Patents by Inventor Dan Tho Lu
Dan Tho Lu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20180164396Abstract: A method for aligning a sensor with a conductive material includes inducing a first magnetic flux in the conductive material to generate a first magnetic field state, and receiving a first signal at a first signal output level from a first detector and a second signal at a second signal output level from a second detector at the first magnetic field state. The method also includes inducing a second magnetic flux in the conductive material to generate a second magnetic field state, and receiving a third signal at a third signal output level from the first detector and a fourth signal at a fourth signal output level from the second detector at the second magnetic field state. Moreover, the method includes, based on changes in the signal output levels, adjusting a position of the sensor relative to the conductive target material to adjust the signal output levels to desired levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: David Erik Folkner, Dan Tho Lu, Lysle Turnbeaugh, Brian Howard
-
Publication number: 20180122549Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical leakage current associated with an operation of an industrial machine. The sensor includes a core and a first winding encircling a first portion of the core. The first winding includes a first number of turns. The first winding is configured to obtain a set of electrical current measurements associated with the operation of the industrial machine. The sensor includes a second winding encircling a second portion of the core. The second winding includes a second number of turns. The second winding is configured to obtain the set of electrical current measurements associated with the operation of the industrial machine. The first winding and the second winding are each configured to generate respective outputs based on the set of electrical current measurements. The respective outputs are configured to be used to reduce the occurrence of a distortion of the set of electrical current measurements based on a temperature of the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventor: Dan Tho Lu
-
Publication number: 20180095144Abstract: A calibration apparatus is configured to calibrate a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor is configured to measure an object and comprises a sensing element positioned adjacent to the object. The calibration apparatus comprises an estimation device and a calibrator. The estimation device is configured to estimate at least one of a gap between the sensing element and the object and a temperature of the object to obtain at least one of an estimated gap and an estimated temperature, based on geometric information, an excitation signal and an output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor, and geometric information of the object. The calibrator is configured to reduce an effect on the output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor imposed by variations in the at least one of the gap and the temperature, based on the at least one of the estimated gap and the estimated temperature, to obtain a calibrated output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Ronghui ZHOU, Pekka Tapani SIPILA, Dan Tho LU, Xu FU
-
Patent number: 9932852Abstract: A sensor assembly is described herein. The sensor assembly includes a housing that includes an inner surface that defines a cavity within the housing, and a proximity sensor positioned within the cavity. The proximity sensor includes a first connector, a second connector, and a substantially planar sensing coil that extends between the first connector and the second connector. The sensing coil extends outwardly from the first connector such that the second connector is radially outwardly from the first connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Tho Lu, Lam Arthur Campbell
-
Publication number: 20180058958Abstract: A system may include a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor may include a driving pole that includes a driving coil that receives a driving current and emits a magnetic flux portion through a structure. The first sensor may also include a sensing pole that may include a sensing coil that receives the magnetic flux portion and generate a first signal based at least in part on the received magnetic flux portion. The first signal is based at least in part on a force on the structure. The second sensor may be disposed on the driving pole and may generate a second signal representative of a distance between the driving pole and the structure. The system may also include a circuit that may adjust the first signal based on the second signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Lysle R. Turnbeaugh, David Erik Folkner
-
Publication number: 20180058957Abstract: A system for measuring torque on a component having a residually magnetized region is provided. The system includes a torque sensor for sensing an electromagnetic characteristic of the component and transmitting a plurality of signals that are indicative of the electromagnetic characteristic. The system also includes a computer communicatively coupled to the torque sensor for receiving the signals. The computer includes a processor and a memory. The processor is programmed to determine, using the signals, that the torque sensor is affected by the residually magnetized region of the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Brant Wilhelm
-
Publication number: 20180011133Abstract: A system includes a monitoring and/or protection system that includes an insulation derivation circuit. The insulation derivation circuit is configured to derive a first temperature compensation curve based on a first temperature and a first current, and the monitoring and/or protection system is configured to communicatively couple to a first current sensor configured to sense the first current traversing a first phase of a stator winding of a motor, a generator, or a combination thereof. The insulation derivation circuit is also configured to communicatively couple to a first temperature sensor configured to sense the first temperature of the stator when the stator is energized, and the temperature compensation curve is configured to map a temperature to a leakage dissipation factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Ronald W. Wilson
-
Patent number: 9852837Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical leakage current associated with an operation of an industrial machine. The sensor includes a core and a first winding encircling a first portion of the core. The first winding includes a first number of turns. The first winding is configured to obtain a set of electrical current measurements associated with the operation of the industrial machine. The sensor includes a second winding encircling a second portion of the core. The second winding includes a second number of turns. The second winding is configured to obtain the set of electrical current measurements associated with the operation of the industrial machine. The first winding and the second winding are each configured to generate respective outputs based on the set of electrical current measurements. The respective outputs are configured to be used to reduce the occurrence of a distortion of the set of electrical current measurements based on a temperature of the core.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dan Tho Lu
-
Publication number: 20170336274Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for cancelling noise from sensed magnetostriction-based strain measurements. A drive signal corresponds to a drive coil, and a sensed signal corresponds to a sensed coil. The drive signal is used to at least partially eliminate noise similar to the drive signal from the sensed signal to generate an output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipilä, Lysle Rollan Turnbeaugh
-
