IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKINGS." COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said
Year: 1880

page_text: 1
LETTERS PATENT to Josiah Alonzo Osgood, of Grantville, County of Middlesex,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, and Edwin Pear Monroe,
of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of America, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKINGS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Josiah, Alonzo Osgood and Edwin
Pear Monroe at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th
November 1880.
JOSIAH ALONZO. OSGOOD; of Grantville, County of Middlesex, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, and EDWIN PEAR MONROE, of the City,
County, and State of New York, United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METALLIC PACKINGS."
This Invention relates to metallic steain checks or packings, and the cases or
supports of the same, employed with the piston stems or rods of engines, pumps, air
brakes, and other machinery in which a steam, air, or liquid tight joint is to be
maintained about such rod, to prevent the passage of steam, air, or liquid from the
cylinder, steam chest, or other enclosure which the rod enters. It is obvious that
the greatly varying forms and sizes of the engines or machinery to which our
Invention may be applied will require many modifications of form and arrange-
ment of our Inventions to adapt them to practical use, and therefore in order to a
complete understanding of the various features of our Invention, we shall divide
this Specification into sections or divisions, one to each branch of the Invention.
The Drawings accompanying this Specification represent various constructions of
our Invention, and Figure 1 shows an Invention applied to a locomotive engine
having a fixed stuffing box, and in Figure 2 as applied to such an engine from
which the stuffing box has been removed. Figure 3 shows a tube or column
interposed between the packing of a length to hold the packing so far from the
support that the portions of the rod which passes the latter shall not enter the
packing. Figures 4 and 5 of the Drawings are sections showing the second feature
Prins G21

page_text: of our improvements. Figure 6 is a horizontal section of a packing embodying
our improvements, set up within the vibrating ring or packing receptacle A6, and
cylinder head X6. B6, B6, C, C, are the packing blocks or segments with the
cavity filled with babbitt or other suitable soft material G6, G, G, G. Springs
F. F, etc., are used to keep the block in position. Figure. 7 is a horizontal vertical
section of the same, showing the cylinder head, the vibrating ring, springs, and
piston rod Y, and the packing blocks and filling. Figure 8 shows the packing in
the stages of construction hereinafter described, the parts B, B6, being first made
in one piece, as shown, and subsequently divided by enlarging the bore He, as
shown. Figures 9 and 10 show another form of the cavity and filling, the two
Figures representing an upper and lower set of packing, which, when applied, are
set to break joints. Figure 11 represents a horizontal section of a packing
consisting of two series of flat segmental plates and stuffing box, as containing the
fourth feature of our Invention. Figure 12 cross section, and Figure 13, plan of our
packing receptacle, as described in the fifth feature of our Invention." Figure 14,
section through plane X, Y, of Figure 12; Figure 15, vertical section of Figure 11.
First, then, our Invention relates to devices for packing the above named rods.
In steam and other engines, pumps, etc., it has been found that the rods or stems,
more particularly the valve stems of locomotive engines, to which our Invention
will be found especially adapted, become worn or otherwise altered from their true
shape, owing to their passage over and contact with supports, guides, or other
points of bearing. This alteration of shape may be enhanced by the lateral or
torsional thrusts and strains of the rod arising from various causes, such as the
weight of the rods, the tendency of departure from a true line of travel, owing to
the action of the rocker arm which drives the valve, the unequal wear upon the
parts, the rising and falling or jumping of the valve and rod in passing frogs,
switches, and crossings on the railway track, and the lifting to permit the escape of
condensed water from the valve chest, etc.
The result of this is, that when the portion of the rod which has lost its true
shape enters or passes through the packing, opportunity is offered for the passage
of steam between the rod and the packing, which in practice have been found to
be a serious evil. In our devices the packing is located beyond the travel of the
worn or distorted portion of the rod, that is to say, at a distance from the nearest
support or bearing which causes this distortion greater than the travel of the rod,
as shown. A represents the end wall or head of the steam chest, through which
passes the valve stem. B, D, is a common stuffing box; E is a box, sleeve, or tube,
preferably of iron surrounding and supporting the valve stem. The position and
manner of attaching or applying this sleeve or tube E nay vary according as the
stuffing box D) is made fixed (Figure 1), or detachable (Figure 2), or E may be so
made externally as to serve for a casing for the rod, when the old stuffing box is
removed. This sleeve or tube E may extend through the steam chest wall, and as
far beyond as may be without interfering with the travel or action of the valve, or,
as shown in Figure 3, the portion serving as a bearing or support may be dispensed
with, and the tube then marked F may be attached to the wall of the steam chest,
in which a support G is provided for the rod. Again, the sleeve or tube E may be
extended outside the steam chest further than is necessary for the support of the
rod, in which case the interior diameter of such extended portion should be made
greater than the interior diameter of that portion which serves to support the rod.
