Improvements in the Formation and Arrangement of Packing Springs, and in the Manner of Applying them to Pistons, Piston Valves,. Pump Buckets, Piston Rod Glands, Plungers, and analogous Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1892-Accepted, 20 h Aug., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Formation and Arrangement of Packing Springs,
and in the Manner of Applying them to Pistons, Piston Valves,.
Pump Buckets, Piston Rod Glands, Plungers, and analogous
Apparatus.
I WILLIAM BUCKLEY of Millsands, Sheffield in the County of York 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 in writing, and on reference to the accompanying drawings:
My invention relates to and consists in new and useful improvements in the
general construction or formation of packing springs and in the manner of applying
them to the packing rings of pistons, piston valves, pump buckets, piston rod glands,
plungers, and analogous apparatus connected with the cylinders of stean, air, water
or other motors.
The object of my invention is to give to the packing rings an independent
vertical action distinct from the horizontal or lateral action of the rings which will
be capable of separate adjustment and which (in practice) any alteration in the
one will not have much effect on the other, so that the amount of pressure exerted
by the springs for holding the rings to the piston faces can be regulated without
interfering with the outward pressure of the springs and vice red.
In carrying out my invention in practice I utilize a twisting or bending action of
the springs employed whereby 1 obtain the separate and independent vertical.action
for holding the packing ring or rings to the piston faces, and this I. accomplish as
follows: I make the springs, as hereafter described, in convenient lengths and
bend them into rings or hoops or segment's corresponding with the inner circle of
the packing ring or rings, and I bend, press, or radially dish the spring rings or
segments thus formed into a bevelled, inclined, or conical form, or I apply and
employ them in a flat, upright, or other form, and I arrange them in the packing
rings in such a manner that the outer and inner edges or sides of the spring rings
or segments are pressed, canted, or twisted simultaneously in opposite directions by
the leverage of the sides of the springs as the packing rings and springs are
brought into their working position in the piston and one edge or side of one spring
will press on the flange of one packing ring and the opposite edge or side of it will
press either upon the flange of the other packing ring or against the junk ring or
cover, or on the flange of the piston, or upon the corresponding edge or side of
another spring placed in an inverted position with its other edge or side pressing on
the flange of the other packing ring in the effort of the spring or springs to return
to their original position; one, two, or more springs or segments can be used
together or separately, the same spring (or springs) being also employed to expand
the rings to the cylinder by compressing them circumferentially, or a separate
When short pieces or
spring or springs can be employed for this purpose.
segments of springs are used the intervening spaces can be fitted with solid or other
forms of making up pieces.
I make the springs from rods, bars, strips, or hoops of steel, brass, phosphor-
bronze or other suitable material or alloy, and of round, oval, square, or other
suitable section, by coiling bending shaping cutting or otherwise manipulating the
same (or I cast the springs) into any suitable form of single or compound springs
such as helical, either circular, square, oval, angular, or flat, or of other form in
transverse section; or pressed so that the coils overlap each other; zigzag, either
straight or curved, or bent into circular, angular, or other form in transverse
section; cut or sawn springs made with alternate slots extending from each edge

page_text: or side, and either flat, curved, or angular in cross section; and other suitable
forms of springs which can be applied and used in accordance with my present
invention, the principle of application being the same in any case.
The packing rings I employ are made with either square, bevelled, curved, or
other forms of flanges with a flange at one edge or side, or at a distance from the
edge, and I use one or more rings of the same or different sections with or without
a loose intermediate flat or bevel ring, or I use a similar flanged ring of extra depth
and fitted with a loose inner bevel ring or flange or an intermediate bevel ring or
rings of any other suitable form.
In combination with the springs and rings before described I employ, when
desirable, intermediate dividing or distance bearing rings, plates, or pieces, either
round, flat, bevelled, or of other form in cross section, and with flat or even surfaces,
or with projections or indentations on their sides or edges, and I apply one or more
of them between the inner or outer edges or sides of the springs so that they will
form a bearing, or support for the springs, and in the case of those spring rings or
segments employed in a parallel, flat, or upright, or in other forms they will also
answer, the purpose for which the conical or inclined form is given to the springs
for effecting the turning or twisting action of the springs.
