Improvements in Rotary Steam Joints.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1895-Accepted, 7th Sept., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Steam Joints.
I, JOHN BRAINERD MORGAN, residing on Webster Street, in the Town of
Rockland, County of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, United States of
America, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide a steam joint between a stationary
steam supply and a steam cylinder or other machine using steam, such for instance
as steam driers for paper mills, which cylinders or machines are arranged and
adapted to rotate and also oscillate, and the invention consists of a steam joint
which connects a stationary steam supply with a steam supplied cylinder or other
machine whether for rotation or oscillation, constructed and arranged for operation,
as hereinafter fully described.
The drawings illustrate a steam joint constructed in accordance with this
invention and applied to a rotating steam cylinder drier.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of the joint ;
Figure 2 is a cross section on line 2-2 Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross section on line 4-4 Figure 1;
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detail plan views of some of the parts;
Figures 7 and 8 are detail central longitudinal sections showing modifications.
Figure 9 is a modified detail section.
Figure 10 is a cross-section on line 1-1 in Figure 1.
In the drawings, 2 represents a cylindrical shell or casing adapted to be attached
to one end or head 3 of a steam drying cylinder 4.
This shell preferably has an internal shoulder 5 and contains an annular ring 6
of wood, this ring which serves as a packing being a peculiar feature of this joint.
In the present instance this ring of wood is bushed with a ring or gland 7 of metal
which fits the inner side of the wood ring and is formed with a lip 8 overlapping
the end of the wood ring and with a right angular screw-threaded extension 9,
whereby it is secured into the end 10 of the shell, and held closely upon the wood
ring 6. When in place, a check nut 13 is applied exteriorly.
This ring or gland 7 with its flange 8 is shown as in two parts screwed together
as at 12, but as is obvious they can be made integral with each other.
The check nut 13 and the Hange or lip 8 each have diametrically opposite, two
inwardly projecting lugs 14, as shown in plan in Figures 5 and 6, to receive a
spanner for removal from or insertion in the shell.
Resting on the inner side of this metal or gland ring 7 are two washers 15, 16;
on one 16, of which, rests or bears another washer or flat ring 17 having in its
outer surface an annular groove 18, to receive the end of a spiral spring 19.
Extending freely through the ring 7 is a tube 20 leaving an annular space 21
between the two, and on the end of this tube is an external head or flange 23, its
outer side being conical or hemispherical, that is, curved in the line of a segmental
section of a circle as at 24 and to bear upon the end of the wood ring, which is
correspondingly hollowed or cupped at 25 to form a close union.
The tube 20 extends freely through the wood and metal rings out beyond the
5 shell. By this construction, divergence of the alignment occasioned by contraction,
expansion or slight shifting of the révoluble parts due to wear, may occur with no
.

page_text: disturbance or injury to the steam joint, since the tube 20 is free to shift on its
seat in the packing. The spring 19 is coiled about said tube, white a ring 26 bears
on the spiral spring. This ring contains a screw 27, the end of which extends into
a longitudinal slot 28 in the side wall of the tube; hence the ring can move freely
back and forth longitudinally thereon but is prevented from revolving.
The tube 20 has an external screw thread 29, while an annular ring screw nut 30
bears against the ring 26 and spring 19.
The outer end of the tube 20 engages a casting 31 formed with an undercut
groove 32 concentric with the tube. Cooperating therewith is a nut 34 having a
similar undercut groove 35, the two grooves conjointly creating a V to contain a
packing 36 which seals the joint.
On one side near the opposite end of this casting 31 is an opening 37 into which
screws a pipe 38 for the return of the water or steam to the cylinder, and beyond
this opening and pipe is another side opening 39 to receive the steam pipe 40
'connected with any suitable steam supply.
The steam pipe 40 communicates directly with the chamber 41 and the tube,
which in turn communicates with the chamber 70 of the drier cylinder so that
steam let into the pipe 40 will pass through the tube into the drier cylinder.
Within the tube is a small pipe 42 one end screwing into the casting at 43, its
other, bent end extending into the drier chamber, thus interconnecting the pipe 38
with the said chamber.
Furthermore, the casting contains a duct 45 which connects with one end of a
small pipe 46 to extend within and through the tube into the drier chamber,
terminating in an upward bend 47 toward the side of the cylinder.
