GB2615118A

GB2615118A - Gasket

Info

Publication number: GB2615118A
Application number: GB2201156.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosinski Jarek; Rosinski Tomas; Lowry Steve
Original assignee: JR Dynamics Ltd
Current assignee: JR Dynamics Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-28
Filing date: 2022-01-28
Publication date: 2023-08-02
Also published as: GB202201156D0

Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit 102a, 102b are coupled at a join. The apparatus comprising a gasket 103 configured to be located between the first and second conduit at the join. The gasket 103 comprises an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts (203, Fig. 2) each conducting part comprising at least a first gap (d, Fig. 3), said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement. The apparatus further comprises a sensor connected to the conductor arrangement, said sensor configured to detect the electrical property of the conductor arrangement which changes in dependence on changes in the size of the gap, and thereby generate an output signal associated with the clamping force. The electrical property may be capacitance, inductance or resonance. The conducting parts may be capacitive plates (505a, 505b, Fig. 5) or a plurality of adjacent windings (303a, 303b, Fig. 3). Another aspect is a system where data is transmitted to a remote computer system. Another aspect is a method.

Description

GASKET

Technical Field

The present invention relates to use of a modified gasket, comprising an integrated conductor arrangement, for measuring the clamping force to which the modified gasket is subject.

Background

Gaskets are well-known sealing mechanisms which are used to seal joints in many settings including oil and gas production, mining, power generation, chemical processing, heating and ventilation, food and beverage production and so on.

Typically, gaskets are disposed between surfaces, such as flange surfaces, which are to be coupled. A clamping force bringing said surfaces together compresses the gasket to provide a seal. Provided a suitable clamping force is applied, the seal provided by a gasket can be fluid-fight, therefore finding use in pipework which may contain gas or liquids. Over time, the clamping force may diminish as a result of, for example: creep in the fixings supplying the clamping force, vibration of the joint and differential thermal expansion experienced by the joint.

It is often important to ensure that a suitable clamping force is maintained. For example, where gaskets are used to seal joints between flanges of industrial pipework containing hazardous chemicals, it is critical that a suitable clamping force is applied and maintained whilst said joints are in use to prevent potentially dangerous leakage of fluids from the pipework.

It is often not possible to determine if a given joint is subject to sufficient clamping force to provide a fluid-tight seal until it is too late and visible leakage occurs. Thus, it can be challenging to pre-empt failure of a seal without manual inspection which may include, for example, checking the tightness of the fixings providing the clamping force to a given joint. Naturally, manual inspection is not always convenient as access to joints can be limited or dangerous, and it can be inefficient to require pre-emptive inspection of every single joint.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit are coupled at a join. The apparatus comprises a gasket configured to be located between the first and second conduit at the join and which comprises an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement. The apparatus further comprises a sensor connected to the conductor arrangement, said sensor configured to: detect the electrical property of the conductor arrangement which changes in dependence on changes in the size of the gap, and thereby generate an output signal associated with the clamping force.

Optionally, the plurality of conducting parts are distributed at least partially around a circumference of the gasket.

Optionally, the plurality of conducting parts are distributed substantially entirely around a circumference of the gasket.

Optionally, the gasket comprises a plurality of through holes for fixings to secure the first and second conduit together at the join, and at least one of the plurality of conducting parts is positioned substantially adjacent each through hole Optionally, the plurality of conducting parts are embedded in the gasket.

Optionally, each of the plurality of conducting parts comprises a plurality of adjacent windings positioned such that a spacing between adjacent windings forms the first gap.

Optionally, the plurality of adjacent windings are arranged into a plurality of separated groups of adjacent windings, wherein each separated group of adjacent windings form a coil, the conductor arrangement thereby comprising a plurality of separated coils.

Optionally, the plurality of separated groups of adjacent windings are connected in series.

Optionally, the plurality of conducting parts is provided by a plurality of capacitive plates.

