Improvements in Metallic Packing Mechanism.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1898-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Packing Mechanism.
We, WILLIAM EDGAR PLUMMER, of Soho Works, Bradford, in the County of
York, Managing Duector, and WILLIAM MARSDEN BOWERS KERMODE, of the
same address, Secretary, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to improvements in metallic packing mechanism and is
more particularly applicable to those forms of metallic packing which are arranged
to accomodate themselves to the lateral movement of a reciprocating rod, but are
also applicable to rotating rods.
The invention is fully set forth in the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein
similar letters refer to the same or similar parts.
Figures 1 and 2 are sections taken through a stuffing box and piston rod show.
ing the improved arrangement of the packing more particularly applicable to
that form shown in the Specification of Letters Patent, dated 4th August 1893
and numbered 14973, granted to the present applicants.
Figures 3 and 4 are sections taken through a stuffing box and piston rod
showing the improved arrangement of the packing to suit other conditions.
Referring to Figure 1, in this form of packing there are two separate chambers
each containing a practically independent packing One part is placed in the
stuffing box proper and the other part is contained in a strong case bolted to
the face of the stuffing box, the two parts being separated by a dividing plate
This arrangement has been found most useful for application to rods working
under very high steam pressures.
Figures 1 and 2 show this form of packing as applied to an engine of the
inverted marine type, wherein the piston rod works out of the bottom of the
cylinder.
In such cases the dirt debris or cuttings from the cylinder are liable to accumu-
late in the packing and one of the objects of this invention is to prevent such
accumulation of dirt from causing injury to the packing or to the reciprocating
rods and further to provide a means for removing such accumulations from the
interior of the packing.
In Figures 3 and 4 this invention is shown as applied to rods working hori-
zontally
These views show the packing arranged in two independent parts as in
Figures 1 and 2, with a dividing plate between such parts, but instead of the
springs being so placed as to press each part outwardly from the cylinder or
stuffing box it will be noticed that the outer packing is pressed inwardly by
the springs, towards the stuffing box This arrangement is intended for appli-
cation to the stuffing boxes of cylinders or valve chambers wherein a vacuum
or partial vacuum is caused by the condensation of steam or by other means
The principle involved in this aangement as in the case of the high pressure
packing shown in Figures 1 and 2 is to use the fluid, the passage of which along

page_text: the rod it is desired to prevent, as a means of " 'setting" or tightening the
packing on the 10d In other words the packing is so arranged as to act in the
same direction as the pressure of the fluid to be stopped.
In many metallic packings the springs are arranged so as to act in direct
opposition to the fluid This involves the use of strong springs to keep the
packing in position against the resistance of the fluid, and as a result a greateı
amount of friction is generated on the rod than is desirable The packing on
that cylinder oi valve chamber of a steam engine, in which the steam is con-
densed, has two pressures to resist, namely the pressure of the steam outwardly,
in the first case, and in the second case the inward pressure of the atmosphere
when condensation has taken place in the cylinder or valve chamber
referring to Figures 3 and 4 it will be seen that the packings are so arranged
as to best overcome these opposite pressures, in accordance with the principle
laid down above, and this arrangement of metallic packing mechanism is novel
and advantageous.
On
Referring to Figure 1, A 18 a sleeve made of brass or other suitable metal
bored out so as to fit the rod closely, and so arianged as to move freely with the
1od in its lateral movements whilst at the same time the 1od can slide freely
through it This sleeve can be made of any convenient length and it will be
seen that it acts as a shield preventing any dirt, debis or cuttings from touching
the rod. B is an annular ing containing small holes for the insertion-of the
spiral springs C. These springs may act directly against a ledge at the top
of the stuffing box or against another annular ring of suitable dimensions The
pressure of these spial springs 18 only required to keep the parts of the packing
in position, the steam itself setting up the pressure necessary to ensure steam
tight contact of the packing with the rod
The annular ring B is made so as to rest on a flange prepared for it on the
sleeve A and the underside of B is made with a number of openings which permit
the steam debris or cuttings to pass into the cavity which exists below, as between
the outside of ring D and the walls of the stuffing box D is an annulai ring
with a partly conical interior prepared to receive the packing rings E. We
may make the lower part of the sleeve A conical, so as to fit the packing ring
against which it rests, or this sleeve may be made square at this point and the
packing ring E made to suit F is the dividing plate between the upper and
lower packings and it may be made with a port or passage G.
This port or passage is intended to be used as a means of exit for any dut,
debris, cuttings or water which may have accumulated in the cavity above,
a suitable valve being fitted at a convenient point, so as to control this passage
The valve need only be opened occasionally and the steam permitted to blow
through this being sufficient to remove whatever may have accumulated above
A suitable ball and socket joint may be arranged if desired, between the annular
ring D and the dividing plate F
H is an annular ring which serves the same purpose in the lower packing
that B serves in the upper packing It is arranged with small holes J for spiral
springs to keep the lower packing in position, and is also fitted with a flange
which projects upwards. This flange effectually prevents any springs escaping
from the holes J and thus avoids any possible injury to the reciprocating rod
The remainder of the lower packing consists of a case K containing the ball
joint L, sliding plates M, segmental blocks N, horn rings 0 and springs P, as
described in previous specifications.
Figure 2 is a section through a packing arranged for use under similar circum-
stances to the packing shown in Fig. 1, with slight modifications. The annular
ring D, the rings E, and the lower end of sleeve A are arranged in accordance
with the Complete Specification which accompanies the Application for Letters
Patent No 9853 dated April 29th 1898 and the port or passage for the exit of
accumulations is prepared through the side of the stuffing box Q instead of
through the plate F.

