Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 24th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 15th Jan., 1889
I WILLIAM GUY NIXON of 10 Harold Terrace Victoria Road Bedminster Bristol,
in the County of Somersetshire Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
My present invention relates to metallic packing used more especially for glands or
where it is necessary to form a tight joint for the prevention of the escape of air
steam water or other element, such for instance as the packing of the gland of a steam
cylinder, and the object thereof is to construct and arrange the packing so that a
tight or hermetical joint is constantly secured and at the same time friction. is con-
siderably reduced. I attain this by employing a metal packing ring which is arranged
in any number of suitable segments dovetailed or lipped one to the other somewhat
after the manner of the joint of an ordinary piston ring and on the external periphery
of said segmental ring I attach suitable spiral or other springs three of which are
preferably arranged at each joint two being expanding springs which are preferably
arranged one at either side of a compressing spring the said compressing spring
being preferably somewhat longer that the two expanding springs. Suitable lugs
are formed on the exterior of the segments of said packing ring for the attachment
of said springs.
A suitable cage constructed in the following manner is arranged to contain the
herein before described improved packing ring and the said ring is arranged to be
free to float or move therein. At the top and bottom when the said packing ring is
in a vertical position or at each side thereof when in a horizontal position I arrange
a suitable flat hoop preferably made in halves the said halves being secured to each
other in any suitable manner. The said flat hoops are connected to each other by
means of suitably formed distance pieces. The said flat hoops have also preferably
feathered external edges and when the distance pieces are secured to said hoops the
When our hereinbefore described
arrangement forms the cage before mentioned.
improvements are used for the purpose of making a steam tight joint between a
cylinder cover and piston rod the said cage is fitted into a suitable box known as the
stuffing box and the improved packing is arranged therein as before described.

page_text: The bottom and top of packing ring when vertically situated or its two sides when
horizontally placed are free to move or float against the inner sides of the before
described hoops which form the said cage as will be well understood.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Packing.
J, WILLIAM GUY NIXON of 10 Harrold Terrace Victoria Road Bedminster in the
county of Somersetshire Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My present invention relates to metallic packing which is used more especially for
glands or where it is necessary to form a tight joint for the prevention of the escape
of air steam water or other element under pressure, such for instance as the packing
of the gland of a steam cylinder, and the object thereof is to construct and arrange
the said packing so that a tight or hermetical joint is constantly secured between the
piston rod or other reciprocating or revolving rod spindle or other part of a machine
and the casing of the cylinder or other vessel which contains the steam or other
element under pressure, and at the same time to considerably reduce the friction caused
by said packing pressing upon the said piston rod or other reciprocating or revolving
rod or spindle.
I attain this by employing metallic packing constructed and arranged according to
my present improvements and illustrated by means of the drawings hereunto
attached of which the. following is a description. Fig. 1. is a sectional plan of one
arrangement of my improved metallic packing and fig. 2 is an elevation of same
having the cage removed, and Fig. 3 is also an elevation of same but showing a slight
modification.
Fig. 4 is a plan of a cage constructed to contain and
improved packing, and Fig. 5 is an elevation of same.
of a modification of my improved packing and Fig. 7, a
the same placed or fitted into a stuffing box.
also to form part of my
Fig. 6 is a sectional plan
sectional elevation showing
Figs. 8, and 9, are respectively plan and elevation of my improved packing illus-
trating a modification thereof, and figs. 10, and 11, are sectional elevations showing
some further slight modifications.