Optionally, the electrical property is one of capacitance of the conductor arrangement, inductance of the conductor arrangement, or resonance of the conductor arrangement.

Optionally, the gasket is formed from rubber.

Optionally, the gasket further comprises a terminal positioned on a periphery of the gasket for connecting the conductor arrangement and the sensor.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a data processor and data transceiver, said data processor configured to receive the output signal from the sensor, generate corresponding data associated with the clamping force and the data transceiver is configured to communicate the corresponding data to a remote computing system.

Optionally, the data transceiver is a gateway provided by a wireless data transceiver.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a gasket for use in an apparatus according to the first aspect. The gasket comprises an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a system for monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit are coupled at a join. The system comprising: a gasket located between the first and second conduit at the join and which comprises an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement; a sensor connected to the conductor, said sensor configured to: detect the electrical property of the conducting arrangement which changes in dependence on the size of the gap, and thereby generate an output signal associated with the clamping force, and a data transmitter and a remote computing system, said data transmitter configured to transmit data associated with the output signal to the remote computing system.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit are coupled at a join with a gasket located between the first and second conduit. The gasket comprises an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement. The method comprises: detecting an electrical property of the conductor arrangement which changes in dependence on the size of the gap, and generating an output signal associated with the clamping force.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, an apparatus is provided that enables the clamping force with which a first and second conduit are connected to be conveniently monitored. The apparatus includes a modified gasket which is configured to seal the join between the conduits in an otherwise conventional fashion. However, incorporated within the gasket is a conducting arrangement. The conducting arrangement comprises a plurality of connected conducting parts, for example a plurality of connected capacitive plates or a plurality of adjacent windings forming a plurality of coils.

Each of the plurality of conducting parts includes at least one gap which is oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force which thereby changes an electrical property of the conductor arrangement (for example its capacitance of inductance). Consequently, the clamping force can be monitored by monitoring a suitable electrical property of the conducting arrangement. This is achieved by virtue of a sensor connected to the modified gasket. With a suitable sensor, the electrical property of the conductor can be readily measured, processed, and, for example, communicated to a suitable computing device for remote monitoring of the clamping force.

Integrating such a conducting arrangement in a gasket in this way provides a simple and robust means to detect clamping force which is particularly desirable in demanding settings, for example where the conduits being sealed are conveying high pressure and/or high temperature fluids or where the conduits are subject to a high degree of vibration.

Accordingly, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, a simple and reliable system is provided for monitoring the clamping force with which two conduits are joined enabling, for example, a reduction in clamping force due to the loss of tension in a fastener, to be readily identified.

In certain embodiments in which the gasket comprises a number of through holes for receiving individual fasteners, groups of adjacent conducting parts are provided and located such that at least one conducting part is positioned substantially adjacent each through hole. In this way, a localised loss of clamping force due, for example, to loss of tension in a specific fixing, can be more readily detected.

Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which: Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a system for monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit are joined together arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a modified gasket arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figure 3 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a view of a cutaway of a section of a modified gasket arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figure 4 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting the components of a sensor unit arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, and Figures 5 and 6 provide simplified schematic diagrams depicting a modified gasket arranged in accordance with further embodiments of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a clamping force monitoring system 101 arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a first conduit 102a and a second conduit 102b coupled at a join and sealed by a seal formed by a modified gasket 103 (sometimes referred to as an 'instrumented gasket'). The first conduit 102a and the second conduit 102b are secured together by fixings provided by a plurality of bolts 104.

Tightening of these bolts 104 gives rise to a clamping force that urges the first conduit 102a and the second conduit 102b together and compresses the modified gasket 103 providing the seal.

As described in more detail below, the modified gasket 103 has embedded therein a conducting arrangement provided by a conductor. The conductor provides a means by which the clamping force can be monitored. This conductor is connected to a sensor unit 106 via a terminal 105 connected to the modified gasket 103. The terminal 105 is typically positioned on a periphery (e.g., an outer facing circumferential edge) of the modified gasket 103.

