Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for monitoring clearance in a rotary machine are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for monitoring clearance between a rotatable member and a stationary member in a rotary machine. The method may include providing a flex circuit capacitance sensor. The flex circuit capacitance sensor may include at least one capacitance sensing layer, at least one shielding layer adjacent to the capacitance sensing layer, at least one ground layer adjacent to the shielding layer, and a set of conducting leads connected to the capacitance sensing layer. Further, the method may include mounting the capacitance sensor between a portion of the rotatable member and a portion of the stationary member. Clearance may be determined between the rotatable member and the stationary member based at least in part on a capacitance indication from the capacitance sensor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for monitoring clearance in a rotary machine are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for monitoring clearance between a rotatable member and a stationary member in a rotary machine. The method may include providing a flex circuit capacitance sensor. The flex circuit capacitance sensor may include at least one capacitance sensing layer, at least one shielding layer adjacent to the capacitance sensing layer, at least one ground layer adjacent to the shielding layer, and a set of conducting leads connected to the capacitance sensing layer. Further, the method may include mounting the capacitance sensor between a portion of the rotatable member and a portion of the stationary member. Clearance may be determined between the rotatable member and the stationary member based at least in part on a capacitance indication from the capacitance sensor.

Abstract: A method for non-contact measurement of a displacement between a surface and a capacitive sensor comprised of at least two superimposed conductive plates electrically insulated one from the other and a sensor circuit coupled to the plates including: positioning the capacitive sensor proximate to the surface such that the displacement is a distance of a gap between the surface and one of the plates; applying a high frequency signal to the plates; applying the high frequency signal and a sensor plate to control a voltage gain of an amplifier in the circuit, where the capacitance on the sensor is indicative of the displacement between the sensor and surface; differentiating an output of the amplifier and the high frequency signal, and determining a value of the displacement based on the difference between the output of the amplifier and the high frequency signal.

Abstract: A non-contact capacitive sensor including: a sensor plate configured to be displaced from a surface and to measure a capacitance of a gap between the surface and sensor plate; an active shield plate over the sensor plate and insulated from said sensor plate, wherein a high frequency input signal is applied to the active shield plate and sensor plate; an effective ground shield plate connected through a first resistor to a ground, over the active shield plate to sandwich the active shield plate between the ground shield plate and the sensor plate, and the ground shield plate is insulated from the active shield plate, and a second resistor connected between the ground shield plate and the active shield plate to provide a direct current (dc) path through the sensor.

Abstract: A non-contact capacitive sensor probe including a metallic sensor having a first surface opposite a dielectric medium to be sensed; a plurality of active metallic shields adjacent to the metallic sensor, each of the active metallic shields having a pattern of grooves inhibiting eddy currents on a surface of the shield, wherein the pattern on one shield does not overlap with the pattern on a second shield, and a passive metallic shield adjacent the active metallic shields, such that active metallic shields are sandwiched between the metallic sensor and the passive metallic shield.

Abstract: A flexible support structure shaped to conform to the cup portion of breast-supporting garments is described. The support structure may be constructed from a polyurethane foam or similar material and comprises a rib molded onto the lower U-shaped edge to provide support and yet sufficient flexibility. The present support structure thus eliminates the need for underwire structures and allows ease of manufacture, eliminates damage caused to the fabric by conventional underwire structures, and also provides enhanced comfort to a user.

Abstract: A small diameter proximity coil for use in proximity sensors to sense imbalance in rotating machinery which has a coil of less than 0.3 inch diameter is constructed of a silver/palladium alloy of 89% silver and 11% palladium. This provides for, because of the inherent balancing out of AC and DC resistance changes, temperature errors of less than 10% over a wide temperature range of operation.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for making multiple layer molded padded products comprising at least three layers, the intermediate layer comprising padding. All of the layers are formed on male molds which are cast from a single master mold, thereby reducing mold costs and assuring perfect matching of the layers. The entire area of the female mold on which the intermediate layer of padding is formed is either completely cut away or is spaced away from the male mold so that the thickness of the pad is not substantially reduced during the molding operation. The female mold is heated and acts as an oven to draw back compressed fiberfill padding and/or to cure polyurethane foam padding.