Patent ID: 8448949

Claim:
A sealing assembly with integrated sensing capability comprising: a seal member including first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer there between, the intermediate layer being formed of a dielectric material such that the first, second and intermediate layers form in combination a capacitive element having a capacitance associated therewith; a first plate having a first central passage there through, a first inner sealing contact surface, and a first conductive element inlaid into the first inner sealing contact surface and surrounding the first central passage, wherein the first conductive element is in contact with the first conductive layer of the seal member; a second plate having a second central passage there through, a second inner sealing contact surface, and a second conductive element inlaid into the second inner sealing contact surface and surrounding the second central passage, wherein the second conductive element is in contact with the second conductive layer of the seal member; the seal member located between the first plate and the second plate and surrounding the first and second central passages to form a seal between the first and second plates; an insulator between the first and second conductive elements comprising a spacer having a central bore into which the seal member is seated, the spacer positioned between the first and second plates.