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 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: 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 operation of a motor drive system includes receiving motor drive data corresponding to a variable frequency drive. The motor drive data includes a plurality of frequency drive input parameters and a plurality of frequency drive output parameters. The method further includes receiving, by a digital variable frequency drive unit, the plurality of frequency drive input parameters. The digital variable frequency drive unit is a real-time operational model of the variable frequency drive. The method further includes generating, by the digital variable frequency drive unit, frequency drive output parameter estimates corresponding to the plurality of frequency drive output parameters. The method also includes controlling operation of the variable frequency drive based on the one or more of the motor drive data, and the frequency drive output parameter estimates.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calibration and compensation of on-line current transformers. In certain embodiments, a method to calibrate a single current transformer by use of an AC injected current is provided. In other embodiments, a method to calibrate and compensate multiple current transformers using a single AC injected current is provided. In further embodiments, a system for calibration and compensation of multiple current transformers is provided. The adequate frequency of the injected current as well as other characteristics for adequate use in some embodiments is provided.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a capacitor can having one or more capacitors. The monitoring system includes an antenna. The monitoring system includes at least one sensor disposed within the capacitor can and configured to detect an operating characteristic associated with health of the one or more capacitors of the capacitor can. The monitoring system includes a processor configured to receive a first signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the operating characteristic. The processor is configured to send a second signal, via the antenna, indicative of a value of the operating characteristic to a receiving device outside of the capacitor can.

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: 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 approach is disclosed for generating seed electrons at a spark gap in the absence of 85Kr. The present approach utilizes the photo-electric effect, using a light source with a specific nominal wave length (or range of wavelengths) at a specific level of emitted flux to generate seed electrons.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for on-line monitoring of the condition of insulation in electrical devices employing a differential current sensor. In certain embodiments a monitor that can be fitted to existing electrical devices by attachment of the sensor to a pair of phase cables is provided. In other embodiments, an electrical device configured with an insulation monitor is provided.

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 cantilevered component coupled to the first electrode that is configured to generate a field emission, a corona discharge or both, to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

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 cantilevered component coupled to the first electrode that is configured to generate a field emission, a corona discharge or both, to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

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 approach is disclosed for generating seed electrons at a spark gap in the absence of 85Kr. The present approach utilizes the photo-electric effect, using a light source with a specific nominal wave length (or range of wavelengths) at a specific level of emitted flux to generate seed electrons.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a capacitor can having one or more capacitors. The monitoring system includes an antenna. The monitoring system includes at least one sensor disposed within the capacitor can and configured to detect an operating characteristic associated with health of the one or more capacitors of the capacitor can. The monitoring system includes a processor configured to receive a first signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the operating characteristic. The processor is configured to send a second signal, via the antenna, indicative of a value of the operating characteristic to a receiving device outside of the capacitor can.

Abstract: Methods and systems detect short circuits in an electrical system, such as a dynamic braking grid of a vehicle. The methods and system measure a characteristic of a current that is conducted through one or more resistive elements of an electrical system. The current is supplied to the electrical system from a power source as an applied voltage. A resistance change signal representative of a change in one or more electrical resistances of the one or more resistive elements is determined The resistance change signal can be based at least in part on a difference between the characteristic of the current that is measured and a low pass filtered value of one or more of the characteristic of the current that is measured or the applied voltage supplied by the power source. A short circuit event is identified based at least in part on the resistance change signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for on-line monitoring of the condition of insulation in electrical devices employing a differential current sensor. In certain embodiments a monitor that can be fitted to existing electrical devices by attachment of the sensor to a pair of phase cables is provided. In other embodiments, an electrical device configured with an insulation monitor is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calibration and compensation of on-line current transformers. In certain embodiments, a method to calibrate a single current transformer by use of an AC injected current is provided. In other embodiments, a method to calibrate and compensate multiple current transformers using a single AC injected current is provided. In further embodiments, a system for calibration and compensation of multiple current transformers is provided. The adequate frequency of the injected current as well as other characteristics for adequate use in some embodiments is provided.