The sensor unit 106 is configured to generate a sensor signal corresponding to the clamping force which is then converted into a corresponding data signal which is transmitted via a wireless data link to a wireless data receiver 107.

The wireless data receiver 107 is connected to a data network 108 via which the data signal is transmitted to a remote computing system 109. The remote computing system 109 has running thereon software for processing the data signal and in particular enabling the clamping force to be remotely monitored.

For example, the remote computing system may be configured to generate an alert for an operator if it is detected that the clamping force has dropped below a predetermined level, indicating for example, that the join is no longer fluid fight.

Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram providing a more detailed view of a modified gasket 103 arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

In the example shown in Figure 2, the modified gasket 103 is annular in shape and is sized and dimensioned to correspond to the openings of the first conduit 102a and second conduit 102b which are coupled at the join The modified gasket 103 is provided with a plurality of through holes 201 through which the bolts 104 joining the first conduit 102a and the second conduit 102b pass.

Embedded within the modified gasket 103 is a conductor 202. The conductor 202 is formed from a wire consisting of an electrically conductive material such as a metal, for example copper. In Figure 2, the conductor 202 is shown as a dotted line indicative of the fact it is embedded in the modified gasket 103.

The conductor 202 is disposed around circumference of the modified gasket 103 and comprises a number of coils 203.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the coils 203 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the modified gasket 103 and are interspersed between the through holes 201 such that each coil is adjacent to two through holes. The coils are electrically connected in series.

Each of the coils 203 comprises a number of windings. This is depicted in more detail in Figure 3.

Figure 3 provides a simplified diagram depicting a cutaway section of the modified gasket 103 within which is located one of the coils 203.

A first arrow 301 and second arrow 302 indicate the direction in which the clamping force acts to compress the modified gasket.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the windings 303a, 303b of the coil 203 are oriented within the gasket such that an increase in the clamping force, which compresses the modified gasket in the direction of the clamping force, reduces a distance d of the gaps between the windings 303a, 303b of the coil 203. As will be understood, in this way, in use, at any given time, the spacing between the windings 303a, 303b of the coil 203 is related to the magnitude of the clamping force.

Returning to Figure 2, a first end 204a and a second end 204b the conductor 202 exits the modified gasket 103 at a terminal connecting point 205. The first end 204a and the second end 204b enter the terminal 105 for connecting to the sensor unit 106.

Figure 4 provides a schematic diagram depicting in more detail the components of the sensor unit 106.

The sensor unit 106 comprises a detector 401, a data processor 402, a data transceiver 403 and a power supply 404.

The power supply 404 is typically provided by a suitable battery and is configured to provide power to the components of the sensor unit 106.

The detector 401 is connected to the conductor 202 via the terminal connecting point 205. The detector 401 is configured to monitor one or more electrical properties of the conductor 202 which change in dependence on the spacing of the windings of the coils 203.

As will be understood, certain electrical properties of the conductor 202 will change as the size of the gaps between the windings of the coils 203 changes due changes in the clamping force.

These electrical properties include capacitance, inductance and resonance.

More specifically, as will be understood with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3, as the clamping force reduces, the size of the gaps between the windings of the coils 203 increases.

This reduces the mutual capacitance and mutual inductance between each pair of adjacent windings. Thus, as the clamping force decreases, the overall inductance and overall capacitance of the conductor 202 reduces. Conversely, as the clamping force increases, the overall inductance and overall capacitance of the conductor 202 increases.

As will be understood, changes in the size of the gaps between the windings will also change the electrical resonance of the conductor 202.

In use, the detector 401 is configured to input into the conductor 202 one or more suitable excitation/measurement signals which enable the detector 401 to measure one or more electrical properties of the conductor 202. Suitable techniques for measuring one or more of the capacitance, inductance, resonance of the conductor 202 are well-known in the art.

