IMPROVE- MENTS IN STUFFING BOXES, AND IN PACKING TO BE USED IN. STUFFING BOXES, BEARINGS, PISTONS, AND VALVES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Henry Tuck, of Pall Mall, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STUFFING BOXES, AND IN PACKING TO BE USED IN. STUFFING
BOXES, BEARINGS, PISTONS, AND VALVES."
Scaled the 27th January 1853, and dated the 14th October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Henry Tuck
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 14th October 1852.
I, JOSEPH HENRY TUCK, of Pall Mall, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN STUFFING BOXES, AND IN PACKING TO BE USED IN STUFFING
BOXES, BEARINGS, PISTONS, AND VALVES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to make an enduring packing for
piston rods, pistons, and valves, and other bearing surfaces. Instead
of using hemp or metal packing as heretofore, I construct a packing
composed partly of yielding and partly of rigid substances. The
elastic part of the packing is, by preference, composed of rolls or folds
of canvas, coated with india-rubber, and in the tubes or ribs of this

page_text: stuffing I sometimes insert strands or blocks of india-rubber.
The
hard substances which I use in conjunction therewith are segmental
pieces of wood or metal, which are intended to lie or work in contact
with the metallic surface, whether moving or stationary (as the case
may be), against which the packing is intended to bear, the segmental
pieces being kept up to that surface by the elastic pressure of the
yielding substance. In order the better to ensure the proper action of
this substance in glands of stuffing boxes I give the interior of the
gland a conical form, or I insert in the stufling box a conical filling
piece which will answer the same purpose. By this means the pres-
sure downwards of the gland or cover of the box will ensure the proper
binding of the packing around the piston rod. I also turn a half round
annular groove in the gland or stuffing box to act as a second oil cup,
and thereby prevent the waste of the oil. The segmental pieces may
be put together so as to present a continuous hard surface to the piston
rod in the form of a tube (the pieces being put together as rings form-
ing break joints, and locking the one ring into the other to prevent the
independent movement of any one piece). Or between the rings the
elastic material may be interposed, so as to present a. varied packing
surface of alternate rings of yielding and unyielding materials.
The same remark applies to the packing of bearings required to be
kept steam, air, and water tight, and also for sliding valves, but when
packing D valves, instead of rings, the packing will be composed of
segmental layers. The sectional form of the hard surfaces may vary,
that is, these surfaces may be of a uniform thickness or all wedge
shaped; or both forms may be used together, but in all cases where the
yielding material is not interposed between the layers of the "hard
substance these layers must break joint with each other, as already
mentioned. Instead of the different layers locking into each other, a
metallic or other fastening may be run through the different layers, and
thus the same object will be attained. In some cases I find it advan
tageous to use this yielding packing without the rigid wood or metal
surfaces.
"

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Henry Tuck in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 14th April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I;
JOSEPH HENRY TUCK, of Pall Mall, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Joseph Henry Tuck; Her special license
that I, the said Joseph Henry Tuck, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Henry Tuck, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an. Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STUFFING BOXES, AND IN PACKING TO BE USED IN STUFFING
BOXES, BEARINGS, PISTONS, AND VALVES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Joseph Henry Tuck, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention; and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Henry Tuck, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention; and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon
(that is to say):
The object of this Invention is to make an enduring packing for
piston rods, pistons, valves, -stuffing boxes, bearings, and other rubbing

page_text: surfaces. Instead of using hemp or metal packing as heretofore, I
construct a packing composed partly of yielding and partly of rigid
substances. The elastic part of the packing is, by preference, composed
of rolls or folds of canvas, coated with india-rubber, and in the tubes or
ribs of this stuffing I sometimes insert strands or blocks of india-rubber.
The hard substances which I use in conjunction therewith are seg
mental or other suitably shaped pieces of wood or metal, which are
intended to lie or work in contact with the metallic surface, whether
moving or stationary (as the case may be), against which the packing
is intended to bear, the segmental or other shaped pieces being kept
up to the rubbing surface by the elastic pressure of the yielding sub-
stance. In order the better to ensure the proper action of this.
substance in glands or stuffing boxes I give the interior of the gland a
conical form, or I insert in the stuffing box a conical filling piece,
which will answer the same purpose. By this means the pressure
downwards of the gland or cover of the box will ensure the proper
I sometimes also turn
binding of the packing around the piston rod.
a half round annular groove in the gland or stuffing box to act as
a second oil cup, and thereby prevent the waste of the oil. The seg-
mental pieces may be put together so as to present a continuous hard
surface to the piston rod in the form of a tube (the pieces being put
together as rings forming break joints, and locking the one ring into
the other to prevent the independent movement of any one piece). Or
between the rings the elastic material may be interposed, so as to
present a varied packing surface of alternate rings of flexible or elastic
combined with rigid or unyielding materials.
In order, however, that my Invention may be more clearly understood
I have in the accompanying Drawings shewn various plans for carrying
my improvements into effect. Fig. 1, Sheet I, is a vertical section of a
stuffing box, with its packing constructed and arranged upon the improved
plan; a, is the stuffing box; b, the gland; c, the bottom bush of the ordi-
nary stuffing box; d, is a lining constructed in the form of the frustrum
of a cone, and formed, by preference, of wood or other rigid material
which is a bad conductor of heat. This lining.is divided into two or
more places, so as to consist of any given number of parts, which when

