Inboard Flexible Gland

This type of gland is usually employed in installations where its position is very close to the half coupling connecting the shaft to the gearbox. The flexible gland must not be considered as a bearing or a shaft support. The flexible gland is also used as a bulkhead seal in installations where the propeller shaft passes through a watertight compartment.

Throughout the size range the gland carrier is dogged to the main body to stop any hose twist. This is supplied complete with a heavy duty neoprene flexible hose, stainless steel hose clamps and packing. The neoprene hose should be inspected yearly for signs of deterioration and should be replaced every other year.

As this type of gland utilizes replaceable packing it should be installed in the boat with sufficient clearance between the gland studs and the gearbox coupling to permit the replacement of the packing without uncoupling the shaft. On installation the gland should be tightened equally on the studs to ensure it does not bear on the shaft. This gland should not be overtightened as this will cause overheating and will wear the shaft in way of the packing and destroy the sealing area.

Because of its reliability and simplicity the traditional stuffing box/gland assembly is still widely used on all types of vessel throughout the world. The main body of the stuffing box and the gland pusher are cast. Each unit is supplied with PTFE packing rings for the shipyard to fit on installation. As this type of shaft seal utilizes replaceable packing it should be installed in the vessel with sufficient clearance between the gland studs and the mating half coupling for the gearbox to allow the replacement of the packing rings without uncoupling the shaft. When the packing rings are inserted in the stuffing box, care should taken to ensure that the joint of each packing ring is 180º opposed to the joint of the previous ring inserted. For advice on the re-packing of the stuffing box/glands contact the Teignbridge Technical Department.