Abstract: A generator monitoring system and method includes a plurality of sensors (12) disposed within a generator enclosure (18) to sense health conditions of a generator (10) housed within the enclosure. The sensors are interconnected to provide a single communication path (14) for allowing communication with the plurality of sensors. A monitoring device (16) outside the generator enclosure receives health condition information from each of the plurality of sensors via the single communication path. A sensor may be disposed within the generator enclosure to detect particulates emitted from a monitored portion (e.g., 52) of the generator housed within the enclosure. A sensor may be disposed proximate a bus bar connection (130) of the generator to sense a health condition of the bus bar connection and generate corresponding health condition information provided to the monitoring device.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant (20) including a main air-cooled condenser (22) condensing steam at a first pressure and an auxiliary air-cooled condenser (24) condensing steam at a second pressure higher than the first pressure. Designing an air-cooled combined cycle power plant for startup on a hot day can significantly increase the size and cost of the required air-cooled condenser. Adding an auxiliary air-cooled condenser having appropriate thermal characteristics relative to a main air cooled compressor to the steam bypass circuit of an air-cooled combined cycle power plant enables the plant to meet plant startup requirements during periods of peak thermal load in a more cost effective manner than would be achievable with the main air cooled condenser alone.

Abstract: An electrical assembly for use in various operating environments such as a casing of a combustion turbine 10 is provided. The assembly may include an electrical energy-harvesting device 51 disposed in a component within the casing of the turbine to convert a form of energy present within the casing to electrical energy. The harvesting device is configured to generate sufficient electrical power for powering one or more electrical devices therein without assistance from an external power source. One example of electrical devices wholly powered by the energy harvesting device may be a sensor 50 connected for sensing a condition of the component within the casing during operation of the combustion turbine. Another example of electrical devices wholly powered by the energy harvesting device may be a transmitter in communication with the sensor for wirelessly transmitting the data signal outside the casing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the horizontal stacking of laminations 10 and donuts to form a stator core. A stator generator frame 2 has multiple keybars 6 that run the axial length of the frame. The laminations 10 have grooves 12 there-in that engage the keybars to provide a secure fit of the laminations to the generator frame. By extending two or more of the keybars 6, these extensions 7 may be used as rails on which the laminations may be horizontally inserted into the stator frame.

Abstract: A cooling system for a turbine airfoil of a turbine engine having an elbowed film cooling hole positioned in an outer wall defining the turbine airfoil. The elbowed film cooling hole may include a first section extending from an inner surface of the outer wall into the outer wall, an elbow coupled to the first section in the outer wall, a second section attached to the elbow in the outer wall, and a diffusion slot attached to the second section, having an increasing width moving away from the second section, and extending to an opening in an outer surface of the outer wall. The cross-sectional areas of the first section, the elbow and the second section may be substantially equal to meter the flow of cooling fluids through the cooling system to efficiently add to the film cooling layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hybrid structure (100) having a layer of CMC material (28) defining an interior passageway (24) and a layer of ceramic insulating material (18) lining the passageway. The method includes the step of casting the insulating material to a first thickness required for effective casting but in excess of a desired second thickness for use of the hybrid structure. An inner mold (14) defining a net shape desired for the passageway remains in place after the casting step to mechanically support the insulating material during a machining process used to reduce the thickness of the insulating material from the as-cast first thickness to the desired second thickness. The inner mold also provides support as the CMC material is deposited onto the insulating material. The inner mold may include a fugitive material portion (20) to facilitate its removal after the CMC material is formed.

Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine such as a generator engine, and a power converter such as an inverter, includes an engine cooling circuit, a power converter cooling circuit and a common coolant tank operatively coupled to both the engine and the power converter via the engine cooling circuit and the power converter cooling circuit respectively.

Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine employs an engine cooling circuit to deliver coolant to the engine, the engine cooling circuit including a radiator and a main fan to draw air through the radiator. When the hybrid power system further includes an inverter, then the inverter is cooled via an inverter cooling circuit that is formulated as one portion of the cooling system to deliver coolant to the inverter, the inverter cooling circuit including a heat exchanger located such that the main fan draws air through the heat exchanger when the main fan is active. The cooling system also includes a secondary fan to selectively draw air though the heat exchanger during operation of an inverter cooling circuit coolant pump.

Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine such as a generator engine, and a power converter such as an inverter, includes an engine cooling circuit, a power converter cooling circuit and a common coolant tank operatively coupled to both the engine and the power converter via the engine cooling circuit and the power converter cooling circuit respectively.

