Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine that includes at least one combustor configured to receive a flow of fuel from a flow control device and a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a piping system configured to channel the flow of fuel from a fuel source to the flow control device, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a property of the flow of fuel wherein the property of the flow of fuel is variable over time, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to receive the generated signal, using a flow model of the piping system and the received signal, iteratively track the progress of a plurality of discrete volumes flowing through the piping system, and control the flow of fuel using the flow control devices.

Abstract: A method for reducing leakage currents in an electric machine is described. The method includes positioning a plurality of leakage current shields between windings and teeth of a stator, and coupling at least one of the plurality of leakage current shields to a reference point, wherein an electric potential at the reference point is not earth ground.

Abstract: A method for generating a signal indicative of a pressure oscillation in a chamber is provided. The method includes sensing a pressure within the chamber, generating a signal relative to the sensed pressure, digitizing the signal, transforming the digitized signal from the time domain to the frequency domain to generate an energy spectrum, and analyzing the energy spectrum to determine an energy spike indicative of a substantially non-random component of the digitized signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a computer to execute a search to identify potential transactions that meet pre-defined criteria, generate an offering for at least one of the identified potential transactions, and transmit the offering to a party to the potential transaction is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the offering generated is generated for a secondary product or products which are associated or bundled with the primary transaction. In another exemplary embodiment, the search is automated and performed on-line via a wide area network such as the Internet. The search is automated in that once a user enters search criteria, the search is performed in accordance with a defined frequency and without requiring user intervention. Once search results are found, then an offering is generated and transmitted to a potential customer.

Abstract: A method for separating electrical runout from mechanical runout includes positioning at least one position probe against a rotating part, positioning at least one proximity probe adjacent the rotating part, and calculating an electrical runout based on measurements obtained from the position probe and the proximity probe.

Abstract: Breaker valve assemblies for a simplified boiling water nuclear reactor are described. The breaker valve assembly, in one form, includes a valve body and a breaker valve. The valve body includes an interior chamber, and an inlet passage extends from the chamber and through an inlet opening to facilitate transporting particles from outside of the valve body to the interior chamber. The breaker valve is positioned in the chamber and is configured to substantially seal the inlet opening. Particularly, the breaker valve includes a disk which is sized to cover the inlet opening. The disk is movably coupled to the valve body and is configured to move substantially concentrically with respect to the valve opening between a first position, where the disk completely covers the inlet opening, and a second position, where the disk does not completely cover the inlet opening.