Low thermal expansion seal ring support

A sealing ring support system wherein said sealing ring defining a generally circular cylindrical construction having an outer surface, a first side, a second side and an inner surface, said first side and said second side having a protrusion defined thereon, said sealing ring support system comprising:

• a plurality of support members supportingly positioning said sealing ring radially, said plurality of support members having a preestablished rate of thermal expansion and said plurality of support members including a plurality of first retainers being positioned on one of said first side and said second side and a plurality of second retainers being positioned on another of said first side and said second side, said plurality of first retainers include a groove being positioned about said protrusion on said first side of said sealing ring, a sealing surface, a first side portion extending from said sealing surface, a second side portion being spaced from said first side portion and extending from said sealing surface, said first side portion defining an inner surface and said groove being positioned within said inner surface and said second side portion having a notch defined therein forming a tongue on the second side portion and said plurality of second retainers includes a first axial surface, an outer surface extending from said first axial surface, a second axial surface extending from said outer surface, and an inner surface, said inner surface includes a first radial leg extending from said first axial surface, a third axial surface extending from said first radial leg, a second radial leg extending from said third axial surface, a fourth axial surface and a third radial leg extending between said fourth axial surface and said second axial surface;
• said sealing ring having a thermal expansion rate being less than that of the plurality of support members and being free to move radially independent of said plurality of support members.