Abstract: A gas detection system is provided for identifying a gas. The gas detection system includes a sensing module with a hollow chamber enclosed by a chamber housing. Additionally, the sensing module includes an optical sensing fiber positioned within the hollow chamber. The optical sensing fiber includes a gas sensor including a fiber Bragg grating positioned at a grating location along the optical sensing fiber, and a sensing layer affixed to an exterior surface of the optical sensing fiber at the grating location. After the gas is directed into the hollow chamber, the sensing layer and the gas exchange heat energy, based in part on a heat transfer coefficient of the gas. The exchange of the heat energy induces a shift in a Bragg resonant wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating which exceeds a threshold shift required for detection, where the shift is used to identify the gas.

Abstract: A sensor includes a sensor head including an acoustic detector configured to receive light from a first light source and to reflect the light upon incidence of acoustic waves. The sensor also includes at least one optical fiber and at least one fluorescent material within at least one of the sensor head and the at least one optical fiber. The at least one fluorescent material is configured to receive light from a second light source external to the sensor and emit visible light in response to the light received from the second light source.

Abstract: A fiber Bragg grating multi-point temperature sensing system comprises a fiber sensing cable package and a plurality of clamping devices distributed along an inner surface of a wall in a circumferential direction for securing the fiber sensing cable package. The fiber sensing cable package comprises a fiber Bragg grating based sensing cable comprising at least one optical fiber, a plurality of Bragg gratings inscribed in the optical fiber, and a fabric layer and a sheath tube surrounding the optical fiber. The multi-point fiber temperature sensing system comprises a light source for transmitting light to the Bragg gratings based sensing cable package, and a detector module receiving reflected signal. Each clamping device comprises a radiation tee and defines at least one mounting hole for securing the fiber sensing cable.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for protection of circuitry is provided. The circuit protection device comprises a housing defining a chamber and a plurality of conductors. The conductors are configured to connect to the circuitry and extending into the chamber, and comprise at least a first conductor and a second conductor spatially separated from the first conductor. The circuit protection device further comprises an ignition component disposed in the chamber and configured to electrically connect the first and second conductors. A circuit protection system is also presented.

Abstract: A gas detection system is provided for identifying a gas. The gas detection system includes a sensing module with a hollow chamber enclosed by a chamber housing. Additionally, the sensing module includes an optical sensing fiber positioned within the hollow chamber. The optical sensing fiber includes a gas sensor including a fiber Bragg grating positioned at a grating location along the optical sensing fiber, and a sensing layer affixed to an exterior surface of the optical sensing fiber at the grating location. After the gas is directed into the hollow chamber, the sensing layer and the gas exchange heat energy, based in part on a heat transfer coefficient of the gas. The exchange of the heat energy induces a shift in a Bragg resonant wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating which exceeds a threshold shift required for detection, where the shift is used to identify the gas.

Abstract: An arc flash detection method includes transmitting light via an optical fiber to a sensor and transmitting light from the sensor that includes components representative of acoustic waves and light for filtering and processing to detect an occurrence of an arc flash.

Abstract: A fiber sensor package is disclosed. The fiber sensor package includes an interconnection between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber within a tubing such that the first and second optical fibers are at least partially disposed within that tubing. A bonding material is disposed across an edge of the interconnection around at least a part of the circumferential surfaces of the first and second fibers, holds rigid the interconnection of the first and second optical fibers. The methods of preparing the package, and the examples of systems benefiting from the fiber sensor package of this invention are also described.

Abstract: A system for controlling a wind turbine is disclosed. A system includes a light source and a beam scanner to scan the light pulses over the wind turbine. The system further receives backscattered light pulses and subsequently, provides a signal corresponding to the light pulses. The system adjusts a threshold of the signal based on a normalized value of a detected peak value of the signal. The system associates a time of flight with each of the received backscattered light pulse. The system generates an image of the wind turbine based on the time of flight associated with the light pulses and subsequently, compares the generated image with at least one known image of the wind turbine. The system generates a health profile of the wind turbine based on the comparison and subsequently, change one or more parameters of the wind turbine based on the health profile.

Abstract: An arc flash detection method includes transmitting light via an optical fiber to a sensor and transmitting light from the sensor that includes components representative of acoustic waves and light for filtering and processing to detect an occurrence of an arc flash.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect arc is presented. The apparatus includes a fiber sensor to detect characteristics of an arc flash and a processor to process at least two characteristics of the arc flash. The processor is further configured to generate an arc fault signal. A protective device is configured to mitigate the arc flash based on the arc fault signal.

