Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting outcome of a process used for manufacturing a sample in a bioreactor, the process belonging to a category. The method comprises selecting (51) a process model based on the category; accessing (53) historic data related to past process runs for manufacturing the sample; accessing (53) current data obtained (54) from a current process run of the process. The obtained current data, which is based on the selected process model, comprises: process strategy data, bioreactor instrument data, data from online sensors and/or data from offline sensors. The method further comprises predicting (62) an outcome of at least one selected parameter of the current process run for manufacturing the sample based on the accessed historic data and current data. The present invention also relates to a method for modelling a process and a control system (10) for controlling a process.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and a resonant sensor that contacts oil within an engine of a vehicle system. The sensor generates electrical stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. Each electrical stimulus has multiple different frequencies applied to the oil. The one or more processors receive electrical signals representing impedance responses of the oil to the electrical stimuli. The one or more processors determine a concentration of a polar analyte in the oil at the different times based on the impedance responses and calculate a degradation value for the engine based on the polar analyte concentration. Responsive to the degradation value exceeding a designated degradation threshold, the one or more processors at least one of schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, provide an alert to schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, or prohibit operation of the vehicle system until maintenance is performed.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and a resonant sensor that contacts oil within an engine of a vehicle system. The sensor generates electrical stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. Each electrical stimulus has multiple different frequencies applied to the oil. The one or more processors receive electrical signals representing impedance responses of the oil to the electrical stimuli. The one or more processors determine a concentration of a polar analyte in the oil at the different times based on the impedance responses and calculate a degradation value for the engine based on the polar analyte concentration. Responsive to the degradation value exceeding a designated degradation threshold, the one or more processors at least one of schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, provide an alert to schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, or prohibit operation of the vehicle system until maintenance is performed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component includes determining a design-phase model of the lifespan of an turbine engine component; fusing the design-phase model with sensor data collected during operation of the turbine engine component to produce an updated model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component; and fusing the updated model with data collected during an inspection of the turbine engine component to produce an overall model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component. Systems for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component are also provided.

Abstract: A system for optically monitoring a gas turbine engine includes an optical multiplexer configured to receive multiple images from respective viewports into the gas turbine engine. The optical multiplexer includes a movable reflective device configured to selectively direct at least a portion of each image toward a detector array, and the detector array is directed toward a fixed location on the optical multiplexer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing subsystem that receives component data signals corresponding to a plurality of parameters of a device, wherein the processing subsystem generates one or more sets of state category component data by allocating the component data signals into respective one or more sets of state category component data, determines a plurality of first dynamic thresholds and a plurality of second dynamic thresholds corresponding to at least one of the one or more sets of state category component data based upon a respective set of state category component data in the one or more sets of state category component data and a respective parameter in the plurality of parameters, and determines an impending trip of the device utilizing the plurality of first dynamic thresholds and the plurality of second dynamic thresholds.

Abstract: A system for optically monitoring a gas turbine engine includes an optical multiplexer configured to receive multiple images from respective viewports into the gas turbine engine. The optical multiplexer includes a movable reflective device configured to selectively direct at least a portion of each image toward a detector array, and the detector array is directed toward a fixed location on the optical multiplexer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing subsystem that receives component data signals corresponding to a plurality of parameters of a device, wherein the processing subsystem generates one or more sets of state category component data by allocating the component data signals into respective one or more sets of state category component data, determines a plurality of first dynamic thresholds and a plurality of second dynamic thresholds corresponding to at least one of the one or more sets of state category component data based upon a respective set of state category component data in the one or more sets of state category component data and a respective parameter in the plurality of parameters, and determines an impending trip of the device utilizing the plurality of first dynamic thresholds and the plurality of second dynamic thresholds.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an inspection system to inspect internal components of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inspection system includes an image recording assembly having one or more image recording devices, light sources, storage devices, and power supplies. The image recording assembly may be inserted into a compressor without removal of the compressor housing or disassembly of the compressor. The image recording assembly may be removably coupled to a rotary component of the compressor, e.g., a rotor blade, and used to record images of stationary components, e.g., stator vanes, of the compressor. The images may be inspected to identify wear and/or defects in the stationary components, e.g., stator vanes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an image recording assembly for recording images of a stator vane of a compressor and a mechanism configured to magnetically couple the image recording assembly to a rotor blade of a compressor. Additional systems are provided that include image recording assemblies. Methods implementing the disclosed systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a data acquisition system that generates time of arrival (TOA) data corresponding to a plurality of blades in a device, a central processing subsystem that determines features of each of the plurality of blades utilizing the TOA data, and evaluates the health of each of the plurality of blades based upon the determined features.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a compressor of a gas turbine is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of turbine data points, wherein the plurality of turbine data points may include one or more operating parameters, at least one of a computer discharge temperature (CTD), and one or more performance parameters. The plurality of turbine data points may be categorized based on the one or more operating parameters. A statistical variability measure of at least one of the CTD and the one or more performance parameters may be computed for each of the plurality of bands. An alarm indicator may be computed based on the at least one statistical variability measure. The method may also include combining two or more of the operating parameters, the CTD and the performance parameters using sensor fusion techniques. The alarm indicator may be computed based on the combined parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prediction of gas turbine trips due to component failures such as electro-hydraulic valve (gas control valve) system failures. Exemplary embodiments include prediction of gas turbine trips due to component failures, the method including collecting raw gas turbine operational data and using the raw gas turbine operational data to generate a prognostic indicator for the prediction of a turbine trip due to the failed gas control valves.

Abstract: A system includes an electrostatic precipitator, an electromagnetic sensor and a processor to locate spark locations. The electromagnetic sensor is used at various locations of the electrostatic precipitator to obtain data and process the same for locating sparks in electrostatic precipitators.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a compressor of a gas turbine is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of turbine data points, wherein the plurality of turbine data points may include one or more operating parameters, at least one of a computer discharge temperature (CTD), and one or more performance parameters. The plurality of turbine data points may be categorized based on the one or more operating parameters. A statistical variability measure of at least one of the CTD and the one or more performance parameters may be computed for each of the plurality of bands. An alarm indicator may be computed based on the at least one statistical variability measure. The method may also include combining two or more of the operating parameters, the CTD and the performance parameters using sensor fusion techniques. The alarm indicator may be computed based on the combined parameters.

Abstract: A Monitoring and Diagnostics System is provided, which includes a monitoring unit and a monitored unit remotely located from the monitoring unit. The System also includes communication means between the monitoring unit and the monitored unit. The monitored unit includes data acquisition means for providing fault data of the monitored unit and the communication means are adapted to communicate the fault data from the monitored unit to the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit includes a rules engine having a set of expert rules for analyzing the information contained in the fault data and being adapted to deduce diagnostics information from the rules and from the information. In addition, a communication method for communicating between a first Programmable Logic Controller and a second Programmable Logic Controller or a central unit is provided, in which a description file is provided.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an image recording assembly for recording images of a stator vane of a compressor and a mechanism configured to magnetically couple the image recording assembly to a rotor blade of a compressor. Additional systems are provided that include image recording assemblies. Methods implementing the disclosed systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for the monitoring of heat transfer devices. The method includes the acts of receiving data from a heat transfer device, and computing a performance indicator indicative of an incipient anomaly condition of the heat transfer device based upon the received data, and/or computing a normalized efficiency of the heat transfer device. The normalized efficiency represents a corrected efficiency that isolates effects of a process parameter on performance of the heat transfer device. The data represents a measurable process parameter or a change in a measurable process parameter in the heat transfer device. The method receives the data and computes a performance indicator to predict performance degradation of the heat transfer device over time based upon the received data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an inspection system to inspect internal components of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inspection system includes an image recording assembly having one or more image recording devices, light sources, storage devices, and power supplies. The image recording assembly may be inserted into a compressor without removal of the compressor housing or disassembly of the compressor. The image recording assembly may be removably coupled to a rotary component of the compressor, e.g., a rotor blade, and used to record images of stationary components, e.g., stator vanes, of the compressor. The images may be inspected to identify wear and/or defects in the stationary components, e.g.

Abstract: A system for rotor blade health monitoring include time of arrival (TOA) sensors and a controller comprising a processor configured for obtaining TOA signals indicative of times of arrival of rotating rotor blades from the respective TOA sensors and for determining initial features from the TOA signals; and a feature level fuser configured for fusing the initial features received from the processor for use in evaluating health of the rotating rotor blades.