page_text: assembled together form the frustrum of a cone, as shewn in the Figure.
e, is my improved elastic packing, or other ordinary packing may be
used, if preferred; f, is the piston rod or rubbing surface against which
the packing is forced by screwing down the gland b. It will be readily
seen that a slight pressure on the gland b, will force the soft or clastic
packing down, and compress it inside the cone d, which, being of an
inclined or wedge, form thereby forces the packing e, directly against
the rod f, and keeps it steam-tight. Fig. 2, is a vertical section
shewing a modification of the above; the parts a, b, c, d, e, and f, are
the same as in Fig. 1. 9, 9, are rings of metal or other suitable
material cut in two or more parts, and placed beween the rings or
layers of soft packing, thus presenting a compound surface to the rod
f, or other sliding part. Fig. 3, représents a modification of Fig. 2;
in this instance, however, the cone or lining d, is dispensed with.
Fig. 4, is a modification in which the lining d, is used in conjunction
with the parts shewn in Fig. 3. In these Figures 3, and 4, the hard
rings consist of four parts, or two rings of triangular section placed
together base to base, thereby forming one ring. In Fig. 5; a series
of rings, each consisting of two or more parts, are shown as placed one
upon the other, so that a solid surface is presented to the rod or portion
liable to friction. Behind these rings, which form a cylinder or cone, as
the case may be, according to the shape of the backs of the rings, soft
packing is applied, which when pressed down forces the hard rings
9, 9, against the piston rod or other moveable rubbing surfaces. Fig. 6,
is a modification of Fig. 5, with the addition of the conical lining d.
In Fig. 7, the gland b, is made conical on the inside, so that by screw-
ing down the gland the cone attached thereto is made to force the soft
or elastic packing e, up against the rod f, or moveable rubbing surface,
in the same manner as in Fig. 1. In Fig. 8, a double series of rings,
each of two or more parts, which are of a triangular section, are placed
upon each other; the rings h, h, are forced back against the inside of
the stuffing, and the rings g, g, are forced against the rod or moving
surface by being pressed from above; j, j, are rings of soft packing to
fill up the space at the back of the rings g, g. Fig. 9, is a vertical
section, and Fig. 10, a plan view of another improvement in stuffing

page_text: .
boxes, the object of which is to enable the lining or stuffing to
be removed from the box with greater facility and in a more convenient
manner than is usually the case.. The stuffing box is lined with a
metallic cup or box k, k, which is so made and adapted to the stuffing
box that it may be drawn out of the box, bringing with it the whole
of the packing which is placed. in the cup box or, lining k, k. This
cup or lining is made of two or more.parts, and the upper flange
thereof rests upon the flange of the stuffing box a. The packing is
shewn in the Drawing as being made upon the principle already
described, and consists of a cone d, made of wood or other bad
conductor of heat, combined with soft elastic packing e, which is or
may be compressed against the rod f, by screwing down the gland b.
The cup or lining %, and packing contained therein, may be drawn up
out of the stuffing box by means of the screws 1, 1, the shoulders of
which bear upon the plate m, which lies. on the flange of the stuffing
box a, and, therefore, by turning these screws, the cup or lining k, with
the packing contained therein, will be lifted out of the stuffing box to
any desired height. A jam nut n, is provided for securing the screws
. at any point where the cup or lining k, has been raised high enough.
As the cup or lining, is constructed in two or more sections, it will be
evident that when it has been raised out of the stuffing box its parts
may be separated and removed, thus leaving the packing exposed and
entire upon the rod or trunnion, so that it may be adjusted, repaired,
or removed, as may be required.
I would here observe, that any of the plans above shewn and
described for making a packing or lining for stuffing boxes may be
adapted to and employed in connection with the improvement just
described, and shewn in Figures 9, and 10, or any ordinary packing
may be used, the object of this improvement merely being to enable
the packing to be lifted or drawn out of the stuffing box with facility
when it is required to be repaired, 'adjusted, examined, or removed.
In Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, I have shewn several methods
of adapting my improved system of compound packing to D slide
valves. Fig. 11, represents a plan, or top or end view of the packing
suitable for a D slide valve, with my improvements. adapted thereto;