In applying my improvements to piston rod glands, plungers, and analogous
apparatus I make the springs preferably with the coils close together and I bend
or radially dish them into conical or inclined rings or segments, or I employ them
in, a flat, upright, or other form and I place them round the outside of the packing
rings, using one or more springs or segments or distance, pieces of any of the
different forms described and I apply them in a similar manner as described, for
pistons &c., so that the turning or twisting action of the springs will be obtained
for holding the ring or rings apart to the faces of the gland and stuffing box the
same spring or springs acting in tension for keeping the rings tight against the
piston rod or plunger, or a separate spring or springs are employed for that
purpose...
In order that my invention may be fully understood I have illustrated it by the
accompanying four sheets of explanatory drawings in describing which the letters
used and, marked thereon are the same for corresponding parts in all the figures of
the drawings.
a, indicates the piston block, b, the piston cover, e, the packing rings, d, the
springs, or spring rings or segments; e, the dividing ring.
Figures 1, and 3, Sheet 1, represent a section and a plan of a piston block a, and
cover b, fitted with and showing in their working position two helical springs d, d,
bent or dished radially into a conical form and placed round the inside of the
packing rings c, c, with the sides of the springs inclined or slanting in opposite
directions, the outer edges. of the springs pressing on the flanges of the rings and
the inner edges pressing. against each other the same springs compressed circum-
ferentially press the rings outwards to the cylinder.
1. Figure 2, Sheet 1, represents a sectional elevation of the springs d, d, and packing
rings c, c, as they appear when at rest out of the piston.
Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 1, represent a sectional. elevation and a plan of two
compound helical springs. d, d, made from two rods coiled together and dished
radially into a conical form and placed round the inside of the packing rings, c,
the outer edges of the springs pressing on the flanges of the packing rings and
holding them apart, the inner edges of the springs divided by the flat, bearing or
division ring e, made large enough to fill the inside of the packing rings, the same
springs acting in compression force the rings outwards.
Figure 6, Sheet 2 represents a sectional elevation of packing rings c, c, fitted
with four helical springs d, d, d, d, of a conical form with their sides inclined in
opposite directions.
Figure 7, Sheet 2 represents. a sectional elevation of the edge of a piston block a.
fitted with one packing ring c, and one helical spring d, in a conical form with one
edge on the flange of the packing ring and the other edge pressing against the

page_text: 5
piston cover b, showing the position of the spring before the
down.
15
Figure 8, Sheet 2, représents a sectional elevation of the last named piston a,
with cover b, screwed down with the packing ring c, and spring d, in their working
position.
with
Figure 9, Sheet 2 represents a sectional elevation of two packing rings c, c,
flanges 9, 9, at a distance from each edge and fitted with inclined springs d, d,
separated by the dividing ring e, with projections f, formed at intervals on the sides
of it.
Figure 10, Sheet 2 represents a sectional elevation of a broad packing ring c,
with flange h, at a distance from its edge and an inner loose flange ring i, placed
at a distance from its other edge and fitted with two inclined springs d, d, for
piston valves.
Figure 11, Sheet 2 represents a sectional elevation of a broad packing ring c,
with a loose bevel ring, at one edge and fitted with an inclined spring d, one edge
of it pressing against the flange of the packing ring and its other edge pressing on
the inclined surface of the bevel ring.
Figure 12, Sheet 2 represents a sectional elevation of two packing rings c, c,
fitted with two inclined springs d, d, and an intermediate bevel ring k, placed
between them.
Figures 13 and 14 Sheet 2 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two inclined springs d, d, of helical coil flattened on
the sides and edges to give a flat bearing surface where they touch each other and
the packing rings.
Figures 15 and 16 Sheet
represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings e, c, fitted with two inclined springs d, d, of helical coil with the coils
Hattened and overlapping each other.
Figures 17 and 18 Sheet 2 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two inclined springs d, d, coiled in the form of the
figure 8, and the coils pressed over so that they overlap each other.
Figures 19 and 20 Sheet 2 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, e, fitted with two inclined springs d, d, with upright coils in the
form of the figure 8.
Figure 21, Sheet 3, represents a sectional elevation of a piston a, fitted with an
inclined spring d, and two packing rings c, c, one edge of the spring pressing on
the flange of one ring and the other opposite edge pressing on the flange of the
other ring also pressing the rings outwards, and this figure shows the position of
the spring and packing rings before the junk ring b, is screwed down.
.
