Abstract: Systems and method for flow sensing are provided. One system includes a flow conduit configured to allow fluid flow therethrough, a flow disturber disposed in the flow conduit and configured to impart a flow disturbance to the fluid flow and an actuator operably connected to the flow disturber to control the flow disturber to impart the flow disturbance to the fluid flow. The system further includes a plurality of sensors disposed in the flow conduit that are configured to have a geometrical and functional relationship with the flow conduit and the flow disturber, wherein the plurality of sensors are responsive to flow characteristics in the flow conduit. The system also includes a processor operably coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to determine a flow rate of the fluid flow in the flow conduit using timing characteristics to select a processing method.

Abstract: A system for monitoring tightness of stator windings in an electric machine is provided. The system includes a light source for providing an optical power. The system also includes an optical separation sensor situated in a stator core and including an optical interface element for absorbing some of the optical power. Further, the system includes a power meter for measuring at least one intensity of the optical power after absorption by the optical interface element and a control subsystem for assessing the tightness of the stator windings.

Abstract: A condition monitoring method for an electrical machine is provided. The method includes providing at least one first sensor element embedded in or disposed on at least one substrate element located in a stator core for obtaining a first set of data. The method also includes providing at least one second sensor element for obtaining a second set of data from the electrical machine. Further, the method includes generating signals indicative of changes in characteristics of the first sensor element based on the second set of data. Finally, the method includes refining the first set of data by combining the first set of data with the generated signals.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of a structure such as an aircraft, method of operating a system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of the structure, and a sensor node for use in a monitoring system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of the structure, are provided. An example of a monitoring system can include a plurality of sensor nodes coupled to the structure and a controller for monitoring the sensor nodes. Each sensor node can include a communications interface including memory storing a plurality of sensor node communication protocol attributes used for communicating with the controller.

Abstract: A flow sensor system including a flow sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly may be configured to allow fluid flow through a flow conduit. A flow disrupter may be disposed in the flow conduit to impart disturbances to the fluid flow. A by-pass channel may be in fluid connection with the flow conduit and may be arranged to have a geometrical relationship relative to the flow conduit and the flow disrupter to affect flow characteristics in the bypass channel. One or more sensors may be disposed in the by-pass channel to generate a signal responsive to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel. In a first flow regime, the flow characteristics in the bypass channel may effect an amplitude response of the sensor, and in a second flow regime, the flow characteristics may effect a temporal response of the sensor.

Abstract: A high accuracy wireless sensing platform assembly comprising a sensor subassembly that is configured to obtain measurement data from a device in response to a measurand; a data transceiver assembly that is configured to communicate with an antenna assembly; a parameter coder, in communication with the sensor subassembly, that is configured to control the data transceiver assembly and/or the sensor subassembly, based on the measurement data; and a resonant circuit that is formed by the data transceiver, the sensor subassembly, and/or the parameter coder. Embodiments are capable of provide robust performance and high accuracy in harsh (e.g., hot environments). The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for electric field sensing is provided. The sensor assembly may include an array of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based resonant tunneling devices. A resonant tunneling device may be configured to generate a resonant tunneling signal in response to the electric field. The resonant tunneling device may include at least one electron state definer responsive to changes in at least one respective controllable characteristic of the electron state definer. The changes in the controllable characteristic are configured to affect the tunneling signal. An excitation device may be coupled to the resonant tunneling device to effect at least one of the changes in the controllable characteristic affecting the tunneling signal. A controller may be coupled to the resonant tunneling device and the excitation device to control the changes of the controllable characteristic in accordance with an automated control strategy configured to reduce an effect of noise on a measurement of the electric field.

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 wireless sensor including a resistive element, a modulating element located on a rotating component and at least one of a transmitting element and a receiving element, wirelessly coupled to the modulating element. The modulating element is configured to modulate the wireless coupling, between the at least one of a transmitting element and a receiving element, in response to a change in resistance in the resistive element. The modulation of the wireless coupling is indicative of a measurand on the rotating component. A method of detecting a measurand in a rotating component of a rotary machine includes wirelessly coupling at least one of a transmitting element and a receiving element to a modulating element; modulating the wireless coupling with the modulating element located on the rotating component; and calculating the measurand in the rotating component based on the modulation of the wireless coupling.

