Abstract: A method of detecting water induction in a steam turbine that may include the steps of: measuring the temperature of one of the steam lines of the steam turbine at regular intervals; recording the temperature measurements; and determining, from the recorded temperature measurements, whether there has been a sharp decrease followed by a gradual rise in the temperature of the steam line. The method further may include the steps of calculating the rate of change of the decrease in temperature of the steam line and the rate of change of the increase in temperature of the steam line. The sharp decrease followed by a gradual rise in the temperature of the steam line may include a decrease in temperature followed by an increase in temperature wherein the rate of change of the decrease in temperature exceeds the rate of change of the rise in temperature.

Abstract: A degradation monitoring system including: a machine; a sensor affixed to the machine, the sensors measuring a operational parameters of the machine; a set of filters receptive of information about the machine from the sensors and the filters responsively generate status signals; and comparators for comparing the status signals to stored signals, wherein the comparators indicate at least one of a presence of degradation of the machine, or a cause of degradation of the machine.

Abstract: A method for determining efficiency of an installed steam turbine includes estimating, at a first plurality of times, a first mean value and a first variance of at least one performance variable of the steam turbine utilizing a set of station sensors. The method further includes estimating, at a second plurality of times including times encompassing at least some of the first plurality of times, a second mean value and a second variance of the at least one performance variable utilizing a different set of sensors, wherein the different set of sensors includes precision sensors. A mapping function is determined between the first mean values and the second mean values using the first mean values, the first variances, the second mean values, and the second variances.

Abstract: A method for determining efficiency of an installed steam turbine includes estimating, at a first plurality of times, a first mean value and a first variance of at least one performance variable of the steam turbine utilizing a set of station sensors. The method further includes estimating, at a second plurality of times including times encompassing at least some of the first plurality of times, a second mean value and a second variance of the at least one performance variable utilizing a different set of sensors, wherein the different set of sensors includes precision sensors. A mapping function is determined between the first mean values and the second mean values using the first mean values, the first variances, the second mean values, and the second variances.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus relates to a system for detecting a rub in a turbomachine. The system comprises: a turbomachine; sensors monitoring turbomachine conditions; and an on site monitor in communication with the sensors, and loaded with instructions to implement a method for detecting a rub in the turbomachine. An embodiment of the disclosed method relates to a method for detecting a rub in a turbomachine, the method comprising: monitoring turbomachine conditions; and determining whether a rub is occurring. Another embodiment of the disclosed apparatus relates to a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for detecting a rub in a turbomachine, the storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method. The method comprises: obtaining data indicating turbomachine conditions; and determining whether a rub is occurring.

Abstract: A monitoring system within a computing system is set out. The monitoring system monitors components within the computing system. The monitoring system includes a plurality of monitoring devices, a dedicated bus and a controller. The dedicated bus is dedicated for use by the monitoring devices. Each monitoring device is connected to the dedicated bus. The controller is also connected to the dedicated bus. The controller assigns addresses to each monitoring device, stores exception events, and reports the exception events to system software for the computing system.

Abstract: Contaminants that accumulate on test probes utilized to contact aluminum pads on integrated circuit chips cause the probe resistance to become unacceptably high. As disclosed herein, the contaminants (predominantly a mixture of aluminum and aluminum oxide) are substantially removed by immersing the probes in boiling water. Adding small quantities of phosphoric and/or hydrofluoric acids to the water further improves the cleaning action.