Figure 22 Sheet 3 represents a section of the last named piston showing the
packing rings c, c, and spring d, in position with the cover b, screwed down.
Figure 23 Sheet 3 represents a sectional elevation of two packing rings c, c,
fitted with two helical springs d, d. applied in a flat or straight form with a bevelled
dividing ring e, placed between their inner edges, by means of which the same,
twisting or vertical action is obtained as in the case of the inclined springs.
Figure 24 Sheet 3 represents a sectional elevation of the last nained rings c, c,
and flat springs d, d, in the form they take when in their working position in the
piston.
Figures 25 and 26 Sheet 3 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two inclined springs d, d, made with some of the
coils 1, 1, projecting from their sides and edges the inner edges of the projecting
coils pressing against each other and the opposite outer edges of the springs
pressing on the packing rings.
Figures 27 and 28 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two packing
rings c, c, fitted with inclined segments of springs d, d, placed at intervals round
5 the packing rings, the intervening spaces are filled with making up pieces m, m.
Figures 29 and 30 Sheet 3 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with a helical spring d, of circular form in transverse

page_text: section with alternate coils projecting at n, on the outside edge of the spring
which press against oue packing ring the opposite side of the spring pressing on
the other packing ring; the same twisting action is effected as in the case of the
inclined springs for holding the rings apart and the spring also acting in compression
also presses the rings outwards.
Figures 31 and 32 Sheet 3 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two helical springs d, d, similar to the last named
springs, with the coils projecting at o, o, on the inside edge and separated by the
dividing ring e.
Figures 33 and 34 Sheet 3 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with six conical spring rings or hoops d, d, d, d, d, d, with
their sides inclined in opposite directions by which the packing rings are held apart
to the piston or gland faces.
Figures 35 and 36 Sheet 3 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, with outside flanges p, p, fitted with two close coiled inclined
springs d, d, placed round the outside of them the same as applied to the piston rod
glands plungers &c.
Figures 37 and 38 Sheet 4 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two zigzag springs d, d, inclined in opposite
directions.
Figures 39 and 40 Sheet 4 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two cut or sawn springs inclined in opposite
directions.
Figures 41 and 42 Sheet 4, represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two zigzag springs d, d, of curved form in cross
section and separated by the dividing ring e.
Figures 43 and 44 Sheet 4 represent sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two inclined springs d, d, formed with alternate
bends and long loops the sides of the springs being inclined in opposite directions.
Figures 45 and 46 Sheet 4 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two inclined springs d, d, made in a zigzag form
and bent into an angular form in connection with their sides being inclined in
opposite directions.
Figures 47 and 48 Sheet 4 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two waved springs d, d, inclined in opposite direc-
tions and separated by the dividing ring e.
Figures 49 and 50 Sheet 4 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, fitted with two zigzag springs d, d, of curved form with their
inner edges separated by the dividing ring e, and their outer edges pressing on the
flanges of the packing rings and a separate helical spring d', placed round the inside
of the packing rings to press the rings outwards.
Figures 51 and 52 Sheet 4 represent a sectional elevation and a plan of two
packing rings c, c, in the piston block a, fitted with two zigzag springs d, d, inclined
in opposite directions, one edge of each spring pressing on a flange of the packing
rings and the opposite edge of one spring pressing on the flange of the piston and
the opposite edge of the other spring pressing on the piston cover b.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be, or can be performed, I declare that
what claim is :——
The formation, combination, and arrangement of packing springs made and used
in a conical, bevelled, or radially inclined form of spring rings or segments, or in
parallel, upright, or flat spring rings or segments, either alone or in combination
with bearing or dividing rings, the same being applied in such a manner that a
simultaneous turning or twisting action of the springs is obtained by the leverage
of the sides or edges of the springs, for the purpose of effecting an independent
vertical action for holding the packing rings apart to the faces of pistons, piston

page_text: valves, pump buckets, piston rod glands, stuffing boxes and analogous apparatus,
the same springs, or a separate spring or springs, being used to expand the packing
rings laterally to the cylinder, rod or plunger; substantially as hereinbefore
described, and as illustrated on the accompanying four sheets of explanatory draw-
ings, or any equivalent modification thereof; and with any or all of the different
forms of springs employed the same leverage and twisting action is used to give the
vertical pressure for holding the rings apart.
D Jon of 1.1 1900
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Agent for the Applicant.