Abstract: A system and method for optical transmission of ultrasound data signals from a probe to an image processing system is provided. By using a silicon-based optical modulator to encode ultrasound data signals onto an optical signal, an optical transmission link between the ultrasound probe and the image processing system can achieve a high signal to noise ratio with a lower power input.

Abstract: An etchant including a halogenated salt, such as Cryolite (Na3AlF6) or potassium tetrafluoro borate (KBF4), is provided. The salt may be present in the etchant in an amount sufficient to etch a substrate and may have a melt temperature of greater than about 200 degrees Celsius. A method of wet etching may include contacting an etchant to at least one surface of a support layer of a multi-layer laminate, wherein the support layer may include aluminum oxide; or contacting an etchant to at least one surface of a support layer of a multi-layer laminate, wherein the etchant may include Cryolite (Na3AlF6), potassium tetrafluoro borate (KBF4), or both; and etching at least a portion of the support layer. The method may provide a laminate produced by growing a crystal onto an aluminum oxide support layer, and chemically removing at least a portion of the support layer by wet etch. An electronic device, optical device or combined device including the laminate is provided.

Abstract: A multi sensor clearance probe with at least longitudinally and transversely spaced apart first and second sensors operable to measure first and second distances respectively between the sensors and a longitudinally spaced apart rotating rotor. The sensors being operable to measure blade tip clearances between radially outer turbine blade tips and an annular stator shroud circumscribing the blade tips. The blade tips may be squealer tips and the sensors operable to measure the distances between the sensors and tops of squealer tip walls and outwardly facing walls within cavities of the squealer tips. The probe may be operably connected to a controller for sending signals to the controller indicating the first and second distances for controlling an air valve used for active clearance control. Two or more of the probe may be used to determine rotor centerline offset.

Abstract: A method of detecting rubs during operation of a turbomachine comprising at least one rotating object having a tip and a shelf is provided. The method includes generating signals representative of a sensed parameter and processing the signals to generate height versus time data for the tip. The height of the tip corresponds to the distance between the tip and the shelf. The method further includes monitoring the height versus time data, in order to determine whether a change in the height data exceeds a threshold value, and detecting a rub of the rotating object(s) on a second object, when the change in the height data exceeds the threshold value. A rub detection system for a turbomachine and a turbine engine system with rub detection are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided and includes exciting a sensor with an incident signal and generating a reflected signal by reflecting the incident signal from the sensor. The incident signal and the reflected signal interfere to form a standing wave. The method also includes processing the signals to determine a sensed parameter based upon a frequency at which the standing wave exhibits a null.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure an impedance value representative of a sensed parameter and a transformer coupled to the sensor. The transformer includes at least one ceramic substrate and at least one electrically conductive line disposed on the ceramic substrate to form at least one winding. The electrically conductive line includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An imaging system for generating an image of an object is provided. The imaging system comprises an X-ray source disposed in a spatial relationship to the object configured to transmit X-ray radiation through the object. The system further comprises at least one X-ray detecting media configured to convert the X-ray radiation transmitted through the object to optical signals. In addition, the system comprises an optical transmission conduit comprising a first end and a second end and an optical detector configured to convert optical signals to corresponding electrical signals. The first end of the optical transmission conduit is coupled to the X-ray detection device and the second end coupled to the optical detector.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe configured for sensing and transmitting ultrasound signals. The ultrasound system further includes an optical conduit configured for coupling a light source and an optical detector in an optical path. The optical conduit includes electro-optic modulators configured for modulating optical signals on the optical conduit with at least one of the electrical signals configured to generate corresponding optically modulated analog signals on the optical conduit. In one example, the electro-optic modulators comprise electro-optic polymer modulators.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coupler comprising: a coupling waveguide adapted for receiving input modes along an input axis, propagating coupling modes along a coupling axis, and transmitting output modes along an output axis, the output axis being not parallel to the coupling axis; and an output waveguide disposed adjacent the coupling waveguide and adapted for receiving the output modes.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure an impedance value representative of a sensed parameter and a transformer coupled to the sensor. The transformer includes at least one ceramic substrate and at least one electrically conductive line disposed on the ceramic substrate to form at least one winding. The electrically conductive line includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A method for determining deflection of an optical sensor having an optical cavity includes: providing an optical signal including a train of time spaced light pulses, each light pulse including a known set of wavelengths; splitting the optical signal and providing a portion of the optical signal to a reference path; detecting light pulses in the portion of the optical signal; using a remaining portion of the optical signal and interrogating the sensor; receiving a reflected optical signal from the sensor; detecting light pulses in the reflected optical signal; and analyzing the portion of the optical signal and the reflected optical signal to determine the deflection. Corresponding apparatus and computer program products are provided.

Abstract: A clearance measurement system is provided. The clearance measurement system includes a reference geometry disposed on a first object having an otherwise continuous surface geometry and a sensor disposed on a second object, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter from the first object and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter from the reference geometry. The clearance measurement system also includes a processing unit configured to process the first and second signals to estimate a clearance between the first and second objects based upon a measurement difference between the first and second sensed parameters.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a sensor operable to provide an output signal representative of a sensed parameter is provided. The sensor system also comprises a control system coupled to the sensor, wherein the control system is operable to change a physical characteristic of the sensor based on the output signal representative of the sensed parameter.

Abstract: A novel micro optical system as a platform technology for electrical and optical interconnections, thermal and mechanical assembly and integration of electronic, optoelectronic, passive and active components. This platform provides optical coupling and chip-to-chip interconnection by microwave electrical, optical guided and unguided waves, and power or bias electrical contacts or interfaces by a novel chip in flexible circuit, rigid or inflexible embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a substrate having a top surface, at least one optical data transport medium coupled to the substrate, one or more lens devices coupled to the substrate, and one or more reflective devices coupled to the substrate. The one or more lens devices and the one or more reflective devices are at least partially passively aligned with the at least one optical transport medium by use of one or more pins.

Abstract: A method is provided and includes exciting a sensor with an incident signal and generating a reflected signal by reflecting the incident signal from the sensor. The incident signal and the reflected signal interfere to form a standing wave. The method also includes processing the signals to determine a sensed parameter based upon a frequency at which the standing wave exhibits a null.

Abstract: A system and method for optical transmission of ultrasound data signals from a probe to an image processing system is provided. By using a silicon-based optical modulator to encode ultrasound data signals onto an optical signal, an optical transmission link between the ultrasound probe and the image processing system can achieve a high signal to noise ratio with a lower power input.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring the operation of a turbine includes a remote device having a power module connected to a sensor and a transmitter. The remote device is powered by the power module and connected to a system such that the remote device is self-powered. The remote device wirelessly transmits information acquired by the sensor out of the turbine.

Abstract: A system for measuring clearance between a stationary object and a movable object is provided. The system includes at least one sensor configured to be disposed on the stationary object and configured to measure an operating parameter corresponding to the movable object and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control an operating mode of the sensor based upon the measured operating parameter.

Abstract: A multi tip clearance measurement system is provided. The clearance measurement system includes a sensor disposed on a first object, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of probe tips configured to generate signals representative of a sensed parameter corresponding to a second object and a processing unit configured to evaluate the signals from subsets of the sensed parameters from the probe tips to detect an outlier probe tip and to adjust a gain, or an offset of the respective outlier probe tip for estimating the clearance between the first and second objects based upon the signals.