A valve 48 controls the duct 45, which, when opened, allows air to escape through
the pipe 46 from the drier chamber.
In some instances the wood ring 6 is provided with a ring or flange 49 forming a
shoulder; furthermore, a circumferential groove 50 is created in which loosely fits
a sectional metal ring 51 resting on the shoulder 5 of the shell, see Figure 4; these
two parts cach have an inward projection or lug 52 which enters a hole or aperture 53
in the wood ring, and on its periphery an outward projection or lug 54, which when
the ring is in place engages in a longitudinal groove 56 in the inner side of the
shell so that the ring can move back and forth therein but not turn round
independent of the shell.
In operation as the cylinder drier is revolved it carries with it the shell 2, wond
ring 6, sectional ring 51, flanged gland or metal ring 7, annular screw nut 13,
washers 15, 16 and spiral spring 19; but the flanged tube 20, the casting 31 and
the parts united therewith are stationary. Hence in such movement the wood ring
which acts to prevent escape of steam is inoved round on the curved seat of the
tube flange.
Should this joint become worn so that it does not prevent the escape of steam
therethrough, it can be tightened by unloosening the check nut 34 and taking hold
of the tube 20 screw it into the connection a sufficient distance which moves the
flange surface 23 up to the wood surface and closes the joint, after which the
annular screw nut is turned home.
The joint can be also tightened by screwing up the ring screw nut 30 compressing
the spring, consequently holding the joint closer, the spring allowing the joint to be
sufficiently yielding.
The joint as shown in Figure 7 may likewise be tightened as follows: The screw
threads on the flange tune and the casting are both to be United States standard
threads or a straight thread in contra-distinction to an ordinary tapered pipe thread.
Hence the flared head of the tube, when the check nut 34 is relaxed may be
revolved by the drier by means of the friction between the contiguous surfaces of
the tube head and the wood packing. Hence the tube will advance into the casting,
as the drier revolves, until the flanged head is again brought into contact with the
packing more and more closely, until the joint is rendered perfectly tight.
Thus can be maintained at all times during the rotation and oscillation of the

page_text: cylinder a close, and proper connection between the steam drying cylinder and the
stationary steam supply pipe.
:
The steam and water pipes have suitable valves for closing and opening the
pipes as is usual in such pipes..
In the operation of this invention as steam is first let into the drying cylinder.
through the steam pipe, the air valve is opened to allow the air in the cylinder,
and connection to pass out, and when steam passes out at the air valve, the valve is
closed.
In the application of, this wood packing, it will be noticed that this ring of wood
exceeds the diameter of the flange or head on the tube and is thereby exposed to
the action of the condense water which it is free to absorb, thereby prolonging its..
wear. Since this substance is well known to act as a condenser a supply of water,
is constantly maintained in the chamber 60, adapted for such purpose. Another
advantage secured by the exposure of the packing directly to the steam, is the
absorption of the water by the wood and in this way the friction between. the
revoluble packing and the stationary pipe is reduced to a minimum.
The two part ring, 51 can be dispensed with if desired, the wood ring filling out
the space in the shell as shown in Figure 9, in section, where the wood fits a
shoulder. 57 of the shell.
The wood ring.can be held or secured in the shell, in other ways than as herein,
shown; the washers 15, 16 can; be dispensed with and the spring arranged to bear.
directly upon the gland flange although it is preferable to use the washers.; also:
the air pipe can be used in connection with the steam drier cylinder or other,,
machine without the steam joint herein described.
The air pipe is arranged to communicate with the water return pipe 38, by means
of the passage 59 in the casting, although it can be arranged to connect in any
other suitable manner.
The joint herein described having its two bearing surfaces curved as shown;
allows the drier not only to revolve, but to have more or less oscillation, thus,
accommodating itself to all movements of the drier while in operation.
茅
This rotary steam joint is simple in its construction, its cost of manufacture is
small, it is easily applied and taken care of and, it is efficient and satisfactory in;
practical operation.
1
:
When the air pipe becomes filled with steam, the steam from the air pipe passes,
through the opening 59 in the connection and connects with the siphon return pipe,
creating a vacuum in the siphon.
The washers 15, 16 between the grooved ring 17 and the gland can be dispensed
with if desired although it is preferable to use them or at least one washer.
