IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON AND VALVE RODS, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, CHARLES TILDEN SLEEPER of Chicago in the County of Cook and State of
Illinois, U.S.A., Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
"IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON AND VALVE RODS, AND FOR
SIMILAR PURPOSES," and in what manner the same. is to be performed; to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
My Invention relates to an improvement in metallic packing for piston and
valye rods, &c. The object of the Invention is to provide a metallic packing that
shall be complete in itself and adapted to be applied to a piston or valve rod on
the outside of the ordinary stuffing box whereby it may be relied on as the sole
means for packing the rod, or it may be used in conjunction with and supplemental
to an ordinary stuffing box packing. A further object is to provide a metallic
packing that shall be independent of the stuffing box, and adapted to be self
adjustable laterally and thereby retained in perfect alignment with the moving rod
and thus cause the packing to be subjected to even and uniform wear. A. further
object is to provide a metallic packing with devices for readily expanding and
contracting the packing rings to insure their fitting the rod in a steam tight
manner and yet prevent both the rod and. packing rings from being subjected to
any undue friction or wear. A further object is to provide sectional metallic
packing rings with overlapping joints as will be hereinafter described for
preventing the escape of steam past the rings. With these ends in view my❤
Invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts
as will hereinafter be described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved
metallic packing. Fig. 2 is a similar view with one of the rings removed to show
the packing rings. Fig. 3 is a vertical section. Fig. 4 is a detached view in
perspective of the cam ring, and the follower. Fig. 5 is à detached plan view of
one of the packing rings. Fig. 6 is an edge view of the packing ring. Fig. 7 is
a view in perspective of one section of the packing ring. Fig. is a transverse
section of a stuffing box having my improvement applied thereto, and Fig. 9 is
a plan view of the packing applied to a stuffing box.
A represents a casing or box consisting of the two sections a a¹ which are
provided with lugs b through which rivets or screws 6' are inserted for securing the
two parts of the casing together. Sections a a¹ are constructed with inwardly
projecting flanges 6 thereby forming an internal annular groove 6%. Within the
groove is seated the cam ring B, the periphery of which is provided with

page_text: a segmental worm gear C, with which engages the worm C¹ on the shaft C², the
latter being journalled in bearings c c¹ formed in a projection c² on the sections of
the casing. One end of the shaft C2 is provided with a handle c³ for turning the
shaft. By means of the worm and' worm gear, the cam ring may be turned in
either direction and be retained against accidental displacement. Cam ring B is
provided with four cam surfaces D, each of which constitutes one quarter of the
circumference of the cam ring. The casing or box A is slotted at d, for the
reception of the arms e e¹ on each one of the followers F, said arms being
constructed and arranged to move radially through or within the casing. Each
follower is provided with an arc shaped plate F¹: The cams D are each constructed
with a groove f on its side into which is received a lug f¹ that projects from the
inner side of one of the arms on the follower. When the cam ring is rotated in
one direction, the cams engage the cross bar g on the follower and gradually force
the follower inwardly toward the centre of the casing. When the cam ring is
rotated in the opposite direction, the followers are forced or drawn outwardly by
the engagement of the lugs f¹ in the grooves f in the sides of the cams.
Within the interior of the box or casing A are located the two sectional packing
rings H, each one consisting of the two sections h h. Each section is made with
the ends reduced in width at ii, which reduced ends enter the interior recesses i²
in the opposite section: The peripheries of the sections are cut away at 1³ so as to
form overlapping joints on the periphery. Thus it will be observed that when
the two sections are interlocked or joined, they will form overlapping joints jj,
which will effectually prevent the escape of steam, and yet allow the sections to be
contracted in diameter to compensate for wear. These rings are made of any
metal or alloy suitable for the purpose of a metallic packing.
Encircling the packing rings are the two semi-circular bands J J', which fit
against the rings, and receive the pressure exerted by the followers to compress the
rings. These. bands may be made of steel or any hard metal, and prevent the
followers becoming embedded in the rings and thereby insure the free operation
of the latter but, if deemed advisable these bands may be dispensed with.
Annular rings K K' of slightly less diameter than the inner diameter of the box
or casing A are placed on the outer face or surfaces of the packing rings to serve
as bearings or seats. My improved packing may be secured in the manner
illustrated in Fig. 8. The casing is seated against the end of the gland L of the
stuffing box L', the ring K resting against the gland and constituting a seat for
the casing with its contained packing. M represents the studs of the stuffing box,
which extend through the face plate N having a flange n that rests upon the end
of the stuffing box, thereby forming an interior receptacle for the casing A. The
face plate is secured in place by the nuts.m screwed on to the outer ends of the
studs M. A nut O encircles the piston rod P, and is screwed into the face plate,
the inner end of the nut engaging the ring K¹ on the outer side of the packing.
By regulating the adjustment of the nut O, the packing may be retained in snug
contact with the end of the gland and thereby be prevented from moving with the
piston rod and yet be allowed a free lateral movement so as to be self adjustable
and be retained in perfect adjustment with the piston rod. The nut O is provided
with a socket o in its side into which is received the end o¹ of the spring Q, the
opposite end of which is bent downwardly as at q. The face plate is provided
with a series of holes or sockets q¹. When the nut is properly adjusted the end
of the spring is inserted in one of the holes q¹ in the face plate and thus the nut
is prevented from becoming, displaced and further the nut automatically takes up
any wear on the face plate, or gland, or annular rings seated against the packings.
The spring constantly tends to rotate the nut and force it against the ring K¹.
The continued use of the packing will result in wear of the face plate,. rings K K¹
or outer surface of the gland owing to the lateral adjustment of the packing while
in use, and in order to preserve a steam tight joint between the packing and the
gland or cylinder, under all circumstances, I have provided the spring which
acts on the nut in the manner stated. I do not limit myself to this particular
q

