Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for detecting Partial Discharge (PD) associated with wide bandgap semiconductor-based electrical drive systems in real time. In one aspect, signals, including noise associated with drive switching and other background noises are detected using a sensing device. The signals are received by a real-time spectrum analyzer. The spectrum analyzer transforms the signals into the frequency domain and determines or registers the frequency domain profiles of the signals. The spectrum analyzer performs signal discrimination between at least one other signal included within the signals and switching noise based on their frequency domain profiles. Based on the discrimination analysis, the presence of a partial discharge signal may be detected. A physics-based signal discrimination approach can also be used for signal discrimination, for example utilizing pressure-dependency of characteristics of a PD signal.

Abstract: An electric component for an electric machine includes a body having slots defined therein, and a conductive winding extending out of axial end(s) of the slot(s). The electric component may include any electric machine component having conductive windings, e.g., a stator for a generator. The electric component includes a resin dam around the conductive winding at axial end(s) of the slot(s). The resin dam blocks liquid communication through at least a space between the conductive winding and an inner surface of the slot(s), during manufacture. The electric component also includes a (solidified) insulating resin in the slot(s) and against the resin dam(s) at the axial end(s) of the slot(s). Any number of the conductive windings and slots may include a resin dam, e.g., one, some or all. The resin dams ensure complete filling of the slots and encapsulation of the conductive windings.

Abstract: An electric machine having an electrically insulative manifold is disclosed. In one example aspect, an electric machine includes a non-electrically conductive manifold. The manifold defines a chamber operable to receive a cooling fluid. The electric machine includes a prime winding in fluid communication with the chamber and one or more secondary windings in electrical communication with the prime winding and in fluid communication with the chamber. Further, the electric machine includes an electric machine terminal extending through the non-electrically conductive manifold and coupled with the prime winding. The electric machine terminal can provide or collect cooling fluid from the chamber of the manifold and can act as the electrical connection point for directing electrical power to or from the windings of the electric machine.

Abstract: An electric winding assembly comprising a conductor core which includes at least a first end and a distal second end, an insulation layer overlying the conductor core, and a conductive shield layer overlying the insulation layer. The conductive shield layer further having a terminal end conductively connected with the conductive shield layer.

Abstract: Partial discharge detection techniques are provided. In one aspect, a method of detecting partial discharge in an electrical power system having a power electronics converter is provided. A first current signal is captured in response to a first applied voltage. A second current signal is captured in response to a second applied voltage, the second applied voltage being different than the first applied voltage. The first current signal is set as a reference signal. A difference signal is determined based on the second current signal and the reference signal. A determination is made as to whether partial discharge is present based on the difference signal. The method may iterate, and for each iteration, the reference signal is refreshed on a rolling basis as a previously captured current signal measured in response to a previously applied voltage. The applied voltage is also stepped up or down for each iteration.

Abstract: A cable that includes a conductor defining a hollow interior, a casing surrounding the conductor, an electrical insulator positioned between the conductor and the casing, and a fluid positioned within the hollow interior of the conductor.

Abstract: An electric component for an electric system that includes a working component, a housing that encloses the working component, and an electrical insulator that is disposed between the housing and the working component.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine includes implementing, via a controller, a control scheme for monitoring blade damage of the at least one rotor blade. The control scheme includes monitoring at least one electrical condition of a pitch system of the wind turbine. The method also includes converting the electrical condition(s) of the pitch system into a frequency domain. Further, the method includes determining one or more peaks of the frequency domain around a frequency component related to a natural frequency of the rotor blade. Moreover, the method includes determining a frequency deviation between the one or more peaks of the frequency domain and the frequency component related to the natural frequency of the rotor blade. As such, a frequency deviation outside of a predetermined frequency range is indicative of a rotor blade anomaly. Thus, the method includes implementing a control action when the frequency deviation is outside of the predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine system includes a combustor casing having an interior-establishing wall, and a chamber extending to the interior-establishing wall. In addition, the combustor includes an igniter assembly disposed within the chamber such that a tip of the igniter assembly is positioned radially outwardly from the interior-establishing wall. The igniter assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulator. In addition, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the insulator form a cavity, the second electrode forms an outlet passage extending from the cavity, a maximum cross-sectional area of the cavity is greater than a minimum cross-sectional area of the outlet passage, and the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to ionize gas within the cavity in response to an electrical current applied to the first electrode or to the second electrode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for detecting Partial Discharge (PD) associated with wide bandgap semiconductor-based electrical drive systems in real time. In one aspect, signals, including noise associated with drive switching and other background noises are detected using a sensing device. The signals are received by a real-time spectrum analyzer. The spectrum analyzer transforms the signals into the frequency domain and determines or registers the frequency domain profiles of the signals. The spectrum analyzer performs signal discrimination between at least one other signal included within the signals and switching noise based on their frequency domain profiles. Based on the discrimination analysis, the presence of a partial discharge signal may be detected. A physics-based signal discrimination approach can also be used for signal discrimination, for example utilizing pressure-dependency of characteristics of a PD signal.

