Patent attributes
A valve assembly includes a stem and a body having a passageway for receiving the stem. The diameter of at least an upper portion of the passageway is greater than a diameter of the stem assembly to form a stem space. A packing element is received around the stem assembly in the stem space, and a packing gland is configured to attach to the body and to engage the packing element. The packing gland is attached to the body and applies a compressive force at the packing element, causing the packing element to radially expand and thus substantially seal the packing element and the stem element at the stem space. The packing gland flexes when secured to the body and is biased toward its initial unflexed state to provide a substantially consistent compressive force at the packing element as the packing element deteriorates over time.
