Downhole seal assembly having embedded sensors and method for use of same

摘要

A downhole seal ( 50 ) includes an elastomeric element ( 98 ) operably to provide a seal between two downhole components. A strain sensor ( 102 ) is embedded in the elastomeric element ( 98 ). The strain sensor ( 102 ) has a mechanical flexibility that is substantially matched to the mechanical flexibility of the elastomeric element ( 98 ). The strain sensor ( 102 ) is operably connected to circuitry that is operable to identify changes in a property of the strain sensor ( 98 ) indicative of the strain being experienced by the strain sensor ( 98 ), which is representative of the strain experienced by the elastomeric element ( 98 ).