Elastomeric expansion joint pre-failure sensor and method
AssigneeThe Metraflex Company
InventorJames R. Richter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An expansion joint including a hollow elastomeric body having coupling flanges at each open end configured to connect to flanges of a pipe system. The hollow elastomeric body is made of a material including an elastomer and fibers. A stretchable sensor is located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body. The sensor is configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched or contracts. An analysis circuit is connected to the sensor, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.
Claims19
An expansion joint comprising:
- a fluid conductive hollow elastomeric body having coupling elements in the form of flanges at each open end configured to connect with flanges at open ends of pipes of a pipe system,
- the hollow elastomeric body being comprised of a material comprising an elastomer,
- at least one stretchable sensor located on an exterior surface of the material of the hollow elastomeric body,
- the sensor having two spaced apart electrodes and an intervening element, the element configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched or contracts and an electrical potential is applied to the electrodes, and
- an analysis circuit connected to the electrodes, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.
An expansion joint comprising:
- a hollow elastomeric body having two open ends configured to connect to a pipe system,
- the hollow elastomeric body being comprised of a material comprising a plurality of alternating elastomer and fiber layers superimposed one over the other and joined via a molding process at an elevated temperature and pressure,
- at least one stretchable sensor located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body, positioned between an elastomeric layer and a fiber layer,
- the sensor configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor stretches and contracts, and
- an analysis circuit connected to the electrodes, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.
An expansion joint comprising:
- a hollow elastomeric body having coupling elements in the form of flanges at each open end configured to connect with flanges at open ends of pipes of a pipe system,
- the hollow elastomeric body being comprised of a material comprising a plurality of alternating elastomer and fiber layers superimposed one over the other and joined via a molding process at an elevated temperature and pressure,
- at least one stretchable sensor located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body, positioned between an elastomeric layer and a fiber layer,
- the sensor having two spaced apart electrodes and an intervening element, the element configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched or contracts and an electrical potential is applied to the electrodes, and
- an analysis circuit connected to the electrodes, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.