Abstract: A probe assembly for measuring the concentration of exhaust's emissions in a turbine engine. The probe assembly including a first probe member configured and operable to passively generate a beam of light wherein the wavelength of the beam of light is contingent upon the configuration of the first probe member. A second probe member positioned in the probe assembly to receive the beam of light generated by the first probe member, the second probe member configured and operable to attenuate the light passively generated from the first probe member contingent upon the gaseous species present in the exhaust emissions of the turbine engine.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a nozzle body for issuing fuel and air into a combustor, and an on-axis optical probe located within the nozzle body for observing combustor flame radiation, wherein the optical probe includes a plurality of optical fiber bundles extending to a distal end of the probe, and a shaped lens is supported at the distal end of the probe to provide a multi-directional field of view of combustion characteristics and properties in an operating gas turbine engine combustor.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing combustion in a gas turbine engine includes the steps of observing a combustor flame from a location upstream from said flame to detect spectral characteristics indicative of a condition affecting combustion stability, and tuning the engine to stabilize combustion based upon an indicated condition affecting combustion stability.

Abstract: A probe assembly for measuring the concentration of exhaust's emissions in a turbine engine. The probe assembly including a first probe member configured and operable to passively generate a beam of light wherein the wavelength of the beam of light is contingent upon the configuration of the first probe member. A second probe member positioned in the probe assembly to receive the beam of light generated by the first probe member, the second probe member configured and operable to attenuate the light passively generated from the first probe member contingent upon the gaseous species present in the exhaust emissions of the turbine engine.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a feed arm having a flange for mounting the injector within the combustor and a fuel nozzle depending from the feed arm for injecting fuel into the combustor for combustion. An optical sensor array is operatively associated with the fuel nozzle for observing combustor flame characteristics. The optical sensor array includes a plurality of sapphire rods positioned to be close enough to the combustor flame to oxidize soot deposits thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel injector for a gas turbine engine combustor that includes a fuel nozzle for injecting fuel into the gas turbine engine combustor and a fiber optic microphone operatively associated with the fuel nozzle for measuring acoustic pressure differentials within a combustion chamber of the gas turbine engine combustor. The fiber optic microphone includes a fiber bundle having at least one light transmitting fiber and one light receiving fiber; and a dynamic pressure-sensing diaphragm operatively spaced apart from a sensing end of the fiber bundle. The diaphragm has a reflective surface and is formed from a material capable of withstanding temperatures associated with flame exposure. The diaphragm is adapted and configured for deflecting in response to acoustic pressure changes within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A seal assembly for an optical sensor employed in a high temperature environment is disclosed which includes an elongated metal guide tube having a distal end portion defining an open distal end and an inner rear wall, a sapphire window disposed within the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, the sapphire window having a rear end surface abutting the inner rear wall of the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, and a platinum mounting sleeve for securing the sapphire window to the metal guide tube, the platinum mounting sleeve having one portion joined to the metal guide tube and another portion joined to the sapphire window.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a fuel nozzle for issuing fuel into the combustor for combustion, at least one photodetector responsive to flame radiation indicative of an OH chemiluminescence peak, and at least one photodiode responsive to flame radiation indicative of a CH chemiluminescence peak.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for actively controlling combustion in a gas turbine engine, which includes a fuel injector for issuing fuel into a combustion chamber of the gas turbine engine. The fuel injector has a dynamic pressure sensor for measuring acoustic pressure within the combustion chamber and a flame sensor for observing flame characteristics within the combustion chamber. The system further includes a high speed valve assembly for controlling flow of fuel to the injector and an electronic controller associated with the fuel injector for commanding the valve assembly to deliver fuel to the fuel injector at a commanded flow rate, based upon input from the sensors in the fuel injector.

Abstract: A seal assembly for an optical sensor employed in a high temperature environment is disclosed which includes an elongated metal guide tube having a distal end portion defining an open distal end and an inner rear wall, a sapphire window disposed within the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, the sapphire window having a rear end surface abutting the inner rear wall of the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, and a platinum mounting sleeve for securing the sapphire window to the metal guide tube, the platinum mounting sleeve having one portion joined to the metal guide tube and another portion joined to the sapphire window.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a fuel nozzle for issuing fuel into the combustor for combustion, at least one photodetector responsive to flame radiation indicative of an OH chemiluminescence peak, and at least one photodiode responsive to flame radiation indicative of a CH chemiluminescence peak.

