Abstract: A pressurized backup lubricant reservoir (36) with a lubricant line (31) to a rotor bearing (21). A control valve (43) on the backup lubricant line is normally closed. A monitor/controller (44) monitors multiple parameters of the bearing, and initiates an emergency protection sequence under combinations of conditions, including when a temperature of the bearing exceeds a threshold and a flow rate or pressure of a primary lubricant is outside a normal range and the rotor is rotating. The emergency protection sequence initiates a shut-down procedure for the rotor, and opens and modulates the control valve to meter a backup lubricant (33) from the backup reservoir to the bearing in proportion to a rundown rate of the rotor, such that lubrication of the bearing from the backup lubricant reservoir continues until the rotor stops turning. The protection sequence may also include coordinating braking of the rotor with the backup lubricant flow.

Abstract: A pressurized backup lubricant reservoir (36) with a lubricant line (31) to a rotor bearing (21). A control valve (43) on the backup lubricant line is normally closed. A monitor/controller (44) monitors multiple parameters of the bearing, and initiates an emergency protection sequence under combinations of conditions, including when a temperature of the bearing exceeds a threshold and a flow rate or pressure of a primary lubricant is outside a normal range and the rotor is rotating. The emergency protection sequence initiates a shut-down procedure for the rotor, and opens and modulates the control valve to meter a backup lubricant (33) from the backup reservoir to the bearing in proportion to a rundown rate of the rotor, such that lubrication of the bearing from the backup lubricant reservoir continues until the rotor stops turning. The protection sequence may also include coordinating braking of the rotor with the backup lubricant flow.

Abstract: A leak detector for mixed heat exchangers. In mixed heat exchangers it is important to monitor leaks from the liquid flows to the gas flows since liquid can damage delicate machinery. A barrier is mounted on the gas side of the heat exchanger. The barrier contains at least two thermometers, one of which is thermally isolated from the gas flow inside of the barrier, and another which is in contact with the barrier. When cooler water droplets and vapor enter the gas flow they will come into contact with the barrier. This will lower the measured temperature dramatically in the thermometer which is in contact with the barrier, while the isolated thermometer will not have its measured temperature quickly lowered by the leak. Therefore a different in the measurement in the change in temperature of the thermometers will indicate a leak in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A termination box, for maintaining an electrical connection across a boundary, can include a terminal block comprising a heat-resistant, non-conducive material having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface can include electrical terminals thereon connected to electrically conductive linkages passing through the terminal block and connecting to electrical terminals on the second surface of the terminal block. The termination box can also include a first cover and a second cover each having a cable conduit passing therethrough for receiving an electrical cable from the respective side of the boundary.

Abstract: The present invention discloses leak detectors for mixed heat exchangers. In mixed heat exchangers it is important to monitor leaks from the liquid flows to the gas flows since liquid can damage delicate machinery. The present invention comprises a barrier mounted on the gas side of the heat exchanger. The barrier contains at least two thermometers, at least one of which is substantially exposed to the gas flow and at least one of which is substantially isolated from the gas flow. When cooler water droplets and vapor enter the gas flow they will come into contact with the thermometer that is in substantial contact with the gas flow, lowering the measured temperature dramatically. The isolated thermometer will not have its measured temperature quickly lowered by leak. Therefore a different in the measurement in the change in temperature of the exposed thermometer versus the isolated thermometer will indicate a leak in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A vacuum extraction system is provided for extracting contaminants from rotating electrical devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum extraction system extracts conductive dust from the current collection system of a synchronous generator with a static excitation system. As the brushes (24) of the static excitation system wear against the collector rings (26), they produce conductive dust, which if permitted to accumulate, may cause electrical shorts and arcing and severe damage to the rotating electrical device. Methods and systems consistent with the vacuum extraction system of the present invention extract conductive dust from a rotating electrical device through vacuum passages (50, 62, 67, 72, 77) in the rotating electrical device into a removable dust capture media (46) to prevent dust accumulation and possible electrical damage.

