blocks 37, of
soft metal, flush with the wear plate on all their exterior faces. These section-
blocks are arranged diametrically opposite each other and are of such length as to
extend a little distance beneath the adjacent ends of the divided packing being so
fitted in the wear-plates that they are capable of adjustment upon the diametrical
line, or toward and from each other. In the outer flat face of each section-block
are formed openings 38, which receive short dowel pins 39 projecting from the
contacting faces of the ends of the packing, the openings 38 being of such size as
to permit a limited play of the dowel pins therein. The wear plate upon the other
side of the packing bas a similar construction, and the connection with the ends of
the packing is made in the same manner, as shown in Figure 12. As the ring
sections wear away the pressure of the steam upon their backs forces them inward
and also draws their ends somewhat more closely together while the sections
blocks 37 are drawn inward by the ring sections and forced inward by the steam,
making a close fit upon the rod and preventing escape of steam at the points
where the packing is divided.
We also propose to combine with either the ordinary packing ring or with the
divided ring last described an auxiliary packing which is constructed and arranged
as follows.
In the case of the continuous cleft ring we form in its inner face a continuous
central channel of suitable width and of dove-tailed form in cross-section, as shown
in Figure 11. In the bottom of this channel, which is its widest part, is placed
a strip of flexible material 40, such as tin or other suitable material, and the channel
is then packed with asbestos, or a similar fibrous packing 41, for which, however
we may substitute any finely divided flexible and compressible packing material or
compound which is adapted to the purpose. In the opposite flat faces of the ring
forming an angle of ninety degrees with the interior face, are formed similar
channels of somewhat less width containing similar packing material 42, backed by
strips of flexible material or metal. 43. Radial steam apertures 44. are drilled
through the centre of the ring into the inner channel, opening behind the flexible
strip 40, and intersecting these apertures are openings 45, parallel with the axis of
the ring and opening, into the side channels behind the flexible strips 43. When

page_text: steam is thrown into the steam-housing its pressure forces these auxiliary packings
outward against the rod and against the contiguous wear-plates, compressing the
packings as they are partly expelled from the channels and forming a joint through
which neither steam nor water can pass.
We place a soft metal cushion, in many cases, in the outer end of the housing 4,
and omit the cushion 20 in the sealing ring 19, and in this construction, a cushion
of soft metal is also placed in the outer face of the outer wear-plate.
In certain cases, we use a fibrous auxiliary packing. 9" set in a groove, or
channel, in the wear plate, as seen in Figure 14. Upon upright engines, or pumps,
the fibrous packing shown in Figure 11, which is set in the packing rings, would
not accomplish the purpose of preventing the escape of water of condensation if
the outer face of the outer wear-plate had a plain metal surface, only. When
steam is thrown in behind. the packing upon upright or other engines, especially
after the engine has been standing still for sometime more or less water is always
present in the bottom of the cylinder and if special provision is not made between
the joints of the packing-rings and wear-plates, between the inner face of the
inner wear-plate and the inner end of the steam housing, and between the sealing-
ring and the outer wear-plate, water will be forced out through these joints and
splash over the engine by running down the piston rod. Upright engines and
pumps for fluids require the kind of packing last above described, but on
locomotives and horizontal engines we may dispense therewith.
Where the packing rings are not provided with the auxiliary packings we drill
small openings therein for the passage of the oil, which is fed to the steam chest
and mingled with the steam, and thus we provide for a constant lubrication of
the rod, the steam passing, with the oil, through the small openings in the packing
rings.
A fibrous packing 12" is shown upon the inner face of the inner wear-plate, in-
Figure 14, which will be used in those cases where the stationary upright, or
pumping engine is employed as mentioned above.
We have described the packing rings 14 as being preferably of soft metal, and
while we think this the better material we nevertheless reserve the right to employ
any other suitable metal in place of soft metal.
