Abstract: A system is provided with a fuel sweep system configured to couple to a flow sleeve of a combustor along a first fuel conduit. The flow sleeve is configured to be disposed about a liner of the combustor, and the first fuel conduit is configured to extend along the flow sleeve in a compressor discharge chamber disposed about the flow sleeve. The fuel sweep system includes a first fuel sweep louver adjacent a first fuel sweep opening defined through the flow sleeve.

Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine having a turbine stage disposed in a combustion gas path, wherein the turbine stage includes turbine vanes disposed upstream from turbine blades. The system includes an isothermal expansion system coupled to the turbine stage. The isothermal expansion system includes multi-fluid injectors configured to vary axial positions of combustion within a turbine stage expansion of the turbine stage to reduce temperature variations over the turbine stage expansion, wherein at least one of the multi-fluid injectors is coupled to each of the turbine vanes. Each of the multi-fluid injectors includes a fuel port configured to inject a fuel, an oxidant port configured to inject an oxidant, and a barrier fluid port configured to inject a barrier fluid between the fuel and the oxidant, wherein the barrier fluid is configured to delay mixing between the fuel and the oxidant.

Abstract: A proactive method prevents vibrations in one or more rotor blades of a wind turbine when the wind turbine is in a standstill idling state with a rotor hub free to rotate. The method determines a minimum revolution rate of the rotor blades that prevents vibrations of the rotor blades and that the actual revolution rate of the rotor blades is below the minimum revolution rate. A wind parameter is detected and determined to be above a threshold limit. The method also detects if grid power is available for pitching the rotor blades. Based on the wind parameter, a controller determines a pitch angle for one or more of the rotor blades to increase rotation of the blades to at least the minimum revolution rate. The controller initiates pitching the rotor blades to increase the revolution rate of the rotor blades prior to vibrations being induced in the rotor blades.

Abstract: A method for producing a hollow composite structure, such as a spar beam for use in a wind turbine blade, includes placing fiber reinforcement material around a mandrel within a mold, and curing the fiber reinforcement material. The mandrel is formed from a compressible material having a rigid neutral state with a rigidity to maintain a defined shape of the mandrel during lay up and curing of the fiber reinforcement material. Subsequent to curing, a vacuum is drawn on the mandrel to compress the compressible material so that the compressed mandrel can be drawn out through an opening in the composite structure, the opening having a size such that the mandrel could not be withdrawn through the opening in the rigid neutral state of the mandrel.

Abstract: A system includes an exhaust collector tunnel (32) configured to mount inside an exhaust collector (30) of a gas turbine (12). The exhaust collector tunnel (32) has a tunnel wall (33) configured to extend around a turbine shaft (17, 19) of the gas turbine (12). The tunnel wall (33) has a variable diameter (98) along at least a portion of a length of the exhaust collector tunnel (32).

Abstract: A power grid restoration system includes a hybrid power plant that provides electrical power to a power grid. The hybrid power plant includes a power plant that generates electrical power with a power drive. A battery energy storage system, which receives and stores electrical power from the power plant, releases the electrical power during block loading of the power grid. A controller couples to the power plant and to the battery energy storage system. The controller controls charging of the battery energy storage system with the power plant and controls the release of a block load of electrical power from the battery energy storage system and the power plant while block loading the power grid during a black grid restoration.

Abstract: A dispatch advisor for operating a power plant having at least one gas turbine with flexibility is described. The dispatch advisor can generate a representation of a flexible base load map for operating the power plant. The representation can include an aggregation of a primary base load operating space and an expanded portion of the base load operating space. The representation offers a range of operating values for operational parameters of the power plant during base load at various base load settings at predetermined ambient conditions and corresponding power output and efficiency values that are attained while operating the power plant at the range of operating values. This offers an operator of the power plant with flexibility in controlling the plant during base load.

Abstract: A dual-sided connector is provided. The dual-sided connector can include a first housing including a male connection port. The dual-sided connector can also include a second housing opposite the first housing. The second housing can include a female connection port. The dual-sided connector can also include a plurality of pins included in the second housing. The plurality of pins can extend through the first housing and the second housing. Each pin of the plurality of pins can include a male end terminating in the first housing and a female end terminating in the second housing. The dual-sided connector can also include a plurality of fasteners coupling the first housing and the second housing. Systems and methods of assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved circuit board removal and/or reinstallation are provided. A circuit board removal system can include a frame including a channel arranged in a plate of the frame. A disengagement slider can include a mounting surface and a first portion including a first cam surface, where the disengagement slider is arranged within the frame. A separator can include a second cam surface and can be arranged in the channel of the plate. The first cam surface and the second cam surface can be nested with each other when the disengagement slider is in an inserted position. The disengagement slider can be configured to slide the separator in the longitudinal direction when the disengagement slider is removed from the frame due to the interaction of the first cam surface with the second cam surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for compensating for various load situations in a turbine includes the use of one or more deployable devices configured to extend an air deflector outwardly from a surface of a rotor blade. The air deflector may subsequently be retracted into the rotor blade once the load falls below a certain threshold. Mechanisms for extending and retracting the air deflector may include pneumatic, hydraulic and/or electromechanical devices. Air deflectors are generally configured to modify the air flow around the rotor blade to increase or decrease power generation, or reduce loads so that the risk of potential damage to components of the wind turbine is minimized. Deflectors may be positioned at various chordwise stations including leading-edge, mid-chord, and trailing-edge locations on the upper and lower surfaces at spanwise positions. Accordingly, a plurality of devices can be actuated to aerodynamically control rotor performance and loads based on wind conditions.

Abstract: One or more controllers may perform one or more methods to control one or more air deflector units of one or more wind turbine rotor blades. The methods include per-blade control methods that may be performed, e.g., to reduce blade loading caused by wind gusts. The methods also include collective control methods that may be performed, e.g., to reduce tower motion and/or rotor speed.

Abstract: One or more controllers may perform one or more methods to control one or more air deflector units of one or more wind turbine rotor blades. The methods include per-blade control methods that may be performed, e.g., to reduce blade loading caused by wind gusts. The methods also include collective control methods that may be performed, e.g., to reduce tower motion and/or rotor speed.

Abstract: Various air deflector shapes, sizes and configurations for use in a load compensating device on an airfoil are provided. The air deflector arrangements are configured to alter the airflow around the air deflector in order to affect sound or acoustics associated with the air deflector when deployed during operation. Some example configurations that may alter the air flow around the air deflector include air deflectors having a plurality of apertures, air deflectors including a scalloped edge, and/or air deflectors including a plurality of protrusions extending from a portion of the air deflector.