IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRING-PACKING FOR PISTONS AND OTHER SIMILAR USES
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I WILLIAM LOCKWOOD, of Eagle Foundry, Park, Sheffield, in the County of
York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRING-PACKING FOR PISTONS AND OTHER
SIMILAR USES," 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 certain improvements in or applicable to the formation
or construction of spring rings or "packing" used for expanding the rings of
pistons and analogous parts of steam engines and other apparatus.
The principle of the present improvements consists in forming the spring rings
with alternating sections segments or parts (hereinafter termed "segments") of
dissimilar formation or arrangement substantially. as hereinafter described, the
formation or arrangement of the one series of such segments being such as will
impart a longitudinal and lateral action to the spring for effecting a radial or
outward expansion of the piston rings, and that of the alternating series of such
segments being such as will impart a vertical action to the spring for tending to
keep the piston rings apart.
It is not essential to this Invention that the segments of either of such series
should be of any particular formation as regards the convolutions of the bar or
rod forming the spring (or that in any one spring the convolutions of the segments
of the same series should be of exactly the same formation though they should
preferably be of a similar general formation) ;, and a considerable variety of shapes
as regards the said convolutions of the spring respectively suitable for giving the
said longitudinal lateral and radial or outward expansive action, and the said
vertical expansive action, may be used with more or less advantage; as the
Invention has more especial reference to the combination in the manufacture of
spring packing of parts dissimilar in formation or arrangement and action and
having distinctly different functions than to the particular formation of such parts
considered separately, the especial object of the Invention being to manufacture
spring packing having a perfect double action given by distinct segments of its
length, some of which are utilized wholly or more especially for giving a perfect
elastic outward pressure for expanding the piston rings steamtight against the wall
of the cylinder, and others of which are utilized wholly or more especially for

page_text: giving a perfect vertical pressure for distending the piston rings apart, and this
feature is characteristic of this Invention irrespective of the particular formation
of the several segments, and in contra distinction to other spring packing in which
parts of all the consecutive convolutions forming it have a more or less expansive
effect in every direction.
Though I do not limit myself to any particular conformation of the convolutions
of the springs, I would yet remark that I lay especial claim to and prefer the
particular formations delineated on the accompanying drawings in Figs. 1, 2, 3
and 4, as regards both the series of segments 1 and 2, as I have found them to be
very advantageous in giving. the particular actions required.
It will be noticed on referring to Figs. 1 and 3 that a peculiarity of this
combination of series of segments of dissimilar formation giving very important
advantages, is that the series of segments 1, (intended for imparting the longitudinal
and lateral action to the spring and for effecting the radial or outward expansion
of the piston rings) are of greater width and less height than the series of
segments 2, and that they have no action in distending the piston rings apart;
and that the alternating series of segments 2, (intended, for imparting the vertical
action to the spring for tending to keep the piston rings apart) are of greater
height and less width than the series of segments 1, and that they have no action
in expanding the piston rings and it is of advantage that this peculiarity as
regards the varying widths and heights of the alternating segments should
particularize such segments in all modifications or conformations of spring which
are susceptible or will allow of it.
In constructing the improved spring packing illustrated on the drawings, part
of the length of one of the segments forming one of the ends of the spring is
first formed by coiling a steel bar of a flat or oblong section Batwise in relat on to
the piston ring (and throughout its length flatwise in relation to the different parts
of the piston rings upon which its parts bear) in double or single convolutions as
regards the height of the spring, and of an oblong oval elliptical or 8 shaped or
like figure as regards its end view, and of any desired number of convolutions as
regards its extent. This end segment in addition to being a means of radially
distending the piston rings, also serves as a means of effecting the joint with the
other and similarly formed end when the formation of the spring is completed;
the formation of the spring is continued by forming the adjacent segment 2, of its
length, by coiling the wire flatwise in such a manner as to give a vertical action
in opposite directions to the opposite piston rings, and this is effected preferably
by forming this segment of a double, or like formation of the desired full
1
height of the spring with extended opposite parts for bearing against the inner
faces of the opposite piston rings and distending them apart. The formation of
the spring is continued in like manner to the above, that is with alternating
segments of dissimilar formation (or in some modifications in alternating segments
of. similar formation but arranged in angular relation to each other) until-the
required length of spring is attained.
..1 do not restrict myself to any precise proportions as regards the relative lengths
of the said segments 1 and 2, but adapt these to the requirements of any particular
case.
On the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents a plan view of a spring ring
formed as herein before described in accordance with the present improvements
showing it as seated within the lower one of the packing rings of a piston. Fig. 3
represents an elevation of portions of the lower and upper packing rings of the
piston, and of a portion of the improved formation of spring ring illustrated in
Fig. 1, and shows the said spring ring as straightened out and as not compressed
in order that the formation may be clearly seen. Figs. 2 and 4 are sectional detail
views showing different formations of the springs as regards the convolutions of
the segments 1..
The improved spring packing may be formed from a rod or bar of steel or other

page_text: suitable metal rolled or inade to any suitable or desirable sectional form and of a
strength and length suitable and sufficient for the intended spring.
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. The manufacture or construction of spring packing for pistons and other
similar uses by forming the same with and combining therein alternating sections
segments or parts of dissimilar formation or arrangement in such a manner as that
the one series of segments will impart a longitudinal and lateral action to the
spring for effecting a radial or outward expansion of the piston rings, and as that
the alternating series of such segments will impart a vertical action to the spring
for tending to keep the piston ring s apart, substantially as herein before described;
and especially I claim the particular conformation of piston springs delineated on
the accompanying drawings.
2. The formation as and for the purposes herein before described of piston springs
with alternating segments of dissimilar formation or arrangement and having
diff rent functions as regards their action upon the piston rings, of different or
varying relative widths and heights, for causing such segments (irrespective of
their particular formation as regards the convolutions of the rod forming them) to
have their respectively intended actions upon the piston rings in the most effective
manner substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1884.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Agents for, the Applicant.