The mumeral 5 in Figure 15 of the drawings indicates a port-sleeve, consisting of
a circular block of metal fitting easily within the mouth of the stuffing-box, which
it enters for some little distance and provided with a collar, or flange 6, to rest
upon the end of the stuffing box, a circular cushion 7 of soft metal being set
within a dovetailed channel in the face of the collar to rest on the end of the
stuffing box. In front of the collar or flange 6, or from its outer face, the solid
metal is projected to form a circular offset 8 which may be of the same, or of a
different diameter from the portion entering the stuffing-box, to form a seat for the
open end of an exterior box 9 which will be described hereinafter.
In the port sleeve 5 are formed a series of steam ways or small ports 10
usually drilled at an angle with the axis so as to open as near the periphery
of the offset 8 as possible, and at the same time pass within the angle
between the circular body lying in the box, and the seating face of the flange
or collar 6.
The exterior box 9 consists of a cylindrical body having an open end resting
upon the collar 6 and around the offset 8, its interior diameter being usually as
great or a little greater, than that of the stuffing box. Upon opposite sides project
lugs 12 having bolt openings 13 which receive the threaded ends of bolts rigid upon
the cylinder-head, nuts 14 being turned upon the ends of the bolts and forced
against the lugs 12. The outer end of the exterior box is closed save as to a rod
opening in which the rod 4 fits closely as it does also in the port-sleeve 5. Within
the exterior box is a steam-housing of any suitable form, such, for example as a
sectional housing consisting of an inner section 15 surrounding the rod closely and
having a Hange 16 parallel with the rod, its edge abutting against the outer face
of the offset 8. Within this flange, which is perforated with steam openings 17, is
R

page_text: arranged a packing ring 18, cleft and compressible upon the rod by the pressure of
the steam and filling the space between the offset 5 and that part of the housing
which surrounds the rod. The remainder of the housing consists of a section 19,
having a thickened outer end abutting against the closed end of the exterior box,
and closely surrounding the rod, said part having an offset 20 adjacent to said end,
within which is placed a wear-plate 21. From the offset 20 a circular shell projects
towards and abuts against the section 15, its open end being provided with a
narrow, internal collar 25, within which lies a second wear plate 21. Between
these two wear-plates a packing ring 24 is arranged, formed of soft metal, and
having the essential characteristics of the packings shown in Figure 10. The shell
or flange 19 is provided with steam openings 25, and steam space is provided around
the sectional steam-housing by forming longitudinal ribs 26 upon the interior face
of the outer box, said ribs terminating at a little distance from the open mouth
of the box in order that a space may be left between their ends and the offset 5.
Instead of drilling steam-ways in the port-sleeve we may channel the circular
face which surrounds the rod, forming longitudinal grooves therein.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. In a rod-packing the combination with a cylinder, valve-chest or other
pressure chamber of a shell or casing surrounding the rod or stem, and a sectional
ring surrounding said rod and provided with a concave end, seating upon the
chest around the rod, or stem and forming a chamber for the steam leaking around
the rod, said ring being provided with an annular scat for a cleft packing ring
surrounding the rod, and having longitudinal steam passages communicating with
said chamber and with radial passages opening behind said packing ring sub-
stantially as described.
2. In a rod-packing the combination with a cylinder, having an exterior shell or
casing surrounding the rod, or stem, of a sectional ring inserted therein around the
rod and having an annular seat for a cleft packing ring said sectional ring being
provided with steam passages communicating with a steam chamber formed in the
end of the ring which seats on the head of the chest, and also with a series of
radial steam passages opening behind said cleft packing ring, a sleeve entering said
casing and having its open end seating on the sectional ring, and one or more rings
contained within said sleeve each having one or more separated seats. for cleft
packing rings, and provided also with steam passages between the rings and the
sleeve which have communication with radial steain passages opening behind the
packing rings, substantially as described.
