Abstract: A sensor system for measuring a clearance parameter between a stationary component and a rotating component of a rotating machine is provided. The system includes a clearance sensor to output a clearance measurement signal. A sensor memory is attached to the sensor for storing a first sensor information. A second sensor information is stored in a electronics interface memory. The first and the second sensor information are read and the clearance sensor is matched with a respective plurality of calibration data by an electronic interface based on the first and the second sensor information.

Abstract: A fiberoptic multi-parameter sensing system for monitoring turbomachinery system shaft static and dynamic torques, vibration modes and associated operation status includes a multi-furcated fiber bundle based optical splitter configured to transmit light to a surface of at least one turbomachinery system shaft through a plurality of optical fiber bundles disposed at a plurality of locations in proximity to the surface of the at least one shaft, in which the plurality of locations together are arranged in a substantially axial direction between the ends of the at least one shaft.

Abstract: A method for linear filtering of noise in a SPR sensorgram generated from a surface plasmon resonance apparatus is provided. The method includes providing a linear filter of variable length to filter an output signal in the sensorgram. The method further includes determining an optimal length of the linear filter based on a slope of the signal in the sensorgram and multiple timing of occurrences of events during measurement of refractive index in the apparatus to reduce noise in the sensorgram.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring a clearance parameter between a stationary component and a rotating component of a rotating machine is provided. The system includes a clearance sensor to output a clearance measurement signal. A sensor memory is attached to the sensor for storing a first sensor information. A second sensor information is stored in a electronics interface memory. The first and the second sensor information are read and the clearance sensor is matched with a respective plurality of calibration data by an electronic interface based on the first and the second sensor information.

Abstract: A method for linear filtering of noise in a SPR sensorgram generated from a surface plasmon resonance apparatus is provided. The method includes providing a linear filter of variable length to filter an output signal in the sensorgram. The method further includes determining an optimal length of the linear filter based on a slope of the signal in the sensorgram and multiple timing of occurrences of events during measurement of refractive index in the apparatus to reduce noise in the sensorgram.

Abstract: A method of estimating a clearance between at least one rotating object of a rotary machine and a second object is provided. The method includes measuring an operating parameter of the rotary machine. The method also includes obtaining signals corresponding to the at least one rotating object across multiple revolutions in time, wherein the number of the revolutions is determined based upon the measured operating parameter. The method further includes generating waveforms corresponding to the at least one rotating object from the obtained signals for the revolutions. The method also includes estimating the clearance between the second object and the at least one rotating object based upon the generated waveforms.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring a clearance parameter between a stationary component and a rotating component of a rotating machine is provided. The system includes a clearance sensor to output a clearance measurement signal. A sensor memory is attached to the sensor for storing a first sensor information. A second sensor information is stored in a electronics interface memory. The first and the second sensor information are read and the clearance sensor is matched with a respective plurality of calibration data by an electronic interface based on the first and the second sensor information.

Abstract: A processing system for clearance estimation in a rotating machine includes one or more sensors and one or more digital signal processors for calculating the estimated clearance. The processing system may include techniques for obtaining real-time clearance estimates and techniques for obtaining averaged clearance estimates. Aspects of the processing system may also include a method of switching between real-time clearance estimates and averaged clearance estimates depending on the operating conditions of the rotating machine. Other aspects of the processing system include the use of two digital signal processors: a first digital signal processor configured to receive signals from a clearance sensor and perform a first set of high speed processing tasks, and a second digital signal processor configured to receive signals from the first digital signal processor and perform a second set of lower speed processing tasks.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and managing a slack state of a train and for is disclosed. The system acquires railway system parameters for a plurality of railway vehicles and for a track segment traversed by the plurality of railway vehicles, the parameters including a grade of the track segment at each of a plurality of locations therealong and an acceleration of each of the plurality of railway vehicles at each of the plurality of locations. The system calculates a coupler force for each of the plurality of railway vehicles at each of the plurality of locations based on the railway system parameters, determines a slack state for the plurality of railway vehicles based on the calculated coupler forces, and determines a limit on a tractive effort generated by locomotive consists included in the railway vehicles based on the determined slack state.

Abstract: Self-calibration of a multiple channel clearance sensor system, which in one embodiment includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one clearance parameter signal between a stationary object and a rotating object of a rotating machine. The sensor output is processed as a clearance parameter by an offset correction section configured to determine an offset error in the clearance parameter signal which is used by a level shifter. The level shifter is also switchably coupled to the clearance parameter signal wherein the output of the level shifter, which may be amplified and digitally converted, is processed by a signal level analyzer to determine a channel gain signal.