Abstract: A method of synchronizing a cross-compound generator system on one or more turning gears during startup includes determining, via a notch monitor controller, first and second angular velocities, respectively, of a first and a second rotor. The method also includes simultaneously exciting, via the notch monitor controller, the first and second rotors to attain electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method further includes determining, via the notch monitor controller, a value of a time at which a calibration value of an offset is a constant value, where the offset is representative of a phase alignment of the first rotor relative to the second rotor, and where the offset is indicative of a successful electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method also includes disengaging the one or more turning gears from the cross-compound generator system.

Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine includes a processor. The processor configured to access one or more operating parameters of the gas turbine. The operating parameters are configured to specify how the gas turbine operates. The processor is configured to predict a rate of degradation to one or more parts of a compressor of the gas turbine due to one or more effects on the parts by operating the gas turbine according to the one or more operating parameters. The processor is configured to send an alert to an electronic device based at least in part on the rate of degradation of the compressor.

Abstract: A system for protecting a transformer is provided. The system includes an inductor electrically disposed between the transformer and a load powered by the transformer, and a resistor electrically disposed in parallel with the inductor between the transformer and the load.

Abstract: A system for compensating for a back emission current in an X-ray generator is provided. The system includes a transformer, a common, and a voltage source. The transformer is operative to provide power to an electron emitter of the X-ray generator. The common is electrically coupled to an anode of the X-ray generator. The anode is operative to receive electrons emitted by the electron emitter such that the back emission current is generated between the common and the electron emitter. The voltage source electrically couples the common to the transformer and is operative to generate an offset voltage that reduces the back emission current.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining current limits used in controlling wind turbine systems are provided. An example wind turbine controller identifies a largest current magnitude out of a first current magnitude, a second current magnitude, and a third current magnitude of a three phase power bus. The turbine controller averages the first current magnitude, the second current magnitude, and the third current magnitude to obtain an average current magnitude. The turbine controller determines a maximum current adjustment factor based at least in part on the largest current magnitude and based at least in part on the average current magnitude. The turbine controller adjusts a maximum current magnitude limit of the wind turbine by the maximum current adjustment factor to obtain an adjusted maximum current magnitude limit. The turbine controller controls the wind turbine based at least in part on the adjusted maximum current magnitude limit.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide for a system including a processor. The processor is configured to select at least one grid system contingency from a plurality of grid system contingencies. The processor is further configured to derive one or more eigen-sensitivity values based on the at least on grid system contingency. The processor is also configured to derive one or more control actions at least partially based on the eigen-sensitivity values. The processor is additionally configured to apply the one or more control actions for generation re-dispatch of a grid system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, which includes a fuel cell stack coupled to a load for providing power, a gas delivery system coupled to the fuel cell stack for providing fuel and oxygen to the fuel cell stack and a control system. The control system includes a forward controller for generating a desired control instruction signal based on a command from the load, and a correction controller for generating a control correction signal to avoid violating operational constraints of the fuel cell stack based on at least one measured signal from the fuel cell system. The control system generates a control signal based on the desired control instruction signal and the control correction signal, and controls the gas delivery system based on the generated control signal to ensure the fuel cell stack is operated within safe operating limits. A method for controlling the fuel cell system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable stator vane includes airfoil mounted to a button centered about a rotational axis and having cylindrical portion supporting airfoil and a button undercut extending away from cylindrical portion and radially inwardly from circumference of cylindrical portion. Conical portion of button circumscribed about conical axis of revolution extends away from cylindrical portion. Conical axis of revolution may be tilted with respect to and may intersect rotational axis. Airfoil may include airfoil overhang extending radially outwardly beyond circular trailing edge of button. Variable stator vane may include airfoil disposed between spaced apart outer and inner buttons centered about a rotational axis, inner button having a cylindrical portion supporting airfoil and circumscribed about rotational axis, and button undercut extending away from cylindrical portion and radially inwardly from a circumference of cylindrical portion with respect to rotational axis.

Abstract: A system for repairing dents in a wind turbine tower section may generally include a dent repair tool having a tool hub and a plurality of arms configured to extend radially outwardly from the tool hub towards an inner surface of the tower section. The tool may also include a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate a plunger of the actuator arm relative to the tool hub such that the plunger applies a radially outward force against the inner surface of the tower section at or adjacent to a location of a dent formed in the tower section. In addition, the system may include a load sensor configured to provide an indication of a load associated with the radially outward force applied against the inner surface of the tower section by the plunger and a controller configured to monitor the load based on signals received from the load sensor.

Abstract: A system for preparing a coal water slurry, comprising: a first unit for providing a stream of coarse coal water slurry; a second unit for providing a stream of fine coal water slurry; a concentration unit for receiving a portion of at least one of the stream of coarse coal water slurry and the stream of fine coal water slurry, and, providing a concentrated stream having a higher coal concentration than the portion of at least one of the stream of coarse coal water slurry and the stream of fine coal water slurry; and a mixing unit for mixing the concentrated stream and the remaining portions of the stream of coarse coal water slurry and the stream of fine coal water slurry. An associated method is also presented.