Once one or more electrical properties of the conductor 202 have been measured, the detector 401 is configured to generate an output signal indicative of the detected electrical property and communicate this to the data processor 402.

The data processor 402 is configured to process the output signal from the detector 401 and infer information about the clamping force urging the first conduit 102a and the second conduit 102b together. The data processor 402 is then configured to generate suitable data relating to the detected clamping force which is communicated to the data transceiver 403 which is configured to transmit this data to the remote computing system 109 for further processing.

In one example, the data processor 402 may have stored thereon a threshold value corresponding to a threshold electrical property value (for example a threshold capacitance, inductance, or resonance value) determined during a calibration process and associated with an electrical property of the conductor 202 when the modified gasket 103 is subject to a threshold clamping force.

In other words, the threshold value is associated with the magnitude of an electrical property of the conductor 202 when the gaps between the windings of the coils 203 are separated by a specific distance which occurs when the clamping force is at the threshold clamping force level.

This clamping force level may be selected to be associated (within a suitable safety margin) with the clamping force necessary to safely seal the first conduit 102a and the second conduit 102b at the join.

In certain embodiments, the data processor 402 is configured to use this threshold value in conjunction with the output signal from the detector 401 to determine if the clamping force has dropped below a certain level. In such embodiments, on detecting this, the data processor 402 is configured to generate a warning message. This warning message is communicated from the data processor 402 to the data transceiver 403 which then communicates warning message data to the remote computing system 109. The software running on the remote computing system 109 is then configured to generate a suitable alert, alerting for example an operative that the seal between the first conduit 102a and the second conduit 102b has failed.

As will be understood, in other embodiments, the data generated by the system may be processed in different ways. For example, rather than determining information about the clamping force at the sensor unit 106 and generating a warning message, the data processor 402 may be configured to process the data received from the detector 401 and generate corresponding measurement data which is then communicated by the data transceiver 403 to the remote computing system 109. The software running on the remote computing system 109 may then be configured to determine the clamping force from this measurement data.

In the embodiment described with reference to Figure 4, the sensor unit comprises a data transceiver 403 which as is known in the art typically comprises a data transmitter and a data receiver.

Typically, other than the provision of the embedded conductor 202, the modified gasket 103 corresponds to conventional gaskets and is typically made from a suitable gasket material such as rubber or polymer. The conductor 202 can be embedded in the modified gasket 103 using any suitable technique for example using a moulding process or during a process in which rubber of the gasket is vulcanised.

In the embodiments described above, the conductor embedded in the modified gasket comprises a plurality of coils connected in series, and the spacing between the windings of these coils is used to detect the clamping force applied to a modified gasket.

In further embodiments, the conductor can take different forms. For example, the conductor can comprise a plurality of capacitive plates and the size of the gap between these plates is used to detect the clamping force applied to a modified gasket. Figure 5 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting such an example of such an embodiment.

Figure 5 provides a first cross-sectional view 'A-A' along an axial length of a modified gasket 501.

In keeping with the example described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the modified gasket 501 comprises a plurality of a plurality of through holes 502 through which the bolts joining a first conduit and the second conduit can pass.

Embedded within the modified gasket 501 is a conductor arrangement 503. The conductor arrangement 503 comprises a first ring 504a and a second ring 504b. The first ring 504a and second ring 504b each comprise a plurality of connected capacitive plates 505.

The first ring 504a and second ring 504b can be made from any suitable conducting material as is known in the art.

The first ring 504a and second ring 504b are respectively connected to an output terminal via a first lead 506a and a second lead 506b for connecting to a sensor unit.

The first ring 504a and second ring 504b are configured such that the capacitive plates 505 align forming plate pairs. This is depicted schematically in Figure 6.

Figure 6 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a section of the first ring 504a and a corresponding section of the second ring 504b. As can be seen from Figure 6, each capacitive plate 505a of the first ring 504a aligns with a corresponding capacitive plate 505b of the second ring 504b. In this way, each capacitive plate 505a of the first ring 504a is separated from each capacitive plate 505b of the second ring 504b by a gap 'd'.