page_text: Fig. 11ª, is a view of the packing as seen from the inside; and Fig.
11, is a cross section of the same taken in the line 1, 2, of Figures
11, and 11. The slide or moving surface is shewn at o. The hard
packing p, is kept against the slide or moving surface by the soft
or elastic packing, q, at back, which is pressed forward by the metal
jacket . The hard packing consists of an entire metal surface
presented to the slide, and formed of a series of flat linked or mortice
jointed chains, lying close against each other and rivetted throughout,
and kept up to its proper position against the slide by the soft packing
and jacket 1, at the back and ends.
Fig. 12, is an end view of another node of making packing for
D slide valves. In place of the metal chain p, shewn in Fig. 11,
the hard surface is composed of metallic plates or bands, the edges
of which are turned up so as to form a kind of trough or groove,
as shewn in the inside view, Fig. 12, and the edge or sectional view,
Fig. 12. Behind these metal plates or bands p, is placed the soft
packing 7, which is pressed forward, as in the other instance, by the
jacket. Fig. 13, is a sectional view, and Fig. 13, a cross of another
modification in which the metal rubbing surfaces p, of the other
plans is dispensed with, and soft or elastic packing is. employed in
place thereof. s, and t, are sheets or bands of canvas, which are shewn
together, but have between them strips of caoutchouc or other elastic
material u, u; for the purpose of giving clasticity to the packing, which
is pressed against the slide by means of the jacket r, at back, as in
the former instances. Fig. 14, is another modification, in which the
hard and soft surfaces are combined. The hard or metal surface is
composed of segments of rings p, the section of which is of a wedge
form, as will be seen by referring to the cross section, Fig. 14.
Between these segments is placed the soft packing, which is pressed
up against the hard packing by the jacket 1, as. before. Fig. 15,
is a modification, in which the hard or metal surface is also composed
of segments of rings p, but the soft packing, instead of being inserted
between these segments, as in Fig. 14, is placed behind them, and
is pressed forward by the jacket.
This improved system of compound packing, composed of rigid and

page_text: solid materials, is also applicable to packing the rubbing surfaces of
rotary engines, as will be seen in Fig. 16, which represents a longi-
tudinal section of a rotary engine, with my improvements adapted
thereto. a, a, are the cylinder heads or ends; b, b, the piston; c, c,
the jacket; d, d, is a serrated piece of metal or wood let into a
groove or recess made in each end of the piston; e, is another serrated
piece of the same form and material, and is also inserted in the same
groove, but allowed to be forced outward towards the cylinder head
by the double serrated piece f, which is acted upon by the inclined
planes g, g, which are moved by the right and left handed screw rod h.
This screw rod h, may be turned by means of a socket spanner, or any
other convenient contrivance or instrument which can be inserted in the
opening filled by the plug i. k, k, is a soft packing inserted between
the back of the serrated piece e, and the metal plate 1, which is divided
into triangular pieces.
It will be easily perceived that in order to tighten the packing in the
ends of the piston it will not be necessary to remove the cylinder heads,
as is usually the case, but simply to take out the plug i, and insert a
socket spanner or other tool to fit the end of the screw rod h, by turning
which the two inclined pieces or wedges will be drawn towards each
other, thereby tending to force upward the double serrated piece f, f
which piece, by acting against the parts d, and e, causes the piece e, to
move outward towards the cylinder head, and carry with it the soft
packing, which will force the triangular pieces 1, 1, against the
cylinder head. The ends m, m, of the jacket c, are turned to a sharp
bevel towards the inner surface of the end plate a. A conical metal
ring 2, n, composed of one or more parts, is fitted thereto, and the space
behind is filled with soft packing o, o, which may by the screws p, p, be
forced up against the rings n, n, thereby pressing them against the
cylinder head a, a. The ends of the screws p, p, bear against the rings
r, r, and thereby force forward the soft packing 0, 0, and other parts
contiguous thereto.
Having now described my Invention, and the best means with which
I am at present acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would
observe, in conclusion, that I do not intend to confine myself rigidly to

page_text: the precise arrangement or construction of parts herein shewn, as they
may perhaps be varied without departing from the nature and object of
my Invention; but that which I consider to be new in the above
improvements, and therefore wish to claim as the Invention secured to
me by Letters Patent, is, the methods herein shewn and described, or
any mere modification thereof, of combining hard and soft substances
together for the purpose of making steam-tight clastic packing. I
claim particularly the use of the conical cup d, behind the elastic
packing, whereby the soft packing is prevented from being over heated.
I also claim the method above shewn and described of packing the
pistons and other parts of rotary engines, or any modification thereof,
whereby the packing may be tightened with facility without removing
the cylinder head or end, or any portion thereof. Second, I claim
adapting to the interior of stufling boxes a cup or lining in which is
placed the elastic or other packing, so that the said cup or lining
containing the packing may be drawn up out of the stuffing box when
required.
In witness whereof; I, the said Joseph Henry Tuck, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of April, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Witness,
FRED. WALKDEN,
66, Chancery Lane.
J. II. TUCK. (L.S.)