stuffing box

American  

noun

Machinery.

1. a device for preventing leakage of gases or liquids along a moving rod or shaft at the point at which it leaves a cylinder, tank, ship hull, etc.

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stuffing box British  

noun

1. Also called: packing box.  a small chamber in which an annular packing is compressed around a reciprocating or rotating rod or shaft to form a seal

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Etymology

Origin of stuffing box

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

He also saw a heavy influx of water from the starboard stuffing box.

From Time Magazine Archive

When properly adjusted, a stuffing box keeps excess water from collecting in the bilge and protects the shaft from damage.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Sure, I check the packing, replace it regularly and watch the stuffing box when I run up," he says.

From Time Magazine Archive

A stuffing box commonly employs a packing nut to compress the packing material around the shaft.

From Time Magazine Archive

The cylinder is bolted at the stuffing box end to the bed-plate, and is supported at the outer end by an expansion link pivoted to the bed-plate.

From Mechanical Drawing Self-Taught by Rose, Joshua