Abstract: Aspects of the invention related to a system for providing advance notice of impending contact between a stationary component and a rotating component in a turbine engine. For example, the system can be used to warn of potential contact between a seal holder and a rotor disk in the compressor section of the engine. In one embodiment, a pad or other component can be provided on the stationary seal holder. If the seal holder and the rotor disk approach each other during operation, the pad can contact the rotor disk prior to actual contact between the seal holder and the rotor disk. An optical and/or an acoustic signal can be generated by such contact. The signals can be detected remotely from the point of contact by a signal detection device, thereby avoiding the need to pass wires through the compressor section.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 may include a generator 22 and a combustion turbine 24 for driving the generator, the combustion turbine having an air inlet 40 for receiving an inlet air flow. The apparatus may also include an inlet air flow sampling sensor 26. The inlet air flow sampling sensor 26, in turn, may include a solution container 46 for containing a solution 50 for sampled air from the inlet air flow. The inlet air flow sampling sensor 26 additionally may include sensing circuitry for sensing at least one dissolved material in the solution 50. For example, the material may be salt, such as found in the inlet air for coastal power plants.

Abstract: A foreign object impact sensor for use with combustion turbines utilizes a passive acoustic waveguide within the turbine to receive acoustic signals from foreign object impact. The magnitude of these signals is displayed and or stored using a lighted display or other suitable indicating device. The information is also recorded and stored, so that a spectrum signature can be obtained from Fourier analysis.

Abstract: A foreign object impact sensor for use with combustion turbines utilizes a passive acoustic waveguide within the turbine to receive acoustic signals from foreign object impact. The magnitude of these signals is displayed and or stored using a lighted display or other suitable indicating device. The information is also recorded and stored, so that a spectrum signature can be obtained from Fourier analysis.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pumping assembly (10) for liquid metal is made, which contains an immersible pump section (16) where electromagnetic windings (22) are disposed in the pump section, and an eddy current blocking structure (25) is disposed within the electromagnetic winding (22), providing liquid flow orifices unoccupied by the structure between the eddy current blocking structure and the winding, where there is at least one axial bore (27) through the eddy current blocking structure (25).

Abstract: In a gripper device including a power frame of a motor 10, shaft 12, sun gear 14, planetary gear 16, gripper assembly shaft 18, gripper lever 20, gripper finger 22, a clutch 24 is interposed in the power train to each gripper finger and is controlled to provide a low force coupling transmittal when the fingers are moved in a position to contact the object 26 to be gripped, and after all fingers have contacted the object, the clutch provides for the transmittal of a relatively higher force adequate to permit handling the object without slipping.