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 and method for enhancing operation of a power generation system. The method includes receiving forecasts at a predictive control unit. The method also includes accessing via a controller real-time lifing models or near real-time lifing models in the predictive control unit. Additionally, the method includes accessing via the controller an enhancer configured to simulate operation of a power generating unit in the power generation system to generate an enhancement of the power generation system based on the forecasts and the real-time or near real-time lifing models.

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: 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 fiberoptic system for clearance detection between rotating and stationary turbomachinery components is presented. The system comprises an optical fiber probe comprising a plurality of optical fibers, at least one of the optical fibers comprising a transmission fiber and at least one of the optical fibers comprising a signal fiber; a light source for providing light through the transmission fiber towards a target; filters for receiving light from the signal fibers, at least two of the filters for filtering different wavelengths; and at least one photodetector for receiving filtered light from the filters.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is provided. The fiber optic sensor includes a fiber core having a plurality of grating elements wherein, the grating elements comprise a periodic or a quasiperiodic modulated microcrystalline and silicon dioxide tetrahedral structure and a cladding disposed about the fiber core.

Abstract: A gasification distributed temperature sensing system is disclosed. The sensing system includes a gasification vessel and a harsh environment fiber sensing cable package disposed within the gasification vessel, the sensing cable package includes a thermally conductive enclosure and at least one sensor cable including a distributed array of high-temperature fiber Bragg grating sensors, wherein the sensors are disposed and hermetically sealed within the thermally conductive enclosure.

Abstract: A fiber-optic dynamic sensing module comprises a support member, a beam extending from the support member, and a pre-strained fiber Bragg grating sensor and a strain-free fiber Bragg grating sensor mounted on the beam. The pre-strained and strain-free fiber Bragg grating sensors each comprise a Bragg grating inscribed in a fiber. The Bragg grating of the pre-strained fiber Bragg grating sensor is packaged more tightly along a longitudinal direction of the beam than the Bragg grating of the strain-free fiber Bragg grating sensor.

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 method for monitoring the health of a turbine is provided. The method comprises monitoring a turbine engine having a plurality of engine modules and determining one or more health estimates, which may included trended data, for one or more of the engine modules, based on a plurality of engine parameters. The method further determining and transmitting appropriate notifications that indicate repairs to be made to the turbine engine.

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: 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 fiberoptic system for clearance detection between rotating and stationary turbomachinery components is presented. The system comprises an optical fiber probe comprising a plurality of optical fibers, at least one of the optical fibers comprising a transmission fiber and at least one of the optical fibers comprising a signal fiber; a light source for providing light through the transmission fiber towards a target; filters for receiving light from the signal fibers, at least two of the filters for filtering different wavelengths; and at least one photodetector for receiving filtered light from the filters.

Abstract: A device includes a stationary, rotary component, and a fiber optic sensing system. The fiber optic sensing system includes a cable having one or more fiber optic sensors disposed on the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The fiber optic sensing system is configured to detect one or more first parameters including temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, torque; or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The one or more first parameters is used to determine one or more second parameters including thermal expansion, clearance, fluid flow rate variation, condensation, fluid leakage, thermal loss, life, thermal stress, or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof.

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 device operating in an environment includes a fiber optic sensing system having one or more fiber optic sensors disposed in the device and configured to detect one or more parameters related to the device. The parameters may include temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A gasification distributed temperature sensing system is disclosed. The sensing system includes a gasification vessel and a harsh environment fiber sensing cable package disposed within the gasification vessel, the sensing cable package includes a thermally conductive enclosure and at least one sensor cable including a distributed array of high-temperature fiber Bragg grating sensors, wherein the sensors are disposed and hermetically sealed within the thermally conductive enclosure.

Abstract: A method of fiber core material band gap engineering for artificially modifying fiber material properties is provided. The method includes doping the fiber core material with one or more atoms for enhancing photosensitivity to the fiber material. The method also includes co-doping the fiber core material with one or more ions for enhancing an amorphous network crosslink mean coordination number. The method further includes thermally annealing the fiber core material for widening the band gap of the fiber core material.

Abstract: A method of fiber core material band gap engineering for artificially modifying fiber material properties is provided. The method includes doping the fiber core material with one or more atoms for enhancing photosensitivity to the fiber material. The method also includes co-doping the fiber core material with one or more ions for enhancing an amorphous network crosslink mean coordination number. The method further includes thermally annealing the fiber core material for widening the band gap of the fiber core material.

Abstract: In accordance with one exemplary embodiment the invention provides a multi-parameter fiber optic sensing system with an aperiodic sapphire fiber grating as sensing element for simultaneous temperature, strain, NOx, CO, O2 and H2 gas detection. The exemplary sensing system includes an aperiodic fiber grating with an alternative refractive index modulation for such multi-function sensing and determination. Fabrication of such quasiperiodic grating structures can be made with point-by-point UV laser inscribing, diamond saw micromachining, and phase mask-based coating and chemical etching methods. In the exemplary embodiment, simultaneous detections on multi-parameter can be distributed, but not limited, in gas/steam turbine exhaust, in combustion and compressor, and in coal fired boilers etc.