In Fig. 1 the shell moves exteriorly of the stuffing. box 2' which is cup shaped.
and is interiorly bolted at 61 directly to the face of the journal. This is a very..
effective and neat way of affixing the stuffing box and the various cooperating.
elements. in place. In Fig. 7 and 8 the bushing 7 is omitted, likewise the coiled
spring 19, the wood packing 6 being held firmly between the shell 2 and the
gland 71, and rotating with the drier. In Fig. 7 the gland moves interiorly of the,
stuffing box or shell, here formed with a shouldered neck exteriorly, bolted to.
the journal of the drier. In Fig. 8 the form of attachment is especially adapted;
where it is desired to apply my form of steam joint to such driers as have the old,
style journal with plain necks or, without screw threads. To avoid dismounting
said driers, which act would involve expense and loss by disuse of the machine, I
provide a capped sleeve 62: the cap of the sleeve is bored, to coincide with the bore
in the journal, while set screws 63 unite it rigidly with the journal drier. In order
to unite the steam joint with this capped sleeve 62, the latter is exteriorly screw-
threaded and adapted, to enter the interiorly screw-threaded portion of the
stuffing box. A gasket 64 is interposed between the meeting surfaces. Thus
the capped sleeve is the only additional element and the steam joint may be
applied to the journal of a drier, whatever its construction, in a very inexpensive
manner.

page_text: 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. In a rotary steam joint, the combination with a revoluble shell or casing, of a
ring of wood within the casing provided with a curved bearing, a stationary flanged
tube having a bearing corresponding to and engaging the curved bearing on the
wood ring and arranged to be secured together.
2. In combination with a revoluble steam cylinder, a stuffing box or shell affixed
to the face of the journal, an adjustable gland, and a flanged packing grasped
between the stuffing box and the gland, an interconnecting flange tube provided
with a head which is contained within the packing, said packing extending circum-
ferentially about the head and interposed between said head and the walls of the
stuffing box, substantially as herein stated.
3. In a rotary steam joint, in combination, a shell or casing, a ring of wood within
the casing, a bearing on one end of said wood ring, a metal ring adapted to be
secured in said shell or casing, and a flanged tube or pipe extending through the
metal ring and of less diameter to permit rocking movement of the tube, said flange
having a bearing to fit the bearing of the wood ring.
4. In a rotary steam joint, in combination, a shell or casing, a ring of wood
within the casing, a bearing on one end of said wood ring, a bushing ring adapted
to be secured in said shell or casing, a tube or pipe extending through the metal ring,
a flange on its inner end having a bearing to fit the bearing of the wood ring, a ring
on said tube, an annular screw nut next said ring and a spring between said tube
ring and the ring in the casing.
5. The combination with a rotating steam cylinder, a stuffing box affixed thereto,
its gland, a flanged packing grasped by said box and gland, and a recess at one
end of said packing, an interconnecting flanged tube having a head at one end to
fit the recess in the packing and screw threaded at the opposite end to engage a
fixed pipe, and means to allow said tube to be revolved at times to compensate for
the wear of the packing, substantially as described.
6. In combination a cup-shaped stuffing box having internal holding screws to
affix it to a revolving cylinder, a gland, and an annular packing for liquid
absorption recessed at one end, an interconnecting tube flanged at one extremity
with a straight screw thread on the opposite end portion, a fixed pipe which
engages the screw thread on the tube, and a check nut to prevent said tube from
rotating, substantially as specified.
7. In a steam joint, a cup-shaped stuffing box, a gland therefor, and an annular
packing recessed at one end and grasped between the gland and the stuffing box,
combined with a tube fitted with a flange to be contained in said recess, the tube
and the packing extending in part within said stuffing box and thereby creating a
chamber for condense water, substantially as and for purposes explained.
8. In a joint for rotary steam shafting or pipe, the cylindrical body having the
interiorly screw-threaded mouth, in combination with the flanged gland, a packing
disposed against a shoulder 5 of said body, a screw plug turned into said mouth
against said gland, a spring-pushed washer on said gland, and a flanged tube
extending through said gland, a screw nut on said tube, and a friction washer
interposed between said screw nut and spring.