page_text: In Figure 3 the sleeve A, annular ring D and packing rings E are practically
similar to the corresponding parts in Figures 1 and 2, but the annular ring B
and small springs C are dispensed with, a larger spiral spring S being employed
to keep the packing in position. We may employ a ball and socket ring L
fitting into the plate F if found desirable, or the annular conical ring D may
be placed directly in contact with the plate F. The exit for accumulations is
by the hole G prepared through the bottom side of the stuffing box Q
In this case the dividing plate F may be prepared with a port or passage T,
which may be used for the purpose of introducing oil between the two parts
of the packing and so improve the lubrication of the rod, or this passage may
be entuely dispensed with. The outer packing consists of the annular ring D,
with packing rings E, and follower ring R as described in the Complete Specifica-
tion which accompanies the Application for Letters Patent No. 9853 dated 29th
April, 1898, and 18 enclosed in a case K, K¹ which may be made in two parts, as
shown In this outer case suitable holes are made to receive the small spiral
springs C which serve to keep the outer packing in position and securely pressed
against the dividing plate F. An annular ring U is prepared to cover these
springs and prevent any shearing strain on the ends of same A ball and socket
Joint L may be employed or we may cause the plate D to be in direct contact
with the dividing plate F. It will be noticed that in this arrangement the outer
packing is entirely open to the atmosphere and will only come into play when
the condensation of the steam in the cylinder, or valve chamber, causes the
atmosphere to exert an inward pressure
Figure 4 shows a section of a packing arranged in two parts, but the inner
rart consists of segmental blocks N with containing rings O, spiral springs P,
ahiding plate M and ball joint L as before, the whole being enclosed in the outer
case F, which also serves as the dividing plate between the two parts of the
packing. The passage T, for oil, may be arranged in the case F, as shown and
also a port or passage G for the escape of accumulations.
In this packing the sleeve A instead of pressing against the packing rings
as in the previous figures, presses against the segmental blocks N, being arranged
with a suitable flange, which flange may be provided with channels or passages
corresponding to those made in the ring B Figure 1 These passages will permit
accumulations to pass into the cavity surrounding the segmental blocks, to be led
away from thence by the passage G. The outer packing corresponds generally
in form and arrangement with that shown in Figure 3.
Figures 5 and 6 show two views of the annular ring B referred to in descrip-
tion of Figures 1 and 2.
We wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to the exact
details shown and described in this specification as modifications of same may
be made without departing from the principles of the invention.
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 18:-
1. In metallic packing mechanism, the combination of a shielding sleeve or
ring A capable of floating laterally to suit the vibrations of a reciprocating rod,
with the several parts as herein shown and described
2 In metallic packing mechanism, the combination of a shielding sleeve or
ring A, with the annular ring B prepared with channels to permit passage of
debris, cuttings, or other accumulations, the dividing plate F having port or
passage to permit of exit of accumulations, or entrance of oil, the flanged spring
holding ring H, and the several parts, substantially as herein shown and described
3 In metallic packing mechanism, the combination and arrangement of the
two parts of a double packing, so that these parts act face to face, and exert
pressure in opposite directions but still act conjointly for the purpose of packing

page_text: the 1od, and also provide a chamber to hold material for the lubrication of the
reciprocating or iotating rod if desned, substantially as herein shown and
described.
Date the 1st day of September 1898.
WM BROOKES & SON
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants