Improvements in or relating to Packing Rings for Pistons and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 19th July, 1900-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in or relating to Packing Rings for Pistons and the like.
We, JOHN FALLDING COOPER and JOSEPH WILLIAM COOPER, Pattern Makers,
both of 135, Abbeyfield Road, Sheffield, in the County of York, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to packing rings for pistons and the like and has for
its object to construct a form of ring which shall be effective in operation and
easy to place in position.
According to this invention the rings, which are preferably made in pairs,
are formed with their adjacent edges wedge-shaped, or otherwise constructed so
that rotary movement of the rings relatively to each other will cause them to
move axially apart. The wedge-shaped adjacent edges are so arranged as to
leave, preferably at one point, a gap where an abutting portion of one ring
faces a corresponding abutting portion of the other ring, these abutting parts
being preferably bevelled. The rings which are split in the usual way are
caused to expand radially, and also to rotate so as to move axially by means
of a spring, which is in compression and lies within the rings, the spring being
curved in some suitable manner. Each end of the spring is connected, prefer-
ably in a detachable manner, to a stop piece shaped so as to lie in the above
mentioned opening between the rings and abutting against the projection or
abutment of one ring. It will be seen that as the spring tends to expand the
stop pieces pressing against the abutments on the rings tend to make the
latter rotate and consequently move axially so as to lie close against the piston
face and the junk ring. Eyes, lugs or the like are provided on each end of
the spring or on the stop pieces and arranged in such a manner that by com-
pressing the spring and bringing the ends together a pin, bar or the like may
be placed in such a position as to hold the ends of the spring together and
retain the spring in compression while it is being placed in position within
the packing rings. This retaining pin, when all is in place, can be with-
drawn, for example through a suitable opening in the junk ring after the
latter has been screwed home, the spring then exerting its power to both expand
the rings radially and cause them to move axially so as to make a steam tight
joint in every way.
In one arrangement for retaining the spring in compression while being
placed in position one or more lugs are formed on either end of the spring in
such a way that when the ends of the latter are brought together the end of a
key or pin when placed between these lugs will hold the ends of the spring
together. In the other end of the key is formed a slot or recess with a bevelled
or sloping surface against which the end of a bolt or screw in the junk ring is
arranged to hear; when this bolt is screwed home the key is forced out of its
place at once releasing the spring which forthwith comes into operation as
above described.
The spring employed may be flat and C-shaped or ends may have reverse

page_text: curves in them to give additional radial thrust at the points where connected
to the stop pieces. If desired each ring may be made in two parts, the outer
part being of uniform width all round, while the inner part is formed wedge-
shaped as above described and varies in width accordingly.
The stop pieces are preferably slightly undercut to engage with the abut-
ments on the rings, which as above mentioned are preferably slightly bevelled,
the stop pieces may also conveniently be mounted upon plates or provided with
flanges which bear against the inner surface of the packing rings and assist in
keeping the stop pieces in place. The stops may also if desired be undercut
laterally. The connection between the ends of the spring and the stop pieces
may be by means of slots in the springs and projections from the stop pieces,
or conversely projections on the spring and slots in the stop pieces. Other
equivalent means may, however, be adopted if desired.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicants..
Improvements in or relating to Packing Rings for Pistons and the like.
We, JOHN FALLDING COOPER and JOSEPH WILLIAM COOPER, Pattern Makers,
both of 135, Abbeyfield Road, Sheffield, in the County of York, 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 packing rings for pistons and the like and has for
its object to construct a form of ring which shall be effective in operation and
easy to place in position.
According to this invention the rings, which are preferably made in pairs,
are formed with their adjacent edges wedge-shaped, or otherwise constructed so
that rotary movement of the rings relatively to each other will cause them to
move axially apart. The wedge-shaped adjacent edges are so arranged as to
leave, preferably at one point, a gap where an abutting portion of one ring
faces a corresponding abutting portion of the other ring, these abutting parts
being preferably bevelled. The rings which are split in the usual way are
caused to expand radially, and also to rotate so as to move axially by means
of a spring, which is in compression and lies within the rings, the spring being
curved in some suitable manner. Each end of the spring is connected, prefer-
ably in a detachable manner, to a stop piece shaped so as to lie in the above
mentioned opening between the rings and abutting against the projection or
abutment of one ring. It will be seen that as the spring tends to expand the
stop pieces pressing against the abutments on the rings tend to make the latter
rotate and consequently move axially so as to lie close against the piston face
and the junk ring. Eyes, lugs or the like are provided on each end of the
spring or on the stop pieces and arranged in such a manner that by com-
pressing the spring and bringing the ends together a pin, bar or the like may
be placed in such a position as to hold the ends of the spring together and
retain the spring in compression while it is being placed in position within
the packing rings. This retaining pin, when all is in place, can be withdrawn,
for example through a suitable opening in the junk ring after the latter has
been screwed home, the spring then exerting its power to both expand the

page_text: rings radially and cause them to move axially so as to make a steam tight
joint in every way.