Abstract: A system for monitoring tightness of stator windings in an electric machine is provided. The system includes a light source for providing an optical power. The system also includes an optical separation sensor situated in a stator core and including an optical interface element for absorbing some of the optical power. Further, the system includes a power meter for measuring at least one intensity of the optical power after absorption by the optical interface element and a control subsystem for assessing the tightness of the stator windings.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly, snore detection assembly, and methods for fabricating the same. The flow sensor assembly includes a flow conduit for fluid flow, a flow disrupter for imparting a disturbance to the fluid flow, a first sensor responsive to the disturbance of the fluid flow and configured to generate signals responsive to the disturbance of the fluid flow, and a processor for determining a flow rate for the fluid flow through the flow conduit based on a first algorithm determining an amplitude of the fluid flow in a first flow regime and a second algorithm determining a frequency of the fluid flow in a second flow regime.

Abstract: A stand-off sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a plurality of electron state definers for generating resonant tunneling current in response to the electric field, wherein the electron state definers include at least one variable characteristic such that a change in the variable characteristic affects the tunneling current, and a monitor for monitoring a change in the tunneling current exiting an electron state definer based on a change in the variable characteristic of the tunneling device.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly is provided and includes a flow conduit configured to impart a disturbance to a flow, multiple sensors disposed at respective sensing locations along the flow conduit. Each sensor is responsive to the disturbance of the flow and generates a corresponding response signal. The flow sensor assembly further includes a processor operably connected to each sensor, the processor being configured to compute a cross-correlation function between the response signals generated by said sensors, and determine a flow rate and a direction for the flow through the conduit based on the computed cross-correlation function. Additional flow sensor assembly arrangements are also disclosed.

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 condition monitoring method for an electrical machine is provided. The method includes providing at least one first sensor element embedded in or disposed on at least one substrate element located in a stator core for obtaining a first set of data. The method also includes providing at least one second sensor element for obtaining a second set of data from the electrical machine. Further, the method includes generating signals indicative of changes in characteristics of the first sensor element based on the second set of data. Finally, the method includes refining the first set of data by combining the first set of data with the generated signals.

Abstract: Monitoring systems, sensor nodes, and methods of operating a system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of a structure, are provided. An exemplary monitoring system includes one or more sensor nodes each including a power supply, a sensor configured to sense whether or not the power level of the power supply, and a communications interlace for communicating sensed operating conditions. The system also includes a controller in communication with the sensor nodes through a communication network to monitor the sensor nodes.

Abstract: A high accuracy wireless sensing platform assembly comprising a sensor subassembly that is configured to obtain measurement data from a device in response to a measurand; a data transceiver assembly that is configured to communicate with an antenna assembly; a parameter coder, in communication with the sensor subassembly, that is configured to control the data transceiver assembly and/or the sensor subassembly, based on the measurement data; and a resonant circuit that is formed by the data transceiver, the sensor subassembly, and/or the parameter coder. Embodiments are capable of provide robust performance and high accuracy in harsh (e.g., hot environments). The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: A system and method to monitor the condition of a structure is provided. In one embodiment, a sensor node can include a power supply that can scavenge available energy, a sensor for sensing conditions in the immediate environment, and a communications interface for communicating the sensed operating conditions. Readers can be used to acquire data from the sensor nodes. In one embodiment, the readers can determine if the data from the sensor nodes is an exception and, if so, determine whether trend data is sufficient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing protection against arc flash during maintenance on a low voltage power circuit including a circuit breaker having a specified trip function for responding to a fault is provided. The specified trip function is overridden with a maintenance trip function that results in reduced arc energy in the fault during a trip over arc energy during a trip with the specified trip function. The specified trip function is restored following maintenance.

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.