Abstract: A system for determining identity information corresponding to an electrically operable machine is disclosed, where the electrically operable machine receives electricity from a power supply port. The system includes at least one sensor to generate a signal indicative of the electricity being drawn by the electrically operable machine from the power supply port. The system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to determine the identity information corresponding to the electrically operable machine based on one or more electrical characteristics of the signal sensed by the at least one sensor. Method and non-transitory computer readable media for determining the identity of the electrically operable vehicle are also disclosed. Moreover, a system for controlling charging of a vehicle that is operated at least partially by the electricity is also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplified methods and systems are disclosed that provide a control IO device comprising a head unit and a plurality of IO slices coupled to a common backplane in which two or more adjacent IO slices are functionally connected to one another over an independent IO bus to form a functional IO slice group.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system including a consolidation device, a build platform, an optical detector, and a controller is provided. The consolidation device is configured to form a build layer of a component. The build platform is configured to rotate about a build platform rotation axis extending along a first direction. The optical detector is configured to detect locations of at least two alignment marks. The controller is configured to receive locations of the at least two alignment marks from the optical detector. The controller is also configured to determine the locations of the build platform rotation axis and a build platform rotation center point based on a comparison between the at least two alignment marks, wherein the build platform rotation center point lies along the build platform rotation axis. The controller is further configured to control the consolidation device to consolidate a plurality of particles on the build platform.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a rotor of a gas turbine engine having an axis of rotation includes a shank portion formed from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. The rotor blade assembly also includes a platform portion formed from a substantially similar CMC material as that of the shank portion. The platform portion is coupled to the shank portion. The platform portion and the shank portion cooperate to at least partially define two opposing side portions of the rotor blade assembly. The opposing side portions are angularly separated with respect to the axis of rotation. The rotor blade assembly further includes a damper retention apparatus. The damper retention apparatus is coupled to the shank portion. The damper retention apparatus includes at least one angled bracket apparatus extending toward a circumferentially adjacent rotor blade assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an inspection device includes collecting a plurality of successive image frames using an image sensor of the inspection device and displaying the plurality of successive image frames on a display of the inspection device. The method includes processing, via a processor of the inspection device, each image frame of the plurality of successive image frames by determining a motion parameter of each respective image frame and adding each respective image frame to a frame buffer when the respective image frame is motion free. The method includes receiving a control signal from a user interface of the inspection device requesting an image frame output. The method further includes determining, via the processor of the inspection device, a noise-reduced image frame from the frame buffer in response to the control signal and outputting the noise-reduced image frame in response to the control signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a steam turbine drum nozzle, along with a related assembly and steam turbine. Particular embodiments include a nozzle having: an airfoil; a radially inner sidewall coupled with a first end of the airfoil; and a radially outer sidewall coupled with a second end of the airfoil, the second end opposing the first end, wherein the radially outer sidewall includes: a first section radially outward of the airfoil; a thinned section coupled with the first section; and a second section coupled with the thinned section radially outward of the airfoil, the second section having a radially outer face and a circumferentially facing side abutting the radially outer face, wherein the second section includes a circumferentially extending slot, and wherein the second section includes a relief slot extending into a body of the second section from the circumferentially facing side.

Abstract: A method for operating a phase-leg of a three-level active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) converter is presented. The phase-leg includes an output terminal, a plurality of input terminals, and a plurality of switches disposed therebetween. The method includes operating the phase-leg in a neutral state to generate an output voltage having a neutral level. The method further includes transitioning the phase-leg to a first intermediate neutral state from the neutral state. Moreover, the method includes transitioning the phase-leg from the first intermediate neutral state to a first state to generate the output voltage having a first level. A modulator for operating the phase-leg of the 3L-ANPC converter is also presented. Moreover, a 3L-ANPC converter including the modulator is presented.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a gas turbine configured for use within a row of samely configured rotor blades. The rotor blade may further include: an airfoil defined between pressure and suction faces; and a midspan shroud comprising a pressure wing and a suction wing extending from the airfoil. The pressure wing and the suction wing of the midspan shroud may be configured so to cooperatively form an interface between installed neighboring ones of the rotor blades within the row of samely configured rotor blades. One of the pressure wing and the suction wing may be designated a first wing, and the first wing may include a chamber hollowed through a first surface of the first wing. The first surface of the first wing may include one of: a circumferential face formed at a distal end of the first wing; and a contact face of the first wing.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a build plate for additive manufacturing, along with a related system. The build plate may include: a first build surface having at least one recess therein; and at least one block configured to matingly engage with, and disengage with, the at least one recess, the block including a second build surface.