Conduit connection with sensing function
Mechanically attached connections for conduits may include a conduit gripping member and first and second connection members. The first and second connection members may be, for example, a nut member and a body member where the connection members cause axial movement of the conduit gripping member to grip and seal the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up. The mechanically attached connection may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a condition or characteristic of at least one of the following: the mechanically attached connection, one or more of the connection members, the fluid contained by the mechanically attached connection, or a combination thereof. The sensing function may be, for example, a sensor that is integrated with at least one of the nut member and the body member.
1. A mechanically attached connection for a fluid conduit having a longitudinal axis, comprising: connection members comprising at least one conduit gripping member, a first coupling member and a second coupling member that are adapted to be axially joined together to pull-up the mechanically attached connection on a fluid conduit, the mechanically attached connection providing conduit grip and fluid tight seal after the mechanically attached connection is pulled-up, and a sensor that is integrated with at least one of said first coupling member and said second coupling member to detect a condition or characteristic of at least one of the following: the mechanically attached connection, one or more of the connection members, the fluid contained by the mechanically attached connection, or a combination thereof,
said sensor having a detectable electrical property that changes in relation to said detected condition or characteristic.
2. The mechanically attached connection of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a wetted sensor that communicates wirelessly to a circuit associated with the mechanically attached connection.
3. The mechanically attached connection of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a non-wetted sensor that communicates wirelessly to a circuit associated with the mechanically attached connection.
4. The mechanically attached connection of claim 2 wherein said circuit is remote from the mechanically attached connection.
5. The mechanically attached connection of claim 1 wherein said first and second coupling members comprise a body and a nut, wherein said sensor is integrated with at least one of said nut and said body.
6. The mechanically attached connection of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a strain gauge.
7. The mechanically attached connection of claim 1 wherein said sensor is disposed in a passage formed in one of said coupling members.
8. The mechanically attached connection of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a wetted or non-wetted sensor that communicates wirelessly or wired to a circuit remote from the mechanically attached connection.
9. The mechanically attached connection of claim 1 wherein said sensor is selected from the following: RFID tag, strain sensor, piezoelectric sensor, ultrasonic sensor, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, optical sensor, capacitive sensor, inductive sensor, resistive sensor, acoustic sensor.