Abstract: Systems, methods, and tangible non-transitory machine readable medium are provided. A system includes a gas turbine system configured to produce power by combusting a fuel. The system further includes a controller configured to control the gas turbine system via an operating 2-dimensional surface area and a setpoint, wherein the operating 2-dimensional surface area comprises a plurality of limits defining bounds for the operating 2-dimensional surface area, and wherein the setpoint is configured to be disposed inside the operating 2-dimentionsal surface area or on the limits.

Abstract: A tangible non-transitory computer readable medium may include instructions to analyze a first signal indicative of a speed of a turbine system and transform the first signal into a second signal. The tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include instructions to transmit the second signal to control a speed of the turbine system by actuating a field device. Actuating the field device may include controlling a fluid level in a torque converter mechanically coupled to the turbine system, and the speed may be below a minimum setpoint of the turbine system.

Abstract: A method of testing a gas turbine is provided. The gas turbine includes a first compressor and an expansion turbine coupled by a drive shaft. The method includes operating the gas turbine and a second compressor at a first steady load and a first steady drive shaft speed. The second compressor is rigidly coupled to the drive shaft. The method also includes changing a load of the second compressor by a known amount, and measuring a time required for the gas turbine to stabilize at a second steady load and a second steady drive shaft speed in response to the changed load of the second compressor.

Abstract: A control apparatus for angling guide vanes of a torque converter is provided and includes a modeling unit configured to receive current condition data, to determine a current input power supplied by a starting motor from the current condition data and to output a result of the determination as a control signal and a controller, which is coupled to the modeling unit and thereby receptive of the control signal. The controller is configured to execute a comparison of the current input power with a rating of the starting motor and to angle the guide vanes of the torque converter at an angle in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A charging station for an electric vehicle may include a charge head configured to engage with the charging blade of the vehicle to transfer power. The charge head may include a housing with a central cavity extending along its longitudinal axis and a plurality of electrode holders. Each electrode holder may include an electrode configured to transform from an extended configuration when the charging blade is not positioned in the central cavity to a retracted configuration when the charging blade is positioned in the central cavity. In its extended configuration, the electrode may extend into the central cavity from a side wall of the housing, and in the retracted configuration, at least a portion of the electrode may retract into the housing. Each electrode may also include a plurality of springs configured to bias the electrode in the extended configuration.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses and program products for recovering speed in a driveline assembly. An apparatus in one embodiment may include: a sensor measuring a shaft speed of a rotatable shaft within a driveline assembly, wherein the driveline assembly includes: a load coupled to the rotatable shaft, a primary power source coupled to the load through the rotatable shaft to deliver a first power output to the load, and a secondary power source coupled to the load through the rotatable shaft to deliver a second power output to the load, wherein the second power output is less than the first power output; and a controller in communication with the secondary power source and the sensor, wherein the controller increases the second power output in response to the shaft speed being less than a minimum speed threshold.

Abstract: A control apparatus for angling guide vanes of a torque converter is provided and includes a modeling unit configured to receive current condition data, to determine a current input power supplied by a starting motor from the current condition data and to output a result of the determination as a control signal and a controller, which is coupled to the modeling unit and thereby receptive of the control signal. The controller is configured to execute a comparison of the current input power with a rating of the starting motor and to angle the guide vanes of the torque converter at an angle in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses and program products for recovering speed in a driveline assembly. An apparatus in one embodiment may include: a sensor measuring a shaft speed of a rotatable shaft within a driveline assembly, wherein the driveline assembly includes: a load coupled to the rotatable shaft, a primary power source coupled to the load through the rotatable shaft to deliver a first power output to the load, and a secondary power source coupled to the load through the rotatable shaft to deliver a second power output to the load, wherein the second power output is less than the first power output; and a controller in communication with the secondary power source and the sensor, wherein the controller increases the second power output in response to the shaft speed being less than a minimum speed threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and tangible non-transitory machine readable medium are provided. A system includes a gas turbine system configured to produce power by combusting a fuel. The system further includes a controller configured to control the gas turbine system via an operating 2-dimensional surface area and a setpoint, wherein the operating 2-dimensional surface area comprises a plurality of limits defining bounds for the operating 2-dimensional surface area, and wherein the setpoint is configured to be disposed inside the operating 2-dimentionsal surface area or on the limits.