Abstract: A method is provided for connecting a 110 V genset to a transfer switch feeding a 220 V service entrance such that all 220 V loads are automatically blocked out and all 110 V circuits are accessed. The method includes wiring of the genset to the transfer switch such that the two hot 220 V terminals on the genset entrance side of the transfer switch are connected together and wired to the hot 110 V side of the genset. The neutral lead of the transfer switch is connected to the neutral side of the genset, as per normal practice.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling system is provided for a hybrid power system that includes an engine that employs an engine cooling circuit to deliver coolant to the engine, the engine cooling circuit including a radiator and a main fan to draw air through the radiator. When the hybrid power system further includes an inverter, then the inverter is cooled via an inverter cooling circuit that is formulated as one portion of the cooling system to deliver coolant to the inverter, the inverter cooling circuit including a heat exchanger located such that the main fan draws air through the heat exchanger when the main fan is active. The cooling system also includes a secondary fan to selectively draw air though the heat exchanger during operation of an inverter cooling circuit coolant pump.

Abstract: A fluid fill/storage/overflow reservoir/tank suitable for use with, for example, a liquid cooled engine, includes a clip-in provision for an oil stick tube that does not require removal of the oil stick tube from an engine assembly upon removal of the fluid fill/storage/overflow reservoir/tank from the engine assembly.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides a blade vibration measuring system comprising a blade, a transmitter, a target with parallel edges located on the blade shroud and a receiver. The present invention also provides a blade adapted for measuring torsional blade vibration. Furthermore, the claimed invention provides a method for monitoring torsional blade vibration.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system for controlling the electric charge within the exhaust hood and condenser of a steam turbine by using shaft current as an indirect measurement of exhaust charge, and then adjusting the pH accordingly. The present invention uses the turbine-generator shaft 12 instead of a probe, and therefore measures the potential of the current in the shaft to the ground. This measurement 32 is then fed into a control unit 40 which adjusts the chemical feed 42 to the feedwater supply 44 of the steam turbine system.

Abstract: An attachment device for coupling one or more restrained members to a frame. In at least one embodiment, the attachment device may be configured to attach one or more turbine combustor liners to a carrier. The attachment device may include a body rotatable about an axis of rotation and including one or more arms for grasping an edge of at least one restrained member. A fastener may be coupled to the body for coupling the body to a frame. The attachment device may also include a retainer for preventing the fastener, which may be a threaded bolt, from becoming disengaged from the attachment device and traveling downstream in a turbine. An alignment device may be included for facilitating rotation of the body of the attachment device and engagement the arms with edges of retrained members. The alignment device may include an alignment indicator indicating a position of the arms.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a turbine blade assembly and an associated method of manufacture. The turbine blade assembly can include: (a) a unitary structure having an airfoil and a primary root portion; (b) a separately-formed platform; and (c) a secondary root portion that cooperates with the primary root portion to define a root. The platform can be secured in place between the structure and the secondary root portion. In a preferred embodiment, the structure can be formed by casting, and the secondary root portion can be formed by powder metallurgy. Ideally, the structure is configured so as to avoid large changes in section size or to at least make such changes gradual, particularly in transitioning from the airfoil to the primary root portion. The turbine blade assembly can reduce the propensity for defects to form during the manufacturing process. Thus, higher casting yields can be realized.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computerized method of providing information to a customer in the power industry includes automatically receiving data representing a plurality of characteristics of a power plant device associated with a power plant of the customer based on monitoring of the power plant device, in which the data is received at a location remote from the power plant, processing the data, generating one or more outputs representative of the processed data, displaying, by a web page of a website, at least one of the outputs in response to a request by the customer, and displaying, by the web page, diagnostic information related to the displayed output.

Abstract: An attachment device for coupling one or more removable turbine components to a carrier of a turbine engine. The attachment device may include a securement structure rotatable about an axis of rotation and including one or more arms for grasping an arm extending from a support structure. A fastener may extend from the support structure and be inserted into a fastener receiving recess in the securement structure for preventing the securement structure from rotating and becoming disengaged from the support structure. The attachment device may also include a fastener retaining device for preventing the fastener, which may be a threaded bolt, from becoming disengaged from the attachment device, traveling downstream in a turbine, and damaging a turbine assembly.

Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbine engine having a cooling system in the turbine blade formed from at least one elongated tip cooling chamber for passing cooling fluids in close proximity to an outer surface of the tip section of a turbine blade. The cooling system may include one or more elongated tip cooling chambers positioned in the tip section of a turbine blade for receiving cooling fluids through metering slots for regulating the flow and for exhausting those fluids from the turbine blade through the pressure sidewall to be used in external film cooling applications. The elongated tip cooling chambers enable the outer wall forming the tip section to be cooled internally and externally with cooling fluids.