A method for monitoring the condition of a piston rod sealing system of a piston compressor, the system having at least two annular chambers arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction and each having a sealing element arranged therein. A piston rod running through the sealing elements and the annular chambers is moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction, sealed by the sealing elements. The system has an inlet side and an outlet side, between which a difference in pressure occurs, and said difference in pressure has static and dynamic pressure component. When there is leakage gas in the annular chambers, at least the dynamic pressure component of the leakage gas is measured in the piston rod sealing system. A change in the condition of at least one of the sealing elements is determined from a change in the dynamic pressure component as a function of time.

A method for monitoring the condition of a piston rod sealing system of a piston compressor, the system having at least two annular chambers arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction and each having a sealing element arranged therein. A piston rod running through the sealing elements and the annular chambers is moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction, sealed by the sealing elements. The system has an inlet side and an outlet side, between which a difference in pressure occurs, and said difference in pressure has static and dynamic pressure component. When there is leakage gas in the annular chambers, at least the dynamic pressure component of the leakage gas is measured in the piston rod sealing system. A change in the condition of at least one of the sealing elements is determined from a change in the dynamic pressure component as a function of time.

A sealing device has a sensor system for condition monitoring. The sealing device includes a sealing ring with a dynamic sealing section for dynamically sealing abutment at a sealing surface of a machine part and a pretensioning ring for pretensioning the sealing section against the sealing surface having a first section and a second section. The second section can be deflected in a spring-elastic manner in an axial or radial direction relative to the central axis of the sealing device from a first position relative to the first section. The sensor system includes at least one measuring element arranged in the intermediate space on the pretensioning ring, which responds indirectly or directly to a deflection movement of the first section of the pretensioning ring. A sealing arrangement may have such a sealing device.

A sealing device has a sensor system for condition monitoring. The sealing device includes a sealing ring with a dynamic sealing section for dynamically sealing abutment at a sealing surface of a machine part and a pretensioning ring for pretensioning the sealing section against the sealing surface having a first section and a second section. The second section can be deflected in a spring-elastic manner in an axial or radial direction relative to the central axis of the sealing device from a first position relative to the first section. The sensor system includes at least one measuring element arranged in the intermediate space on the pretensioning ring, which responds indirectly or directly to a deflection movement of the first section of the pretensioning ring. A sealing arrangement may have such a sealing device.

In accordance with the resent invention, there is provided a fugitive emission detection system for use in conjunction with a valve having a packing deign which includes a primary packing and a secondary packing. The valve further includes a leak port which is disposed within the valve bonnet between the primary and secondary packings. The detection system is operative to maintain the leak port in a normally open state. As a result, any fluid leakage past the primary packing is normally sent to the detection system, as opposed to being applied to and thus pressurizing the secondary packing. In the event of that a prescribed level of fluid leakage beyond the primary packing is detected, the leak port will be closed. The closure of the leak port facilitates the pressurization of the secondary packing.

In accordance with the resent invention, there is provided a fugitive emission detection system for use in conjunction with a valve having a packing deign which includes a primary packing and a secondary packing. The valve further includes a leak port which is disposed within the valve bonnet between the primary and secondary packings. The detection system is operative to maintain the leak port in a normally open state. As a result, any fluid leakage past the primary packing is normally sent to the detection system, as opposed to being applied to and thus pressurizing the secondary packing. In the event of that a prescribed level of fluid leakage beyond the primary packing is detected, the leak port will be closed. The closure of the leak port facilitates the pressurization of the secondary packing.

A seal assembly includes: a seal element; a part to be sealed; and a measuring arrangement for monitoring an aging of the seal element. The seal element is held on the part so as to provide a contact stress between the seal element and the part. The seal element has a contact face with which the seal element bears against the part. At least one measuring component of the measuring arrangement is integrated in each case into the seal element and into the part. The contact face of the seal element has a surface geometry with depressions.

A seal assembly includes: a seal element; a part to be sealed; and a measuring arrangement for monitoring an aging of the seal element. The seal element is held on the part so as to provide a contact stress between the seal element and the part. The seal element has a contact face with which the seal element bears against the part. At least one measuring component of the measuring arrangement is integrated in each case into the seal element and into the part. The contact face of the seal element has a surface geometry with depressions.

A seal assembly made up of multiple opposite oriented unidirectional seals. The assembly includes a dedicated test port for each of the unidirectional seals. Thus, a first test port may be directed at the first seal such that if the first seal leaks, the second seal is configured to collapse and allow a second test port coupled thereto to detect the leak of the first seal. By the same token, the first test port may be used to detect any leak in the second seal which is detectable as the first seal collapses as a result of the leak. This unique type of architecture allows for a reliable manner of testing a multiple seal assembly that may be prone to leaks from multiple directions, for example from either a bore or an annular side of a tubular. This renders the bidirectionally testable seal configuration beneficial for incorporation into downhole completions hardware such at the location of a test gauge secured to a carrier device.

A seal assembly made up of multiple opposite oriented unidirectional seals. The assembly includes a dedicated test port for each of the unidirectional seals. Thus, a first test port may be directed at the first seal such that if the first seal leaks, the second seal is configured to collapse and allow a second test port coupled thereto to detect the leak of the first seal. By the same token, the first test port may be used to detect any leak in the second seal which is detectable as the first seal collapses as a result of the leak. This unique type of architecture allows for a reliable manner of testing a multiple seal assembly that may be prone to leaks from multiple directions, for example from either a bore or an annular side of a tubular. This renders the bidirectionally testable seal configuration beneficial for incorporation into downhole completions hardware such at the location of a test gauge secured to a carrier device.