Self monitoring static seal

A seal for preventing passage of a fluid between two members, said seal comprising:

• sealing means for engaged contact with both members, so as to prevent passage of fluid between either of the members and the sealing means, said sealing means more readily deteriorated than one of the members, the sealing means being adapted to retain a fluid tight seal with the members as long as the sealing means has not deteriorated beyond a specified degree;
• a conductor for placement about said one member, said conductor being adapted to conduct electricity;
• and
• a dielectric polymer film electrically isolating the sealing means and the conductor from either of the two members;
• wherein the conductor is positionally associated to the sealing means and to the dielectric polymer film, such that deterioration of the sealing means beyond said specified degree corresponds with electrical discontinuity of the conductor, such that the electrical discontinuity through the conductor indicates a requirement for seal replacement.

A method of determining wear of a seal having a sealing means which prevents passage of a fluid between two members, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning the sealing means in engaged contact with both members, so as to prevent passage of fluid between either of the members and the sealing means, said sealing means chosen to be more readily deteriorated than one of the members, said sealing means designed and adapted to retain a fluid tight seal with the members as long as the sealing means has not deteriorated beyond a specified degree;
• placing a conductor about said one member, said conductor being adapted to conduct electricity;
• electrically isolating the sealing means and the conductor from either of the two members using a dielectric polymer film;
• positionally associating the conductor to the sealing means, such that deterioration of the sealing means beyond said specified degree will correspond with electrical discontinuity of the conductor;
• determining electrical continuity;
• wherein determination of electrical discontinuity indicates a requirement for seal replacement.

A method of determining wear of a seal having a sealing means which prevents passage of a fluid between two members, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning the sealing means in engaged contact with both members, so as to prevent passage of fluid between either of the members and the sealing means, said sealing means chosen to be more readily deteriorated than one of the members, said sealing means designed and adapted to retain a fluid tight seal with the members as long as the sealing means has not deteriorated beyond a specified degree;
• electrically isolating the sealing means and the conductor from either of the two members with a dielectric polymer film;
• placing a conductor about said one member, said conductor being adapted to conduct electricity;
• positionally associating the conductor to the sealing means, such that deterioration of the sealing means beyond said specified degree will correspond with electrical discontinuity of the conductor;
• determining electrical continuity;
• wherein determination of electrical discontinuity indicates a requirement for seal replacement.

A seal for preventing passage of a fluid from between two members, said seal comprising:

• sealing means for engaged contact with both members, so as to prevent passage of fluid between said members and the sealing means, the sealing means being adapted to retain a fluid tight seal with the members as long as the sealing means has not deteriorated beyond a specified degree;
• a conductor for placement about said one member, said conductor being adapted to conduct a signal;
• a dielectric polymer film electrically isolating the sealing means and the conductor from either of the two members,
• a dielectric polymer film electrically isolating the sealing means and the conductor from either of the two members, and
• wherein the conductor is positionally associated to the sealing means, such that deterioration of the sealing means beyond said specified degree corresponds with signal discontinuity of the conductor, such that the signal discontinuity through the conductor indicates a requirement for seal replacement.