Abstract: Self-calibration of a multiple channel clearance sensor system, which in one embodiment includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one clearance parameter signal between a stationary object and a rotating object of a rotating machine. The sensor output is processed as a clearance parameter by an offset correction section configured to determine an offset error in the clearance parameter signal which is used by a level shifter. The level shifter is also switchably coupled to the clearance parameter signal wherein the output of the level shifter, which may be amplified and digitally converted, is processed by a signal level analyzer to determine a channel gain signal.

Abstract: A heat sink for directly cooling at least one electronic device package is provided. The electronic device package has an upper contact surface and a lower contact surface. The heat sink comprises a cooling piece formed of at least one thermally conductive material. The cooling piece defines multiple inlet manifolds configured to receive a coolant and multiple outlet manifolds configured to exhaust the coolant. The inlet and outlet manifolds are interleaved. The cooling piece further defines multiple millichannels configured to receive the coolant from the inlet manifolds and to deliver the coolant to the outlet manifolds. The millichannels and inlet and outlet manifolds are further configured to directly cool one of the upper and lower contact surface of the electronic device package by direct contact with the coolant, such that the heat sink comprises an integral heat sink.

Abstract: An x-ray detector is provided for use in imaging systems. The x-ray detector includes a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays. The detector subsystem includes an imaging panel, a support layer and a low density core disposed between the imaging panel and the support layer.

Abstract: An x-ray detector is provided for use in imaging systems. The x-ray detector includes a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays. The detector subsystem includes an imaging panel, a support layer and a low density core disposed between the imaging panel and the support layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting rubs during operation of a turbomachine comprising at least one rotating object having a tip and a shelf is provided. The method includes generating signals representative of a sensed parameter and processing the signals to generate height versus time data for the tip. The height of the tip corresponds to the distance between the tip and the shelf. The method further includes monitoring the height versus time data, in order to determine whether a change in the height data exceeds a threshold value, and detecting a rub of the rotating object(s) on a second object, when the change in the height data exceeds the threshold value. A rub detection system for a turbomachine and a turbine engine system with rub detection are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure an impedance value representative of a sensed parameter and a transformer coupled to the sensor. The transformer includes at least one ceramic substrate and at least one electrically conductive line disposed on the ceramic substrate to form at least one winding. The electrically conductive line includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure an impedance value representative of a sensed parameter and a transformer coupled to the sensor. The transformer includes at least one ceramic substrate and at least one electrically conductive line disposed on the ceramic substrate to form at least one winding. The electrically conductive line includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is provided. The fiber optic sensor includes a fiber core having a plurality of Bragg grating elements wherein, the grating elements comprise a periodic or a quasiperiodic modulated microcrystalline and rigid silicon dioxide tetrahedral structure and a cladding disposed about the fiber core.

Abstract: A clearance measurement system is provided. The clearance measurement system includes a reference geometry disposed on a first object having an otherwise continuous surface geometry and a sensor disposed on a second object, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter from the first object and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter from the reference geometry. The clearance measurement system also includes a processing unit configured to process the first and second signals to estimate a clearance between the first and second objects based upon a measurement difference between the first and second sensed parameters.

Abstract: A technique for operating a sensor system is provided. The method includes exciting a first sensor with a first excitation signal at a first frequency and exciting a second sensor with a second excitation signal at a second frequency. The technique also includes combining a first measurement signal generated from the first sensor with a second measurement signal generated from the second sensor to determine a sensed parameter. The technique may be employed for reducing crosstalk between closely proximate sensors, such as capacitive probes, and may serve to determine distances within operating machines, such as turbine systems.

Abstract: A clearance measurement system is provided. The clearance measurement system includes a reference geometry disposed on a first object having an otherwise continuous surface geometry and a sensor disposed on a second object, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter from the first object and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter from the reference geometry. The clearance measurement system also includes a processing unit configured to process the first and second signals to estimate a clearance between the first and second objects based upon a measurement difference between the first and second sensed parameters.

Abstract: A clearance sensing system for a rotating machine includes a plurality of sensor probes disposed within a stationary shroud of the rotating machine. Each of the plurality of sensor probes is adapted to measure a parameter indicative of an axial and a radial displacement of a rotating component within the shroud and to produce a signal that corresponds to the parameter. In certain embodiments, this parameter may include a capacitance between the rotating component and the sensor probe. The clearance sensing system further includes a circuit that receives the signal from each of the plurality of sensor probes and determines (a) the axial displacement of the rotating component within the shroud and (b) a radial displacement of the rotating component relative to the shroud.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device, system and method are described. The energy harvester collects acoustic energy and transforms it into electrical energy for use by a sensor. The energy harvester utilizes a piezoelectric device, which may be encased, either wholly or partially, within an acoustic chamber. Alternatively, the piezoelectric device may be entirely exterior to the acoustic chamber, which acts to amplify the collected acoustic energy.

Abstract: A system for measuring clearance between a first object and a second object is provided. The system includes a sensor configuration to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter. The system also includes a clearance measurement unit configured to process the first and second signals based upon a ratiometric technique to calculate clearance between the first and second objects.

Abstract: A technique for operating a sensor system is provided. The method includes exciting a first sensor with a first excitation signal at a first frequency and exciting a second sensor with a second excitation signal at a second frequency. The technique also includes combining a first measurement signal generated from the first sensor with a second measurement signal generated from the second sensor to determine a sensed parameter. The technique may be employed for reducing crosstalk between closely proximate sensors, such as capacitive probes, and may serve to determine distances within operating machines, such as turbine systems.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device, system and method are described. The energy harvester collects acoustic energy and transforms it into electrical energy for use by a sensor. The energy harvester utilizes a piezoelectric device, which may be encased, either wholly or partially, within an acoustic chamber. Alternatively, the piezoelectric device may be entirely exterior to the acoustic chamber, which acts to amplify the collected acoustic energy.

Abstract: A technique is provided for utilizing a computer system to generate tool paths for the computed aided machining (CAM) in at least four axis of a selected workpiece or part, particularly a complex part having hidden surfaces. The technique involves storing in the computer system both a surface point representation of a workpiece, which representation contains a unique code for each surface point, and a representation of the tool for which the paths are to be generated. The workpiece surface is viewed from a discrete number of orientations and a map of surface points visible from each of the orientations is generated. The map is then used to obtain selected most promising access directions for access to voxels in the delta volume to be removed or for access to surface points for a finishing operation. Such most promising access directions may for example be obtained by thinning an access cone for the voxel/point.