In Figure 1 this extension is made to abut against the packing receptacle and
packing G at such a distance from the stem support, that no part of the rod which
passes the support shall enter or pass through the packing. In Figure 2 it is still
further extended, thus serving to keep the packing or packing receptacle in place,
and also an enclosure for it. In Figure 2 a shallow cap or cover H which encloses
it is deeper, and is represented as bolted to the stuffing box D. Figure 3 represents
a different arrangement, in which there is interposed between the packing and the
support a shoulder, tube, or collar E of a length sufficient to hold the packing
device at such a distance from the support, that the portion of the rod which passes

page_text: the support G shall not enter or pass through the packing. The support G is
preferably of iron, and removable from the steam chest.
This section or division of our improvement does not relate to the construction
of the packing, but is applicable equally to engines whether packed with metallic
or soft packings. It will be obvious that if soft packings shall in place by the usual
fixed bushing about the rod were used, the portion of the rod liable to be worn or
distorted in consequence of its passing over the bushing would pass into or through
the packing, and thus the evil, which it is the object of our Invention to prevent,
would not be avoided. Therefore when soft packing is used, a movable or sliding
packing or packing receptacle of proper construction should be employed. It will
be seen also that the relative location of the support and the packing may be
changed, and the packing placed next the steam chest, while the bearing or support
may be turned further away in the tube, the cap, or cover, or even entirely
disconnected from the steam chest or packing enclosure. But in any construction
it is essential that the packing and the nearest support or bearing traversed by the
rod be separated by a distance, such that no portion of the rod which is liable to be
worn or distorted in consequence of passing the support or bearing shall pass
through the packing, and highly desirable that no such portion of the rod shall
even enter the packing or any part thereof. And with regards to the valve rod
support, as described under this the first head of our Invention, we do not wish to
be understood as restricting ourselves to the construction therein explained, as we
consider ourselves entitled to the various forms and modifications of which the
principle is susceptible. For instance, in lieu of supporting the valve stem and
yoke by allowing them to slide in the sleeve or tube, bearings may be secured to
the sides of the steam chest to support the yoke independent of the valve, or the
yoke may rest and slide directly upon the valve, but in this latter arrangement it
is necessary to arrange a stop to limit the upward throw of the yoke and stem.
Secondly. Our Invention relates to devices for containing the spring and follower
or other devices used to hold the packing up to the rod, which device shall be free to
follow any lateral deviations of the rod from its normal plane of motion, and at
the same time serve as a check for the packing ring receptacle. The advantages
of such a device embodying our Invention are that it both affords a chock or non
yielding support to prevent the packing cup or other receptacle from being
retracted by the rod, and at the same time allows to the devices which support or
hold up the packing freedom to move with the rod in any lateral deviation from its
normal path. It sometimes happens that the packing adheres to the packing cup
and the rod, in which case the manifest tendency of the cup is to be carried by the
rod. If however the cup is met by a rigid or non clastic chock while the packing
is cushioned upon a spring or yielding bearing, this construction operates to free
the packing from the cup, and prevent the latter from being carried further, while
the packing is likewise enabled to give slightly, and thus free itself from the rod,
which then passes clear. Again, it frequently happens that owing to wear or lost
motion, or other imperfection in the parts of the machine which operates the rod,
the latter is caused to depart or deviate laterally in some direction from its normal
path or plane of motion. When this occurs it is obvious that if the packing, and
the devices which hold it, are not at liberty to deviate with the rod, the result will
be a torsion or wrenching of the parts, which by causing them to strike against
and cut the rod, or in other ways will give rise to serious evils in the operation of
the parts.
In Figure 4, A is a packing cup or receptacle, between which and the inner
surface of the end of the cup or cover 14 is shown a sliding ring or bearing B
having a plane and a concave surface. This ring B', although possessing valuable
features as a rocking bearing, is not essential to our improvements, but may be
dispensed with, and the end of the packing cup A* itself may be made plane
instead to slide against the cap or cover. Crepresents a metallic packing within
the packing cup; D is a follower made a loose fit for the interior of the sliding
chock G*, and resting upon the spring F. This spring F and follower D' are

page_text: preferably made of such dimensions that the interior of the spring fits snugly the
neck or projection K* of the follower, while the exterior likewise fits snugly the
interior of the chock G. This chock G' is a rigid hollow sliding chock between
the packing cup A and the steam chest or cylinder head P, or an extension thereof,
and free to slide or move and follow the lateral deviations of the rod H. This.
