Patent ID: 8814139

Claim:
A stem seal for a fluid containing device of the type having a stem disposed in a bore, the seal arrangement comprising: a stem comprising an outer surface and a bore comprising an inner surface, said stem being sized to be received within said bore, said bore inner surface being complementary shaped to said stem outer surface, a packing disposed about a portion of said stem outer surface, said packing providing a fluid seal for an annulus between said stem outer surface and said bore inner surface, a first pair of support rings disposed adjacent a first axial end of said packing and a second pair of support rings disposed adjacent a second axial end of said packing, each said pair of support rings comprising a metal ring for applying a compressive load on said packing and an anti-extrusion ring being in radial compression against said stem outer surface and that resists extrusion of said packing said metal ring of said first pair of support rings being in direct contact with said first axial end of said packing and said metal ring of said second pair of support rings being in direct contact with said second axial end of said packing.