Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating folding and packing of a parachute into a deployment bag is a planar, semi-rigid, horizontally oriented rectangular fabric panel that is seamed or scored to fold at four or more junctures.

Abstract: A tool system for tightening a retrightenable wedge system in a slot of a generator stator core is presented. The tool system includes a carriage assembly and a wedge tool assembly that is pivotally coupled to the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes motorized drives that axially moves the tool system along the slot and holds the tool system on the slot at an axial position. The wedge tool assembly includes a torqueing socket to tighten the retightenable wedge assembly in the slot. The torqueing socket is driven by a worm gear arrangement.

Abstract: A tool system for tightening a retrightenable wedge system in a slot of a generator stator core is presented. The tool system includes a carriage assembly and a wedge tool assembly that is pivotally coupled to the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes motorized drives that axially moves the tool system along the slot and holds the tool system on the slot at an axial position. The wedge tool assembly includes a torqueing socket to tighten the retightenable wedge assembly in the slot. The torqueing socket is driven by a worm gear arrangement.

Abstract: Eddy current inspection of the step iron region of a generator stator core lamina insulation is performed while the rotor is in situ, with inspection system (81). The system (81) excites the stator core (26) and then measures any eddy currents indicative of a damaged region. The inspection system carriage (42) and its pivoting extension arm (52) are inserted within the rotor gap (34) while the rotor (22) remains in situ within the generator (20). The EL CID system's eddy current sensing coil assembly (54) includes a Chattock coil (70), which is mounted in a coil housing (56, 58) that is in turn pivotally mounted on a distal end of the extension arm (52). A sensing surface (60) of the coil housing (56, 58) remains in abutting contact with the generator core circumference in the step iron region (32), despite the step-like profile of the core circumference in that region.

Abstract: System, methods, and devices for inspecting generator rotor slot wedges in-situ are provided. The system includes a controller operably connected to a remote-control carriage for transmitting control signals and receiving data. The carriage includes a drive module for moving the carriage into an inspection area, e.g., through an air gap between the rotor and stator, and an inspection module operable to inspect a rotor wedge surface. The inspection module includes a jack assembly and a transducer assembly. The jack assembly is operably connected to the transducer assembly, and configured to elevate the transducer assembly to the rotor wedge surface for inspection.

Abstract: In aspects of a common mode sense circuit for use at a chip's differential pins, a common mode sense circuit sums signals from a pair of connections comprising a twisted-pair cable differential connection. Differential connections are at an input of a chip, such as at an input to a receiver. Summed signals represent sensed common mode signals and may be further processed, such as summing the sensed common mode signals together, and supplied as a reference signal to an adaptive interference canceller.

Abstract: Eddy current inspection of the step iron region of a generator stator core lamina insulation is performed while the rotor is in situ, with inspection system (81). The system (81) excites the stator core (26) and then measures any eddy currents indicative of a damaged region. The inspection system carriage (42) and its pivoting extension arm (52) are inserted within the rotor gap (34) while the rotor (22) remains in situ within the generator (20). The EL CID system's eddy current sensing coil assembly (54) includes a Chattock coil (70), which is mounted in a coil housing (56, 58) that is in turn pivotally mounted on a distal end of the extension arm (52). A sensing surface (60) of the coil housing (56, 58) remains in abutting contact with the generator core circumference in the step iron region (32), despite the step-like profile of the core circumference in that region.

Abstract: System, methods, and devices for inspecting generator rotor slot wedges in-situ are provided. The system includes a controller operably connected to a remote-control carriage for transmitting control signals and receiving data. The carriage includes a drive module for moving the carriage into an inspection area, e.g., through an air gap between the rotor and stator, and an inspection module operable to inspect a rotor wedge surface. The inspection module includes a jack assembly and a transducer assembly. The jack assembly is operably connected to the transducer assembly, and configured to elevate the transducer assembly to the rotor wedge surface for inspection.

Abstract: Immersion ultrasonic NDE is performed within cavities of inanimate objects, having downwardly directed openings, such as for in situ inspection of steam inlet sleeves and steam inlet necks within steam turbine housings. A shaft assembly has one or more single angle or phased array ultrasonic probes that are affixed on an upstream or distal end. An inflatable bladder is affixed to the shaft on a proximal end of the shaft assembly downstream the ultrasonic probe(s). The shaft is inserted into the cavity opening, and the bladder is inflated to form a fluid tight seal against the cavity. Immersion fluid is introduced upstream the bladder in the volume occupied by the probes. Immersion ultrasonic inspection of the object is then performed.

Abstract: A device for removing a coating formed in a slot of a stator core. The device includes a carriage movably attached to a first guide rail assembly to enable movement of the carriage in a longitudinal direction. The device also includes a first drive screw wherein rotation of the first drive screw moves the first guide rail assembly in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the device includes a second guide rail assembly that is attached to the carriage wherein the second guide rail assembly enables movement of the carriage in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Further, the device includes a second drive screw wherein rotation of the second drive screw moves the carriage in the transverse direction. The carriage includes a laser beam emitting head that moves within the slot in either or both the longitudinal or transverse directions wherein the laser beam emitting head emits a laser beam to remove the coating.