sliding chock is shown as abutting loosely against the cup A, and this we consider
for various reasons of convenience of access to the parts a preferable form, but it
may be screwed to the cup A, or even may be formed integral therewith as a
prolongation or extension of the wall of the cup. Either of the three constructions
will, it is obvious, preserve the essential features of a rigid sliding chock, but in
any construction it will be found desirable that care should be taken in securing
the devices to their place between the cup or cover I* and the steam chest wall or
cylinder head P to make a loose fit, not setting the parts too rigidly together. The
chock G should be sufficiently smaller in exterior than the cap or cover I* to
move freely in it, and of sufficient size on the inside to contain the spring F,
follower D, and rod H4. The depth of the chock G4 should be sufficiently great
to give room for the spring F and follower D, but it may be constructed, as
shown in Figure 5, of a greater depth, the excess of space beyond the follower D'
being utilized as a chamber, or magazine, from which the packing R* may be fed
forward round the rod to supply fresh packing in place of that gradually worn
away by the rod. Should it be desirable to use this form of chock without the
chamber or magazine, it is obvious that this may be done by filling the space not
needed for the spring and follower by a false bushing, as shown in Figure 4,
preferably made in pieces to facilitate removal. If soft or fibrous packing is to be
used, care should be taken to make the follower D' fit the rod closely, so as to
serve as a movable bushing, and keep the packing from being drawn through it by
the rod. Lastly, the chock G₁ may be provided interiorly with a projecting rim
or shoulder, forining a support or base for the spring, and this feature, though not
essential to our Invention, as above described, is valuable, in that it serves to
prevent the spring being from any cause forced through the opening into the steam
chest or cylinder head P
Thirdly. Our Invention relates especially to that class of metallic packings in
which segmental packing or guide blocks are used, the same being so arranged
and adjusted by the use of springs' that they encircle and pack the rod or stem.
These segments are usually used in two layers or sections, applied so as to break
joints.
The object of this portion of our Invention is to gain greater durability, to
obviate the difficulty which has hitherto existed in connection with this class of
metallic packings, in the cutting or abrading of the face of the packings or
segments and of the rod or stem occasioned by the friction of the parts, and to
materially lessen certain difficulties of their manufacture.
It is well known that the artificial alloys, such as babbitt and similar substances,
possess peculiar qualities as compared with iron, brass, or other harder metals
desirable for use in contact with the moving parts of machinery, viz., the rods of
steam or other engines. Prominent among the qualities is that of their
desirability under wear, combined with their freedom from any injurious tendency
to cut or abrade the parts of the machine in frictional contact with them. On the
. other hand their low point of fusion and their liability to lose their shape under
pressure have hitherto combined to lessen their desirability for the uses indicated.
The object of our Invention is to provide a means for their use, whereby their
valuable qualities may be retained, while their undesirable features are rendered
harmless. This we accomplish by the introduction and use in our packings of a
lining or filling of babbitt metal, or an alloy of tin and copper or other soft metal,
or suitable filling, fitted or deposited in a pocket or cavity cast or cut in the inner
surface of the face of the packing or segments of harder metal, so as to come in
direct contact with the rod or stem. In the best method of manufacturing packing
of the form shown in the Drawings, the parts B6, B6, are cast in one piece, as

page_text: shown in Figure 8, having the width of the whole piece somewhat greater, and the
area of the cylindrical orifice somewhat less than in the finished packing. The
faces of this piece are then planed and accurately fitted with the faces of CB, C, as
shown.
The parts are then united by solder, and the whole receives its final fitting and
finishing. The last step is to bore out the annulus to the true interior calibre,
which operation, as will be seen, separates the pieces into the parts B, B6, when, by
the application of slight heat, the solder is melted and the packing left in four
pieces, with which the soft metal linings are afterwards combined, and the whole
thus made ready for application.
In this way it is obvious that the number of pieces worked is reduced, with a
corresponding saving of time and expense, while a certainty of fit is secured, which,
were the four pieces made separately, could not be obtained except by an increased
cost of production. Moreover it is evident that this method of construction cannot
be applied to packing made entirely of the soft metal because of its fusibility, and
it follows therefore that the use of the combination we have described is additionally
valuable in that it permits the manufacturer to make the packing in the cheapest
and best manner, of which he could not avail himself when soft metal alone was used.
