Abstract: A system for monitoring health of an electrical machine is provided. The system includes at least one sensor element embedded in at least one substrate element located in a stator core. The system further includes a measuring subsystem coupled to the at least one sensor element and configured to monitor the health based on changes in electromagnetic characteristics of the sensor element due to changes in force acting on the substrate element or compression of the substrate element.

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: An implantable device system is disclosed. The implantable device system comprises, a first energy transceiver system, a second energy transceiver system at least partially implanted within an organic tissue and capable of being interrogated by the first energy transceiver system, and a sensing system, wherein a state of the sensing system is available at the second energy transceiver system.

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 system for online relative phase calibration is provided. The system includes at least one excitation source configured to generate multiple excitation signals. The system also includes at least two sensors coupled to respective ones of the at least one excitation source via a transmission line, wherein the two sensors are configured to receive respective ones of the excitation signals. The system further includes at least two phase detectors configured to receive at least two reflected signals from the two sensors via the transmission line, wherein each of the two phase detectors are configured to output a respective voltage representing a phase difference between respective ones of the reflected signals and respective ones of the excitation signals. The system also includes a switch coupled to the sensors and the phase detectors, the switch configured to switch the phase detectors between the sensors at a pre-determined switching interval.

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 strain sensor comprises a transmitting element; a receiving element wirelessly coupled to the transmitting element; and a modulating element located on a rotating component, wherein the modulating element modulates the wireless coupling between the transmitting element and the receiving element, wherein the modulation of the wireless coupling is indicative of strain on the rotating component. A method of detecting strain in a rotating component of a rotary machine comprises wirelessly coupling a transmitting element and a receiving element; modulating the coupling with a modulating element located on the rotating component; and calculating the strain in the rotating component based on the modulation of the coupling.

Abstract: A system for online relative phase calibration is provided. The system includes at least one excitation source configured to generate multiple excitation signals. The system also includes at least two sensors coupled to respective ones of the at least one excitation source via a transmission line, wherein the two sensors are configured to receive respective ones of the excitation signals. The system further includes at least two phase detectors configured to receive at least two reflected signals from the two sensors via the transmission line, wherein each of the two phase detectors are configured to output a respective voltage representing a phase difference between respective ones of the reflected signals and respective ones of the excitation signals. The system also includes a switch coupled to the sensors and the phase detectors, the switch configured to switch the phase detectors between the sensors at a pre-determined switching interval.

Abstract: A strain sensor comprises a transmitting element; a receiving element wirelessly coupled to the transmitting element; and a modulating element located on a rotating component, wherein the modulating element modulates the wireless coupling between the transmitting element and the receiving element, wherein the modulation of the wireless coupling is indicative of strain on the rotating component. A method of detecting strain in a rotating component of a rotary machine comprises wirelessly coupling a transmitting element and a receiving element; modulating the coupling with a modulating element located on the rotating component; and calculating the strain in the rotating component based on the modulation of the coupling.

Abstract: A system to measure thickness of a shroud is provided. The system includes at least one resistive element embedded within the shroud. The system also includes an impedance measurement device that measures a total resistance associated with the at least one resistive element.

Abstract: A system to measure thickness of a shroud is provided. The system includes at least one resistive element embedded within the shroud. The at least one resistive element is embedded within a thermal barrier coating layer deposited on a base portion of the shroud and an abradable coating layer deposited on the thermal barrier coating layer or directly into the shroud. The system also includes an impedance measurement device that measures a total resistance associated with the at least one resistive element.

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: An apparatus and method for indicating whether a coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or uncoupled state is provided. The apparatus comprising: a sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state of a coupler, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. The method comprising: providing a signal indicative of the presence or proximity of a second coupler to the first coupler, the signal being provided by a sensor configured to provide the signal as the state of the coupler has changed; transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller; processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and providing visually perceivable indication of the position of the coupler.

Abstract: A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers.

Abstract: A method for tracking assets within a rail yard, the method comprising: creating a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch; associating rail yard processing steps with portions of the track layout database; receiving a geographical position signal corresponding to an asset within the rail yard; comparing the geographical position signal to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the asset within the map; and presenting a graphical representation of the location of the asset on the map along with the yard process steps associated with the track section occupied by the asset, wherein the geographical position signal is recei

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 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 and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

Abstract: A system for measuring clearance between a first object and a second object is provided. The system includes a sensor configuration to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter. The system also includes a clearance measurement unit configured to process the first and second signals based upon a ratiometric technique to calculate clearance between the first and second objects.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a thickness of a refractory wall of a gasifier using electromagnetic energy is disclosed. The system includes a waveguide with a bistatic or monostatic phased array antenna at one end. The waveguide is operably connected to a Network Analyzer that generates a pulse of electromagnetic energy with a desired bandwidth. The pulse is transmitted through a coaxial cable to the waveguide. The reflection of the pulse is received by the waveguide and input to a data acquisition system.