Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th July, 1887
Complete Left, 16th Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 18th May, 1888
I, THOMAS DOWNIE of 33 Trinity Road, Bootle, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the invention is to provide a self-adjustable metallic packing for
piston-rods, valve-rods and the like, that will remain perfectly tight under pressure,
and will offer little friction to the motion of the rod, and afford to said rod a slight
movement or play.
In carrying out the invention I. provide metallic packing rings bored to fit the
outside of the rod, and split at one or more points of their circumference. These rings
are conveniently placed in pairs or sets, and are held against the piston by means of
coil, spiral, or other shaped springs. The outside diameter of the rings is smaller
than the inside of the box that holds then so as to allow the rod to move out of the
straight line, and afford a slight movement or play.
In the model of my improved packing, I provide two sets of rings separated by a
division plate. Each set is composed of three rings, two of then, which are placed
next the division plate being only half the depth of the third ring. One of these
small rings is made so as to fit the outside of the other small ring, and is therefore the
same outside diameter as the larger or deeper ring. All the rings are split at three
points in their circumference, and a check pin is provided in any convenient position
so as to prevent the rings revolving round the rod and retain them in the same
position in relation to each other. The rings are held against the rod by flat, coil,
spiral or other shaped springs. If coil springs are used, a groove is preferably
formed in the outside surface of the rings and a coiled spring made in the form of a
ring, inserted therein. If flat springs are used they may be screwed or otherwise
fastened to the centre of each section of the rings; the outer end of the springs
bearing against the inside of the box which holds them. The stuffing box is made in
two parts, and the two sets of rings are inserted, one in each portion, separated by a
division plate, and the whole firmly bolted or otherwise secured so that the faces of
of the rings are held against each other. In order to guide the rod in its
movement, bearing pieces can be provided and thus partly relieve the packing from
strain.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: +mрrоvешение 1
HACKING FO
and the like.
I, THOMAS DOWNIE, of 33 Trinity Road, Bootle, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
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:
The object of the Invention is to provide a self adjustable metallic packing for
piston-rods, valve-rods and the like, that will remain. perfectly tight under pressure,
and will offer little friction to the motion of the rod, and afford to said, rod a slight
movement, or play.
In carrying out the Invention I provide metallic packing rings bored to fit the
outside of the rod, and split at one, or more points of their circumference. These
rings are conveniently placed in pairs, or sets and are held against the piston by
means of coil, spiral, or other shaped springs. The outside diameter of the rings is
smaller than the inside of the box that holds them so as to allow the rod and packing
to move out of the straight line and afford a slight movement, or play.
In the example of my improved packing which I will now describe, I provide two
sets of rings separated by a division plate. Each set is composed of a plurality of
rings, namely four and they are placed in the stuffing box in pairs, each pair being
annularly arranged. One of the rings of each pair is made so as to fit the outside of
the other ring. All the rings are split at three points in their circumference, and a
check pin is provided in any convenient position so as to prevent the rings revolving
round the rod and retain them in the same position in relation to each other. The
rings are held against the rod by flat, coil, spiral, or other shaped springs. If coil
springs are used, a groove may be formed in the outside surface of the rings and a
coiled spring inserted therein. If flat springs are used they may be screwed, or
otherwise fastened to the centre of each section of the rings; the outer end of the
springs bearing against the inside of the box which holds them. The stuffing box is
made in two parts, and the two sets of rings are inserted, one in each portion,
separated by a division plate, and the whole firmly bolted, or otherwise secured, so
that the faces of the ring are held against each other. In order to guide the rod
in its movement, bearing pieces can be provided and thus partly relieve the packing
from strain.
Having thus specified generally the object and nature of the Invention, its
description will be proceeded with in reference to the accompanying Drawings by
way of explaining more fully the construction, operation, effects and objects of this
Invention.
Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of the packing according to this Invention,
applied to the piston rod of an inverted marine steam engine.
Figure 2 is a cross section of the packing through X. Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan looking upwards, of the packing box, and
Figure 4 shows a plan in detail of a portion of the packing.
Referring to the Drawings A designates the piston rod, B the packing box, or case,

page_text: C the inner packing rings, D the outer packing rings, and F the adjusting springs.
E are the bolts which hold the packing box B to the cylinder, and bare bolts which
hold the two halves of the box B together. It will be observed in the example
illustrated, the packing is in duplicate, that is there are two sets of rings CD separated
by an annular diaphragm B, and that the box B is divided horizontally, the two parts
being held together, and at the same time securing the diaphragm B in place by the
holding down bolts E. Each set of rings consists of two series placed one upon the
other, the spaces between the ends of the segments, forming a ring, being maintained
by the set pins d. The use of these pins is to keep the segments which "break
joint" with each other, in their proper position, That is, the segments are so placed
that the spaces between them in one ring, lie between those of the one next it.
Besides this "break joint" arrangement I construct the inner and outer rings CD of
each series of different widths, in the one case the outer ring D being the larger and
the inner the smaller, and in the other case the converse arrangement is carried out.
This construction is plainly seen in Figure 1 and by it the two series of rings break
joint annularly.
The rings are fitted in the box so as to bear upon each other, and on the top and
bottom surfaces of the box containing them. In the example illustrated, the lowest
series of rings bear upon the bottom surface of the box B and their upper surface
bears upon the under surface of the annular diaphragm B₁; whilst the lower surface
of the next series of rings bears upon the upper surface of the annular diaphragm B',
and the upper surface of the top series of rings bears upon the upper surface of the
box B. All fitting is so adjusted that the rings may move and work to and fro in
the plane at right angles to the axis of the rod, as they are moved by it, but with
sufficient tightness to prevent steam passing.
The radial adjustment of the rings is obtained by the springs F which act in
compression, thus one end of each spring being supported by the brackets H as shown,
the springs it will be seen, will press the outside rings D of each series upon the
inner series and so cause the latter to bear upon the rod. As the inner bearing
rings C wear by the continuous friction and rubbing against the rod, the springs
acting as described, press and adjust the rings forward, thereby keeping the surface
of the inner sets, or series of rings permanently upon the surface of the rod.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would state in conclusion, that in
the above Specification, of the example of packing involving my Invention, I bave
described what I consider the best construction and arrangement for packing large
rods such as marine engine piston and valve rods and the like, but I do not intend to
limit this Invention to this particular construction or arrangement, as the series of
rings may be arranged in various sets, or numbers, and ways, without departing from
the scope of this Invention; and I declare that what I do claim is :
First. A metallic packing for packing boxes composed of a plurality of sets of
sectional rings, each set, or series consisting of a plurality of sectional rings
annularly arranged, and provided with springs to act upon the said rings, substantially,
as set forth.
Second. The metallic packing for piston rods, valve rods and the like constructed
and operating as, or substantially as set forth with reference to the Drawings.
THOMAS DOWNIE.
By Cheesbrough & Royston,
15, Water Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents.