IMPROVEMENTS IN PISTON PACKING RINGS AND IN APPARATUS FOR TESTING PACKING RINGS AND SPRINGS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Austin Rickaby of Sunderland in the County of
Durham Engineer for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN PISTON PACKING
RINGS AND IN APPARATUS FOR TESTING PACKING RINGS AND SPRINGS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Austin Rickaby at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1882.
ALFRED AUSTIN RICKABY of Sunderland in the County of Durham, Engineer,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PISTON PACKING RINGS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR TESTING
PACKING RINGS AND SPRINGS,"
The first part of my invention relates to improved forms of piston packing
rings. According to one method I make one ring of an L section with its outer
diameter eccentric to its inner diameter, and cut open at its thinnest part; the
other ring is of rectangular Section, also, having its outer diameter eccentric to its
inner diameter and is cut open at its thickest part. This ring is only half the
depth of the other and its inner diameter fits over the outer diameter of the
vertical portion of the section and rests upon the horizontal ledge. When put
together and compressed, the two rings form one perfect circle externally, of the
required depth, the cut parts being kept opposite to each other by a pin or stud
which prevents them turning round except together. According to another
method both rings are L shaped over one half of their circumference and
rectangular over the other half, which is also only one half the depth of the
L shaped portion. Both rings have their outer diameters eccentric to their inner
diameters, and are cut open at their thinnest part (which is in the centre of the
rectangular portion). The two rings being put together, the inner diameter of the
rectangular portion of each fits over the outer diameter of the vertical portion of
the L section of the other and rests on the ledge formed by the horizontal portion.
The two rings now form when compressed, one perfect circle externally of the
required depth, the cut open parts being kept opposite each other by the abutting
edges where the L shaped portions terminato.

page_text: The Second part of my invention relates to perforating the Surfaces of packing
rings next the interior Surface of the cylinder, with holes either cast or drilled into
(but not through) them, for the purpose of causing a better distribution of the
lubricant as the rings alter their circumferential position in working.
The third part of my invention relates to an apparatus for testing and recording
the force required to compress packing rings and coil spring packing so as to
ascertain the outward pressure on the cylinder and consists of a Strap enclosing
the packing ring or Spring coil having one end fixed as a fulcrum, the other being
moveable upon a Screwed Spindle by a nut. This Spindle at the opposite end is
attached (as prefer to arrange it) to a packed piston working in a hydraulic
cylinder, the screwing home of the nut on the loose end of the Strap tending to
draw up the piston against the fluid in the cylinder, the pressure being recorded
upon a gauge attached to the cylinder. Or instead of a hydraulic cylinder I may
in some cases employ an arrangement of levers (Simple or compound) upon which
the resistance to compression of the packing rings or coil Springs will act and be
recorded upon a steel yard, spring balance or other similar appliance.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Austin Rickaby in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th October 1882.
Alfred Austin Rickaby of Sunderland in the County of Durham Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PISTON PACKING RINGS AND IN APPARATUS FOR TESTING
PACKING RINGS AND SPRINGS."
The first part of my invention relates to improved forms of piston packing
rings. According to one method 1 make one ring of an L section with its outer
diameter eccentric to its inner diameter, and cut opon at its thinnest part, the other
ring is of rectangular section, also, having its outer diameter eccentric to its inner
diameter and is cut open at its thickest part. This ring is only half the depth of
the other and its inner diameter fits over the outer diameter of the vertical
portion of the L Section and rests upon the horizontal ledge. When put togethor
and compressed, the two rings form one perfect circle externally, of the required
depth, the cut parts being kept opposite to each other by a pin or stud which
prevents them turning round except together According to another method both
rings aro L shaped over one half of their circumference and rectangular over the
other half which is also only one half the depth of the shaped portion. Both
rings have their outer diameters eccentric to their inner diameters, and are cut
open at their thinnest part (which is in the centro of the rectangular portion).
The two rings being put together, the inner diameter of the rectangular portion of
oach fits over the outer diameter of the vertical portion of the section of the
other, and rests on the ledge forined by the horizontal portion. The two rings now
form when compressed, one perfect circle externally of the required depth, tho cut