Patent number: 9772364Abstract: A system includes a monitoring and/or protection system that includes an insulation derivation circuit. The insulation derivation circuit is configured to derive a first temperature compensation curve based on a first temperature and a first current, and the monitoring and/or protection system is configured to communicatively couple to a first current sensor configured to sense the first current traversing a first phase of a stator winding of a motor, a generator, or a combination thereof. The insulation derivation circuit is also configured to communicatively couple to a first temperature sensor configured to sense the first temperature of the stator when the stator is energized, and the temperature compensation curve is configured to map a temperature to a leakage dissipation factor.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Tho Lu, Ronald W. Wilson
-
Patent number: 9745846Abstract: Integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are provided for monitoring a position of a rotating target within a subsea rotating device such as subsea motors and pumps. The integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are configured to communicate information related to the position of the rotating target through a wall of the device housing, and can be inserted through an opening in the wall of the device housing and mounted to the wall of the device to position a proximity sensor tip assembly adjacent the rotating target. The proximity sensor probe assemblies are pressure-compensated and configured to withstand subsea pressures and conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lam Arthur Campbell, Dan Tho Lu, Svein Arild Haugen, Jens Abrahamsen
-
Publication number: 20170234672Abstract: Sensor assemblies, electrical penetrator assemblies and associated methods are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensors configured to withstand subsea pressures are disposed adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the relating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. A sensor tip assembly includes a sensor cap and a sensing element therein configured to produce a signal indicative of a distance between the sensor cap and the rotating shaft. A substantially incompressible fluid is disposed within a fluid reservoir within a sensor housing, and fluidly communicates with the sensor cap such that at least a portion of an internal pressure within the sensor housing is applied to interior portions of the sensor cap. The sensor housing is configured such that the internal pressure increases in response to an increase in an external pressure of the sensor housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Lam Arthur Campbell, Dan Tho Lu, Svein Arild Haugen, Jens Abrahamsen
-
Publication number: 20170211996Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor having a sensor head including a driving pole. The driving pole includes a driving coil that may receive a driving current and may emit a magnetic flux portion through a rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a sensing pole including a sensing coil that may receive the magnetic flux portion and may transmit a signal based at least in part on the received magnetic flux portion. The received magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a temperature sensor disposed on the sensor head. The temperature sensor may measure a temperature of the rotary structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Clifford James Uber
-
Publication number: 20170176567Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calibration and compensation of on-line current transformers. In certain embodiments, a method to calibrate a single current transformer by use of an AC injected current is provided. In other embodiments, a method to calibrate and compensate multiple current transformers using a single AC injected current is provided. In further embodiments, a system for calibration and compensation of multiple current transformers is provided. The adequate frequency of the injected current as well as other characteristics for adequate use in some embodiments is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Prabhakar Neti, Karim Younsi, Dan Tho Lu
-
Patent number: 9671250Abstract: Sensor assemblies, electrical penetrator assemblies and associated methods are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensors configured to withstand subsea pressures are disposed adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the rotating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. A sensor tip assembly includes a sensor cap and a sensing element therein configured to produce a signal indicative of a distance between the sensor cap and the rotating shaft. A substantially incompressible fluid is disposed within a fluid reservoir within a sensor housing, and fluidly communicates with the sensor cap such that at least a portion of an internal pressure within the sensor housing is applied to interior portions of the sensor cap. The sensor housing is configured such that the internal pressure increases in response to an increase in an external pressure of the sensor housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lam Arthur Campbell, Dan Tho Lu, Svein Arild Haugen, Jens Abrahamsen
-
Patent number: 9631955Abstract: Sensor assemblies and methods of assembling and using the sensor assemblies are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensor tip assemblies configured to withstand subsea pressures are mounted adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the rotating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. An end of a sensor housing opposite a sensor tip assembly is mounted to a wall of the device housing. The sensor housing defines a fluid reservoir containing a substantially incompressible fluid therein that is in fluid communication with the interior portions of the proximity sensor tip assembly. A length of the sensor housing is adjusted to accommodate a distance between the wall of the device housing and the rotating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lam Arthur Campbell, Dan Tho Lu, Svein Arild Haugen, Jens Abrahamsen
-
Patent number: 9618408Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor having a sensor head including a driving pole. The driving pole includes a driving coil that may receive a driving current and may emit a magnetic flux portion through a rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a sensing pole including a sensing coil that may receive the magnetic flux portion and may transmit a signal based at least in part on the received magnetic flux portion. The received magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a temperature sensor disposed on the sensor head. The temperature sensor may measure a temperature of the rotary structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Clifford James Uber
-
Patent number: 9568301Abstract: A system includes first, second, third and fourth capacitive sensors, each disposed about a longitudinal axis. The first capacitive sensor is disposed along a first axis radial to the longitudinal axis, and the third capacitive sensor is disposed along the first axis opposite the first capacitive sensor. The second capacitive sensor is disposed along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, the fourth capacitive sensor is disposed along the second axis opposite the second capacitive sensor, and the second axis is different from the first axis. Each capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a respective signal based at least in part on a position of a rotational component along the respective axis relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Tho Lu, Lam Arthur Campbell
-
Publication number: 20160363488Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield includes a composite with a conductive material and an insulating material, a metamaterial, or a mesh structure, or any combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipila, Lam Arthur Campbell, Dan Tho Lu
-
Patent number: 9513316Abstract: A system including a non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor configured to couple to an insulator surrounding a metal conductor, wherein the non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor is configured to produce a voltage signal indicative of a voltage in the metal conductor, and a monitor-controller system configured to receive the voltage signal from the non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor, wherein the monitor-controller system is configured to use the voltage signal to monitor or control a machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Tho Lu, Prabhakar Neti