Abstract: Steam turbine engine cross over pipe or other pipe internal inspection is performed with a selectively steerable pipe inspection crawler apparatus with a chassis having a longitudinal axis, with front and rear Mechanum wheels capable of independently-selected forward or rearward driven rotational direction, for selectively steering the apparatus within the pipe interior under control of a human-machine interface (HMI). The crawler apparatus has at least one inspection camera having a field of view, for capturing images of a pipe interior that is also under control of the HMI. Embodiments of the crawler apparatus include a selectively orientable inspection camera and/or a deployable bore scope that is selectively deployed and retracted from a descending section of the cross over pipe.

Abstract: Immersion ultrasonic NDE is performed within cavities of inanimate objects, having downwardly directed openings, such as for in situ inspection of steam inlet sleeves and steam inlet necks within steam turbine housings. A shaft assembly has one or more single angle or phased array ultrasonic probes that are affixed on an upstream or distal end. An inflatable bladder is affixed to the shaft on a proximal end of the shaft assembly downstream the ultrasonic probe(s). The shaft is inserted into the cavity opening, and the bladder is inflated to form a fluid tight seal against the cavity. Immersion fluid is introduced upstream the bladder in the volume occupied by the probes. Immersion ultrasonic inspection of the object is then performed.

Abstract: Steam turbine engine cross over pipe or other pipe internal inspection is performed with a selectively steerable pipe inspection crawler apparatus with a chassis having a longitudinal axis, with front and rear Mechanum wheels capable of independently-selected forward or rearward driven rotational direction, for selectively steering the apparatus within the pipe interior under control of a human-machine interface (HMI). The crawler apparatus has at least one inspection camera having a field of view, for capturing images of a pipe interior that is also under control of the HMI. Embodiments of the crawler apparatus include a selectively orientable inspection camera and/or a deployable bore scope that is selectively deployed and retracted from a descending section of the cross over pipe.

Abstract: A heating control system for controlling heating of a fluid within an associated fluid vessel includes a first sensor responsive to a low fluid level in the fluid vessel and a second sensor responsive to a temperature of the fluid within the fluid vessel. The heating control system also includes a control circuit electrically connected with the first sensor and the second sensor to control electrical power to a heating unit for heating the fluid within the fluid vessel. The control circuit allows electrical power to be connected to the heating unit upon a first predetermined condition of the first sensor and a first predetermined condition of the second sensor. The control circuit disconnects power to the heating unit upon either a second predetermined condition of the first sensor or a second predetermined condition of the second sensor.

Abstract: A device for removing a coating formed in a slot of a stator core. The device includes a carriage movably attached to a first guide rail assembly to enable movement of the carriage in a longitudinal direction. The device also includes a first drive screw wherein rotation of the first drive screw moves the first guide rail assembly in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the device includes a second guide rail assembly that is attached to the carriage wherein the second guide rail assembly enables movement of the carriage in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Further, the device includes a second drive screw wherein rotation of the second drive screw moves the carriage in the transverse direction. The carriage includes a laser beam emitting head that moves within the slot in either or both the longitudinal or transverse directions wherein the laser beam emitting head emits a laser beam to remove the coating.

Abstract: A system for forming a cementitous slurry comprising at least water or other liquid and at least one flowable particulate mass such as sand or cement has computerized control of loading the ingredients into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has a scale that provides a signal indicating the current weight of the mixing chamber. The computer monitors the weight of the mixing chamber as these ingredients are individually loaded into the mixing chamber. When the desired weight of a particular ingredient has been loaded, the computer halts the delivery of that ingredient. Ingredients are loaded first at a relatively high rate, and then as the desired weight of material in the mixing chamber approaches, the rate slows.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the horizontal stacking of laminations 10 and donuts to form a stator core. A stator generator frame 2 has multiple keybars 6 that run the axial length of the frame. The laminations 10 have grooves 12 there-in that engage the keybars to provide a secure fit of the laminations to the generator frame. By extending two or more of the keybars 6, these extensions 7 may be used as rails on which the laminations may be horizontally inserted into the stator frame.

Abstract: A heating control system for controlling heating of a fluid within an associated fluid vessel includes a first sensor responsive to a low fluid level in the fluid vessel and a second sensor responsive to a temperature of the fluid within the fluid vessel. The heating control system also includes a control circuit electrically connected with the first sensor and the second sensor to control electrical power to a heating unit for heating the fluid within the fluid vessel. The control circuit allows electrical power to be connected to the heating unit upon a first predetermined condition of the first sensor and a first predetermined condition of the second sensor. The control circuit disconnects power to the heating unit upon either a second predetermined condition of the first sensor or a second predetermined condition of the second sensor.

Abstract: A heating control system for controlling heating of a fluid contained in a fluid vessel using a fluid level sensor as a heating control element. The system includes a control circuit coupled with an electrical power system of a heating unit. The control circuit includes switching elements that are selectively activated or deactivated responsive to a low fluid level in a corresponding fluid vessel such that heating of the fluid is terminated as the level of fluid becomes less than a predetermined value.