9. In a joint for rotary steam mechanism, in combination, a ring abutting the
end of the joint, a groove in said ring, a stationary tube with a flange, a nut on the
tube, a ring next said nut, a spring between the rings, and a packing interposed
between said tube flange and the end of the joint.
10. In combination with a hollow revoluble vessel, and a stationary flanged
tube, a stuffing box which interconnects said cylinder and flanged tube, said stuffing
box comprising a short screw-threaded cup, a gland movable upon said screw
threads, and an annular packing, the base of said cup being bored for the passage
of steam and adapted for attachment to the journal, substantially as set forth.

page_text: inder a close and proper connection between
tionary steam supply pipe.
The steam and water pipes have suitable valves for closing and opening the
es as is usual in such pipes..
In the operation of this invention as steam is first let into the drying cylinder
rough the steam pipe, the air valve is opened to allow the air in the cylinder.
d connection to pass out, and when.steam passes out at the air valve, the valve is
sed.
In the application of this wood packing, it will be noticed that this ring of wood
ceeds the diameter of the flange or head on the tube and is thereby exposed to
e action of the condense water which it is free to absorb, thereby prolonging its
ear. Since this substance is well known to act as a condenser a supply of water
constantly maintained in the chamber 60, adapted for such purpose. Another.
dvantage secured by the exposure of the packing directly to the steam, is the
bsorption of the water by the wood and in this way the friction between the :
evoluble packing and the stationary pipe is reduced to a minimum.
The two part ring 51 can be dispensed with if desired, the wood ring filling out.
he space in the shell as shown in Figure 9, in section, where the wood fits a
houlder 57 of the shell.
The wood ring can be held or secured in the shell in other ways than as herein
hown; the washers 15, 16 can be dispensed with and the spring arranged to bear:
directly upon the gland flange although it is preferable to use the washers; also:
the air pipe can be used in connection with the steam drier cylinder or other
machine without the steam joint herein described.
The air pipe is arranged to communicate with the water return pipe 38, by means
of the passage 59 in the casting, although it can be arranged to connect in any
other suitable manner.
L
The joint herein described having its two bearing surfaces curved as shown.
allows the drier not only to revolve, but to have more or less oscillation, thus.
accommodating itself to all movements of the drier while in operation.
This rotary steam joint is simple in its construction, its cost of manufacture is
small, it is easily applied and taken care of and it is efficient and satisfactory.in
practical operation.
i
;
When the air pipe becomes filled with steam, the steam from the air pipe passes:
through the opening 59 in the connection and connects with the siphon return pipe,
creating a vacuum in the siphon.
The washers 15, 16 between the grooved ring 17 and the gland can be dispensed
with if desired although it is preferable to use them or at least one washer.
In Fig. 1 the shell moves exteriorly of the stuffing box 2' which is cup shaped,
and is interiorly bolted at 61 directly to the face of the journal. This is a very.
effective and neat way of affixing the stuffing box and the various cooperating:
elements in place. In Fig. 7 and 8 the bushing 7 is omitted, likewise the coiled
spring 19, the wood packing 6 being held firmly between the shell 2 and the
In Fig. 7 the gland moves interiorly of the
gland 7', and rotating with the drier.
5 stuffing box or shell, here formed with a shouldered neck exteriorly bolted to
the journal of the drier. In Fig. 8 the form of attachment is especially adapted
where it is desired to apply my form of steam joint to such driers as have the old
style journal with plain necks or without screw threads. To avoid dismounting
said driers, which act would involve expense and loss by disuse of the machine, I
0 provide a capped sleeve 62: the cap of the sleeve is bored to coincide with the bore
in the journal, while set screws 63 unite it rigidly with the journal drier. In order
to unite the steam joint with this capped sleeve 62, the latter is exteriorly screw
Thu
threaded and is adapted to enter the interiorly screw-threaded portion of the
stuffing box. A gasket 64 is interposed between the meeting surfaces.
55: the capped sleeve is the only additional element. and the steam joint may b
applied to the journal of a drier, whatever its construction, in a very inexpensiv
manner.

page_text: 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. In a rotary steam joint, the combination with a revoluble shell or casing, of a
ring of wood within the casing provided with a curved bearing, a stationary flanged
tube having a bearing corresponding to and engaging the curved bearing. on the
wood ring and arranged to be secured together.
