A sealing assembly where a rotating or reciprocating shaft passes through a pressure vessel, like a pump casing or a valve body. It consists of a stuffing box filled with braided packing and a follower nut or plate that compresses the packing. Tightening the follower squeezes the packing radially against the shaft to stop fluid leaks while allowing the shaft to move.
Heard on the job
The main feed pump is dripping too much, go tighten the gland a quarter turn.
Insider tip
A properly adjusted pump gland should actually leak a few drops a minute to lubricate and cool the packing. Overtightening it will burn up the shaft.
Also heard as
- stuffing box
- packing gland