page_text: open parts being kept opposite each other by the abutting edges where the L shaped
portions terminate.
The second part of my Invention relates to perforating the surfaces of packing
rings next the interior surface of the cylinder, with holes either cast or drilled
into (but not through) them, for the purpose of causing a better distribution of the
lubricant as the rings alter their circumferential position in working.
The third part of my Invention relates to an apparatus for testing and recording
the force required to compress packing rings and coil spring packing so as to
ascertain the outward pressure on the cylinder and consists of a strap enclosing
the packing ring or spring coil having one ond fixed as a fulcrum, the other being
moveable upon a screwed spindle by a nut. This spindle at the opposite end is
attached (as I prefer to arrange it) to a packed piston working in a hydraulic
cylinder, the screwing home of the nut on the loose end of the strap tending to
draw up the piston against the fluid in the cylinder, the pressure being recorded
upon a gauge attached to the cylinder. Or instead of a hydraulic cylinder I may
in some cases employ an arrangement of lovers (simple or compound) upon which
the resistance to compression of tho packing rings or coil springs will act and be
recorded upon a steel yard, spring balance or other similar applianco
:
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig 1. Shows a plan of a pair of packing rings made according to the first
method described in my specification and Fig. 2 is a section of the same on the
lino A: B: of plan A is the L shaped ring having its outer diameter eccentric to
its inner diamoter cut open at its thinnest part B is the rectangular shaped ring
having its outer diameter occentric to its inner diameter resting on the lodge of
L shaped ring A cut open at its thickest part and prevented from turning (except
together) by a stud screwed into the ring A.
Fig. 3. shows a plan of a pair of packing rings made according to the second
method described and Fig. 4 is a section of the same on the line c. d. The two
rings C and D are both Ĺ shaped over one half of their circumference and rect-
angular over the remaining half and both are cut open at their thinnest part and
they are prevented from turning round (except together) by their abutting edges
where their shaped portions terminate. When compressed and placed in the
piston the two rings in each case form externally a true circle and exert a uniform
pressure on the walls of the cylinder while no steam can pass both rings. Packing
rings so constructed either in one pair or in a series of pairs are applicable to
pistons of any description and to piston valves-The perforating of the outer
surfaces of packing rings with holes (preferably arranged zig zag) for the purpose
of better distributing the lubricant is partly shewn by the section of rings in
both Figs 1. and 2, and 3 and 4 but is of course applicable to any kind of packing
rings.
same
Fig 5. shews one form of an apparatus for testing and recording the force
required to compress packing rings or springs in which hydraulic power is used,
but I propose in some cases to use levers (either simple or compound) as the
operating power the general principle and operation of the apparatus being the
E is a cylinder fitted with a piston F the rod G of which extends upward
through a frame H and has a screw cut upon its upper end J is a strap having an
eye at each end, and of sufficient length to embrace the largest packing ring or
spring required to be tested. One eye of this strap rests upon the top of the
frame H and the other is fixed on the screwed part of the piston rod G by a nut.
The ring or spring to be tested being placed in the strap is secured in it by screwing
down the nut and a small pump attached to the pipe K being set to work oil
or water is forced into the cylinder and the piston is forced down drawing with it
by its rod the upper eye of the strap and so compressing the ring embraced by it
the pressure being recorded upon a gauge L. or the piston may be drawn up by
the nut against fluid above it

page_text: Figs 6 and 7 illustrate a mothod of applying packing rings to take the pressure
off the back of slide valves applicable also to pistons or other purposes, M and N
are two concentric rings cut at opposite points and fitted with tongue pieces in the
ordinary manner. These rings fit into an annular cavity on back of valve O and
between the projecting upper edge of the inner ring Ñ and the bottom of the
cavity a coil spring (preferably of Pollitt and Wigzell's pattern) is inserted tend-
ing to force the packing rings M and N against the face forined on valve chest
door P and thus to exclude steam from the inner circle.
Having now described my invention and illustrated the methods in which I
prefer to carry it out in practice I would have it understood that what I consider
novel and therefore claim as secured to mo is.—
First. The construction of packing rings so that the elasticity of each pair of rings
shall exert a combined uniform or nearly uniform outward circumferential pres-
sure and prevent the passage of steam from one side of the piston to the other,
substantially as shown and described on Figs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of accompanying
drawing
Second. The perforation of piston packing rings so na to facilitate the distribution
of the lubricant by the movement of the rings in working substantially as shown
and described.
'
Third. The application for the purpose of testing and recording the elastic force of
packing rings or coil springs of an apparatus operating by hydraulic power as
described and shown or by levers as described
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Austin Rickaby bave hereunto set my
hand and seal this eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness.
T. J. DANSON F. Inst. P. A.
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent
Newcastle on Tyne
A. A. RICKABY (L.S.)