: .
2. In combination with a revoluble steam cylinder, a stuffing box or shell affixed
to the face of the journal, an adjustable gland, and a flanged packing grasped
-between the stuffing box and the gland, an interconnecting flange tube provided
with a head which is contained within the packing, said packing extending circum-
ferentially about the head and interposed between said head and the walls of the
stuffing box, substantially as herein stated.
-
3. In a rotary steam joint, in combination, a shell or casing, a ring of wood within
the casing, a bearing on one end of said wood ring, a metal ring adapted to be
secured in said shell or casing, and a flanged tube or pipe extending through the
metal ring and of less diameter to permit rocking movement of the tube, said flange
having a bearing to fit the bearing of the wood ring.
4. In a rotary steam joint, in combination, a shell or casing, a ring of wood
within the casing, a bearing on one end of said wood ring, a bushing ring adapted
to be secured in said shell or casing, a tube or pipe extending through the metal ring,
a flange on its inner end having a bearing to fit the bearing of the wood ring, a ring
on said tube, an annular screw nut next said ring and a spring between said tube
ring and the ring in the casing.
5. The combination with a rotating steam cylinder, a stuffing box affixed thereto,
its gland, a flanged packing grasped by said box and gland, and a recess at one
end of said packing, an interconnecting flanged tube having a head at one end to
fit the recess in the packing and screw threaded at the opposite end to engage a
fixed pipe, and means to allow said tube to be revolved at times to compensate for
the wear of the packing, substantially as described.
6. In combination a cup-shaped stuffing box having internal holding screws to
affix it to a revolving cylinder, a gland, and an annular packing for liquid
absorption recessed at one end, an interconnecting tube flanged at one extremity
with a straight screw thread on the opposite. end portion, a fixed pipe which
engages the screw thread on the tube, and a check nut to prevent said tube from
rotating, substantially as specified.
7. In a steam joint, a cup-shaped stuffing box, a gland therefor, and an annular
packing recessed at one end and grasped between the gland and the stuffing box,'
combined with a tube fitted with a flange to be contained in said recess, the tube
and the packing extending in part within said stuffing box and thereby creating a
chamber for condense water, substantially as and for purposes explained.
8. In a joint for rotary steam shafting or pipe, the cylindrical body having the
interiorly screw-threaded mouth, in combination with the flanged gland, a packing
disposed against a shoulder 5 of said body, a screw plug turned into said mouth
against said gland, a spring-pushed washer on said gland, and a flanged tube
extending through said gland, a screw nut on said tube, and a friction washer
interposed between said screw nut and spring.
9. In a joint for rotary steam mechanism, in combination, a ring abutting the
end of the joint, a groove in said ring, a stationary tube with a flange, a nut on the
tube, a ring next said nut, a spring between the rings, and a packing interposed
between said tube flange and the end of the joint.
10. In combination with a hollow revoluble vessel, and a stationary flanged
tube, a stuffing box which interconnects said cylinder and flanged tube, said stuffing
box comprising a short screw-threaded cup, a gland movable upon said screw
threads, and an annular packing, the base of said cup being bored for the passage
of steam and adapted for attachment to the journal, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 11. In a rotary steam joint, in combination, a shell or casing, a ring of wood
within the casing, a circumferential groove in said wood ring, a metal ring in two
parts loosely fitting in said wood ring provided with internal and external lugs or
projections to engage with said wood ring and the shell or casing, a bearing
on one end, a tube or pipe extending through the wood ring, and a flange on its
inner end having a bearing to fit the bearing on the wood ring and adapted to be
secured together.
12. In a rotary steam joint, in combination, a shell or casing, a ring of wood
within the casing, a circumferential groove in said wood ring, a metal ring in two
parts loosely fitting in said wood ring provided with internal and external lugs or
projections, a socket in said wood ring, and a socket in the shell or casing open on
one side to the end for said inner and outer projections respectively of the wood
and metal rings.
13. In a rotary steam joint, the combination with a revoluble shell or casing
having a shoulder 5, of a ring of wood within the casing provided with a corre-
sponding shoulder 50, a gland securing the wood ring in place, and a stationary
flanged tube engaging said ring of wood.
Dated this 17th day of April 1895.
JOHN BRAINERD MORGAN.