3. In a rod-packing, the combination with a valve chest or other pressure
chamber, of a shell or casing formed or mounted on the head, or end thereof sur-
rounding the rod or stem, a sectional ring surrounding the rod and seating in a
recess in said shell, said ring having an annular groove in its internal surface, and
provided with an undercut end resting on the head of the chest and forming a chamber
for the steam leaking around the rod and a cleft packing ring seated in the annular
groove in the internal surface of the sectional ring, and closed upon the rod by
steam passing from the undercut end to steam passages opening behind the packing
ring, substantially as described.
4. In a rod-packing, the combination with a valve chest or other pressure
chamber, of a shell, or casing, attached to or formed thereon, a rod or stem passing
concentrically through said shell, one or more sectional rings surrounding said rod
and containing seats for cleft packing rings having radial steam-ways opening
behind said rings and communicating with steam passages which receive steam
from a chamber formed by an undercut, or bevel, on the end of the ring
adjacent to the chest, and an oil cup tapped into an annular chamber on the outer
end of the shell, or casing, which surrounds said sectional rings, substantially as
described.

page_text: 5. In a rod-packing, the combination with a valve chest or other pressure
chamber, having a shell or casing attached to or mounted thereon, of one or more
cleft packing rings arranged therein and a set screw tapped through the outer end
of said shell or casing and adapted to engage the rod or stem and hold the same.
6. In a rod-packing, the combination with a valve chest or other pressure
chamber, having a shell or casing attached to or mounted thereon, and provided
with one or more cleft packing rings, closed by steam pressure upon the rod, of
a set screw tapped through the outer end of the shell, or casing, and adapted to
engage and hold the rod, and an oil cut tapped into an annular oil chamber in the
outer end of said shell, substantially as described.
7. In a rod-packing the combination with a valve chest or pressure chamber, of a
shell, or casing formed or mounted thereon, a packing ring contained within a suit-
able seat therein and cleft throughout half, or nearly half, its circumference and a
spring located within a recess in the solid portion of said ring and exerting its
tension to close the same, substantially as described.
8. In a rod-packing the combination with a cylinder and with a stuflingb-ox
thereon, of a series of independent ring-seats, arranged within the stuffing-box, each
ring-seat being provided with an internal collar supporting a cleft packing-ring of
friction-metal and with a series of radial openings, connected by an interior
circumferential channel the several ring-seats being arranged one after the other
on the rod and the cleft rings being wholly contained within the ring-seats, which
rest, or abut, against each other, within a gland provided with steam chambers com-
municating with the radial openings in the ring-seats, substantially as described.
9. In a rod-packing, the combination with a cylinder having a suitable stuffing-
box, of one or more ring-scats arranged therein, each consisting of an annulus
having an internal collar or flange upon one edge supporting a cleft, compressible,
packing-ring each annulus having a series of steam-ways, parallel with its axis, a
series of radial openings communicating with the inner face of each annulus and.
with the steam-ways, an interior channel intercepting the open ends of the radial
openings, and a circumferential channel intercepting the open ends of said steam-
ways upon the opposite faces of the ring-seats said ring-seats being arranged with
their contained packing-rings within the stuffing-box and held by a suitable gland
or follower, substantially as described.
10. In a rod-packing, the combination with a cylinder having a stuffing-box of
suitable construction, of one or more ring-seats, each consisting of an annulus.
having upon one edge an inwardly turned flange supporting a cleft packing ring,
and provided with steam-ways parallel with the axis of the rod and connected at
their opposite ends by channels cut in the opposite faces of the ring seats, and being
also provided with radial openings cut from the inner face of the annulus into the
steam-ways, said radial openings being connected by a circumferential channel.
formed in the inner face of the annulus behind the packing rings, said ring-
seats being connected when more than one is used by dowel pins, substantially as
described.
