APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR JOINT MONITORING

摘要

An apparatus for monitoring the condition of one or more joints each formed between two adjacent flanges, the apparatus comprising one or more gasket bodies formed of a deformable material for positioning between adjacent flanges, and a transmission line for positioning between adjacent flanges and in contact with at least one of the one or more gasket bodies. The apparatus further comprising means for determining changes in the characteristic impedance along the transmission line, where a change of characteristic impedance is indicative of a deformation of the one or more gasket bodies and the condition of the one or more joints.