Abstract: A method of detecting partial discharge associated with at least a portion of an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes at least one electrical machine electrically coupled within the electrical system, includes generating an electromagnetic field within the electrical machine. The method also includes collecting partial discharge data from at least a portion of the electrical system. The method further includes determining a first partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method also includes generating at least one trending comparison of the first PDIV value and at least one second PDIV value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method further includes outputting the results.

Abstract: System and methods for monitoring electric machines are provided. A magnetic field associated with the electric machine is measured at one or more points external to the electric machine, wherein a respective magnetic field value is associated with each of the one or more points. The one or more measured magnetic field values are compared to one or more corresponding expected values, and a determination of whether a fault is present in the electric machine is made based at least in part on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of analyzing partial discharge data collected from an electrical device includes collecting partial discharge data from a first electrical device belonging to a group of electrical devices. The group of electrical devices is at least partially defined by at least one electrical device classification. The method also includes generating a comparison of at least a portion of the partial discharge data collected from the first electrical device with at least a portion of the partial discharge data collected from at least one second electrical device. The at least one second electrical device is selected from the group of electrical devices that includes the first electrical device. The method further includes transmitting the results.

Abstract: System and methods for monitoring electric machines are provided. A magnetic field associated with the electric machine is measured at one or more points external to the electric machine, wherein a respective magnetic field value is associated with each of the one or more points. The one or more measured magnetic field values are compared to one or more corresponding expected values, and a determination of whether a fault is present in the electric machine is made based at least in part on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of detecting partial discharge associated with at least a portion of an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes at least one electrical machine electrically coupled within the electrical system, includes generating an electromagnetic field within the electrical machine. The method also includes collecting partial discharge data from at least a portion of the electrical system. The method further includes determining a first partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method also includes generating at least one trending comparison of the first PDIV value and at least one second PDIV value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method further includes outputting the results.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for measuring stator wedge tightness in a stator core of an electric machine. The system includes at least one sensor located along at least one component disposed in a stator slot of the stator core. The at least one sensor is located and configured to measure strain in the component. The system further includes a data acquisition system operably coupled to the at least one sensor. A method for measuring stator wedge tightness in a stator core of an electric machine includes arranging at least one sensor along at least one component of the stator core, the at least one sensor being located and configured to measure strain in the component, and interrogating the at least one sensor utilizing a data acquisition system.

Abstract: A system and method to measure a characteristic of a component of an electric machine. The system includes an optical fiber disposed proximate to the component, at least one sensor, disposed along the optical fiber, to detect the temperature of the component, and a data acquisition system operably coupled to the sensor via the optical fiber to generate real-time data in accordance with the detected temperature of the component during an operation of the electric machines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include methods and systems for detecting rotor field ground faults in rotating machinery. In one embodiment, a system can include a rotor of the rotating machine comprising a plurality of field windings substantially disposed therein and a stator of the rotating machine comprising a plurality of stator windings substantially disposed therein, with an air gap existing between the rotor and the stator. The system can include a high-impedance grounding circuit at least temporarily connected between the rotor and a ground. Additionally, the system can include an air gap flux probe positioned at least temporarily between the rotor and the stator for measuring a magnetic flux density generated in the air gap during operation of the rotating machine. Finally, the system can further include an analyzer in electrical communication with the air gap flux probe for receiving an output of the air gap flux probe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing electrical insulation of an electrical machine are provided. The method includes receiving a first signal that includes a plurality of partial discharge pulses from the electrical machine and a plurality of noise pulses, receiving other signals that includes information relative to at least one process parameter associated with the electrical machine, determining the plurality of partial discharge pulses from the plurality of noise pulses, identifying characteristics of the plurality of partial discharge pulses relating to the location and character of partial discharges in the electrical machine, and determining a condition of the electrical insulation using the identified characteristics and the received information relative to at least one process parameter.

Abstract: A method of analyzing partial discharge data collected from an electrical device includes collecting partial discharge data from a first electrical device belonging to a group of electrical devices. The group of electrical devices is at least partially defined by at least one electrical device classification. The method also includes generating a comparison of at least a portion of the partial discharge data collected from the first electrical device with at least a portion of the partial discharge data collected from at least one second electrical device. The at least one second electrical device is selected from the group of electrical devices that includes the first electrical device. The method further includes transmitting the results.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor system for an electrical machine includes a piezoelectric vibration sensor a resistive temperature and partial discharge sensor which may optionally be integral with the piezoelectric vibration sensor; and packaging enclosing the vibration, the resistive temperature, and the partial discharge sensors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing electrical insulation of an electrical machine are provided. The method includes receiving a first signal that includes a plurality of partial discharge pulses from the electrical machine and a plurality of noise pulses, receiving other signals that includes information relative to at least one process parameter associated with the electrical machine, determining the plurality of partial discharge pulses from the plurality of noise pulses, identifying characteristics of the plurality of partial discharge pulses relating to the location and character of partial discharges in the electrical machine, and determining a condition of the electrical insulation using the identified characteristics and the received information relative to at least one process parameter.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor system for an electrical machine includes a piezoelectric vibration sensor a resistive temperature and partial discharge sensor which may optionally be integral with the piezoelectric vibration sensor; and packaging enclosing the vibration, the resistive temperature, and the partial discharge sensors.

Abstract: Keybar voltages in electric machines are reduced by electromagnetically optimizing the positioning of the keybars with respect to stator winding phase belts, the selection of the number of keybars, the selection of the number of stator slots, and/or the direction of rotation of a rotor with respect to the stator.

Abstract: The invention involves orienting the metal laminations that form a stator core end in such a way so as to reduce eddy current losses in the finger portions of the metal laminations. The metal laminations are positioned so that the grain orientation is parallel to the magnetic flux lines generated in the finger portions.

Abstract: The invention involves orienting the metal laminations that form a stator core end in such a way so as to reduce eddy current losses in the finger portions of the metal laminations. The metal laminations are positioned so that the grain orientation is parallel to the magnetic flux lines generated in the finger portions.

Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced temperature level includes a flux shunt that reduces the amount of fringing magnetic flux axially impinging upon a stator, flange, and multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of axially impinging flux, the flux shunt reduces an operating temperature of the stator and flange and reduces a voltage differential between keybar voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.

Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced temperature level includes a flux shunt that reduces the amount of fringing magnetic flux axially impinging upon a stator, flange, and multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of axially impinging flux, the flux shunt reduces an operating temperature of the stator and flange and reduces a voltage differential between keybar voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.

Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced temperature level includes a flux shunt that reduces the amount of fringing magnetic flux axially impinging upon a stator, flange, and multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of axially impinging flux, the flux shunt reduces an operating temperature of the stator and flange and reduces a voltage differential between keybar voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.

Abstract: A stator core-end of an electric generator utilizes amorphous metal laminate packages to reduce eddy currents and heating in the stator core thereby increasing generator capacity. The packages are formed as complete units before installation into the stator core. The amorphous metal laminate packages comprise alternating layers of amorphous metal laminates and non-amorphous metal laminates.