Abstract: Example implementations relate to electromagnetic wave modification of fuel in a power-generation turbine. An example implementation includes a power-generation turbine. The power-generation turbine includes a combustion chamber, a radio-frequency power source, and a fuel conduit configured to provide a fuel to the combustion chamber. In addition, the power-generation turbine includes a resonator configured to electromagnetically couple to the radio-frequency power source and having a resonant wavelength. The resonator includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: An example system can include a combustion chamber of a power-generation gas turbine, a radio-frequency power source, a resonator, and a fuel conduit. The resonator can be electromagnetically coupled to the radio-frequency power source and have a resonant wavelength. Further, the resonator can include (i) a first conductor, (ii), a second conductor, and (iii) a dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor. The resonator can be configured such that, when the resonator is excited by the radio-frequency power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter of the resonant wavelength, the resonator provides at least one of a plasma corona or electromagnetic waves. The fuel conduit can be configured to couple to a fuel source and have a fuel outlet for expelling fuel into a combustion zone of the combustion chamber. A portion of the fuel conduit is arranged proximate to the dielectric.

Abstract: An example system and corresponding method includes a power-generation turbine combustor and a resonator. The combustor includes (i) a combustion zone, (ii) one or more fuel inlets for introducing fuel into the combustion zone for combustion, and (iii) one or more fins protruding into the combustion zone and configured to guide combustion of the fuel along a flame path. The resonator can have a resonant wavelength and can provide a plasma corona in the combustion zone when excited with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter (¼) of the resonant wavelength. A radio-frequency power source can excite the resonator with the signal so as to provide the plasma corona in the combustion zone and cause combustion of the fuel along the flame path.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to magnetic direction of a plasma corona provided proximate to a resonator. An example implementation includes a system. The system includes a radio-frequency power source. The system also includes a resonator configured to electromagnetically couple to the radio-frequency power source. The resonator includes a dielectric between a first conductor and a second conductor. The resonator also includes an electrode configured to electromagnetically couple to the first conductor and including a concentrator. The resonator is configured to provide a plasma corona proximate to the concentrator when excited by the radio-frequency power source. Still further, the system includes a magnetic-field source configured to provide a magnetic field proximate to the concentrator so as to modify at least one feature of the plasma corona.

Abstract: An example system can include a combustion chamber of a jet engine, a radio-frequency power source, a direct-current power source, a resonator, and a fuel conduit. The resonator can be electromagnetically coupled to the radio-frequency power source and have a resonant wavelength. Further, the resonator can include (i) a first conductor, (ii), a second conductor, and (iii) a dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor. The resonator can be configured to provide at least one of a plasma corona or electromagnetic waves. The fuel conduit can be configured to couple to a fuel source and have a fuel outlet for expelling fuel into a combustion zone of the combustion chamber. A portion of the fuel conduit is disposed within the first conductor.

Abstract: An example system and corresponding method can include a combustion chamber of a power-generation gas turbine, a radio-frequency power source, and a resonator. The combustion chamber can include a liner defining a combustion zone, and include a fuel inlet configured to introduce fuel into the combustion zone. The resonator can have a resonant wavelength and include: a first conductor, a second conductor, a dielectric, and an electrode coupled to the first conductor. The resonator can be configured such that, when the resonator is excited by the radio-frequency power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter of the resonant wavelength, the resonator provides a plasma corona in the combustion zone. The controller can be configured to cause the radio-frequency power source to excite the resonator with the signal so as to provide the plasma corona.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to power-generation turbines that include resonator-based diagnostics. An example implementation includes a power-generation turbine. The power-generation turbine includes a combustion chamber configured to house a combustion event of a fuel mixture. The power-generation turbine also includes a resonator having a characteristic impedance and a resonant wavelength. The resonator includes a first conductor and a second conductor separated from one another by an interstitial space that is exposed to an environment of the combustion chamber. Further, the power-generation turbine includes a controller communicatively coupled to the resonator and configured to perform operations. The operations include determining a characteristic of the resonator selected from the group consisting of the characteristic impedance and the resonant wavelength. The operations also include, based on the determined characteristic, determining a parameter of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system includes an afterburner including an afterburner duct that defines an afterburner channel. The afterburner receives input gas from a jet engine into the channel and outputs an exhaust gas resulting from combustion of fuel. The system includes multiple resonators electromagnetically coupled to at least one radio-frequency power source. Each resonator has a resonant wavelength, first and second conductors, and a dielectric between those conductors. Each resonator is configured such that, when that resonator is excited by the power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter of that resonator's resonant wavelength, that resonator provides within the afterburner electromagnetic waves and/or a plasma corona proximate to that resonator. A resonator also includes a fuel conduit having a fuel outlet configured to output fuel for mixing with the input gas, and at least a portion of that resonator is arranged proximate to the dielectric.

