Abstract: In one embodiment, a blade monitoring system is provided. The blade monitoring system includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive a sensor signal from a sensor configured to observe a blade of the turbomachinery, and to derive a measurement based on a marking disposed on the blade of the turbomachinery, wherein the marking comprises a continuous feature. The processor is also configured to display the measurement to an operator of the turbomachinery.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having silicide block integrated with CMOS transistors is formed by forming a silicide block layer of primarily silicon dioxide, free of silicon nitride and silicon oxy-nitride, at less than 400° C. prior to annealing the PMOS sources and drains. A spike anneal process concurrently anneals the PMOS sources and drains and densifies the silicide block layer. The NMOS drain junctions are less than 120 nanometers; the NMOS halo regions include boron. The NMOS and PMOS transistors are laterally separated by an STI oxide layer. A wet deglaze process prior to metal silicide formation removes less than 25 percent of the silicide block layer, and exposes sides of the NMOS drains less than 20 percent of the drain junction depth. The metal silicide does not extend down the NMOS drains sides, directly adjacent to the STI oxide layer, more than 20 percent of the drain junction depth.

Abstract: A fuse-programmable register or memory location having a plurality of fusible links of differing electrical characteristics in parallel. In one embodiment, three fusible links with different resistances are provided, such that application of a programming voltage non-uniformly distributes the current among the links, allowing varying voltages to selectively blow one or more of the links. Sensing of the programmed state is performed by applying a voltage across the parallel links and measuring the current in comparison with a plurality of reference currents. Reduction in the overhead chip area per bit and in the serial data communication latency are obtained.

Abstract: A fuse-programmable register or memory location having a plurality of fusible links of differing electrical characteristics in parallel. In one embodiment, three fusible links with different resistances are provided, such that application of a programming voltage non-uniformly distributes the current among the links, allowing varying voltages to selectively blow one or more of the links. Sensing of the programmed state is performed by applying a voltage across the parallel links and measuring the current in comparison with a plurality of reference currents. Reduction in the overhead chip area per bit and in the serial data communication latency are obtained.

Abstract: A system for attaching a probe to a casing of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The system may include a probe receptacle attachable to the casing. The probe receptacle may include an internal bore, a bayonet slot, a spring disposed within the internal bore adjacent to the bayonet slot, and a sealing surface within the internal bore. The system also may include a probe attachment assembly disposed about the probe and configured to engage the probe receptacle. The probe attachment assembly may include at least one bayonet positionable within the bayonet slot and a seal positionable adjacent to the sealing surface within the internal bore.

Abstract: A fuse-programmable register or memory location having a plurality of fusible links of differing electrical characteristics in parallel. In one embodiment, three fusible links with different resistances are provided, such that application of a programming voltage non-uniformly distributes the current among the links, allowing varying voltages to selectively blow one or more of the links. Sensing of the programmed state is performed by applying a voltage across the parallel links and measuring the current in comparison with a plurality of reference currents. Reduction in the overhead chip area per bit and in the serial data communication latency are obtained.

Abstract: A system for attaching a probe to a casing of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The system may include a probe receptacle attachable to the casing. The probe receptacle may include an internal bore, a bayonet slot, a spring disposed within the internal bore adjacent to the bayonet slot, and a sealing surface within the internal bore. The system also may include a probe attachment assembly disposed about the probe and configured to engage the probe receptacle. The probe attachment assembly may include at least one bayonet positionable within the bayonet slot and a seal positionable adjacent to the sealing surface within the internal bore.

Abstract: A fuse-programmable register or memory location having a plurality of fusible links of differing electrical characteristics in parallel. In one embodiment, three fusible links with different resistances are provided, such that application of a programming voltage non-uniformly distributes the current among the links, allowing varying voltages to selectively blow one or more of the links. Sensing of the programmed state is performed by applying a voltage across the parallel links and measuring the current in comparison with a plurality of reference currents. Reduction in the overhead chip area per bit and in the serial data communication latency are obtained.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data from a rotating component of a turbomachine includes a plurality of thermal sensors coupled to corresponding rotatable components within the turbomachine where each thermal sensor generates a discrete analog signal indicative of temperature. A plurality of transmitter assemblies is coupled to an end of a rotor shaft of the turbomachine. The plurality of transmitter assemblies comprises a first transmitter assembly and a second transmitter assembly. The first transmitter assembly is configured to receive the discrete analog signals from the plurality of thermal sensors, multiplex the plurality of discrete analog signals into a single amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter to generate a single stream of digital data therefrom. The system also includes a slip ring assembly having a plurality of conductive rings where at least one of the conductive rings defines a digital signal path between the first transmitter assembly and a data acquisition system.

