Apparatus, system and method for monitoring sealing devices

A sealing device monitoring system comprising:

• a sealing device comprising a seal element, the sealing device operable to be energised by a pressurised fluid from a seal activation pressure source;
• and
• an apparatus for monitoring a condition of the sealing device;
• wherein the apparatus comprises:
• an inlet for pressurised fluid coupled to the seal activation fluid pressure source;
• an outlet coupled to the sealing device to deliver pressurised fluid to the seal element to energise the sealing device;
• a fluid barrier disposed between the inlet and the outlet and operable to isolate the inlet from the outlet, wherein a fluid chamber is defined between the fluid barrier and the outlet;
• and
• means for detecting a change in condition in the fluid chamber indicative of a change in volume of the seal element.

A method of monitoring a sealing device, the method comprising:

• providing an apparatus comprising an inlet connected to a seal activation pressurised fluid source, and an outlet connected to the sealing device;
• delivering pressurised fluid to a seal element of the sealing device to energise the sealing device;
• isolating the sealing device from the seal activation pressurised fluid source by a fluid barrier disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the apparatus;
• detecting a change in condition in a fluid chamber between the fluid barrier and the outlet, the change in condition indicative of a change in volume of the seal element of the sealing device.