In one arrangement for retaining the spring in compression while being
placed in position one or more lugs are formed on either end of the spring
in such a way that when the ends of the latter are brought together the end
of a key or pin when placed between these lugs will hold the ends of the
spring together. In the other end of the key is formed a slot or recess with a
bevelled or sloping surface against which the end of a bolt or screw in the
junk ring is arranged to bear; when this bolt is screwed home the key is forced
out of its place at once releasing the spring which forthwith comes into opera-
tion as above described.
The spring employed may be flat and C-shaped or ends may have reverse
curves in them to give additional radial thrust at the points where connected
to the stop pieces. If desired each ring may be made in two parts, the outer
part being of uniform width all round, while the inner part is formed wedge-
shaped as above described and varies in width accordingly.
The stop pieces are preferably slightly undercut to engage with the abut-
ments on the rings, which as above mentioned are preferably slightly bevelled,
the stop pieces may also conveniently be mounted upon plates or provided with
flanges which bear against the inner surface of the packing rings and assist
in keeping the stop pieces in place. The stops may also if desired be undercut
laterally. The connection between the ends of the spring and the stop pieces
may be by means of slots in the springs and projections from the stop pieces,
or conversely projections on the spring and slots in the stop pieces. Other
equivalent means may, however, be adopted if desired.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a pair of packing rings constructed according
to this invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the application of the ramsbottom rings,
to the packing rings shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section showing a form of spring and
means for holding it in compression, constructed according to this invention.
Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 3, also partly in section, showing the
piston and junk ring,
Figures 5 and 6 are respectively elevation and end view of a modification,
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively elevation and end view of a further modifica-
tion,
Figures 9 and 10 are respectively elevation and end view of yet another
modification,
Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 show details hereinafter referred to,
Figures 16 and 17 are respectively elevation and end view of another modified
form of packing constructed according to this invention,
Figure 18 is an elevation of two packing rings showing a form of spring,
Figures 19 and 20 are respectively elevation and end view of packing rings
constructed according to this invention showing a modified form of spring,
Figures 21 and 22 are views similar to Figures 19 and 20 showing a modifica-
tion thereof, and
Figure 23 is an end view of a single packing ring constructed according
to this invention.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The adjacent surfaces of the packing rings A are helical, as shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 23, so that rotary movement of the rings relatively to one
another causes relative axial movement, thus forcing the rings to bear tightly
against the flanges of the piston and junk ring. Such relative rotary move-
ment is caused by means of a spring in compression acting upon the two
rings. A spring B (Figures 3 and 4) is slotted in order to allow an L-piece
or the like A¹ on each ring to project through, these L-pieces forming stops

page_text: against which the spring exerts pressure. It will be seen that one end of the
spring is secured to one of the rings A, whilst the other end is attached
to the other ring; thus the spring tends to give relative rotary movement to
the rings A, and this rotary movement will cause the rings to move away
from one another axially by reason of their adjacent helical surfaces.
spring Balso tends to give radial movement to the rings A thus pressing
them against the cylinder walls.
The
In order to hold the spring B in compression whilst placing it in position.
projections B are provided which are engaged by a key C situated in a recess D₁
of the piston body D. This key C is provided with a bevelled slot C¹ and a
bolt D2 passing through the junk ring E and piston body D engages with this
slot. Thus in assembling the parts forming the complete piston packing con-
structed according to this invention the rings A are placed upon the piston
and the spring B, held in compression by means of the key C¹. is placed within
the rings, the L-pieces A¹ passing through the slots formed in the spring B.
The junk ring E is next secured to the piston body and the spring is released
when the piston is within its cylinder by screwing in the bolt 12 which, by
reason of its engagement with the bevelled slot C₁, causes the key C to be
withdrawn from the projections B1, thus releasing the spring B.
