Abstract: A valve body in a passage of a housing connected to a through hole in a sealed machine casing can allow an inspection apparatus into an interior of the casing when open, and prevents fluid flow through the passage when closed. Seals can engage the inspection apparatus to prevent fluid flow through the passage during inspection or inspection apparatus movement. A guide conduit in the casing can include branches and can guide the inspection apparatus to multiple inspection sites. Guide marks can identify the branches to assist with navigation within the casing.

Abstract: An insulated accelerometer assembly for a vibrated component in a high voltage environment may include: an accelerometer; a high dielectric strength potting compound encapsulating the accelerometer; a structurally supporting insulator layer such as a glass epoxy layer or mica layer(s) surrounding at least a portion of the high dielectric strength potting compound; and a conductive layer over at least a portion of the glass epoxy layer.

Abstract: An insulated accelerometer assembly for a vibrated component in a high voltage environment may include: an accelerometer; a high dielectric strength potting compound encapsulating the accelerometer; a structurally supporting insulator layer such as a glass epoxy layer or mica layer(s) surrounding at least a portion of the high dielectric strength potting compound; and a conductive layer over at least a portion of the glass epoxy layer.

Abstract: A collector monitoring system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the collector monitoring system includes: a sensor connected to an interior surface of a dynamoelectric machine housing, the sensor for sensing a condition of a collector during operation of a dynamoelectric machine; and a diagnostic system operably connected to the sensor, the diagnostic system configured to: obtain data about the condition of the collector from the sensor; compare the data about the condition of the collector with a predetermined condition threshold; and provide an indicator of a collector fault in response to the data about the condition of the collector exceeding the predetermined condition threshold.

Abstract: A valve body in a passage of a housing connected to a through hole in a sealed machine casing can allow an inspection apparatus into an interior of the casing when open, and prevents fluid flow through the passage when closed. Seals can engage the inspection apparatus to prevent fluid flow through the passage during inspection or inspection apparatus movement. A guide conduit in the casing can include branches and can guide the inspection apparatus to multiple inspection sites. Guide marks can identify the branches to assist with navigation within the casing.

Abstract: A collector monitoring system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the collector monitoring system includes: a sensor connected to an interior surface of a dynamoelectric machine housing, the sensor for sensing a condition of a collector during operation of a dynamoelectric machine; and a diagnostic system operably connected to the sensor, the diagnostic system configured to: obtain data about the condition of the collector from the sensor; compare the data about the condition of the collector with a predetermined condition threshold; and provide an indicator of a collector fault in response to the data about the condition of the collector exceeding the predetermined condition threshold.

Abstract: A method of detecting partial discharge associated with at least a portion of an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes at least one electrical machine electrically coupled within the electrical system, includes generating an electromagnetic field within the electrical machine. The method also includes collecting partial discharge data from at least a portion of the electrical system. The method further includes determining a first partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method also includes generating at least one trending comparison of the first PDIV value and at least one second PDIV value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method further includes outputting the results.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for measuring stator wedge tightness in a stator core of an electric machine. The system includes at least one sensor located along at least one component disposed in a stator slot of the stator core. The at least one sensor is located and configured to measure strain in the component. The system further includes a data acquisition system operably coupled to the at least one sensor. A method for measuring stator wedge tightness in a stator core of an electric machine includes arranging at least one sensor along at least one component of the stator core, the at least one sensor being located and configured to measure strain in the component, and interrogating the at least one sensor utilizing a data acquisition system.

Abstract: A method of detecting partial discharge associated with at least a portion of an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes at least one electrical machine electrically coupled within the electrical system, includes generating an electromagnetic field within the electrical machine. The method also includes collecting partial discharge data from at least a portion of the electrical system. The method further includes determining a first partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method also includes generating at least one trending comparison of the first PDIV value and at least one second PDIV value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method further includes outputting the results.

