Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal combined with indicator – sampler – or inspection feature
Patent
1996-09-16
1999-12-21
Knight, Anthony
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal combined with indicator, sampler, or inspection feature
277321, F16J 1554
Patent
active
060038721
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a method of monitoring a seal for correct operation, or the tightness of such seal, with the help of sensors, as well as to a device for carrying out the method.
STATE OF THE ART
Seals are conceived for different functions on technical equipment for securing such functions and, therefore, can be used in many different ways, so that such seals basically represent a safety-relevant machine component. A considerable safety risk is always on hand if the sealing function relates to safety-relevant parts in general, and specifically to, for example rotary shafts of technical equipment, in the area of high safety of flying equipment or nuclear power plants, and when a seal gets damaged there, or fatigued for age reasons. Currently, for detecting damages, separate measuring devices are mounted within the range of a seal, which generate an electric signal in the event of damage.
Furthermore, seals are presently not used as components of independent switching or measuring devices, so that measuring signals for controlling or regulating technical installations within the zone of seals as well as for monitoring the seal itself can be carried out only by way of additional systems.
A system for monitoring a sliding ring seal has become known from EP-A1-0 568 184, in which a spring-loaded, displaceable wedge is arranged on a basic part, the latter being sealed against the rotating shaft, which wedge gets displaced if the sealing is untight; the movement of said wedge can be monitored by means of a video camera. A device also intended for monitoring ring seals on shafts has become known from EP-A2-0454374, in connection with which a sliding ring is displaced in the event of leakiness, the displacement of said ring being interpreted electrically, whereby it is possible to optically detect the displacement of the shaft. In both cases, therefore, any impermissible movement of the seal or shaft is translated into a movement of an adjacent body, whose movement in turn is scanned optically or measured electrically.
A seal consisting of a basic body made of elastomeric material has become known from DE 43 05 338 A1, which, if need be, has a metallic reinforcing body, and which comprises a sensor connected to the seal. The basic body has at least one area with physical properties different from those in the remaining area, so that the basic body functions as the signal generator. A sensor is solidly mounted within the environment separated from the seal, such sensor registering the changes caused by the segment-like areas with the different physical properties.
A load-sensitive flat seal consisting of two parts, with a central through-extending hole forming a service opening for fluids, has become known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,929, in which a load sensor is arranged between the two parts. The load sensor consists of electrodes opposing each other, with a pressure-sensitive electric resistance material being arranged between the electrodes; electric feed lines lead from the electrodes to outside of the flat seal in order to send an electric current through the electric resistance material, such current changing with a change in load as well. The flat seal consequently is a passive load sensor.
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
The invention is based on the problem of directly monitoring a seal, in particular a seal on a shaft, such seal surrounding the shaft, for the correct operation of the seal, or for its tightness, in a way such that in the event of any abnormal behavior of the seal, or when a leakage occurs, the seal emits a monitoring signal.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION AND ITS ADVANTAGES
According to the invention, said problem is solved in that at least one sensor is arranged on the seal or in the seal or within the sealing material of the seal, which sensor directly detects the mechanical-dynamic stresses or deformations or movements within the range of the seal or in the seal or within the sealing material of the seal, and transforms such stresses or deformations or movements into elec
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Beres John L.
Knight Anthony
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