A NEW OR IMPROVED SELF-ACTING METALLIC PACKING FOR PARTS OF STEAM, AIR, GAS, OR OTHER FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES, OR FOR PUMPS, OR OTHER MACHINERY OR APPARATUS IN WHICH PACKING IS REQUIRED
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Jagger, of Horsforth, near Leeds, in the County
of York, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED SELF-ACTING METALLIC
PACKING FOR PARTS OF STEAM, AIR, GAS, OR OTHER FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES,
OR FOR PUMPS, OR OTHER MACHINERY OR APPARATUS IN WHICH PACKING IS
REQUIRED
"
Sealed the 29th December 1877, and dated the 5th September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Jagger at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th September 1877.
WILLIAM JAGGER, of Horsforth, near Leeds, in the County of York. "A NEW
OR IMPROVED SELF-ACTING METALLIC PACKING FOR PARTS OF STEAM, AIR, GAS, OR
OTHER FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES, OR FOR PUMPS, OR OTHER MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS IN WHICH PACKING IS REQUIRED."
My Invention is used as a substitute for hemp or other packing usually employed,
producing a perfectly air-tight joint, preventing any escape of steam or other fluid,
and is as hereafter described.
For the packing constructed in accordance with my Invention I employ a series
of metallic rings, which are cut into segments in such a manner that they fit the
rod with such an amount of accuracy as to prevent the escape of steam or other
fluids. These segments are so cut that they always follow the rod, that is to say,
as the rod wears or becomes reduced by the continuous rubbing or friction, they
still fit it with the required amount of accuracy that fluid cannot escape.
The rings being cut into segments, a triangular piece is cut from each segment,
and coincides with the ends of each. The parts of the metallic rings are put together
round the rod, and springs are employed at the back of the segments, which press
them towards the rod. One end of each segment being cut radially from the
centre, and the other coinciding with the triangular piece, the parts of each are
always retained in close contact with the rod.
The above-described metallic packing is enclosed in a cylinder or case, which is
provided in its interior with suitable arrangements, whereby the friction of the
packing may be regulated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Jagger in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th March
1878.
WILLIAM JAGGER, of Horsforth, near Leeds, in the County of York. "A NEW
OR IMPROVED SELF-ACTING METALLIC PACKING FOR PARTS OF STEAM, AIR, GAS,
OR OTHER FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES, OR FOR PUMPS, OR OTHER MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS IN WHICH PACKING IS REQUIRED."
My Invention consists of a new or improved form of self-acting metallic packing
for use in steam, air, gas, or other engines, or in pumps or other machinery or
apparatus where packing is required.
Metallic packing from its durability has long been a desideratum with engineers,
but hitherto, certain defects have prevented its adoption, and it is the object of my
Invention to produce a metallic packing for engines which shall unite durability
with that flexibility which characterizes non-metallic ordinary packing.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood and carried
into practical effect, I will now proceed to describe the same more particularly,
reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon.
The Drawing appended to this Specification represents two modifications or
methods of arranging the parts of my improved packing.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one form of the packing.
Figure 2 is an end elevation corresponding to Figure 1.
Figures 3, 4, and 5, are details of the parts which will be herein-after referred to.
As arranged in Figures 1 and 2, the packing is enclosed in a cylindrical metal
box or casing A, which is placed within the recess in the cylinder cover that forms
the usual stuffing box, and is retained therein by the gland in the ordinary way.
The faced cover B of the box A fits on to four or other convenient number of
vertical pillars C, which spring from the base plate of the box A, and the parts are
firmly secured by the nuts D.
The piston rod E, or other equivalent moving part, passes through the centre of
the box A, within which it is surrounded by the packing. This consists, firstly, of
a series of metal segments F; and secondly, of intervening self-adjusting wedge
pieces G.
In the example given there are four of these segments F, but the number of
segments and wedge pieces may obviously be varied according to the size of the rod
or other moving part. In this case the segments are each of a semicircular form, as
shewn in the end elevation, Figure 2, and in the detached views, Figures 3 and 5.
These segments and wedge pieces are arranged round the piston rod in such
manner that each wedge is placed opposite the solid portion of the adjoining
segment, and they are retained in this position by the insertion of a small pin a¹
projecting from one of the segments, the adjoining segment having a corresponding
cavity into which the pin a¹ fits. The vertical surfaces of each segment differ to this
extent, one surface is made parallel with a line drawn through the circle, as shewn
at b¹ in Figures 3 and 5, but the other end surface of the segment is bevilled off
at an angle, as shewn at o'.
It will be observed that in each segment the bevilled surface is on the opposite
side of the radius, and this is an important feature in the arrangement of this
improved packing.
On the exterior of each segment are cast or attached two or other convenient
number of laterally projecting stud pins H, which serve as guides for and to uphold
the helical springs I. The outer extremities of these springs press against the inner
face of the box A, and by their pressure against the segments, the latter are kept
constantly in steam-tight contact with the piston rod. What little wear there may
be from the face of the segments F, is compensated for by the wedge pieces G,

page_text: which are pressed inwards by the force of the springs I acting on the segments,
so that the junctions of the several parts are always kept steam-tight by these self-
acting means.
The particular shape of the wedge pieces is more clearly shewn in Figure 4, in
which 61 is the plane or flat surface, and c¹, the angular face of the wedge piece,
the bevilled surface of the segment serving as an inclined plane to admit of the
inward movement of the wedge, as may be required.
In the second modification of my improvements, Figure 6 is a sectional elevation
of this arrangement; Figure 7 is a corresponding end elevation; and Figures
8 and 9 are detached views of the spring and segment.
The segments F are arranged in the same manner as before described, but in lieu
of the helical springs I the external pressure on the segments is obtained by means
of band springs J, which are sprung on to the segments, and by their tendency to
contract, keep the segments and wedge pieces constantly in close contact with the
piston rod.
It may be here observed that any suitable form of spring may be used to obtain
the required pressure on the segments, and I do not by any means bind myself
to those I have herein-before named, and also in reference to the pillars C shewn
in the first modification; these may be dispensed with, as shewn in the second modi-
cation, where the box or casing is without pillars; this is fixed in the stuffing box,
the outer end being steam faced, to which is applied a steam faced cover. This is
pressed up with sufficient force by the screwing down of the gland, and thus
prevents the escape of steam.
This packing may be advantageously applied to any form of engine or other
machinery where packing is required, without altering the usual stuffing box.
In some instances, as where the brass bush at the bottom of the stuffing box is
bevilled or hollowed out, and does not present a straight face for the end of the
packing to press against it, I insert a metallic ring K, Figure 6, fitted and faced,
and against this an india-rubber or other flexible ring, thus preventing the escape
of any steam in this direction. When required, I also place a similar flexible ring
in front of that part of the gland which enters the stuffing box.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and in what manner the same is or may be used and carried into practical
effect, I desire it to be understood that what I consider and believe to be new, and
therefore claim under the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the
method of arranging and combining the several parts forming my improved metallic
packing, consisting of the metal segments, the intervening wedge pieces, and the
application of springs, which cause the several parts to be self-acting, so as to
maintain constantly a steam-tight joint, substantially as herein-before described, and
shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Jagger, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM JAGGER. (L.S.)