Abstract: A system includes a radio-frequency power source, a resonator, a fuel outlet, and an afterburner. The afterburner includes a duct that defines a channel, and can receive gas from a turbine of a jet engine into the channel and output a gas resulting from combusting fuel within the channel. The resonator can be configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the power source and has a resonant wavelength. The resonator includes first and second conductors, a dielectric between the first and second conductors, and an electrode coupled to the first conductor and disposed within the afterburner. The fuel outlet outputs fuel into the channel for mixing with the gas from the turbine. The resonator, when excited by the power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter of the resonant wavelength, provides electromagnetic waves and/or a plasma corona proximate to a concentrator of the electrode.

Abstract: An example system and corresponding method includes a power-generation turbine combustor and a plurality of resonators. The combustor includes (i) a combustion zone, (ii) one or more fuel inlets for introducing fuel into the combustion zone for combustion, and (iii) one or more fins protruding into the combustion zone and configured to guide combustion of the fuel along a flame path. The resonators can each have a respective resonant wavelength and can each provide a respective plasma corona in the combustion zone when excited with a respective signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter (¼) of the respective resonant wavelength. A radio-frequency power source can excite the resonators with the respective signals so as to provide the respective plasma coronas in the combustion zone and cause combustion of the fuel along the flame path.

Abstract: An example system can include a combustion chamber of a jet engine, one or more radio-frequency power sources, a plurality of resonators, and a fuel conduit. Each resonator has a respective resonant wavelength. Further, each resonator can include (i) a respective first conductor, (ii), a respective second conductor, and (iii) a respective dielectric between the respective first conductor and the respective second conductor. Each resonator can be configured such that, when the resonator is excited by a corresponding radio-frequency power source with a respective signal, the resonator provides at least one of a plasma corona or electromagnetic waves. The fuel conduit can be configured to couple to a fuel source and have a fuel outlet for expelling fuel into a combustion zone of the combustion chamber. A portion of the fuel conduit is arranged proximate to the respective dielectric of a given resonator of the plurality of resonators.

Abstract: An example system can include a combustor of a power-generation turbine, a radio-frequency power source, a plasma-distributing structure, and a resonator having a first concentrator. The combustor can include one or more fins protruding into a combustion zone and can be configured to guide combustion of fuel along a flame path defined by the fin(s). The resonator can be configured to provide a plasma corona when excited by the power source. The plasma-distributing structure can be arranged within the combustor and proximate to the plasma corona, and can include a second concentrator. When the resonator is excited, the plasma corona can be provided proximate to the first concentrator. Further, when the plasma corona is provided proximate to the first concentrator and the plasma-distributing structure is at a predetermined voltage, an additional plasma corona can be established proximate to the second concentrator and at least partly within the flame path.