page_text: Fig. 12, is a sectional elevation showing improved packing fitted or contained
within an ordinary stuffing box.
Fig. 13, is a sectional elevation and fig. 14, part sectional plan of modification of
packing and figs. 15, and 16, are respectively sectional plan and elevation of another
form of packing with cage removed. Fig. 17, is an elevation spread out and fig. 18,
a part sectional elevation of a further modification of my improvements.
Figs. 19, 20, and 21, are sectional clovations illustrating several ways of attaching
my present improved metallic packing to the glands or outside of stuffing boxes of
steam or other cylinders.
Like letters designate similar parts in each figure.
Referring to figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the metal packing ring A is arranged in segments a
which are lipped or dovetailed one to the other somewhat after the manner of an
ordinary piston ring joint as shown at b.
On the outside or external periphery of the packing ring A, are attached
springs C, and D, which may be the form shown or any other desired form or
section so as to be adapted to suit limited space or other requirements as will be well
understood.
The said springs C and D are arranged over each joint b, the two springs C
endeavouring to expand or press the segments away from each other or apart and the
spring 1 simultaneously tends to compress the packing ring A, or draw the said
segments a together.
Each segment a has lugs c and d either made with or attached to their
exterior periphery, and arranged at a suitable position thereon as shown at fig. 2, or
instead of separate lugs c and d¹, the lugs c¹ may extend across the packing A, as
shown at fig. 3, and so answer for both purposes.
One end of the spring D, is attached to a hook e which is secured by any suitable
means to the lug d', the other end of said spring D, being attached to a hook f, which
is secured to the opposite lug d' with a nut g, by which means the spring D, may be
adjusted.
The springs Care secured in position by means of pressing against the lugs c¹,
which have small projections which extend a little along the inner parts of said
springs C, and so prevent them moving from position.
It will be obvious that where preferred any other suitable means may be employed
for attaching the springs D, and C, to the lugs d' and c¹.
The cage H, figs. 4, and 5, is arranged to contain the segmental packing ring A,
and is constructed with two flat hoops and which are preferably made in
balves and then dovetailed or otherwise fitted together as shown at j³.
The external edges of said hoops are feathered or tapered or otherwise suitably
formed so as to fit well into stuffing box when so employed. The hoops and are
connected to each other by means of distance pieces which may either be made in
one with the hoop or or made separate and connected to said hoops by means of
set-screws as shown.
The cage His shown with three distance pieces a, but may have more or less as
required the hoops j and also may be made in more than two pieces or may
be each all in one piece as desired; suitable small holes j³ are formed in the
hoop for the purpose of drawing away the cage with packing when desired.
Referring to figs. 6, 7, and 11, one end of the packing ring A, is kept constantly
pressed or tight against the innerside of hoop j¹, either by means of suitable spiral
springs L, arranged in boxes a¹, whicli are either made with or attached to the
segments a figs. 6, and 7, or by means of a wave spring M, arranged in a groove a²,
formed in segments a as shown at fig. 11.
Referring to figs. 8, 9, and 10, the springs C, are arranged in boxes a³ which are
either made with or attached to the outer sides of segments a figs. 8, and 9, and the
said packing A, may have suitable grooves or channels at formed around it as shown
at fig. 10, which are for the purpose of receiving any lubricating substance or white or
other metal as desired.
Referring to figs. 13, and 14, the distance pieces are formed with threaded holes a¹

page_text: and ²; the threaded holes a¹ receive hollow nuts 23, which press down a spring D¹,
onto exterior periphery of the packing ring A, and the holes 2 receive a nut g¹
which has a threaded hole in its centre for the reception of the threaded end of the
bolt f, the other end of this bolt is pinned or otherwise attached.or secured to the
segments a of packing.
The nuts and may be regulated so as to adjust the pressure caused by
the springs D and CT.
It will be clearly descerned that the springs D' tend to compress or force the
segments a together during the time that the springs C¹ endeavour to expand or press
the said segments a apart.
Referring to figs. 15, and 16, a band P, passes around preferably the centre of the
packing A, and is made with projections pl and p² through which passes a suitable
bolt Q, which has a head q, and a nut q. A suitable spiral or other spring D³, is
arranged between the head and the projection pl, and a spring D³, is also placed
between the projection p² and nut q. By means of screwing or unscrewing the nut q
the pressure on the springs D³ may be adjusted.
The band P, in combination with the springs D³, and bolt Q, tends to compress or
close to the segments a, and simultaneously the springs C, endeavour to expand or
press the same apart.
In this case it will be obvious that when desired the bolt Q, may be dispensed with,
as well as the springs D³, and a suitable spring arranged so as to tend to draw together
the ends and 2 of ring P, may be fixed between said ends and so tend to compress
or close the segments a with or without the means of adjustment.
Referring to figs. 17, and 18, the segments a have projections a³, each arranged at a
suitable angle and forming V shape spaces, as shown at fig. 17. The packing ring A,
is divided between the projections a³. Suitable wedges a are placed between the
projections as, and have pressing against them suitable spiral or other springs D4,
ᎠᎴ
and the wedges a press against the projections a", by this means the springs
endeavour to expand or open the segments a, and the springs C2, tend to compress or
press the same together. The pressure of the springs C2, and D4, may where preferred
be adjusted by means of screws passing through the hoops and as will be well
understood.
My improved packing may be placed or fitted within the stuffing boxes R, figs. 7,
and 12, these boxes R have preferably holes for the purpose of conducting suitable
lubricant to the improved packing when it is necessary so to do.
Where the improved packing is placed within the stuffing box R as described I
preferably place one ring or lap or any other small quantity of ordinary fibrous or
other packing between the outside of the hoop j¹ and the gland was shown.
Referring to fig. 19, my improved packing is arranged and fixed on the outside
of stuffing-box R and secured to the face of the gland w. by means of the gland-
bolts s'.
In this case the hoop, of cage H, is enlarged for the purpose.
Referring to figs. 20. and 21. The improved packing is fitted into the gland which
has a suitable recess s² made therefor, the packing is secured in position either by
means of the gland bolts s' fig. 20, or by means of studs s fig. 21, and in each case.
the hoop, of cage H, is enlarged for the purpose.
The improved packing when used for the purpose described with reference to
figs. 7, 12, 19, 20, and 21, is fitted together in the following manner:
The halves of hoops j¹ and are placed around the piston-rod Y, and then secured
and fastened together; the segments a of packing-ring A, are then placed around the
piston-rod Y, and between the hoops j, and j³.
The distance pieces are then placed between said hoops and are screwed or other-
wise attached thereto, the segments a have then their pressing and pulling springs C,
and D, connected and the packing is complete ready to either be forced into the
stuffing box R or attached to the gland w.
Where the improved packing is attached to the gland won outside of stuffing-box R,
fig. 19, the springs C, and D, may be easily adjusted and the packing inspected from