11. In a rod-packing, the combination with a cylinder having a suitable stuffing-
box of one or more ring-seats contained therein, each provided with a cleft packing
ring seating upon a flange in the ring-seat, the latter have inter-communicating
steam ways, radial openings and circular channels whereby steam may be thrown
behind said cleft rings and an oiling pipe entering the stuffin.-box and penetrating
one of the ring-scats between the steam-ways, whereby oil may be fed directly
to the surface of the rod between the extremities of the stuffing-box substantially as
described.
12. In a rod-packing, the combination with a cylinder head having a stuffing
box projecting therefrom, and a steam housing comprising a series of packing
rings encircling the rod, of a metallic shell inserted into the stuffing box and
having its inner extremity provided with an attached circular soft metal cushion
seated against the cylinder head, said metallic shell being formed with an annular
interior recess common to a series of the packing rings and serving not only as a

page_text: steam space but to permit lateral or vertical movements of the packing rings,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
13. In a rod-packing, a steam housing consisting of a metallic shell having a
thick inwardly turned flange at its inner end and provided with an offset next
the flange and a steam chamber between the offset and a narrow inwardly turned
collar at its outer end, in combination with a circular cushion of soft metal set
in and projecting from the end face outside of a counter-sunk portion thereof and
between the inner face of the stuffing-box and the steam openings in the flange
substantially as described.
14. In a rod-packing a steam housing composed of separable sections of a metallic
shell in combination with a separating ring arranged between the contiguous faces
and provided with steam openings to carry the steam from one section to the next.
and with circular channels intersecting the mouths of said openings, the inner
section of the housing having steam-ways communicating with one of said circular
channels and being provided with a circular, soft metal cushion projecting from its
inner end outside said steam openings, substantially as described.
15. In a rod-packing, a steam housing consisting of a metallic shell having a
thick, inwardly turned flange at its inner end provided with steam-channels or
grooves upon its interior, circular face which surrounds the rod, in combination with
a port ring loosely surrounding the rod and lying against the flat outer face of the
flange said ring being provided upon its outer edge or back, with notches, or
grooves, and with a circular channel intersecting radial channels upon its inter
face said circular channel being cut upon the inner margin of the ring substantially
as described.
16. In a rod-packing, a steam housing consisting of a metallic shell insertible in
the stuffing-box of a steam cylinder and provided with a circular soft metal cushion
surrounding the steam openings which admit, steam to the interior of the housing,
in combination with a packing built up of soft metal packing rings each lying
between wear-plates or rings, a scaling ring having a soft metal cushion overlying
the circular aperture between the last wear-plate and the end of the steam-housing,
and means for forcing the sealing ring and housing inward, to seat the soft metal
cushions upon the cylinder head and upon the end of the housing and the outer
wear-plate, respectively, substantially as described.
17. In a rod-packing the combination with a soft metal packing ring having
interior and lateral channels, and provided with radial steam passages and steam
ways intersecting the same, of auxiliary flexible packings inserted in said channels,
flexible strips arranged behind said packings, wear-plates arranged on both sides of
the ring and a steam housing enclosing the same, substantially as described.
18. In a rod-packing, the combination with a soft metal packing ring of an
auxiliary flexible packing inserted in a dove-tailed channel in said ring, a flexible
strip back of said auxiliary packing and a steam housing enclosing the ring, the
steam entering passages in the same, and exerting its pressure on the flexible strip
substantially as described.
19. In a rod-packing the combination with a steam housing, of a wear-plate
having soft metal section blocks radially adjustable in diametrically opposite
recesses in its opposite face, and a two part, or divided soft metal packing ring
having dowel pins projecting laterally near the ends of each ring section and
entering enlarged openings in the section blocks, substantially as described.
20. In a rod-packing, the combination with the stuffing box and the piston rod of
a steam cylinder, of an exterior box containing the steain-housing and packing and
nuts turned upon the threaded ends of bolts rigid on the cylinder head and passing
through the lugs of the cuter box, substantially as described.
Dated 1:1
M1 1009
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co..
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.