Patent ID: 7731478
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
1. A packing ring segment assembly for sealing a gap between two regions of an article, said packing ring segment assembly comprising: a sealing portion including radially inwardly directed teeth; a dovetail mounting portion sized to slideably engage a pair of opposing shoulders that define a dovetail groove in the article, said dovetail mounting portion comprising a hollowed out portion that extends radially inward from an outer surface of said packing ring segment towards said sealing portion; a bracket positioned within said hollowed out portion, said bracket comprising a pair of legs extending generally radially outward from a base, each of said pair of legs comprising a bracket flange extending outward from said leg and contacting one of the shoulders when said dovetail mounting portion is coupled within said dovetail groove; and a biasing member positioned within said bracket, said biasing member coupled to said dovetail mounting portion and to said bracket, said biasing member is configured to urge said packing ring segment assembly radially outward at relatively low differential pressure between the two regions, and at a relatively high differential pressure between the two regions, the differential pressure overcomes the radial biasing member forces and urges said sealing portion radially inward, said dovetail portion movable in a first direction.