Valve packing leakage monitoring device

摘要

A device for monitoring leakage of fluid across a seal in a component connected to a pressurized fluid system. The device includes a housing defining a chamber which includes an inlet for receiving fluid leaking across the seal and an outlet. A plate having an orifice is disposed in the chamber transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and between the inlet and outlet for dividing the chamber into a first chamber volume for receiving fluid through the inlet and a second chamber volume for receiving fluid through the orifice and for discharging the fluid through the outlet. A plug is movably mounted for adjusting the open area in the plane of the orifice in the plate. A positioning arrangement is connected to the plug for positioning the plug to create a predetermined open area in the plane of the orifice for permitting the fluid to exit the first chamber volume through the orifice at the same rate at which it enters the first chamber volume when the rate of fluid entering the first chamber volume is at or below a given rate. The positioning arrangement is further responsive to fluid entering the first chamber volume at a rate greater than the given rate for moving the plug away from the orifice so that the fluid exiting the first chamber volume will continue to equal the rate at which the fluid enters the first chamber volume. A device for detecting the movement of the plug produces an output signal corresponding to the distance moved by the plug.