Packing of Piston Heads

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


F. J. Palmer, ol Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., has taken measures to secure a patent for an improved mode of regulating or adjusting Hie packing of piston heads, by which, when the packing gets loose within the cylinder It may be made to work steam tight without removingthe head ol the cylinder. The packing is adjusted and regulated by means of a cam which acts upon rods bearing upon springs, which rest against the packing, and force it outy causing it to press steam tight against the interior sides of the cylinder. By this mode of operation, the packing may be regulated or adjusted by inserting a key through an aperture in the cylinder head.said key fitting in the cam. By turning the key the cam is turned and the packing adjusted, after which the key is withdrawn, and the aperture in the cylinder head closed by a bolt The removal of the cylinder head, for the adjusting of the packing is thereby rendered unnecessary, and the packing, is made to work steam tight in a very simple and expeditious manner.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 5This article was published with the title “Packing of Piston Heads” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 5 (), p. 36
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican10161852-36

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe