Abstract: A method of forming a failure estimate for one or more components of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) includes forming from failure models and at least one of fired hours and fired starts, factored hours and factored starts. The factored hours and/or starts are applied to failure equations for the one or more components to form the failure estimate.

Abstract: A torsional sensor for sensing at least one parameter of a fluid is disclosed. The torsional sensor includes a torsional portion coupled to a reference portion and including a plurality of projections extending outward and spaced apart from each other. At least a portion of the torsional sensor is mountable for immersion in the fluid and operable to propagate a torsional wave that interacts with the fluid along the at least portion of the torsional sensor so as to affect propagation of the torsional wave in a manner dependent on the at least one parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: A 3D tracking system is provided. The 3D tracking system includes at least one acoustic emission sensor disposed around an object. The acoustic emission sensor is configured to identify location of a probe inserted into the object based upon time of arrival of an acoustic signature emitted from a location on or near the probe. The 3D tracking system also includes a first sensor configured to detect an elevation of the probe. The 3D tracking system further includes a second sensor configured to detect an azimuth of the probe.

Abstract: A method of forming a failure estimate for one or more components of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) includes forming from failure models and at least one of fired hours and fired starts, factored hours and factored starts. The factored hours and/or starts are applied to failure equations for the one or more components to form the failure estimate.

Abstract: A torsional sensor for sensing at least one parameter of a fluid is disclosed. The torsional sensor includes a torsional portion coupled to a reference portion and including a plurality of projections extending outward and spaced apart from each other. At least a portion of the torsional sensor is mountable for immersion in the fluid and operable to propagate a torsional wave that interacts with the fluid along the at least portion of the torsional sensor so as to affect propagation of the torsional wave in a manner dependent on the at least one parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: Optical detection systems and optical spectrometric systems are presented. One embodiment is a parallelized optical detection system. The detection system includes collector optics configured to receive an input optical signal, a plurality of optical filters and a plurality of tunable cavities. The collector optics includes at least one collector lens and at least one fiber multiplexer. The plurality of optical filters are configured to receive the input optical signal from the fiber multiplexer, and have serially varying pass band configured to filter the input optical signal at respective bandwidths. Each of the plurality of tunable cavities is optically coupled to each filter of the respective plurality of optical filters to receive a respective filtered output signal. The plurality of tunable cavities have band-pass frequencies with center frequencies staggered.

Abstract: A system and method for managing optical power for controlling thermal alteration of a sample undergoing spectroscopic analysis is provided. The system includes a moveable laser beam generator for irradiating the sample and a beam shaping device for moving and shaping the laser beam to prevent thermal overload or build up in the sample. The moveable laser beam generator includes at least one beam shaping device selected from the group consisting of at least one optical lens, at least one optical diffractor, at least one optical path difference modulator, at least one moveable mirror, at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) integrated circuit (IC), and/or a liquid droplet. The system also includes an at least two degree of freedom (2 DOF) moveable substrate platform and a controller for controlling the laser beam generator and the substrate platform, and for analyzing light reflected from the sample.

Abstract: A 3D tracking system is provided. The 3D tracking system includes at least one acoustic emission sensor disposed around an object. The acoustic emission sensor is configured to identify location of a probe inserted into the object based upon time of arrival of an acoustic signature emitted from a location on or near the probe. The 3D tracking system also includes a first sensor configured to detect an elevation of the probe. The 3D tracking system further includes a second sensor configured to detect an azimuth of the probe.

Abstract: An integrated spectrometer instrument, including an optical source formed on a chip, the optical source configured to generate an incident optical beam upon a sample to be measured. Collection optics formed on the chip are configured to receive a scattered optical beam from the sample, and filtering optics formed on the chip are configured to remove elastically scattered light from the scattered optical beam at a wavelength corresponding to the optical source. A tunable filter formed on the chip is configured to pass selected wavelengths of the scattered optical beam, and a photo detector device formed on the chip is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to the intensity of photons passed through the tunable filter.

Abstract: A system and method for managing optical power for controlling thermal alteration of a sample undergoing spectroscopic analysis is provided. The system includes a moveable laser beam generator for irradiating the sample and a beam shaping device for moving and shaping the laser beam to prevent thermal overload or build up in the sample. The moveable laser beam generator includes at least one beam shaping device selected from the group consisting of at least one optical lens, at least one optical diffractor, at least one optical path difference modulator, at least one moveable mirror, at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) integrated circuit (IC), and/or a liquid droplet. The system also includes an at least two degree of freedom (2 DOF) moveable substrate platform and a controller for controlling the laser beam generator and the substrate platform, and for analyzing light reflected from the sample.

Abstract: A photonic crystal based collection probe is provided. The probe includes a photonic crystal configured to guide and condition a beam of Raman scattered photons. Further, the device includes a spectrograph in optical communication with the photonic crystal and configured to receive Raman scattering from the photonic crystal. The device may be employed in a Raman spectrometer system.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a resonant cavity having a movable mirror and at least one fiber optic component acting as a fixed mirror. A surface of the fiber optic component is coated with a reflective film. An actuator is coupled to the movable mirror, such that when a scattered optical beam is coupled to the cavity, interference occurs between the surface of the fiber optic component coated with reflective film and a surface of the movable mirror facing the surface of the fiber optic component coated with reflective film. The reflective film on the surface of the fiber optic component causes closely spaced spectral lines within the scattered optical beam to be suitably resolved.