page_text: device for accomplishing this result, as other constructions and arrangement of
parts might be employed for this purpose.
F
From the foregoing it will be observed that the improved packing may be
readily applied when the ordinary stuffing boxes are employed and without
necessitating the removal of or any change being made in the stuffing boxes, so
that comparatively little expense is incurred in the application of the improved
packing. As the adjusting shaft is located outside of the stuffing box, the packing
may be readily and quickly contracted in diameter to compensate for any wear
and thereby insure a steam tight joint. This packing has advantages not
possessed by that type wherein steam or spring pressure is resorted to for setting
the packing, as it serves to pack the rod irrespective of the direction in which
pressure is exerted while in the type referred to, the packing will be operative only
when the pressure is outward or in one direction. Again it has another advantage
over the steam or spring actuated packing in that the rings are mechanically
adjusted so as to preserve a uniform and even contact with the moving rod and
thus obviate any undue wear of friction, while in that type of packing wherein
the rings are set by steam or spring pressure, the force exerted on the rings is
oftentimes sufficiently powerful to bind the rings upon the rod with such force as
to rapidly cut away and destroy the rings. By turning the worm shaft, the cam
ring is rotated and operates to force the followers inwardly, and thereby subject
the outer peripheries of the packing rings to a uniform and even inward pressure
and thereby contract their inner diameter sufficiently to cause them to snugly
engage the piston rod and form a steam tight joint therewith.
New packing
rings may be readily inserted without removing the casing from the rod it being
simply necessary to loosen the nuts retaining the face plate in place and move the
face plate on the rod a sufficient distance to allow of the disengagement of the
ring seated over the side of the packing ring. The old rings may be then
removed and new ones replaced.
Instead of making the different parts in the manner shown and described, they
may be made in half sections to enable them to be applied to the rod without
disconnecting the latter.
While I have shown and described one form of packing embodying my Invention
I do not restrict myself to the exact construction and arrangement of parts shown
and described as it is evident. that many slight changes in the construction and
arrangements of parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of
my Invention:
Having fully described my Invention what I claim as new and desire to secure
by Letters-Patent, is :—
1 In a metallic packing the combination with a box or casing and metallic
packing rings contained therein, of a device for simultaneously contracting said
packing rings, substantially as set forth.
2nd In a metallic packing, the combination with a casing or box and sectional
metallic packing rings located therein, of followers engaging the rings at different
puints on their peripheries, and means for imparting simultaneous movement to
all of said followers, substantially as set forth.
3rd In a metallic packing, the combination with a casing or box and sectional ·
metallic packing rings located therein, of followers and a cam ring for contracting
the packing rings; substantially as set forth.
4th In a metallic packing, the combination with a casing or box and metallic
packing rings located therein, of radially adjustable followers, a cam ring for
actuating said followers, and worin gearing for rotating the can ring substantially
as set forth.
5 In a metallic packing, the combination with a casing or box and metallic
packing rings located therein, of radially adjustable followers and means for.
positively and simultaneously moving said followers either inwardly or outwardly,
substantially as set forth..

page_text: 6th In a metallic packing, the combination with a box or casing and metallic
rings located therein, of radially adjustable followers, bands interposed between the
followers, and packing rings, and a cam ring for actuating said followers,
substantially as set forth.
7th In a metallic packing, the combination with a box or casing, and metallic
packing rings located therein of radially adjustable followers, and a cam ring said
followers and cam ring being connected by lugs and grooves, substantially as set
forth.
8th In a metallic packing, a box or casing made in two sections, in combination
with a cam ring seated in an annular groove formed on the interior of said
sections, substantially as set forth.
9th In a metallic packing, the combination with a box or casing and a cam ring
seated in an annular groove formed within the casing, said ring being provided
with a segmental worm gear, of a worm shaft journalled in bearings formed in a
projection formed on the box or casing, substantially as set forth.
10th In a metallic packing, the combination with a box or casing and means for
contracting the size of 'the packing rings, of annular ring bearings seated against
the outer faces of the packing rings, substantially as set forth.
11th In a metallic packing the combination with a box or casing and metallic
packing rings located therein, of a rotary adjustable ring for adjusting the packing
rings to compensate for wear, substantially as set forth..
12th Metallic packing rings constructed in sections and formed with double
overlapping joints on their sides and peripheries, substantially as set forth.
13th The combination with a stuffing box, of a casing provided with metallic
packing, and a face plate for retaining the casing between the stuffing box and
face plate, substantially as set forth.
14th The combination with a stuffing box, a box or casing containing adjustable
metallic packing rings, of an annular ring bearing seated against the gland of the
stuffing box, of a face plate for retaining the casing in place, substantially as set
forth.
15th The combination with a stuffing box and a box casing containing adjustable
metallic packing rings, the latter engaging the rod outside of the stuffing box, of a
face plate and a nut for retaining the box or casing in place, substantially as set
forth.
.
16th The combination with a stuffing box, and a laterally adjustable casing
containing metallic packing rings seated-against-the-end-of-the-gland of the
stuffing box, of a face plate and a nut for retaining the packing rings against
displacement, substantially as set forth.
17th The combination with a rod, of a detachable casing or box provided with
adjustable metallic. packing, and means for allowing the packing a self lateral
adjustment, and for preventing it from moving in the direction of the movement of
the rod, substantially as set forth.
18th The combination with a box or casing provided with adjustable packing,
of a device for automatically compensating for wear of the bearings between the
packing and the gland or cylinder, substantially as set forth.
Doted this 97th dow of Mau 100i