Furthermore, in the practical application of our packing the segments must be well
and accurately fitted so as to maintain steam tight joints when the segments open
or close to conform to any inequality of the rod or to compensate for wear of the
parts. Packings composed of segmental blocks of the form shown and described
would not be practical in use if composed entirely of babbitt, or any soft material,
on account of the impossibility of retaining their form while working under steam
pressure so as to maintain steam tight joints in the case and round the rod. In our
improvement we get all of the advantages of the peculiar and desirable properties
of the soft metal and retain it in proper condition by confining it in the casing of
harder metal, and this combination is the substance of this section of our
Invention.
The fourth feature of our Invention consists in dividing such portions of metallic.
rod packings as entirely encircle the rod in order that such portions may be removed
when necessary without disconnecting the rod, or be applied in instances where
they cannot be slipped upon the rod from one end, for example when the cross head
is melted to it, as is sometimes the case.
To illustrate this feature of the Invention we have shown its adaptation to a
metallic packing consisting of two series of flat segmental plates a², a², etc.,
and 62, 62, etc., each of which series encircling the rod breaks joints with the other,
and both contained within an encircling ring c², while this ring in turn is contained
within an outer enclosing case d² that is secured at one end to the flange e² of the
cylinder head, the segmental plates being pressed up to the rod by springs f², f2, etc.,
which exert their strength between them and the rings and up to the annular rocking
plate g², which is interposed between the outer series and the outer end or head of
the case by springs h², h², interposed between the outer series of segmental plates
and the inner end or head of said case, or an intervening ring, or annular plates,
which contains sockets 2 for reception of the springs. In this instance the enclosing
ring c², the rocking annular rocking plate g², and the annular plate 22, are each
divided into two parts centrally, and these halves are secured together by bolt
screws or in any other proper manner.
The outer case or box d² is also in halves
united by bolts, as shown at K2, K²
We have shown this style of packing as one instance in which this portion of
the Invention may be applied, but we do not restrict ourselves to such a style, as
the divided rings and case may be carried out in various packings, such as those
containing the vibrating cup, or sliding chock, before explained, or otherwise, as
illustrated by the fifth feature of our Invention, which consists in a "packing
receptacle," so called, for receiving and holding the packing rings, in which we
dispense entirely with both clamp screw or bolts and adjusting set screws, which

page_text: Drakes our improvement not only much more simple but less expensive and more
quickly and readily applied to any rod.
The general feature of this part of our improvement presents the shape of a
Greek cross, so called, and consists of a thin metallic shell A³, cylindrical in shape
and of any suitable depth, and considerably larger in diameter than the piston rod,
in order to contain the packing rings between it and said rod. At the quadratures
of this annulus, and forming an integral part of the same, extend four short hollow
arms B8, B8, etc., of the same thickness and depth as the annulus shell, but
rectangular in cross section. These shelves or partitions Cs, Cs, etc., lying parallel
to the general plane of the case, extend entirely across the centre of each one of the
pockets or arms, and their functions are to serve at supports for the spiral
springs D8, D8, contained in them, and which exert their stress between the ends or
heads of said pockets and the segmental rings encircling the rod, and tend to keep
the packing tightly against the enclosed piston or other rod. As before stated, this
receptacle or ring is divided into two portions F, G, and to maintain the uniting of
these respective halves and still avoid the use of clamping screws, we form on the
ends of two of the opposite projecting arms B8, B8, a turned lip or edge H8, H³, as
shown in Figure 13 of the Drawings. When the other half of the packing
receptacle or case, which is provided with a plain lip, is slipped into and behind
this edge, the latter forms the clamping device and serves to hold the parts of the
receptacle or case firmly and compactly together.
In applying this packing receptacle to a rod, supposing it to be in halves, we take
the portion with the edge or lip on it and place it with the segmental packing rings
against the rod, then taking the remaining half with the plain lip we present this
lip within the inner surface of the turned lip, and holding this half in a plane
parallel to the first portion as it now rests, push it in the line of motion of the rod,
and the device is firmly locked and secured thereto.
We then place the springs D, D³, in their proper positions, and if the stress is
not sufficient insert "liners," so called, at their rear, resting against the outside
ends of their respective pockets and the packing rings are then finally adjusted.
CLAIMS.
First. A packing and supporting device for valve stems and piston rods, having
the packing at such a distance from the nearest support or bearing traversed by the
rod or stem that no portion of the latter exposed to wear or distortion from passing
the support will enter or pass through the packing.
Second. A case, box, tube, or other receptacle surrounding a piston rod or valve
stem, and containing a packing and a support or bearing for the rod or stem at
such distance from the packing that no portion of the rod or stem exposed to wear
or distortion from passing the support or bearing will enter or pass through the
packing.