page_text: time to time when the piston-rod Y, is in motion or otherwise; the same objects may
also be accomplished when the packing is arranged within the gland we figs. 20,
and 21, but in this case it is preferable to employ the special form of packing described
with reference to figs. 17, and 18.
I would have it well understood that my improved segmental packing A may be
made where preferred in only two segments or more than three, and the springs C, C',
or C, and D, D1, D2, D3 or D³ may be diminished or increased in number and arranged
one or two or more in compression and less in tension or vice-versâ without departing
from the essential part of my present invention.
By means of the springs C, C₁, or C³, endeavouring to expand or press the
segments a apart simultaneously with the springs D, D1, D2, D3, or 1', tending to
compress, contract, or draw or close the same together, the friction between the piston-
rod or spindle Y, figs. 7, 12, 19, 20, and 21, or other moving part of machinery and
the packing A is considerably reduced and the springs D, D',.D³, D³, and D, being
suitably arranged and constructed to a desired strength so as to overcome to a necessary
extent the expanding force of the springs C, C¹, or C2, a constantly tight or hermetical
joint is thereby obtained and the packing A is caused to wear uniformly.
It will therefore now be clearly conceived that the packing A, forms as it were a
perfect cushion and virtually floats on the rod Y, and within the cage H, and it is this
floating of my improved packing which absolutely attains the object of my present
The several parts of my improvements are composed of material suitably adapted
for their various purposes.
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
'
1. In metallic packing the use of a segmental packing ring A, in combination with
two powers simultaneously applied thereto by means of springs 0, C1 or 02, and
|D, D¹, D², D³, or D', for the purpose of tending to force to and endeavouring to press
apart the segments a of said packing ring A, substantially as described and illustrated
at figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, of the accompanying drawings.
2. In metallic packing the application of springs for the purpose of Hoating
in the manner described the segments a on the piston-rod or spindle Y or other
reciprocating or revolving rod, shaft or other moving part of a machine substantially
as described.
3. In metallic packing the use of a cage H composed of hoops j, j and distance
pieces a in combination with a packing ring A having springs C, C or C and D, D¹,
D2, D3, or substantially as arranged and for the purpose specified.
4. In metallic packing the use of a segmental ring A having its segments a floating
in a cage H, by means of springs C, and D, in combination with a spiral spring L, or
wave spring M, tending to keep up one end of packing ring A, tight against the
inner side of hoop j', substantially as described, and set forth at figs. 6, 7, and 11, of
the accompanying drawings.
5. In metallic packing the arranging of springs D₁, and C₁ which tend to simul-
taneously press to and endeavour to draw apart the segments a of packing ring A, the
said springs being capable of adjustment by means of nuts and 2 working in
distance pieces, in combination with a cage H, substantially as set forth at figs. 13,
and 14, of the drawings annexed.
6. In metallic packing the combination of a packing ring A, formed in segments a
which are floated by means of springs C, and D2, the springs D2, acting on a band P,
substantially as described and shown at figs. 15, and 16, of the drawings hereunto
attached.
7. In metallic packing the combination of a metallic segmental ring A, with a
cage H, and floated therein by means of springs 03, and D, pressing on wedges a
which come between projections a³, in the manner substantially as described and for
the purpose specified.

page_text: 8. In metallic packing the application of segments a floated in the manner described
in combination with a cage H, to the outside of stuffing boxes R, or glands w substan-
tially as described and illustrated at figs. 19, 20, and 21, of the drawings
annexed.
9. In metallic packing the application of springs to metallic segments, the said
springs creating two forces a greater and a less, the springs of the greater force
tending to press the segments together or onto a piston rod or other movable part of a
machine for the purpose of forming a hermetical joint, and the springs of the lesser
force endeavouring to press the segments apart for the purpose of reducing friction,
substantially as described.