Abstract: A vacuum extraction system is provided for extracting contaminants from rotating electrical devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum extraction system extracts conductive dust from the current collection system of a synchronous generator with a static excitation system. As the brushes (24) of the static excitation system wear against the collector rings (26), they produce conductive dust, which if permitted to accumulate, may cause electrical shorts and arcing and severe damage to the rotating electrical device. Methods and systems consistent with the vacuum extraction system of the present invention extract conductive dust from a rotating electrical device through vacuum passages (50, 62, 67, 72, 77) in the rotating electrical device into a removable dust capture media (46) to prevent dust accumulation and possible electrical damage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to monitor temperature variation in electrical system generator components is provided. A temperature probe comprising temperature information conveyor that directly transfers temperature variation information to a temperature-sensitive light window is utilized. A pair of light guides can be employed, wherein the first conveys light to the light window from a light source, and light passing from the window is captured by the second light guide and conveyed to a light sensor. Within pre-selected temperature ranges light passes through the window, but pre-specified temperature variations will close the window thereby blocking the light so as to signal a critical temperature variation has occurred. The temperature information conveyor is chosen so as to have definite properties in terms of a heat conductivity coefficient to promote rapid, direct conveyance of temperature variation information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring temperature of one or more components of a multi-component system, such as a power generator system, using at least one temperature probe (20) are provided. Each temperature probe includes a temperature probe container (25) enclosing at least one light window (30) responsive to temperature variation and a light-guide pair (40) corresponding to each such light window (30). Each light guide pair (40) preferably has first (41) and second (42) strands for conveying light to the corresponding light window (30) and receiving light passing through a light window (30), respectively. Light can be provided from an external light source (51), and light passing through a light window (30) can be detected by an external light sensor (52). A temperature probe light window (30) passes light if its temperature is within a predetermined range or otherwise blocks light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring the operating conditions of an electric generator by producing a signal representative of vibration amplitude in end turns of stator windings of the generator; producing a signal representative of an electrical load under which said generator is operating; comparing the vibration and load signals to store reference data representative of normal or abnormal operating conditions; and producing an output signal based on a comparison of the vibration and load signals with the stored reference data. The output signal is representative of the operational status of the generator.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling the acceleration of a turbine-generator or limiting the load of the turbine-generator if a cooling regulator which regulates the cooling of the turbine-generator or auxiliary components is determined to be off-line.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic fluid system monitors the fluid line 1, reservoir 2, motor pumps 4 and 6, accumulators 10 and drain line 13 in an electrohydraulic fluid system. The electrohydraulic fluid monitor system includes sensors 14-40 to detect temperature, pressure, fluid level and motor pump current in the electrohydraulic fluid system. Signals from these sensors are converted 54 by an analog to digital converter into digital signals read by a processor unit 58 and stored by the processor unit as data for diagnostic analysis. In one embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit 58 stores the information and compares the information to predetermined threshold amounts or to previous values and outputs a malfunction indication to a status display, responsive to results of these comparisons, which indicates the presence or nonpresence of a malfunction in the electrohydraulic fluid system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for using logic to analyze the performance of a gas dryer system having dual dryer towers charged with desiccant. The apparatus and method utilizes sensors to sense the moisture content of gas entering into, discharging from, and recirculating within the dryer and also utilizes a flow meter to sense the flow rate of moisture remove from the desiccant during the regeneration mode. The apparatus and method determine when the dryer towers should be switched between their adsorption and regeneration modes and detects sensor malfunctions, desiccant problems, and water leaks.

Abstract: A multiphase electric machine having a failed electrical component detector includes a rotating member and a plurality of electrical components carried by the rotating member and arranged in groups for conducting electrical current. A plurality of detectors is carried by the rotating member with each of the detectors responsive to one of the groups of electrical components for detecting component failures. A plurality of light emitting diodes are carried by the rotating member so as to be grouped into concentric circles according to electrical phase. Each of the light emitting diodes is responsive to one of the detectors such that a component failure, and the phase in which that failure occurs, can be observed by the naked eye. A stationary monitor is disposed about the rotating member and is responsive to the plurality of light emitting diodes for providing an indication of the number of component failures per phase.

Abstract: Apparatus 50 for the detection and location of arcing within an enclosed electrical device, such as an electric generator 20. Fiber optic cables 53 are strategically mounted within the generator 20 detect emitted light 44 incident to arcing of the stator windings 32. Positive indication is given that the source of the arcing is within the generator 20 itself. By examining and comparing the relative magnitude and intensity of the light 44 received by each of the individual fiber optic cables 53, the location of arcing within the generator 20 can be established.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the vibration of a plurality of turbine blades configured in a row includes first and second sensors for producing first and second input signals, respectively, when a turbine blade is sensed. The first and second sensors are mounted to substantially simultaneously sense the same turbine blade. Circuitry compares the first and second input signals to detect axial displacement. An output device is responsive to the detected displacement.

Abstract: A combined fluid flow and temperature monitor composed of: a housing defining a fluid flow path having an inlet end and an outlet end, the housing having a support member; a flexible, elongated member having a first end secured to the support member and a second end located within the flow path, the elongated member having a portion adjacent the second end which is disposed in the flow path and which extends transverse to the direction of the fluid flow in the flow path, and the elongated member being positioned and oriented such that the second end experiences deflection relative to the first end in response to fluid flowing through the flow path and by an amount proportional to the rate of flow of fluid through the flow path; a deflection sensing device secured to the elongated member for producing an electrical signal indicative of the amount of deflection of the second end relative to the first end, the deflection sensing device having output conductors on which the electrical signal appears; a temperatur

Abstract: A temperature monitor for a generator stator core is disclosed. The monitor comprises a light source which generates a light beam, heat sensitive targets which receive the light beam and which either block the light beam or allow the light beam to pass through, depending on the temperature in the stator core, fiber optic receivers associated with the target which detect whether the light beam has passed through or been blocked by the targets and which also convert the light beams into responsive electrical signals, and a computer which receives the responsive electrical signals from the receiver, converts the responsive electrical signals into processed electrical signals, and outputs data to a user, whereby temperature conditions in the stator core can be monitored.

Abstract: This invention relates to a universal, towed vehicle wind umbrella for use on a towed vehicle having a projected frontal area of a given size in combination with a towing vehicle having a projected frontal area of a smaller given size than that of said towed vehicle to thereby provide an aerodynamically improved combination of a towing and towed vehicle set. The wind umbrella includes a first section releasably secured to the towed vehicle. A second section is releasably secured to the towing vehicle. The final component of the wind umbrella is an adjustably flexible middle section integrally secured respectively to the first section and the second section to thereby form an aerodynamically efficient vehicle set.