With Inspection, Signaling, Indicating Or Measuring Means Patents (Class 415/118)
  • Publication number: 20100047058
    Abstract: A method for measuring temperature of a rotating body such as a steam turbine is provided. The method includes striking a light beam onto the rotating body onto the rotating body and measuring a reflectance of the light beam from the rotating body. The method further includes obtaining a temperature of the rotating body based upon the measured reflectance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company, a New York Corporation
    Inventors: Chayan Mitra, Ayan Banerjee, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Danian Zheng, Sandip Maity, Roy Paul Swintek
  • Publication number: 20100037777
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention measures a sample of the airstream, in real time, for at least one corrosive, before the airstream enters the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention may then initiate an on-line water wash system to reduce the level of the at least one corrosive on the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention also provides an on-line water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution reduces the corrosives on components of a turbomachine compressor. The cleaning solution may be an acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Dale J. Davis, Rahul J. Chillar, Eric Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 7661923
    Abstract: The invention provides a casing, equipment unit, fan unit and electronic equipment capable of easily implementing assembling, disassembling, attaching and so forth without using fixture components, tools, and so forth. The structure is made up of casing sections, hinge parts and a coupling part. The casing sections are made up of not less than two sections and enclosing a hosing space, and members for securing the housing space thereby. The hinge parts are members coupled with the casing sections and supporting each casing section. That is, not less than two casing sections couple the edge parts of each casing section, and bendably support each casing section. The coupling part is a member for restraining the casing sections positionally and maintaining and fixing the housing space. That is, the coupling parts detachably couple each casing section to hold the housing space on each casing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Naofumi Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20100023298
    Abstract: A device for determining distance between a rotor blade and a wall of a gas turbine surrounding the rotor blade is provided. A waveguide guides and emits electromagnetic waves in the direction of the rotor blade through a waveguide opening facing the rotor blade. The electromagnetic waves are injected into the waveguide and reflected portions of the electromagnetic waves are received. An evaluation unit compares the phase of the electromagnetic waves to be injected with the phase of the reflected portions of the electromagnetic waves and determines phase comparison values for every frequency and the distance is determined based on the phase comparison values. The waveguide includes two waveguide segments made from different materials having temperature stability and damping capacity increasing in the direction from the segment connected to the unit for injecting the waves to the segment having the waveguide opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Michael Willsch
  • Patent number: 7641441
    Abstract: A fan device for use in an electronic apparatus is proposed, the fan device being installed adjacent to a back-panel formed with an emitting diode component and composed of: a fan body, a fastening member and a light-guiding member, wherein the fan body is provided with a plurality of positioning holes for accommodating the light-guiding member, which is then fastened by the fastening member such that the end of the light-guiding member is close to the back panel to provide for a light source by means of the emitting diode of the back panel, allowing the light-guiding member to receive and guide the light to the front of the fan body, whereby the use can observe and judge if the fan device works normally or not from the varied brightness of light shown by the light-guiding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Peng Chuang
  • Publication number: 20090324389
    Abstract: A method of establishing a wheel space temperature alarm in a turbomachine includes calculating an expected wheel space temperature based on operating conditions, measuring an actual wheel space temperature, and signaling an over temperature condition if the actual wheel space temperature exceeds the expected wheel space temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Fischetti, Randy Scott Rosson, Kevin Wood Wilkes
  • Publication number: 20090297336
    Abstract: A thermal inspection method is provided. The method includes measuring a transient thermal response of a cooled part installed in a turbine engine, wherein the transient thermal response results from operation of the turbine engine. The method also includes using the transient thermal response to determine one or more of a flow rate of a fluid flowing through one or more film cooling holes in the cooled part during operation of the turbine engine, at least one heat transfer coefficient for one or more internal passages in the cooled part, and a combined thermal response for the cooled part. The method further includes comparing at least one of the flow rate, the at least one heat transfer coefficient, and the combined thermal response of at least a portion of the cooled part to at least one baseline value to determine whether a thermal performance of the cooled part is satisfactory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason Randolph Allen, Ronald Scott Bunker
  • Publication number: 20090290971
    Abstract: A seal monitoring and control system for a gas lubricated non-contacting seal includes various sensors providing signals to a programmable logic control system. The control system is disposed to determine a presence of an anomalous operating condition of the seal, for example, based on phase, relative position of rotor to stator or other signals in combination provided by the various sensors to provide an output signal, which in one embodiment performs at least one mitigating process to correct the anomalous operating condition by adjusting at least one operating parameter of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: John Crane Inc.
