System to monitor performance of packing material in a seal

摘要

Embodiments of a system that can detect leaks that occur in seals, and in one example, to seals found in a valve. In one embodiment, the system utilizes sensors that measure fluid properties of a sample volume proximate to the seal. The system can compare data from these measurements with data from a sample of a reference fluid (e.g., ambient air) to indicate the presence of working fluid in the sample volume. This result may indicate problems with the seal, e.g., degradation of the seal that is meant to prohibit the working fluid from migrating out of the valve.

主权项

1. A system to detect leaks at a seal, said system comprising:
a measurement region forming a sample volume that can receive working fluid from the seal; a sensor component spaced apart from the measurement region and coupled with the measurement region to receive a first fluid sample from the sample volume, the sensor component configured to receive a second fluid sample that is different from the first fluid sample so as to generate signals comprising data that reflects a property of each of the first fluid sample from the sample volume and the second fluid sample; a flow regulator configured to be interposed between the sensor component and each of the sample volume and a reference source for the second fluid sample, wherein the flow regulator has a first position and a second position, one each configured to regulate the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample through the flow regulator and to the sensor component, respectively; and a processing component coupled with the sensor component, the processing component comprising a processor, a memory coupled with the processor, and executable instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instructions comprising instructions for the processor to: receive the signals; and generate an output in response to a deviation between the property of the first fluid sample and the property of the second fluid sample.