Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a clearance between a rotating machine component and a sensor unit are disclosed. In some aspects, a system includes a sensor unit oriented to detect the rotating machine component as the rotating machine component rotates past the sensor unit, the sensor unit including at least a first sensing element and a second sensing element spaced apart from the first sensing element. The system includes a sensor processing unit in electrical communication with the sensor unit. The sensor processing unit is configured for receiving a first waveform from the first sensing element; receiving a second waveform from the second sensing element; and determining, based on a comparison between the first waveform and the second waveform, a distance between the blade tip and the sensor unit.

Abstract: Torque sensing devices, systems, and methods are capable of measuring and/or determining a torque being transmitted through a shaft by measuring the torsional deformation of the shaft over a short length thereof. Such devices, systems, and devices have a sensor positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft as it rotates, the sensor being positioned to maintain a substantially constant distance between the sensor and the outer surface of the shaft. The sensors may be variable reluctance (VR) sensors rigidly attached to a frame mounted on a bearing (e.g., a hanger bearing), which is mounted on the shaft, such that relative radial motion between the shaft and the VR sensor is minimized (e.g., so that they move in unison). Reducing this amount of motion results in a more accurate torque measurement.

Abstract: Torque sensing devices, systems, and methods are capable of measuring and/or determining a torque being transmitted through a shaft by measuring the torsional deformation of the shaft over a short length thereof. Such devices, systems, and devices have a sensor positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft as it rotates, the sensor being positioned to maintain a substantially constant distance between the sensor and the outer surface of the shaft. The sensors may be variable reluctance (VR) sensors rigidly attached to a frame mounted on a bearing (e.g., a hanger bearing), which is mounted on the shaft, such that relative radial motion between the shaft and the VR sensor is minimized (e.g., so that they move in unison). Reducing this amount of motion results in a more accurate torque measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a clearance between a rotating machine component and a sensor unit are disclosed. In some aspects, a system includes a sensor unit oriented to detect the rotating machine component as the rotating machine component rotates past the sensor unit, the sensor unit including at least a first sensing element and a second sensing element spaced apart from the first sensing element. The system includes a sensor processing unit in electrical communication with the sensor unit. The sensor processing unit is configured for receiving a first waveform from the first sensing element; receiving a second waveform from the second sensing element; and determining, based on a comparison between the first waveform and the second waveform, a distance between the blade tip and the sensor unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a clearance between a rotating machine component and a sensor unit are disclosed. In some aspects, a system includes a sensor unit oriented to detect the rotating machine component as the rotating machine component rotates past the sensor unit, the sensor unit including at least a first sensing element and a second sensing element spaced apart from the first sensing element. The system includes a sensor processing unit in electrical communication with the sensor unit. The sensor processing unit is configured for receiving a first waveform from the first sensing element; receiving a second waveform from the second sensing element; and determining, based on a comparison between the first waveform and the second waveform, a distance between the blade tip and the sensor unit.

Abstract: A system for controlling shaft displacement within a support structure, the system having a rotatable shaft, at least one bearing supporting the shaft, the at least one bearing having an inner race rotatable along with the shaft and an outer race circumferentially surrounding the inner race, an electromagnet assembly positioned about the shaft along a longitudinal axis thereof, and a controller that detects a radial motion of the shaft and determines a corrective force to reduce the radial motion of, or a parameter related to, the shaft, the controller commanding the electromagnet assembly to generate the corrective force to act on the shaft, the electromagnet assembly having a plurality of phases spaced circumferentially about the shaft, the controller commanding different phases of the electromagnet assembly to generate the corrective force so that a vector of the corrective force rotates about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for controlling shaft displacement within a support structure, the system having a rotatable shaft, at least one bearing supporting the shaft, the at least one bearing having an inner race rotatable along with the shaft and an outer race circumferentially surrounding the inner race, an electromagnet assembly positioned about the shaft along a longitudinal axis thereof, and a controller that detects a radial motion of the shaft and determines a corrective force to reduce the radial motion of, or a parameter related to, the shaft, the controller commanding the electromagnet assembly to generate the corrective force to act on the shaft, the electromagnet assembly having a plurality of phases spaced circumferentially about the shaft, the controller commanding different phases of the electromagnet assembly to generate the corrective force so that a vector of the corrective force rotates about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a clearance between a rotating machine component and a sensor unit are disclosed. In some aspects, a system includes a sensor unit oriented to detect the rotating machine component as the rotating machine component rotates past the sensor unit, the sensor unit including at least a first sensing element and a second sensing element spaced apart from the first sensing element. The system includes a sensor processing unit in electrical communication with the sensor unit. The sensor processing unit is configured for receiving a first waveform from the first sensing element; receiving a second waveform from the second sensing element; and determining, based on a comparison between the first waveform and the second waveform, a distance between the blade tip and the sensor unit.

Abstract: Torque sensing devices, systems, and methods are capable of measuring and/or determining a torque being transmitted through a shaft by measuring the torsional deformation of the shaft over a short length thereof. Such devices, systems, and devices have a sensor positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft as it rotates, the sensor being positioned to maintain a substantially constant distance between the sensor and the outer surface of the shaft. The sensors may be variable reluctance (VR) sensors rigidly attached to a frame mounted on a bearing (e.g., a hanger bearing), which is mounted on the shaft, such that relative radial motion between the shaft and the VR sensor is minimized (e.g., so that they move in unison). Reducing this amount of motion results in a more accurate torque measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring twist on a shaft of a rotating drive system include a first set of targets circumferentially distributed around the shaft at a first axial location to rotate with the shaft and a second set of targets circumferentially distributed around the shaft at a second axial location to rotate with the shaft. The first and second sets of targets are interleaved. The system includes a sensor assembly including one or more sensors mounted around the shaft and configured to detect the first and second sets of targets as the shaft rotates. The system includes a sensor processing unit for receiving an electrical waveform from the sensor assembly, determining, based on the electrical waveform, a twist measurement of twist motion between the first axial location and the second axial location on the shaft, and determining, based on the electrical waveform, a second measurement of shaft motion.