AN IMPROVED MANU- FACTURE OF PACKING FOR STEAM AND OTHER PISTONS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bristow Hunt, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED MANU-
FACTURE OF PACKING FOR STEAM AND OTHER PISTONS." A coinmunication from
abroad by The Adair Packing Company, of Bowling Green, County of Warren
State of Kentucky, one of the United States of America."
Sealed the 14th November 1876, and dated the 12th September 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Bristow Hunt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th September 1876.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF PACKING FOR STEAM AND OTHER
PISTONS." A communication from abroad by The Adair Packing Company, of
Bowling Green, County of Warren, State of Kentucky, in the United States of
America.
This Invention, which relates to piston and other steam or hydraulic packings,
has for its object the production of a metallic packing which shall be durable and
efficacious, and the Invention consists in the use of two or more sectional metallic
rings, secured in place and adapted to compensate for wear by encircling springs.
Such being the nature and object of the said Invention I will now proceed to
describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed
or carried into practical effect, and in order that the same may be distinctly under-
stood I have annexed hereunto one Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and
iepresenting a packing for a piston rod of a steam engine, and have marked the
same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the following
explanation thereof, that is to say :-
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings Figure 1 represents a sectional view,
and Figure 2 perspective views of the separate parts.
A is the ordinary stuffing box, B the gland, and C the piston rod, D is a metal
ing at the bottom of the stuffing box, fitted so as to be steam-tight where it rests
upon the bottom to prevent leakage around it.

page_text: The steam packing consists of a cast-iron or other metal cylindrical ring H of a
diameter slightly smaller than that of the stuffing box, so as to be easily inserted
or removed when desired, and of a length corresponding to the distance between
the ring D and the end of the gland B. Within this cylindrical ring H at each
end is a pair of sectional rings E and F, each ring being cut into four sections, as 5
represented in Figures 2. The ring E, at its outer edge, is in the shape of an L,
within which the ring F is closely. fitted. A dowel pin is inserted in one of the
sections of the ing F, and a hole to receive the end of the same is made in one of
the sections of the ring E in such a position as to cause the sections of the rings E
and F to break joint. Around each pair of these rings is placed a thin brass or 1
other metal spiral spring G to hold the rings E and F against the rod C when there
is no steam pressure upon them. The diameter of the ring E and the spring around
it, and the internal diameter of the cylindrical ring H, differ to such an extent
that the packing rings E and F can adjust themselves to any vibration of the rod C
caused by being out of line, or from other causes, so that the bearing of these rings
on all parts of the circumference of the rod C is always perfect, thus preventing
any leakage. The. rings E and F are also so fitted that when the gland B is
screwed tight against the ring H, bringing it tight upon the ring D, they remain
free enough to readily adjust themselves to the rod C, but still close enough to
prevent steam from blowing around them. The other requisite to ensure perfect
tightness is that the rod C should be of the same diameter along all that part
passing through the packing at each stroke, and that the internal diameter of the
packing rings is the same as the diameter of the rod. In fitting the packing rings
are bored to the required diameter before being cut into sections, which is done by a
planer, the metal removed by the tool leaves a sufficient space between the sections
to allow of the adjustment required by the natural wear of the rod and packing.
This packing, when put in place with the gland B, screwed down to a tight
bearing, requires no further adjustment or attention, and will remain steam-tight
until the rod from long use becomes of quite unequal diameters at different parts
of its length, which, owing to the very slight friction of the packing, does not occur
for a much longer time than when other kinds of packings are used. With this
packing no brass or other bushing in the gland B or other parts of the stuffing box
is necessary, and that item of expense, which is one of no small amount, is wholly
saved. All that is required to perpetuate the packing in good order is to true the
rod every two or three years and renew the sectional rings E and F.
It will be observed that the whole diameter of the rings, with their encircling
retaining springs, is somewhat less than the interior of the box, the object of which
is that any steam which may be confined between the springs and the interior of
the box will tend to compress the springs and thus hold the packing ring sections
close down or around the piston rod.
It will readily be understood that the packing ring shown as applied to the
stuffing box and piston of a steam engine may be used in connection with pumps,
or wherever it is desirable to form a tight packing for a moving piston or rod.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention for improved
packing for steam and other pistons, together with the manner in which the same
is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I would remark in
conclusion that I claim as the Invention communicated to me by the above-named
Adair Packing Company-
Firstly. The combination of a sectional ring having a radial slot in one or more
of its flanged sections, with a similar ring having a dowel pin upon one or more of
its sections, whereby any number may be held in a given axial relation to each
other, substantially as and for the purpose herein-above set forth and as illustrated
on the annexed Drawings.
And, Secondly. The combination of two or more packing rings (such as described
with a cylindrical ring or box H, having internal annular partitions, between which

page_text: the faces of the sectional rings are clamped, substantially as and for the purposes
lierein-above set forth and as illustrated on the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bristow Hunt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
PRISTOW HITNT Gol