Abstract: A method for detecting a subsurface anomaly at a near-surface depth, comprises positioning an electromagnetic sensor configured to measure a component of a planetary electromagnetic field such that the electromagnetic sensor is suspended just above a ground-air barrier and does not contact a ground surface; selecting an electromagnetic frequency by calculating a function of properties of the ground that include relative permittivity, relative permeability, and resistivity; moving the electromagnetic sensor over the surface of the ground; repeatedly measuring intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field at the frequency to obtain a set of measurements; and comparing at least a first measurement in the set of measurements to at least a second measurement in the set of measurements to identify a change in the intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field that is indicative of a presence of a subsurface anomaly.

Abstract: A plasma generator comprises a radio frequency power source, a coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and a direct current power source. The radio frequency power source provides a voltage supply of radio frequency power having a first ratio of power over voltage. The resonator assembly includes a center conductor coupled to the radio frequency power source, and also includes a virtual short circuit. The direct current power source is connected to the center conductor at the virtual short circuit, and provides a voltage supply of direct current power having a second ratio of power over voltage that is less than the first ratio.

Abstract: A plasma generator comprises a radio frequency power source, a coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and a direct current power source. The radio frequency power source provides a voltage supply of radio frequency power having a first ratio of power over voltage. The resonator assembly includes a center conductor coupled to the radio frequency power source, and also includes a virtual short circuit. The direct current power source is connected to the center conductor at the virtual short circuit, and provides a voltage supply of direct current power having a second ratio of power over voltage that is less than the first ratio.

Abstract: A method for detecting a subsurface anomaly at a near-surface depth, comprises positioning an electromagnetic sensor configured to measure a component of a planetary electromagnetic field such that the electromagnetic sensor is suspended just above a ground-air barrier and does not contact a ground surface; selecting an electromagnetic frequency by calculating a function of properties of the ground that include relative permittivity, relative permeability, and resistivity; moving the electromagnetic sensor over the surface of the ground; repeatedly measuring intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field at the frequency to obtain a set of measurements; and comparing at least a first measurement in the set of measurements to at least a second measurement in the set of measurements to identify a change in the intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field that is indicative of a presence of a subsurface anomaly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for passively detecting the presence of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements. A sensor is used to measure at least one electric or magnetic component of the Earth's electromagnetic field at a frequency of 5 kHz or greater in proximity to the Earth's surface for a given area. The measured intensities are used to identify variations indicative of the presence of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly. Measuring the intensity of at least one component of the electromagnetic field at a plurality of frequencies of 5 kHz or greater can be used to determine the depth and characteristic of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly.

Abstract: A wind turbine shaft includes tubes that are centered on a longitudinal axis, coupled to rotate together about the axis, and movable telescopically along the axis between a retracted condition and an extended condition. A mounting structure is configured to mount wind turbine vanes on the tubular structure when the tubes are in the extended condition. A generator has a pair of parts including a rotor and a stator, and is configured for coupling with the tubular structure for one of the parts to rotate about the axis with the tubular structure while the other part is stationary.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a coaxial cavity resonator; a radio frequency power source coupled to the coaxial cavity resonator; a direct current power source coupled to the coaxial cavity resonator; a combustion process feedback module configured to sense a condition in a combustion environment by measuring a characteristic of the coaxial cavity resonator; and a controller configured to modulate operation of the coaxial cavity resonator based at least in part on combustion process feedback information from the combustion process feedback module.

Abstract: An object tracking system includes a sensor grid having a plurality of sensor clusters configured to sense the presence of a magnetic field of an object. Each sensor cluster includes three or more single-axis magnetic sensors. The sensors in a cluster may be arranged with their axes parallel to one another. The sensor grid may account for ambient magnetic noise by measuring the magnetic field in a zone a distance away from the object to update the ambient magnetic field noise measurement. The sensor grid or a portion thereof may include a plurality of sensors printed on a common sheet. The sensor grid may comprise one or more sheets overlapped or interconnected. The system may track an object and determine up to three degrees of positioning and three degrees of orientation by using a geometric solution of the intercepts of magnetic field strengths obtained from information collected by the magnetic sensors.