Abstract: A method is presented. The method includes selecting a first window of signals and a second window of signals from clearance signals representative of clearances between a rotating component and a stationary casing surrounding the rotating component, determining a first signed average power value corresponding to the first window of signals, and a second signed average power value corresponding to the second window of signals, determining a resultant value based upon the first signed average power value and the second signed average power value, and determining one or more defects or potential defects in the rotating component based upon the resultant value.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data from a rotating component of a turbomachine includes a plurality of thermal sensors coupled to corresponding rotatable components within the turbomachine where each thermal sensor generates a discrete analogue signal indicative of temperature. A plurality of transmitter assemblies is coupled to an end of a rotor shaft of the turbomachine. The plurality of transmitter assemblies comprises a first transmitter assembly and a second transmitter assembly. The first transmitter assembly is configured to receive the discrete analogue signals from the plurality of thermal sensors, multiplex the plurality of discrete analogue signals into a single amplifier and an analogue-to-digital converter to generate a single stream of digital data therefrom. The system also includes a slip ring assembly having a plurality of conductive rings where at least one of the conductive rings defines a digital signal path between the first transmitter assembly and a data acquisition system.

Abstract: A system for attaching a probe to a casing of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The system may include a probe receptacle attachable to the casing. The probe receptacle may include an internal bore, a bayonet slot, a spring disposed within the internal bore adjacent to the bayonet slot, and a sealing surface within the internal bore. The system also may include a probe attachment assembly disposed about the probe and configured to engage the probe receptacle. The probe attachment assembly may include at least one bayonet positionable within the bayonet slot and a seal positionable adjacent to the sealing surface within the internal bore.

Abstract: A method is presented. The method includes selecting a first window of signals and a second window of signals from clearance signals representative of clearances between a rotating component and a stationary casing surrounding the rotating component, determining a first signed average power value corresponding to the first window of signals, and a second signed average power value corresponding to the second window of signals, determining a resultant value based upon the first signed average power value and the second signed average power value, and determining one or more defects or potential defects in the rotating component based upon the resultant value.

Abstract: A tip shroud of a bladed rotor can be monitored for integrity using a sensor configured to detect the tip shroud. A signal from the sensor can be monitored and if the magnitude of the signal changes, such as beyond a defined amount, an indication of possible damage can be made. A baseline sensed pattern for a revolution of the tip shroud can be compared to an operation sensed pattern for a subsequent revolution, and the indication of damage can be made if there is more than the defined amount and/or percentage of difference between the patterns.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data from a rotating component includes sensors on the rotating component, wherein each of the sensors detects at least one characteristic of the rotating component and transmits a signal reflective of the characteristic. Data slip rings are in communication with the sensors, and a signal conditioning circuit between the sensors and the data slip rings converts each of the signals from the sensors into a digital signal. A method for transmitting data from a rotating component includes sensing a characteristic of the rotating component using sensors and generating a signal from each of the sensors reflective of the characteristic of the rotating component. The method further includes converting each of the signals to a digital signal and transferring each of the digital signals from the rotating component through a plurality of data slip rings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing an electrical connection to a well of a MOS transistor of a static random access memory (SRAM) cell. A predetermined voltage is applied to the well using the connection to cause a threshold voltage (Vt) of said transistor to change. The change is employed to identify a reliability characteristic of the semiconductor device. An SRAM parameter is altered to modify the reliability characteristic.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing an electrical connection to a well of a MOS transistor of a static random access memory (SRAM) cell. A predetermined voltage is applied to the well using the connection to cause a threshold voltage (Vt) of said transistor to change. The change is employed to identify a reliability characteristic of the semiconductor device. An SRAM parameter is altered to modify the reliability characteristic.