Abstract: The invention provides a temperature measurement system including a temperature sensor and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of a thermal energy source in response to receiving thermal energy from the source. The invention also provides a continuous casting system including at least one temperature sensor disposed in the secondary cooling region and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of the strand of metal in response to receiving thermal energy from the strand of metal.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a feed arm having a flange for mounting the injector within the combustor and a fuel nozzle depending from the feed arm for injecting fuel into the combustor for combustion. An optical sensor array is operatively associated with the fuel nozzle for observing combustor flame characteristics. The optical sensor array includes a plurality of sapphire rods positioned to be close enough to the combustor flame to oxidize soot deposits thereon.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a feed arm having a flange for mounting the injector within the combustor and a fuel nozzle depending from the feed arm for injecting fuel into the combustor for combustion. An optical sensor array is operatively associated with the fuel nozzle for observing combustor flame characteristics. The optical sensor array includes a plurality of sapphire rods positioned to be close enough to the combustor flame to oxidize soot deposits thereon.

Abstract: The invention provides a temperature measurement system including a temperature sensor and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of a thermal energy source in response to receiving thermal energy from the source. The invention also provides a continuous casting system including at least one temperature sensor disposed in the secondary cooling region and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of the strand of metal in response to receiving thermal energy from the strand of metal.

Abstract: A wireless tire pressure sensing system for an aircraft comprises: dual resonant circuits mounted to a wheel of the aircraft, each resonant circuit comprising: a variable capacitance sensor and a wire loop of a predetermined inductance coupled thereto, one capacitance sensor for monitoring the pressure of a tire mounted to the wheel, and the other capacitance sensor operative as a reference to the one capacitance sensor; an interrogating circuit magnetically coupleable to the dual resonant circuits and operative to induce magnetically a variable frequency current in the dual resonant circuits, the one resonant circuit responding to the induced current with an E-field signal at a first resonant frequency commensurate with the capacitance of the one sensor, and the other resonant circuit responding to the induced current with an E-field signal at a second resonant frequency commensurate with the capacitance of the other sensor; a receiving circuit E-field coupleable to the dual resonant circuits and operative t

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a feed arm having a flange for mounting the injector within the combustor and a fuel nozzle depending from the feed arm for injecting fuel into the combustor for combustion. An optical sensor array is located within the fuel nozzle for observing combustion conditions within the combustor.

Abstract: A wireless tire pressure sensing system for an aircraft comprises: dual resonant circuits mounted to a wheel of the aircraft, each resonant circuit comprising: a variable capacitance sensor and a wire loop of a predetermined inductance coupled thereto, one capacitance sensor for monitoring the pressure of a tire mounted to the wheel, and the other capacitance sensor operative as a reference to the one capacitance sensor; an interrogating circuit magnetically coupleable to the dual resonant circuits and operative to induce magnetically a variable frequency current in the dual resonant circuits, the one resonant circuit responding to the induced current with an E-field signal at a first resonant frequency commensurate with the capacitance of the one sensor, and the other resonant circuit responding to the induced current with an E-field signal at a second resonant frequency commensurate with the capacitance of the other sensor; a receiving circuit E-field coupleable to the dual resonant circuits and operative t

Abstract: A non-intrusive sensor for measuring mass flow of a medium flowing through a tube comprises: a probe having a predetermined length disposed along an external wall of the tube; a heater for heating the probe at a first point along the length thereof; a first temperature measuring device disposed at the first point for measuring a temperature of the probe and for generating a first signal Th representative thereof; a second temperature measuring device disposed at a second point along the length of the probe for measuring another temperature of the probe and for generating a second signal Tt representative thereof; a third temperature measuring device disposed along the external wall of the tube a distance away from the probe for measuring an ambient temperature and for generating a signal Ta representative thereof; and circuitry coupled to the first, second and third temperature measuring devices for generating a mass flow signal based on a ratio of temperature differential signals (Th?Ta)/(Tt ?Ta).

Abstract: A mass flow sensor is disclosed comprising: a heated probe having a predetermined length for disposition in the path of mass flow; at least two first temperature measuring devices disposed at different points along the probe length for measuring temperatures of the heated probe at such points in the presence of the mass flow; a second temperature measuring device for disposition in the path of mass flow for measuring the temperature of the mass flow; and a processing unit for determining mass flow as a function of the temperature measurements of the first and second temperature measuring devices.