As can be understood from Figures 5 and 6, the capacitive plates 505 of the conductor arrangement 503 are positioned within the modified gasket 501 such that an increase in the clamping force, which compresses the modified gasket 501 in the direction of the clamping force, reduces the gaps 'd' between adjacent capacitive plates 505. Correspondingly, a reduction in the clamping force will reduce the compression of the modified gasket 501, increasing the gaps 'd' between adjacent capacitive plates 505.

In this way, an electrical property of the conductor arrangement 503 will change in dependence on the clamping force applied to the modified gasket 501.

In the example embodiment shown in Figure 5, the capacitive plates 505 of the first ring 504a and second ring 504b are evenly distributed around the circumference of the modified gasket 501 and each located between a pair of through holes 502.

In embodiments in which the conduits are secured together by several fixings, loss of tension in a single fixing (for example, an isolated bolt becoming loose) may only give rise to a reduction in clamping force in an area of the gasket local to the through hole through which that fixing passes. Accordingly, by positioning individual coils or adjacent capacitive plates adjacent to at least one through hole a reduction in clamping force due to a single fixing losing tension is more likely to be detected. As can be seen in the embodiments shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5, due to the spacing of the coils (shown in Figure 2) and capacitive plates (shown in Figure 5), the coils/capacitive plates are adjacent two though holes.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 5, the modified gasket has a substantially conventional annular (ring-like) configuration. however, as a skilled person would understand, modified gaskets in accordance with other embodiments can take other shapes and configurations depending on the nature of the conduits which the modified gasket is to seal.

For example, in alternative embodiments, the modified gasket maybe oval shaped or square shaped or so on and the positioning of the conductor adapted accordingly.

In the embodiment described above with reference to Figure 2, the modified gasket is provided with a conducting arrangement provided by a single integrated conductor formed by a single conducting wire. However, in alternative embodiments a modified gasket might be provided with two or more separate conductors of the type described above.

Operation of modified gaskets arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention is based on the provision of a conductor with a plurality of adjacent windings the spacing between which changes as a result of the degree to which the gasket is compressed due to the clamping force. The skilled person will understand that the term "adjacent windings" in the context of embodiments of the invention generally refers to longitudinal portions of the conductor that are spaced apart by a gap and are substantially or at least partially parallel to each other such as to give rise to some form of electrical coupling (for example inductive coupling or capacitive coupling) which affects an electrical property of the conductor.

In embodiments of the type described with reference to Figure 2, a conductor embedded in a modified gasket comprises a number of separate groups of adjacent windings and each of these groups is formed as a coil resulting in a conductor comprising a plurality of coils.

However, it will be understood that adjacent windings can be arranged in any suitable configuration providing the spacing between adjacent windings changes in dependence on the clamping force and gives rise to a detectable change in a suitable electrical property of the conductor.

In the embodiments described above with reference to Figure 2 the conductor 202 is provided with eight groups of adjacent windings each arranged into a coil which correspond in number to the eight through holes of the gasket. However, in alternative embodiments a modified gasket may be provided with a conductor that comprises more groups of adjacent windings (for example more than eight coils), fewer groups of adjacent windings (for example fewer than eight coils) or only a single group of adjacent windings (for example a single coil).

Similarly, in the embodiments described above with reference to Figure 5 the conductor arrangement 503 is provided with eight groups of adjacent capacitive plates 505 which correspond in number to the eight through holes of the gasket. However, in alternative embodiments a similar modified gasket may be provided with a conductor arrangement that comprises more pairs of adjacent capacitive plates (for example more than eight capacitive plates), fewer pairs of adjacent capacitive plates (for example fewer than eight capacitive plates) or only a single pair of capacitive plates.

