Split ring seal with spring element

A split ring seal assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising:

• a first stator ring and a second stator ring of the engine, the first stator ring having a circumferentially extending first radial surface and the second stator ring having a circumferentially extending second radial surface, the first and second radial surfaces being axially spaced apart, thereby defining an axial gap therebetween;
• a seal ring disposed around the first and second stator rings of the engine for sealing the axial gap, the seal ring being made of a metal material and having first and second ends defining a circumferential gap between the two ends, the seal ring defining an axially extending circumferential inner sealing surface substantially perpendicular to and terminating respectively on opposed first and second axial sides of the seal ring, the circumferential inner sealing surface being in radial contact with both an axially extending first outer circumferential surface of the first stator ring and an axially extending second outer circumferential surface of the second stator ring, thereby sealing the axial gap, the first outer circumferential surface being substantially perpendicualr to the first radial surface of the first stator ring and the second outer circumferential surface being substantially perpendicular to the second radial surface of the second stator ring;
• and
• a spring element connected to and applying circumferential spring forces to the respective first and second ends of the seal ring, to bias the two ends circumferentially towards each other, thereby reducing the diameter of the seal ring to secure the seal ring in position.