Conductive Fabric Seal

摘要

Disclosed are several examples of a system and method for detecting if an article is being tampered with. Included is a covering made of a substrate that is coated with a layer of an electrically conductive material that forms an electrically conductive surface having an electrical resistance. The covering is configured to at least partially encapsulate the article such that the article cannot be tampered with, without modifying the electrical resistance of the electrically conductive surface of the covering. A sensing device is affixed to the electrically conductive surface of the covering and the sensing device monitors the condition of the covering by producing a signal that is indicative of the electrical resistance of the electrically conductive surface of the covering. A measured electrical resistance that differs from a nominal electrical resistance is indicative of a covering that is being tampered with and an alert is communicated to an observer.

主权项

1. A system for monitoring the condition of an article of manufacture, the system comprising:
a covering made of a substrate comprised of individual fibers that are arranged in a pattern that is coated with a layer of electrically conductive material particles to form a single electrically conductive surface that extends over the entire covering and has an electrical resistance, said covering being configured to at least partially encapsulate the article such that the article cannot be tampered with or develop a leak, without modifying the electrical resistance of said covering; a sensing device affixed to the electrically conductive surface of said covering; and wherein said sensing device monitors the condition of the covering by producing a signal that is indicative of the electrical resistance of the electrically conductive surface of said covering.