In the embodiment described above with reference to Figure 2, the groups of adjacent windings formed into coils are electrically connected in series. However, alternative arrangements are possible. For example, in alternative embodiments the coils (or whatever form the groups of adjacent windings take) can be connected in parallel or can be divided into groups wherein the coils of each group are connected in parallel, whilst the groups themselves are connected in series.

Modified gaskets arranged in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be used in many different settings, for example when sealing flanges in oil, gas and chemical plant applications.

The precise size and configuration of modified gaskets in accordance with embodiments of the invention will be determined by the particular application in which they are used. For example, modified gaskets of thicknesses between 1.5mm to 4mm and diameters of 50mm to 1m can be used for applications such as oil transportation.

The skilled person will understand that unless otherwise specified the components of embodiments of the invention can be provided by any suitable means. For example, with reference to the system described with reference to Figure 1, the wireless data link can be provided by any suitable wireless link. For example the wireless link can be provided by a short range wireless connection provided by a data communication protocol such as Bluetooth or via a wireless connection provided for example by a cellular mobile telephone network. In other examples, the data link between the sensor unit and the remote computing system may be provided by a wired link rather than a wireless link. The data network can be provided by any suitable network, for example by the internet, and the remote computing device can be provided by, for example one or more application servers running suitable software.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit are coupled at a join, said apparatus comprising a gasket configured to be located between the first and second conduit at the join and which comprises an integrated conductor arrangement, 5 wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement, and said apparatus further comprising a sensor connected to the conductor arrangement, said sensor configured to: detect the electrical property of the conductor arrangement which changes in dependence on changes in the size of the gap, and thereby generate an output signal associated with the clamping force.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of conducting parts are distributed at least partially around a circumference of the gasket.
3. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the plurality of conducting parts are distributed substantially entirely around a circumference of the gasket.
4. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the gasket comprises a plurality of through holes for fixings to secure the first and second conduit together at the join, and at least one of the plurality of conducting parts is positioned substantially adjacent each through hole.
5. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the plurality of conducting parts are embedded in the gasket.
6. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein each of the plurality of conducting parts comprises a plurality of adjacent windings positioned such that a spacing between adjacent windings forms the first gap.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of adjacent windings are arranged into a plurality of separated groups of adjacent windings, wherein each separated group of adjacent windings form a coil, the conductor arrangement thereby comprising a plurality of separated coils.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of separated groups of adjacent windings are connected in series.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of conducting parts is provided by a plurality of capacitive plates.
10. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the electrical property is one of capacitance of the conductor arrangement, inductance of the conductor arrangement, or resonance of the conductor arrangement.
11. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the gasket is formed from rubber.
12. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the gasket further comprises a terminal positioned on a periphery of the gasket for connecting the conductor arrangement and the sensor.
13. Apparatus according to any previous claim, further comprising a data processor and data transmitter, said data processor configured to receive the output signal from the sensor, generate corresponding data associated with the clamping force and the data transmitter is configured to communicate the corresponding data to a remote computing system.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the data transmitter is a gateway provided by a wireless data transmitter.
15. A gasket for use in an apparatus according to claim 1, said gasket comprising an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement.
16. A system for monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit are coupled at a join, said system comprising: a gasket located between the first and second conduit at the join and which comprises an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement; a sensor connected to the conductor, said sensor configured to: detect the electrical property of the conducting arrangement which changes in dependence on the size of the gap, and thereby generate an output signal associated with the clamping force, and a data transmitter and a remote computing system, said data transmitter configured to transmit data associated with the output signal to the remote computing system.
17. A method of monitoring a clamping force with which a first and second conduit are coupled at a join with a gasket located between the first and second conduit, said gasket comprising an integrated conductor arrangement, wherein said conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of conducting parts, each conducting part comprising at least a first gap, said conducting parts oriented such that a size of the gap changes responsive to changes of the clamping force thereby changing an electrical property of the conductor arrangement, said method comprising: detecting an electrical property of the conductor arrangement which changes in dependence on the size of the gap, and generating an output signal associated with the clamping force.