Abstract: A system and method to measure a characteristic of a component of an electric machine. The system includes an optical fiber disposed proximate to the component, at least one sensor, disposed along the optical fiber, to detect the temperature of the component, and a data acquisition system operably coupled to the sensor via the optical fiber to generate real-time data in accordance with the detected temperature of the component during an operation of the electric machines.

Abstract: A field coil for an electromagnetic rotor comprising multiple windings, each substantially entirely coated with a powder resin having a dielectric strength of at least in the range of 1000-1500 v/mil. A method of manufacturing a field coil for an electromagnetic rotor includes the steps of a) providing a field coil comprising multiple layers of copper bars; b) coating the multiple layers of the field coil with a powder resin having a dielectric strength of at least about 1000-1500 v/mil.; and c) curing the powder resin.

Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced temperature level includes a flux shunt that reduces the amount of fringing magnetic flux axially impinging upon a stator, flange, and multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of axially impinging flux, the flux shunt reduces an operating temperature of the stator and flange and reduces a voltage differential between keybar voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.

Abstract: A field coil for an electromagnetic rotor comprising multiple windings, each substantially entirely coated with a powder resin having a dielectric strength of at least in the range of 1000-1500 v/mil. A method of manufacturing a field coil for an electromagnetic rotor includes the steps of a) providing a field coil comprising multiple layers of copper bars; b) coating the multiple layers of the field coil with a powder resin having a dielectric strength of at least about 1000-1500 v/mil.; and c) curing the powder resin.

Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced temperature level includes a flux shunt that reduces the amount of fringing magnetic flux axially impinging upon a stator, flange, and multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of axially impinging flux, the flux shunt reduces an operating temperature of the stator and flange and reduces a voltage differential between keybar voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.

Abstract: The main and collector terminal studs of a dynamoelectric machine are coated with a powder resin to form an electrical insulator between the rotor and the stud. The collector terminal stud includes a gasket which is compressed against the powder coating on the stud to form a seal with the powder coating preventing leakage of hydrogen gas through the seal. A fluidized bed containing the resin powder disperses the powder in a mist. By charging the powder, an electrostatic potential is provided between the stud and charged powder whereby the powder adheres to the stud. Alternatively, the stud will be preheated and dipped into a bed of powder whereby the powder adheres to the stud. The powder resin is subsequently cured.

Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced temperature level includes a flux shunt that reduces the amount of fringing magnetic flux axially impinging upon a stator, flange, and multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of axially impinging flux, the flux shunt reduces an operating temperature of the stator and flange and reduces a voltage differential between keybar voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.

Abstract: A stator core-end of an electric generator utilizes amorphous metal laminate packages to reduce eddy currents and heating in the stator core thereby increasing generator capacity. The packages are formed as complete units before installation into the stator core. The amorphous metal laminate packages comprise alternating layers of amorphous metal laminates and non-amorphous metal laminates.

Abstract: The main and collector terminal studs of a dynamoelectric machine are coated with a powder resin to form an electrical insulator between the rotor and the stud. The collector terminal stud includes a gasket which is compressed against the powder coating on the stud to form a seal with the powder coating preventing leakage of hydrogen gas through the seal. A fluidized bed containing the resin powder disperses the powder in a mist. By charging the powder, an electrostatic potential is provided between the stud and charged powder whereby the powder adheres to the stud. Alternatively, the stud will be preheated and dipped into a bed of powder whereby the powder adheres to the stud. The powder resin is subsequently cured.

Abstract: A stator core-end of an electric generator utilizes amorphous metal laminate packages to reduce eddy currents and heating in the stator core thereby increasing generator capacity. The packages are formed as complete units before installation into the stator core. The amorphous metal laminate packages comprise alternating layers of amorphous metal laminates and non-amorphous metal laminates.

Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced keybar voltages and currents, flange currents, and keybar voltage differentials includes a keybar shield that reduces the amount of magnetic flux coupling into a keybar of multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of coupled flux, the keybar shield reduces a keybar voltage and a keybar current in a keybar, reduces keybar current flowing into a flange, and reduces a voltage differential between voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.