Abstract: A tangible non-transitory computer readable medium may include instructions to analyze a first signal indicative of a speed of a turbine system and transform the first signal into a second signal. The tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include instructions to transmit the second signal to control a speed of the turbine system by actuating a field device. Actuating the field device may include controlling a fluid level in a torque converter mechanically coupled to the turbine system, and the speed may be below a minimum setpoint of the turbine system.

Abstract: A method of testing a gas turbine is provided. The gas turbine includes a first compressor and an expansion turbine coupled by a drive shaft. The method includes operating the gas turbine and a second compressor at a first steady load and a first steady drive shaft speed. The second compressor is rigidly coupled to the drive shaft. The method also includes changing a load of the second compressor by a known amount, and measuring a time required for the gas turbine to stabilize at a second steady load and a second steady drive shaft speed in response to the changed load of the second compressor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for holding target turbomachine compressor pressure ratio constant while varying the shaft speed. In order to characterize a load compressor and validate the compressor design, the speed of the load compressor can be changed while controlling the compressor operating line and holding the inlet guide vanes at a constant angle. Discharge control valves can be dynamically adjusted to maintain the pressure ratio equal to the operating line over a range of speeds.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for holding target turbomachine compressor pressure ratio constant while varying the shaft speed. In order to characterize a load compressor and validate the compressor design, the speed of the load compressor can be changed while controlling the compressor operating line and holding the inlet guide vanes at a constant angle. Discharge control valves can be dynamically adjusted to maintain the pressure ratio equal to the operating line over a range of speeds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing torque contribution are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive initial and final transition speeds of the drivetrain, receive a torque reference for accelerating the drivetrain, provide the starting device with primary control of the acceleration of the drivetrain according to the torque reference, and determine that the initial transition speed is reached. Based on the determination, the processor may capture initial transitional conditions of the starting device, define a torque trajectory of the starting device based on the initial and final transition speeds of the drivetrain, and transfer the primary control of the acceleration of the drivetrain from the starting device to the gas turbine.

Abstract: A control apparatus for angling guide vanes of a torque converter is provided and includes a modeling unit configured to receive current condition data, to determine a current input power supplied by a starting motor from the current condition data and to output a result of the determination as a control signal and a controller, which is coupled to the modeling unit and thereby receptive of the control signal. The controller is configured to execute a comparison of the current input power with a rating of the starting motor and to angle the guide vanes of the torque converter at an angle in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for controlling an integrated drive train. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a gas turbine drive train includes measuring speed associated with the drive train, controlling fuel flow to a gas turbine based at least in part on a speed command and the measured speed, controlling one or more guide vanes associated with a torque converter based at least in part on the speed command and an expected power output of the torque converter, and selectively coordinating respective torque contributions from the torque converter and the gas turbine.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to increase the operational range of a turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a turbine coupled to a driveshaft; a drive-train coupled to the driveshaft; a first torque convertor coupled to the drive-train, the first torque convertor being configured to deliver an operational torque to the drive-train; a second torque convertor coupled to the first torque convertor, the second torque convertor being configured to deliver a torque to the first torque convertor; a first motor coupled to the second torque convertor, the first motor being configured to deliver a power input to the second torque convertor; and a control system operably connected to at least one of the first torque convertor and the second torque convertor, the control system configured to monitor and adjust a speed of the drive-train by controlling at least one of the operational torque provided by the first torque converter and the torque provided by the second torque converter.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for controlling an integrated drive train. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a gas turbine drive train includes measuring speed associated with the drive train, controlling fuel flow to a gas turbine based at least in part on a speed command and the measured speed, controlling one or more guide vanes associated with a torque converter based at least in part on the speed command and an expected power output of the torque converter, and selectively coordinating respective torque contributions from the torque converter and the gas turbine.