Abstract: A system of a machine is provided. The system having: a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout the machine, at least one of the plurality of sensing/control/identification devices associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals; shielding surrounding at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component; and a remote processing unit operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals, wherein the at least one of the plurality of sensing/control/identification devices has internal memory independent of the remote processing unit, the internal memory having historical data corresponding to the least one sub-system component.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided having a control and health monitoring system that includes an engine control module. At least one electronic component electronically coupled to the engine control module. The at least one electronic component includes an electronic module. The system further includes an isolation rail extending through the gas turbine engine. The at least one control component is electronically coupled to the engine control module through the isolation rail. The electronic module is in thermal communication with isolation rail.

Abstract: Sensing/control/identification devices of machines are provided. The devices include a shielding defining a shielded volume, a rectification and power conditioning module within the shielded volume and configured to receive electromagnetic (EM) transmissions from an EM transmitting source and convert said EM transmissions to electrical power, a communication interface module within the shielded volume and configured to receive power from the rectification and power conditioning module and at least one of receive the EM transmissions or transmit EM communications, and a control module within the shielded volume and configured to at least one of (i) receive the EM transmissions from the communication interface for processing or prepare the EM communications for transmission from the communication interface module and (ii) communicate with a remote sensor of the machine.

Abstract: Sensing/control/identification devices for machines are provided. The devices include a first stage having a rectification and power conditioning module configured to receive electromagnetic (EM) transmissions via waveguide confinement and convert said EM transmissions to electrical power, a communication interface module configured to receive power from the rectification and conditioning module and at least one of receive or transmit EM transmissions/communications via waveguide confinement, and a control module configured to receive EM transmission data from the communication interface for processing and/or preparing EM communications for transmission. The devices further include a second stage having a tunable control module configured to process and convert instructions or commands from the control module of the first stage into analog or digital signals and generate and transmit an output signal.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout the machine. Each of the sensing/control/identification devices is associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Shielding surrounding at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component. A communication path is integrally formed in/on a component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component. A remote processing unit is operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout the machine. Each of the sensing/control/identification devices is associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Shielding surrounds at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component. A waveguide is operable to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through a waveguide transmitter interface, a waveguide medium, and a waveguide transition interface to the at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices. A remote processing unit is operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout the machine, each of the sensing/control/identification devices associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. The system also includes shielding surrounding at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component. The system further includes an electromagnetic sensing system to read the plurality of electromagnetic signals for detection of at least one condition of the sub-system component of the machine. The system yet further includes a remote processing unit operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A system for a gas turbine engine includes an electrical interface device, a sensing/control/identification device, and a remote processing unit. The electrical interface device has electrical interface device data. The electrical interface device is operatively connected to a sub-system component that is provided with a shielding. The sensing/control/identification device is disposed within the sub-system component and is attached to the electrical interface device. The remote processing unit is in electromagnetic communication with the sensing/control/identification device.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout the machine. Each of the sensing/control/identification devices is associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Shielding surrounds at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component. A communication path is integrally formed in a component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component. The communication path comprises a material transparent to the electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a remote processing unit operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of identification devices distributed throughout the machine. Each of the identification devices are embedded in a component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Each identification device includes a unique code characteristic of the component and the identification device is readable by one or more readers to interrogate the unique code characteristic. Shielding surrounds at least one of the identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the component and a communication path is integrally formed in the component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component. A remote processing unit is operable to communicate with the network of the identification devices through the electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A system includes a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout a machine, each of the sensing/control/identification devices associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Shielding surrounds at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component. A communication path is integrally formed in a component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component and a remote processing unit operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals, wherein at least a portion of the sensing/control/identification devices comprise a wide band gap semiconductor device.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided having a control and health monitoring system that includes an engine control module. At least one electronic component electronically coupled to the engine control module. The at least one electronic component includes an electronic module. The system further includes an isolation rail extending through the gas turbine engine. The at least one control component is electronically coupled to the engine control module through the isolation rail. The electronic module is in thermal communication with isolation rail.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gas turbine engine that includes a fan configured to generate a fanstream and a fanstream duct configured to receive the fanstream flowing therethrough. An engine electronic component is positioned in flow communication with the fanstream. A heating element is positioned in the fanstream upstream from the engine electronic component and is operative to heat at least a portion of the fanstream in flow communication with the engine electronic component. The position of the engine electronic component passively thermally conditions the engine electronic component and the heating element actively thermally conditions the engine electronic component.

Abstract: A multiplexed sensor system includes a control unit in communication with a plurality of sensors. A plurality of optic fibers defines a communication path between the plurality of sensors and the control unit. A multiplexing portion communicates with a plurality of sensors along a common one of the plurality of optic fibers and a protected channel through which at least a portion of the optic fibers are routed. The protected channel at least partially surrounds the optic fibers and shields the optic fibers from an environment outside the protected channel. A cooling flow is provided through the protective channel for minimizing temperature fluctuations within the protective channel. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated multiple thermocouple testing device determines short and open circuits in a thermocouple system. The thermocouple system has a plurality of temperature probes, each probe has a first thermocouple and a second thermocouple. The device applies a direct current voltage to the first thermocouple to cause heating in the second thermocouple and then reads the temperature response of the second thermocouple. The first thermocouples have a common lead and the second thermocouples are connected in two parallel groups. The temperature output of the second thermocouple is digitized and read by a computer. These readings are compared to criteria which determines if there is an open circuit. Before the open circuit test is applied, the device also determines which thermocouple probe has a possible short circuit. This device can automatically test for short and open circuits in a thermocouple system within a few minutes without the necessity of removing the probes from their installed position.