In the construction illustrated in Figures and 6 an inner pair of rings A¹
is provided, both pairs having their adjacent surfaces helical. The inner rings
are secured to the outer ones and form their stopping pieces. The spring B
may be formed as shown in Figure 5, and in this case the lugs A¹ take the
place of the L-pieces illustrated in Figure 3. In this case the spring is held
in compression when assembling the parts by means of a pin passing through
lugs A3 formed on the inner rings A, the pin being withdrawn through a
hole provided in the junk ring.
In Figures 7 and 8 the spring is shown held in compression by means of the
pin B2 engaging with the projections 'B' and is secured to the stopping pieces A³
by means of pins or the like A. the spring being preferably slotted.
Figures 9 and 10 also illustrate two pairs of rings the outer pair being of
uniform cross section whilst the inner pair have their adjacent surfaces helical.
The piston and packing rings A are bevelled on their inner peripheries and
the inner rings A¹ are correspondingly bevelled on their outer peripheries:
thus both radial and axial movement of the inner pair will be communicated
to the outer pair of rings.
Instead of bevelling the rings A and A¹ recesses or ridges may be formed on
the inner peripheries of the packing rings A, whilst corresponding ridges or
recesses are formed on the outer peripheries of the inner rings A¹. Two
examples are illustrated in Figures 11 and 12.
In Figure 13 the packing rings A are coned on their outer edges, the flanges
of the piston and junk ring being correspondingly coned.
Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a device for preventing movement of the rings A
under the influence of the spring B when being placed in position consisting
of a key F provided with projections F1 adapted to engage with holes F2
formed in the inner surface of the rings A.
The key F may be replaced by a pin of oval or similar cross section fitting
a hole F³ after the piston has been placed in the cylinder the pin may be
withdrawn through the hole of the indicating cock or a special hole may be
provided for this purpose.
In the construction illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 a spring similar to
that shown in Figures 5 and 6 is used. In the present case, however, the
lugs A¹ are provided with segmental extensions A situated in recesses formed
in the inner peripheries of the packing rings A. The lugs A¹ and their
extensions are secured to the packing rings in any convenient manner. The
extensions A5 serve to equalize the pressure of the spring whilst at the same
time they act as stopping pieces.

page_text: Figure 18 illustrates a modified form. of spring which can be used with
piston packing constructed according to this invention.
In Figures 19 and 20 a coiled spring G is shown in combination with the
flat spring B, while Figures 21 and 22 show an arrangement consisting of two
coiled springs and a flat one. Other shapes or forms of springs may be used
if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;-
-
1. In a piston packing the combination with two packing rings having
adjacent helical surfaces of a spring tending to give axial, rotary and radial
movement to the rings substantially as described.
2. In a piston packing the combination with a spring having projections
such as B of a key engaging the projections with or without a device such
as CCD2 for disengaging the key substantially as and for the purpose
described.
3. The combination with two piston packing rings of two inner rings such
as A both the packing and the inner rings having adjacent helical surfaces
substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. The combination with two or more piston packing rings each having a
uniform cross-section of two inner rings such as A¹ having adjacent helical
surfaces substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. The combination with two piston packing rings each having a uniform
cross-section and bevelled on their inner peripheries of two inner rings such
as A having adjacent helical surfaces and bevelled on their outer peripheries
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 of the accom-
panying drawings.
6. In a piston packing the combination with packing rings having recesses
or ridges on their inner peripheries of two inner rings correspondingly ridged
or recesses having adjacent helical surfaces substantially as described or illus-
trated in Figures 11 or 12 of the accompanying drawings.
7. In a piston packing the combination with two packing rings haying
adjacent helical surfaces of a stopping piece and lug such as A A¹ secured to
each ring substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. The complete piston packing substantially as described and illustrated in
Figures 3 and 4, in Figures 5 and 6, in Figures 7 and 8, in Figures 9 and 10,
in Figure 11, in Figure 12, in Figure 13, in Figures 14 and 15, in Figures 16
and 17, in Figure 18, in Figures 19 and 20, or in Figures 21 and 22 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of July 1900
JOHN FALLDING COOPER.
JOSEPH WILLIAM COOPER.
Boult, Wade & Kilburn,
Agents for the Applicant.