Abstract: A method for estimating a time of flight of an acoustic signal in a hot gas flow path having background noise wherein a plurality of transceivers each generate an acoustic signal. The method includes providing an acoustic signal of interest that travels in a direction opposite a reference acoustic signal on a first acoustic path between a pair of transceivers. The method also includes identifying at least one minimum peak height in the acoustic signal of interest having a peak height that is greater than the background noise. Further, the method includes obtaining time of flight information of other acoustic paths having substantially the same path length as the first path to provide a range of time of flights wherein a time of flight that falls within the time of flight range and is associated with a minimum peak height forms the estimated time of flight.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating dynamic virtual fences in a hazardous environment are provided. The method includes detecting a potential hazard associated with a field object in the hazardous environment. The method further includes determining a value of a risk factor of the potential hazard and area and shape of a dynamic virtual fence based on values of real-time operational parameters associated with the field object. The method includes automatically representing the dynamic virtual fence around a location of the field object on a map of the hazardous environment based on the determined area and shape and the value of the risk factor such that the dynamic virtual fence represents a hazardous zone in the hazardous environment.

Abstract: A method for optimizing base points each used in a corresponding basis function utilized in generating a parameter map for a hot gas flow path constrained by a boundary. The method includes providing a plurality of transceivers, wherein each transceiver generates an acoustic signal that travels through a measurement space in the hot gas flow path and wherein each acoustic signal defines an acoustic path. The method also includes locating the transceivers such that the acoustic paths travel through a region of interest in the measurement space. In addition, an average temperature for each acoustic path is determined. Next, at least one base point in the measurement space is determined. Further, the method includes providing a basis function for each base point and generating a weight of each basis function.

Abstract: A method for determining waveguide temperature for at least one waveguide of a transceiver utilized for generating a temperature map. The transceiver generates an acoustic signal that travels through a measurement space in a hot gas flow path defined by a wall such as in a combustor. The method includes calculating a total time of flight for the acoustic signal and subtracting a waveguide travel time from the total time of flight to obtain a measurement space travel time. A temperature map is calculated based on the measurement space travel time. An estimated wall temperature is obtained from the temperature map. An estimated waveguide temperature is then calculated based on the estimated wall temperature wherein the estimated waveguide temperature is determined without the use of a temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A method for determining waveguide temperature for at least one waveguide of a transceiver utilized for generating a temperature map. The transceiver generates an acoustic signal that travels through a measurement space in a hot gas flow path defined by a wall such as in a combustor. The method includes calculating a total time of flight for the acoustic signal and subtracting a waveguide travel time from the total time of flight to obtain a measurement space travel time. A temperature map is calculated based on the measurement space travel time. An estimated wall temperature is obtained from the temperature map. An estimated waveguide temperature is then calculated based on the estimated wall temperature wherein the estimated waveguide temperature is determined without the use of a temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A method for estimating a time of flight of an acoustic signal in a hot gas flow path having background noise wherein a plurality of transceivers each generate an acoustic signal. The method includes providing an acoustic signal of interest that travels in a direction opposite a reference acoustic signal on a first acoustic path between a pair of transceivers. The method also includes identifying at least one minimum peak height in the acoustic signal of interest having a peak height that is greater than the background noise. Further, the method includes obtaining time of flight information of other acoustic paths having substantially the same path length as the first path to provide a range of time of flights wherein a time of flight that falls within the time of flight range and is associated with a minimum peak height forms the estimated time of flight.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating dynamic virtual fences in a hazardous environment are provided. The method includes detecting a potential hazard associated with a field object in the hazardous environment. The method further includes determining a value of a risk factor of the potential hazard and area and shape of a dynamic virtual fence based on values of real-time operational parameters associated with the field object. The method includes automatically representing the dynamic virtual fence around a location of the field object on a map of the hazardous environment based on the determined area and shape and the value of the risk factor such that the dynamic virtual fence represents a hazardous zone in the hazardous environment.