Improvements in Packing for Pistons and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Packing for Pistons and the like.
I, CARR LOCKWOOD, of Princeps Works, Matilda Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in packing for pistons and the like,
and relates to double action packing rings and adjustable piston block rings
especially applicable for use in high pressure marine engines and the like, and
which render the packing efficient in working, perfectly steam tight and enable
complete control over its adjustment to be obtained."
The improved packing ring is so made, by being cut through in places, at
right angles to its axis, and in parallel planes, in sectoral overlapping parts that,
in addition to its distensive action, it will, in itself, have a vertical or axial action
when screwed down or compressed endwise.
In small diameters, the packing ring may depend for its radial action upon
its own powers of distension, but, in large diameters, or if a series of the rings
be employed or built up together to make a packing ring of large diameter and
depth, a steel spring is placed behind the rings to assist in keeping them in
position against the walls of the cylinder.
In using a series of the packing rings for a piston of large diameter and depth,
I also adapt the rings with means of checking their radial distension so as to
avoid any undue wear from taking place.
I also propose to use adjustable piston block rings each turned in such a man-
ner as to form a check ridge or ridges thereon serving to receive the aforesaid
similarly formed packing rings. The adjustable piston block rings are cut through
transversely and secured by bolts engaging with projecting lugs on their meet-
ing ends, and are also made with inner projecting lugs adapted to fit against
the body of the piston block and provided with screws or other means of adjust-
ment enabling the rings to be properly centered in relation to the piston block
upon such rings being set out to compensate for circumferential wear by the
insertion of radial lining pieces. Or, a pocket may be cast in each piston block
ring to receive a coiled spring serving to separate the ends and to distend the
circumference to compensate for wear, in which case, the block rings would not
require to be fitted with lining piece, but the joints of their meeting ends would
be covered by tongue pieces.
If the piston block rings are made with a distended coiled spring, all that
would be required to allow them to spring to the walls of the cylinder would be
to slacken the piston junk ring, which would require to be screwed hard down to
nip the adjustable piston block rings tightly to hold them in their place when
they have been allowed to spring on the walls of the cylinder or to prevent them
from being driven in.

page_text: I, CARR LOCKWOOD, of Princeps Works, Matilda Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire,
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:-
This invention relates to improvements in packing for pistons and the like,
and has reference to double-action packing rings, and also to adjustable piston
block and packing rings especially applicable for use in high-pressure marine
engines and the like, and which render the packing efficient and steam-tight and
enable complete control over its adjustment to be obtained.
On the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1, represents a perspective view of the improved double-action packing
ring;
Fig. 2, represents a sectional elevation of a piston block fitted with two adjust-
able block rings; and three single action packing rings, showing one of the
meeting ends of the block rings, and the packing rings in section.
Fig. 3, represents a sectional elevation of the block and packing rings, show-
ing both in section.
Fig. 4, represents a front elevation of the meeting ends of the piston block
rings, showing also the block, and
Fig. 5 represents a plan of the block and packing rings at the meeting ends
of the former.
, (Fig. 1) represents the improved double action packing ring, which is so
made, by being cut through, at 6, in places, at right angles to its axis and in
parallel planes, in sectoral overlapping parts, and at z, dividing the ring across,
that, in addition to its distensive action, it will, in itself, have a vertical or axial
action when screwed down or compressed endwise.
In small diameters, the improved packing ring may depend for its radial action
upon its own power of distension, but, in large diameters or if a series of the
rings be built up to make a packing ring of increased depth, a flat or coiled steel
spring, c, is located behind the rings to assist in distending them against the
cylinder walls. The rings a may also be adapted with a ridge or like means, (y),
of checking their radial distension so as to prevent any undue wear, as hereinafter
described with reference to the single action springs a represented in Figs. 2 to 5.
d, represents the adjustable piston block rings, each of which is turned with a
check ridge or ridges, e, adapted to engage with the ridge or ridges y,
of the packing ring or rings, a*. The rings, d, are cut through
transversely at a, and fitted with angular brass joint pieces, h, each of
which is let into one end of the ring flush with the top and bottom thereof and
is secured thereto by bolts, i, and set screws, e, which can be screwed level
respectively with the face and end of the ring. The joint pieces are also each
formed with a check ridge, or ridges, w, adapted to engage with the packing
ring or rings a*.
When the packing rings are adjusted to the cylinder walls, they are located
by the engagement of the check ridges, e, y, which limit their distensive action,
and the ring or rings, d, is or are screwed hard down around the block, f, by
the junk ring m. As wear takes place and the packing rings require to be set
out, the space between the joint pieces is packed with filling pieces, k. Or, a
pocket, g, (Fig. 2) may be cast in each piston block ring end to receive a coiled
spring g serving to separate the ring ends and to distend its circumference to com-
pensate for wear, in which case, the space between the ring ends would not require

page_text: to be fitted with filling pieces but would be covered by tongue pieces in an ordinary
manner, and all that would be required to allow of their being set out would be
to slacken the piston junk ring, which would afterwards require to be screwed
hard down to hold the block rings in place to prevent them from being driven in.
The block rings may also be made with inner projecting lugs adapted to fit
against the body of the piston block and provided with screws or other means
of adjustment for enabling the rings, upon being set out as aforesaid to compensate
for circumferential wear of the packing rings, to be properly centered in relation
to the piston block.
Instead of using flat steel springs, c, behind the packing rings a to impart
the outward action coiled springs located in holes bored around in the piston
block rings may be used.
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 improved double-action packing rings for pistons and the like character-
ized by being cut through at b, and at z, as hereinbefore described with reference
to Figure 1, of the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved double-action packing rings for pistons and the like
characterized by being cut through at b, and at z, and by being formed with
check ridges, y, as herein before described.
3. The adjustable piston block rings characterized by being cut across and
fitted with filling pieces or separating springs and by being formed with check
ridges adapted to engage with like formed packing rings so as to limit the
distension of the latter and prevent undue wear thereof, as herein before described
with reference to Figs. 2 to 5 of the drawings.
101
1000
DAY, DAVIES, & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.