Patent ID: 7708282

Claim:
A gasket system for the cylinder head of a motor-vehicle engine, comprising: a gasket comprising: a body, including a polymeric matrix comprising a reinforcement material comprising a dispersion of nanofibres or nanotubes of electrically conductive material, wherein each nanotube or nanofibre has a substantially elongated shape, said body having a substantially annular shape; a uniform distribution of electrodes connected to said body and coupled to said electrically conductive material; two layers of electrically insulating material, arranged on the top and bottom surfaces of said body, one on top of and one underneath said polymeric matrix, and configured to insulate electrically said dispersion of nanofibres or nanotubes contained therein; and control and processing means configured to be connected to any pair of said electrodes of said distribution for detecting any variation of electrical resistance across said electrodes and determining any corresponding variation of load applied in the axial direction to the gasket, in such a way that the gasket functions as an integrated load sensor; wherein appendages made of polymeric material extend radially outwards from the circumferential surface of said body, said appendages not coated with the layers of electrically insulating material; and said electrodes arranged on said appendages on the outside with respect to the area subjected to the axial load, said electrodes substantially co-planar to one another.