Abstract: A sensor to simultaneously detect light and acoustic waves is presented. The sensor includes one or more optical fibers and a diaphragm disposed near one end of at least one of the one or more optical fibers. The diaphragm is configured to vibrate upon incidence of acoustic waves from an arc flash and reflect a light beam into at least the one of the one or more of the optical fibers. A semi-transparent region is disposed around the one or more optical fibers to diffuse light originating from the arc flash into at least one of the one or more optical fibers.

Abstract: A fiberoptic multi-parameter sensing system for monitoring turbomachinery system shaft static and dynamic torques, vibration modes and associated operation status includes a multi-furcated fiber bundle based optical splitter configured to transmit light to a surface of at least one turbomachinery system shaft through a plurality of optical fiber bundles disposed at a plurality of locations in proximity to the surface of the at least one shaft, in which the plurality of locations together are arranged in a substantially axial direction between the ends of the at least one shaft.

Abstract: A sensor to simultaneously detect light and acoustic waves is presented. The sensor includes one or more optical fibers and a diaphragm disposed near one end of at least one of the one or more optical fibers. The diaphragm is configured to vibrate upon incidence of acoustic waves from an arc flash and reflect a light beam into at least the one of the one or more of the optical fibers. A semi-transparent region is disposed around the one or more optical fibers to diffuse light originating from the arc flash into at least one of the one or more optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber sensing cable is disclosed. The optical fiber sensing cable comprises a fiber with a core having an index of refraction n1, and a circumferential surface of the fiber including a nanoporous cladding having an index of refraction index n2. The methods of preparing the fiber sensor cable, including forming the nanoporous cladding and the sensor systems incorporating the optical fiber sensing cable of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system employs at least one light source that operates to generate light having one or more desired wavelengths. A first optical fiber based sensor transparent to a desired light wavelength operates to sense a magnetic field emitted from a predetermined electrical conductor or a current flowing through the electrical conductor. A temperature sensor that may be another optical fiber based sensor operates to sense an operating temperature associated with the first optical fiber based sensor in response to the light generated by the light source. Signal-processing electronics adjust the sensed current to substantially compensate for temperature induced errors associated with the sensed current in response to the measured operational temperature of the fiber optic sensor.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for protection of circuitry is provided. The circuit protection device comprises a housing defining a chamber and a plurality of conductors. The conductors are configured to connect to the circuitry and extending into the chamber, and comprise at least a first conductor and a second conductor spatially separated from the first conductor. The circuit protection device further comprises an ignition component disposed in the chamber and configured to electrically connect the first and second conductors. A circuit protection system is also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect arc is presented. The apparatus includes a fiber sensor to detect characteristics of an arc flash and a processor to process at least two characteristics of the arc flash. The processor is further configured to generate an arc fault signal. A protective device is configured to mitigate the arc flash based on the arc fault signal.

Abstract: A fiber Bragg grating multi-point temperature sensing system comprises a fiber sensing cable package and a plurality of clamping devices distributed along an inner surface of a wall in a circumferential direction for securing the fiber sensing cable package. The fiber sensing cable package comprises a fiber Bragg grating based sensing cable comprising at least one optical fiber, a plurality of Bragg gratings inscribed in the optical fiber, and a fabric layer and a sheath tube surrounding the optical fiber. The multi-point fiber temperature sensing system comprises a light source for transmitting light to the Bragg gratings based sensing cable package, and a detector module receiving reflected signal. Each clamping device comprises a radiation tee and defines at least one mounting hole for securing the fiber sensing cable.

Abstract: An optical fiber sensing cable is disclosed. The optical fiber sensing cable comprises a fiber with a core having an index of refraction n1, and a circumferential surface of the fiber including a nanoporous cladding having an index of refraction index n2. The methods of preparing the fiber sensor cable, including forming the nanoporous cladding and the sensor systems incorporating the optical fiber sensing cable of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber sensor package is disclosed. The fiber sensor package includes an interconnection between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber within a tubing such that the first and second optical fibers are at least partially disposed within that tubing. A bonding material is disposed across an edge of the interconnection around at least a part of the circumferential surfaces of the first and second fibers, holds rigid the interconnection of the first and second optical fibers. The methods of preparing the package, and the examples of systems benefiting from the fiber sensor package of this invention are also described.