AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR PACKING STEAM ENGINE PISTON RODS, AND SIMILAR PARTS REQUIRING TO BE STEAM, AIR, OR WATER TIGHT
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Allen Dunton Spencer, of the City of Baltimore, in the
State of Maryland, one of the United States of America, Engineer, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR PACKING STEAM ENGINE PISTON
RODS, AND SIMILAR PARTS REQUIRING TO BE STEAM, AIR, OR WATER TIGHT."
Sealed the 22nd November 1878, and dated the 5th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Allen Dunton Spencer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th June 1878.
ALLEN DUNTON SPENCER, of the City of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland,
one of the United States of America, Engineer. "AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR
PACKING STEAM ENGINE PISTON RODS, AND SIMILAR PARTS REQUIRING TO BE
STEAM, AIR, OR WATER TIGHT."
This Invention has reference to that class of devices for packing boxes and the
like, wherein a steam-tight joint is formed between the rod or stem and the
packing ring surrounding the same by the pressure of steam or other fluid admitted
to the exterior surface or outer circumference of the rings.
According to the said Invention I enclose the packing rings within and by a
skeleton frame or cage containing appliances for sustaining the rings in position
when not acted upon by the steam seeking to escape; and further, in the construc-
tion of the various parts of the device, as will herein-after fully appear.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figure I. is a vertical section of the said improved
packing device.
Figure II. is a transverse section of the said Invention on the line x, y.
Figure III. is a sectional view of part of a steam cylinder head showing the
present Invention applied thereto.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the Figures.

page_text: A, A, are the packing rings enclosed in and by a skeleton frame or cage B. The
rings A are each in two parts, jointed together, substantially as shown at vin
Figure II. of the Drawing, which method of forming the joints admits of the two
parts of the ring being slightly distended or contracted without disclosing an
aperture for the escape of steam.
The cage B consists of a series of annular partitions a connected by bars b, and it
is in two parts pinned together, as shown in the Drawing.
Each set of packing rings, that is to siy, the rings contained in each compartment
of the cage, are surrounded by a spring ring c which binds them together and allows
of their being handled without danger of separation.
C, C, are springs secured to the bars 6, which serve to retain the packing rings
about centrally of the cage, and also to place a slight strain upon said rings and the
rod enclosed by them.
Steam is admitted exteriorly of the packing rings through the apertures & and
forces the said rings closely in contact with the rod. Upon the opening of the
exhaust and the escape of the steam from the cylinder, all pressure is removed from
the rings except that resulting from the resiliency of the springs, which is trifling,
and practically causes no friction between the rod and the packing rings.
The cage is held within the packing box by means of a gland, and in order to
effect a tight joint between the said parts a gasket of gum or other elastic material
is inserted and held between them. The cage may be easily withdrawn from the
stuffing box after the removal of the gland by means of threaded handles which
are screwed into the holes e.
This Invention, although described exclusively in connection with a steam engine,
is alike applicable to air compressors, water motors, the stuffing boxes located at.
the inner end of the dead wood of propeller ships, and a variety of other purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Allen Dunton Spencer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd December 1878.
ALLEN DUNTON SPENCER, of the City of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, in
the United States of America, Engineer. "AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR PACKING
STEAM ENGINE PISTON RODS, AND SIMILAR PARTS REQUIRING TO BE STEAM, AIR, OR
WATER TIGHT."
This Invention has reference to that class of packing devices for stuffing or pack-
ing boxes wherein a steam-tight joint is formed between the rod or stem and the
packing rings surrounding the same by the pressure of steam admitted to the
exterior or outer circumference of the rings.
And the Invention consists in inclosing the packing rings within and by a
skeleton frame or cage containing appliances for sustaining the rings in position
when not acted upon by the steam seeking to escape; and further, in the con-
struction of the various parts of the device, as will herein-after fully appear.
In the description of the Invention which follows reference is made to the
accompanying Drawing forming a part hereof, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical
section of the improved packing device.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the Invention on the dotted line x, y.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a part of a steam cylinder head, showing the
present Invention as applied thereto.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the views.
A, A, are the packing rings inclosed in and by a skeleton frame or cage B. The
rings A are each in two parts, jointed together, substantially as shown at v in
Figure 2 of the Drawing, which method of forming the joints admits of the two
parts of the ring being slightly distended or contracted without disclosing an
aperture for the escape of steam.
The cage B consists of a series of annular partitions a connected by bars b, and is
in two parts piuned together, as shown in the Drawing.
Each set of packing rings, that is to say, the rings contained in each compartment
of the cage, is surrounded by a spring ring c which binds them together and allows
of their being handled without danger of separation.
C, C, are springs secured to the bars b, which serve to retain the packing rings
about centrally of the cage, and also to place a slight strain upon said rings and the
rod inclosed by them.
Steam is admitted exteriorly of the packing rings through the apertures d, the
said rings being forced closely in contact with the rod. Upon the opening of the
exhaust and the escape of the steam from the cylinder, all pressure is removed from
the rings except that resulting from the resiliency of the springs, which is trifling,
and practically causes no friction between the rod and the packing rings.
The cage is held within the packing box by means of the gland, and in order to
effect a tight joint between the said parts a gasket of gum or other elastic material
is inserted and held between them. The cage may be easily withdrawn from the
stuffing box, after the removal of the gland, by means of threaded handles which
are screwed into the holes e.
This Invention, although described exclusively in connection with a steam
engine, is alike applicable to air compressors, water motors, the stuffing boxes
located at the inner end of the dead wood of propeller ships, and a variety of other
purposes.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, what I
claim is substantially as follows: —
1st. The cage B formed in two parts, as shown, and consisting of the annular
partitions a and the connecting bars b.

page_text: 2nd. The cage B formed in two parts, as shown, and consisting of the annular
partitions a and connecting bars 6, combined with the packing rings A and
springs C and c.
3rd. The cage B having the steam apertures d combined with the packing
rings A and springs C and c.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my scal, this
Fourteenth day of November, A.D. 1878.
ALLEN DUNTON SPENCER. (L.S.)