@williamatics
Hello William, I am not sure if I understand your question correctly and where you want help.
I also have the problem that my English is not so good to explain it to you well and clearly.
I really have to improve my English 😉
Basically you can set loop cuts and then reinforce the rings by extrude or with bevel.
Also the inset tool works well in some situations.
It depends on the model.
You can also select and extrude individual faces. “extrude individual”
Depending on the model you might have to scale with Alt-S.
With the Loop-Tool (AddOn)- you can change vertices to a circle and scale it
You can select a face-loop for the ring and use “P” separate by selection.
Many of these tools from the Mesh-Modeling-Fundamentals are useful Tools
A simple Screenshot
That my quickly ideas so far. Perhaps this will help you as an idea.
PS: numbernine posted at the same minute. I recommend to follow this explanations 🙂
I did not care of the subsurf and there will be problems with sharpening the edges. Sorry for this