Design and Evaluation of an Embedded Sensor in a Polymer Sealing Structure “Smart Seal”

Research developed an embedded sensor system within an o-ring capable of monitoring seal life and health. An electronic system interfacing signal generation and processing was used to determine if the embedded sensor system was capable of capturing and responding to physical changes within an o-ring. Signals were conditioned in the pico-farad (pF) range with example failures exhibiting signal changes on the order of 30% to over 100%. Physical prototype results show that the embedded sensor system responds to load conditions (i.e., preload), cuts, puncture and chemical incompatibility.