SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY ENERGIZING PACKING MATERIAL WITH A PACKING LOADING ASSEMBLY

A pressure regulating system for use with a mechanical seal and stationary equipment for applying a substantially uniform force or load to a stacked set of packing elements. The force applied to the packing elements can be regulated or controlled in real time and in a remote manner. The mechanical seal includes an axially movable follower element that can be energized by pressurized fluid to move between a pre-loaded position where the follower element does not apply an axial load to the packing elements to a loaded position where the follower element applies the axial load to the packing elements.