IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC RINGS FOR PISTONS
Year: 1885

page_text: I ALFRED AUSTIN RICKABY of Sunderland, in the County of Durham, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
RINGS FOR PISTONS, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the outer or working rings of pistons, being those which
are in contact with the inner wall or diameter of the cylinder, and which are
intended to be a working fit within the cylinder, while remaining steam tight.
As usually constructed, piston rings are formed upon a true plane perpendicular
to the axis thereof, but by this invention the side of the said rings follow a
sinuous, undulating, or zig zag line. At the junction of two such rings the line of
division is similar in each case, so that one fits accurately or approximately into
the other. Each ring used may be flanged or not, and any desirable form or
arrangement given to that part of the ring which is cut or opened; and one
or both sides of a ring may be made with the undulating or serpentine line as
described.
Any desirable, spring or springs can be used within the said rings to expand
them, but I prefer those known as Wigzell, Pollit, and Mellors Spring Coils as being
suitable for the purpose.
I do not restrict myself to the use of any special metal or alloy for the material
of the rings; nor to their use in steam cylinders only, as they may be used in
connection with other motive power agents.

page_text: Improvements in Metallic Rings for Pistons.
I, ALFRED AUSTIN RICKABY of Sunderland, in the County of Durham, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
RINGS FOR PISTONS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the outer or working rings of pistons, being those
which are in contact with the inner wall, or diameter of the Cylinder, and which
are intended to be a working fit within the cylinder while remaining steam or
water tight.
As usually constructed, piston rings are formed upon a true plane, perpendicular
to the axis thereof; but by this invention, the sides of the said rings, follow a
sinuous, undulating, or zig-zag line.-At the junction of two such rings, the line of
division is similar in each case, so that one fits accurately or approximately into
the other. Each ring used may be flanged or not, and any desirable form or
arrangement given to that part of the ring which is cut or opened, and one
or both sides of a ring may be made with the undulating or serpentine line as
described.
Any desirable spring or springs may be used within the said rings to expand.
them, but I prefer those known as Wigzell, Pollit, and Mellor's Spring Coils, as being
suitable for the purpose.
I do not restrict myself to the use of any special metal or alloy for the material
of the Rings, nor to their use in steam cylinders only, as they may be used in
connection with other motive power agents.
Fig. 1 shows the outer Rings with the undulating or Serpentine sides, with
one of the Wigzell, Pollit, and Mellors Springs in position in same, A. A. being the
Rings, and B. the Spring.-Fig. 2. shows a section of a piston with the undulating
outer rings and spring in position.-Fig. 3 shows the undulating or serpentine sides
with the outer rings closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. Outer or working Rings of Pistons made with sinuous, undulating, or zig-zag
sides, in place of the ordinary straight sides, substantially as described.