Spring Energized Valve Stem Packing

Spring energized valve stem packing is a highly reliable option when elastomer or polyurethane seals do not meet the operating limitations, equipment parameters or environmental conditions of the application. Even when those seals may meet basic needs, many engineers turn to spring energized seals to improve reliability and high performance.

A valve stem packing assembly in the form of a stacked array, comprising

• a plurality of seal ring elements each having a generally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration;
• a plurality of backup/energizing rings interspersed between and in supportive relationship with the seal ring elements, said backup/energizing rings having a generally Y-shaped cross-sectional configuration;
• a spring-energized lip seal ring adjacent one of the backup/energizing rings, said lip seal ring including a central base and a pair of sealing lips extending therefrom whereby the lip seal ring has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration;
• an adapter ring having a generally T-shaped cross-sectional configuration and extending into a supportive relationship with the lip seal ring to prevent dislocation of said seal ring when the packing assembly is in functional position between a valve stem and a surrounding valve element, and said valve stem is cycled in a translatory manner.