Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring rotating machinery are disclosed. Transmitter and receiver antennas can be provided with access to the rotating machinery. At least one receiver signal resulting from at least one transmitter signal that has propagated through a portion of the rotating machinery can be obtained. A first signal pair can be formed from a first receiver signal and a first transmitter signal, or from first and second receiver signals obtained from spatially-separated receiver antennas, or from first and second receiver signals which are attributable to different transmitter signals. Amplitude and phase information of a plurality of frequency components for each signal in the first signal pair can be determined. A set of comparison values for the first signal pair can be determined by comparing respective frequency component phases or respective frequency component amplitudes. A characteristic of the rotating machinery can then be analyzed using the comparison values.

Abstract: A method and system detects and resolves impending failures in a sump pump. The method and system may measure a current water level in a sump basin, which houses the sump pump. The current water level may be determined by a water level sensor placed slightly above a set water level mark in the sump basin. If the current water level is above the set water level mark, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker that produces vibrations to physically shake the sump pump. If the current water level is below the set water level mark, the method and system may determine potential problems associated with the sump pump by analyzing a motor of the sump pump.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring rotating machinery are disclosed. Transmitter and receiver antennas can be provided with access to the rotating machinery. At least one receiver signal resulting from at least one transmitter signal that has propagated through a portion of the rotating machinery can be obtained. A first signal pair can be formed from a first receiver signal and a first transmitter signal, or from first and second receiver signals obtained from spatially-separated receiver antennas, or from first and second receiver signals which are attributable to different transmitter signals. Amplitude and phase information of a plurality of frequency components for each signal in the first signal pair can be determined. A set of comparison values for the first signal pair can be determined by comparing respective frequency component phases or respective frequency component amplitudes. A characteristic of the rotating machinery can then be analyzed using the comparison values.

Abstract: A system for directing airflow, a gas turbine engine, and a method for directing airflow exiting a cascade of internal airfoils are provided. An exemplary method for directing airflow exiting a cascade of internal airfoils includes coupling a first plasma generating device on a first surface and a rounded trailing edge of each of the internal airfoils. The method also includes coupling a second plasma generating device on an opposite second surface and the rounded trailing edge of each of the internal airfoils. Further, the method includes selectively energizing the first plasma generating device and the second plasma generating device on each of the internal airfoils to produce a plasma and to selectively alter a direction of local airflow around each of the internal airfoils to produce a combined airflow exiting the cascade in a desired direction.

Abstract: A method and system detects and resolves impending failures in a pump. The method and system may measure a current liquid level in a basin, which houses the pump. The current liquid level may be determined by a liquid level sensor placed slightly above a high liquid level mark in the basin. If the current liquid level is determined to have surpassed the high liquid level mark, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker that produces vibrations to physically shake the pump. If the current liquid level is determined to not have surpassed the high liquid level mark, the method and system may analyze a motor of the pump to detect signatures that indicate potential problems with the motor.

Abstract: A method and system detects and resolves impending failures in a sump pump. The method and system may measure the current water level in a sump basin, which houses the sump pump. The current water level may be determined by a water level sensor placed slightly above the high water level mark in the sump basin. If the current water level is above the high water level mark, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker that produces vibrations to physically shake the sump pump. If the current water level is below the high water level mark, the method and system may analyze a motor of the sump pump to determine if the run time of the motor exceeds a certain length of time. When the run time is determined to exceed the certain length of time, the method and system may send an alarm to notify a user.

Abstract: A method and system detects and resolves impending failures in a sump pump, such as failures in a motor of the sump pump and soft mechanical failures. To detect failures in the motor, the method and system may analyze the electrical load waveform of the motor to identify signatures that may indicate potential problems with the motor. To detect soft mechanical failures, the method and system may measure the current water level in a sump basin, which houses the sump pump. The current water level may be determined by a water level sensor placed slightly above the high water level mark in the sump basin. To resolve the detected failures, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker, which may be attached or integrated with the sump pump, that produces vibrations to physically shake the sump pump. If the failures cannot be resolved by the mechanical shaker, the method and system may send an alert message to notify a user of the situation.

Abstract: A shroud for an axial blade fan provides a circumferential, axially directed flow of air between the fan blade tips and the shroud to improve fan efficiency. The shroud preferably includes a smaller, centrally disposed fan which is driven by an auxiliary motor, a circumferentially extending generally toroidal plenum, a plurality of hollow spokes providing fluid communication between the fan and the plenum, a circular throat which directs air toward the annulus between the shroud and the fan blade tips and a throat adjacent, circumferential Coanda surface which controls and guides air exiting the throat. Air is provided to the shroud plenum at a pressure of between about 2 and 10 inches water gauge (4 to 20 Torr). The narrowest region of the circular throat has a width of between about 1 mm to 5 mm. Adjustment of the air pressure and throat dimension allows accurate control of the velocity profile of the air flow through the annulus.