Self monitoring static seal with optical sensor

A sealing system for maintaining continuity of a seal between two members to prevent leakage of a fluid, the sealing system comprising:

• a seal body positioned between the two members and adapted to retain a fluid-tight sealed relationship between the two members, the seal body being more readily abraded than the two members by movement of the two members relative to one another, the seal body for maintaining the fluid-tight sealed relationship until the seal body is abraded beyond a specific depth;
• and
• an optical conductor positioned relative to the seal body such that abrasion of the seal body beyond the specific depth causes an optical discontinuity of the optical conductor, indicating a need for seal body replacement.

A method of determining whether a seal that prevents passage of a fluid between two members should be replaced because of wear, the method comprising:

• positioning the seal between and in engaged contact with the two members so as to prevent passage of fluid between the seal and either of the members, the seal being more readily abraded than either of the two members and being adapted to retain a fluid tight seal with the two members as long as the seal body has not abraded beyond a specified depth;
• and
• associating an optical conductor with the seal such that abrasion of the seal beyond the specified depth causes optical discontinuity of the optical conductor, indicating a requirement for seal replacement.

A seal with a means for detecting replacement conditions comprising:

• a seal body for maintaining a fluid tight sealed relationship between members so as to prevent fluid leakage as long as the seal body has not deteriorated beyond a specific depth;
• and
• an optical device positionally associated with the seal body such that deterioration of the seal body beyond the specific depth causes the optical device to detect a change with respect to the seal, indicating a need for seal replacement.