The Evolution Of Piston Rod Packing: A. W. France's tangent-cut seals enabled higher-pressure compression

摘要

AW. France's tangent-cut packing inventions in the 1880s and 1890s made the development of high-pressure compressors possible. The sealing of the piston rod on the first steam engines was accomplished by cutting washers from ham rind to fit the piston rod and placing them around the rod where it entered the cylinder in the recess known as the stuffing box. Pressure was then applied to the ham rind washers through a bolted flange and follower, the follower having a tapered face that caused the washers to press on the rod and make the seal. The natural grease in the pigskin provided lubrication and the packing did a fair job but required a maximum amount of maintenance and constant adjustment.