Patent ID: 8264347
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
1. A sealing system for sealing between two members, said sealing system comprising: a first polymer seal disposed between the two members; a first measurement device which is at least partially disposed within said first polymer seal, is configured for measuring an aspect of said first polymer seal indicating sealing performance of said first polymer seal, and is configured for creating a first signal corresponding to a measured said aspect of said first polymer seal; a second polymer seal disposed between the two members; a second measurement device which is at least partially disposed within said second polymer seal, is configured for measuring an aspect of said second polymer seal indicating sealing performance of said second polymer seal, and is configured for creating a second signal corresponding to a measured said aspect of said second polymer seal, said second measurement device including one of (a) a sensor which is at least partially embedded in said second polymer seal and (b) a material disposed within said second polymer seal and at least in part forming said second polymer seal, said material of said second measurement device changing its material properties dependent upon at least one of an applied pressure, a temperature, a shear, a strain, a fretting, a material loss, a wear, an exposure to system components, a system fluid, a seal absorption of said system fluid, and a time; and an evaluation unit configured for evaluating said first signal corresponding to said measured aspect of said first polymer seal and for determining a sealing performance capability of said first polymer seal dependent on at least one of performance data and a plurality of thresholds regarding a plurality of at least one of polymer seals and seal assemblies, said evaluation unit being configured for evaluating said second signal corresponding to said measured aspect of said second polymer seal and for determining a sealing performance capability of said second polymer seal.