Third. In combination with a cylinder or steam chest having in its end wall a
support or bearing for a piston rod or valve stem, a case, box, tube, or other
receptacle, enclosing a packing for a rod or stem, at such a distance from the
support or bearing that no portion of the rod or stem exposed to wear or distortion
in consequence of passing the support or bearing shall enter or pass through the
packing, substantially as described.
Fourth. In combination with a cylinder or steam chest, a case, box, tube, or
other receptacle containing a support for the rod or stem, and having an extension
of greater exterior diameter than the support, abutting at the end furtherest from
the support against the packing or packing receptacle, and holding the same at a
distance from the support such that no portion of the rod liable to be worn or
distorted in consequence of passing the support shall enter or pass through the
packing, substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination with a support or bearing for a piston rod or valve stem,

page_text: and a packing device of an intermediary tube, collar, or shoulder, of a length
sufficient to keep the packing device at such a distance from the support or
bearing that no portion of the rod liable to wear or distortion in consequence of
passing over the support or bearing will enter or pass through the packing.
Sixth. An ordinary stuffing box of the rod of a valve chest, steam cylinder, etc.,
as utilized and adapted to contain an auxilliary packing box or sleeve, substantially
as explained.
Seventh. A support for a piston rod or valve stem, consisting of a sleeve, tube,
or collar, preferably of iron, adapted to be applied to the head wall of a cylinder
or steam chest and removable therefrom.
Eighth. In packing devices for valve or piston rods, the rigid or non-compressible
laterally movable or sliding chock for supporting the packing cup, substantially as
set forth.
Ninth. In combination in a packing device for valve or piston rods a rigid or
non-compressible laterally movable or sliding chock G4, a spring F, and follower D*,
substantially as set forth.
Tenth. In combination the rigid non-compressible laterally movable or sliding
chock G, spring F*, follower D, packing cup A+, and a packing.
Eleventh. The improvement in metallic packing for piston and other similar rods,
consisting of the segments B6, B6, corresponding in form, having parallel sides, and
of a width sufficiently less than the diameter of the rod with which they are to be
used to prevent their contact while compensating for their wear, and at the same
time practically surround the rod, in combination with the babbitt metal or soft
filling Go in the cavity; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Twelfth. The segments B6, B, and guide blocks C, C, having the cavities and
babbitt or soft filling Go, Go, etc., all provided with springs arranged and operating
as described.
Thirteenth. The packing for piston rods, valve stems, and other similar rods,
consisting of a combination of packing blocks or segments having cavities filled
with babbitt or soft filling, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourteenth. The combination with a piston rod, valve stem, or other similar rod,
of the compound metallic packing, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. The babbitt metal, or other soft packing, enclosed in a casing of brass
or other hard metal, in combination with a piston rod, valve stem, or other similar
rod, substantially as and for purposes set forth.
Sixteenth. The combination with a piston rod, valve stem, or other similar rod,
of chambered packing segments filled with babbitt metal or other soft material, as
and for the purpose set forth.
Seventeenth. The adjustable packing segments B, C, formed with the cavities Gº,
in combination with the babbitt metal or soft filling, as set forth.
Eighteenth. The chambered packing or segments in combination with the piston.
rod, valve stem, or other rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Nineteenth. The combination of the packing blocks or segments, having cavities
filled with babbitt or other anti-friction metal, with the vibrating ring A" and
springs F6, substantially as set forth.
Twentieth. The combination of stuffing box Xº, or case X, and the compound
packing blocks, or segments, filled with anti-friction metal, or soft filling, with the
rod Y, substantially as set forth.
Twenty-first. In metallic packings containing a series of segmental plates or
rings encircling the rod, making such parts as entirely encircle the rod in sections
of halves, or less, united by bolts or their equivalents, substantially as herein
described.
Twenty-second. The combination of a packing case, or receptacle, so constructed
as to require no clamp screws, with seginental plates or rings encircling the rod or
the valve stem, substantially as stated.
Twenty-third. A packing receptacle, consisting of two portions, with plain and

page_text: turned lips, the whole constituting an integral case for containing the segmental
rings and encircling the rod, as and for purposes herein described.
Twenty-fourth. The combination of the babitt blocks, the sliding chock, and
the valve stem support, with the valve stem or rod, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said Josiah Alonzo Osgood and Edwin Pear
Monroe have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 15th day of October,
1880.
JOSIAH ALONZO OSGOOD. ‹ (L.S.)
EDWIN PEAR MONROE.
(L.S.)