Abstract: An electric machine having an electrically insulative manifold is disclosed. In one example aspect, an electric machine includes a non-electrically conductive manifold. The manifold defines a chamber operable to receive a cooling fluid. The electric machine includes a prime winding in fluid communication with the chamber and one or more secondary windings in electrical communication with the prime winding and in fluid communication with the chamber. Further, the electric machine includes an electric machine terminal extending through the non-electrically conductive manifold and coupled with the prime winding. The electric machine terminal can provide or collect cooling fluid from the chamber of the manifold and can act as the electrical connection point for directing electrical power to or from the windings of the electric machine.

Abstract: An electric winding assembly comprising a conductor core which includes at least a first end and a distal second end, an insulation layer overlying the conductor core, and a conductive shield layer overlying the insulation layer. The conductive shield layer further having a terminal end conductively connected with the conductive shield layer.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of an electric power generation system includes receiving power generator data corresponding to the electric power generation system. The method further includes receiving, using a digital prime mover unit, a set-point parameter corresponding to a prime mover unit and generating one or more prime mover parameter estimates corresponding to the plurality of prime mover parameters. Further, the method includes receiving, using a digital generator unit, one or more prime mover parameter estimates and generating one or more generator parameter estimates corresponding to the plurality of generator parameters. The digital prime mover unit and the digital generator unit are real-time operational models of the prime mover unit and the generator unit. The method also includes controlling the operation of the electric power generation system based on at least one or more of the power generator data, the prime mover parameter estimates, and the generator parameter estimates.

Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a mechanical transmission system includes receiving motor-load data corresponding to the mechanical transmission system. The method further includes receiving, by a digital motor unit, one or more motor input parameters and generating motor parameter estimates of one or more of the plurality of motor parameters. The method also includes receiving, by a digital load unit, one or more motor parameter estimates from the digital motor unit and generating load parameter estimates corresponding to one or more load parameters. The digital motor unit and the digital load unit is a real-time operational model of the motor unit and the load unit respectively. The method also includes controlling the operation of the mechanical transmission system based on one or more of the motor-load data, motor parameter estimates and load parameter estimates.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of transformer system includes receiving, by a controller unit, transformer data corresponding to a transformer. The transformer data includes a plurality of transformer input parameters and a plurality of transformer output parameters. The method further includes receiving, by a digital transformer unit, the plurality of transformer input parameters from the controller unit. The digital transformer unit is a real-time operational model of the transformer. The method also includes generating, by the digital transformer unit, a plurality of transformer output parameter estimates corresponding to the plurality of transformer output parameters. The method further includes controlling operation of the transformer, by the controller unit, based on at least one of the transformer data and the plurality of transformer output parameter estimates.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gas turbine engine operation in which an igniter assembly is provided with an electrical energy input (e.g., an electrical waveform) that is configured to increase a likelihood of igniting a fuel-air mixture surrounding the igniter assembly. In certain embodiments, the igniter assembly is supplied with an augmented electrical waveform that may reduce a quantity of sparks generated by the igniter assembly before successful light-off (e.g., ignition) of the fuel-air mixture is achieved (e.g., as compared to a quantity of sparks generated to achieve ignition by an igniter assembly that receives an electrical energy input in the form of a conventional electrical waveform). Accordingly, the augmented electrical waveform may reduce wear (e.g., via oxidation) on electrodes of the igniter assembly, such as a primary electrode (e.g., a center electrode) and a secondary electrode (e.g., an outer shell electrode) disposed about the primary electrode.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine system includes a combustor casing having an interior-establishing wall, and a chamber extending to the interior-establishing wall. In addition, the combustor includes an igniter assembly disposed within the chamber such that a tip of the igniter assembly is positioned radially outwardly from the interior-establishing wall. The igniter assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulator. In addition, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the insulator form a cavity, the second electrode forms an outlet passage extending from the cavity, a maximum cross-sectional area of the cavity is greater than a minimum cross-sectional area of the outlet passage, and the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to ionize gas within the cavity in response to an electrical current applied to the first electrode or to the second electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a light source configured to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons emitted by the light source when the spark gap is operated are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The light source includes a discharge probe having a third electrode sealed in a tube filled with an inert gas. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

Abstract: An igniter assembly for a gas turbine combustor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulator. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the insulator form a cavity, the second electrode forms an outlet passage extending from the cavity, a maximum cross-sectional area of the cavity is greater than a cross-sectional area of the outlet passage, and the cross-sectional area of the outlet passage is substantially constant along a longitudinal extent of the outlet passage. In addition, the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to ionize gas within the cavity in response to an electrical current applied to the first electrode or to the second electrode.

Abstract: Computer-implemented curriculum creation can include determining, using a processor, inquiries for educational content from data aggregated from a plurality of different users over time, determining, using the processor, topics of the inquiries, and categorizing, using the processor, the inquiries into groups based upon the topics. Computer-implemented curriculum creation may include searching, using the processor, for educational content for a subset of the topics, wherein the topics of the subset are selected based upon a ranking of the topics, and determining, using the processor, whether educational content is available for the topics of the subset based upon results of the searching.