    Inventors: Elhanafi A. Shamseldin, Joe Delrahim, Paul A. Hosking, Joseph L. Savio, Vladimir Bakalchuk
  • Publication number: 20090280003
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring particulate in a flow of gases are provided. A particulate monitor system includes an emitter coupled to an exhaust duct and downstream from a turbine engine. The emitter emits light at a predetermined intensity through a flow of gases discharged from the turbine engine into the exhaust duct. A receiver is coupled to the exhaust duct and oriented to receive at least a portion of the light emitted from the emitter. The receiver generates a first signal indicative of an intensity of the emitted light received. A controller is coupled in communication with the receiver. The controller is configured to generate, based on the first signal, an output signal corresponding to a variation in intensity of the portion of the emitted light received. A monitor in communication with the controller receives the output signal from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Jesse Jay Schriner, Sabra Ingar Schriner, Terry Lewis Farmer, Joseph Patrick Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20090280002
    Abstract: A system for sensing at least one physical characteristic associated with an engine including a turbine having a plurality of blades turning inside a casing, the system including: a pressure sensor coupled substantially adjacent to the casing and including at least one output; a port in the turbine casing for communicating a pressure indicative of a clearance between the blades and casing to the pressure sensor; a cooling cavity substantially surrounding the pressure sensor; and, an inlet for receiving fluid from the engine and feeding the fluid to the cooling cavity to cool the pressure sensor; wherein, the pressure sensor output is indicative of the clearance between the blades and casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tonghuo Shang, Anthony D. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20090261989
    Abstract: A system and method of at least reducing the likelihood of a rotor lock in an aircraft gas turbine engine is provided. A determination is made that each propulsion gas turbine engine on an aircraft has experienced a flameout. The rotational speed of each propulsion gas turbine engine is compared to a predetermined threshold rotational speed and, if the rotational speed of each propulsion gas turbine engine is below the predetermined threshold rotational speed, a warning is supplied to a flight crew.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Chris D. Eick
  • Patent number: 7600964
    Abstract: A wind power plant is provided having a rotor which is rotatably supported with respect to a rotor axis by a bearing arrangement. A rotor blade is fixed to a rotor hub and extends therefrom radially outwardly, with respect to the rotor axis. The bearing arrangement includes a first bearing ring fixed to a support arrangement in a torque-proof manner and disposed coaxially with respect to the rotor axis, and a second bearing ring being rotatably, with respect to the rotor axis, supported on the first bearing ring and fixed to the rotor hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Rogall, Martin Eilting
  • Patent number: 7596953
    Abstract: A method of detecting onset of a gas turbine condition, such as compressor stall, includes receiving data indicative of an operating parameter of a compressor of the gas turbine. The method also includes performing a wavelet transformation on the data to generate wavelet transformed data. The wavelet transformation is configured to affect a processing characteristic regarding a performance of the wavelet transformation. Features indicative of onset of the gas turbine condition in the wavelet transformed data are then identified to provide an indication for controlling the gas turbine to prevent compressor stall from occurring. A system for detecting onset of compressor stall in a gas turbine includes a sensor for providing data indicative of an operating parameter of the compressor and a processor for performing a wavelet transform on the data to identify features of the optimized wavelet transformed data indicative of onset of stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Krok, Narayanan Venkateswaran, Mallikarjun Shivaraya Kande
  • Publication number: 20090246000
    Abstract: A method for determining total pressure distribution across a fan entry plane of a fan situated within a fan casing provided with struts which are positioned upstream of the fan, with respect to the normal air flow direction through the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Barry D Moore, Andrew C R Wood
  • Publication number: 20090235670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bleed air supply system and a safety device for closing a valve in at least one of the several bleed air supply lines depending on an alarm signal that indicates an opening in at least one of the several bleed air supply lines. To stop the supply of bleed air irrespective of the type of the bleed air source, the safety device comprises a filter device for generating the alarm signal depending on the ground connection signal and on an opening signal from an opening signal device that indicates any opening of the bleed air supply line that is connected to the high-pressure ground connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Norbert Rostek, Jürgen Rehbock
  • Publication number: 20090238679
    Abstract: A steam turbine includes a shaft operatively connecting a first turbine section and a second turbine section. A packing assembly is positioned about the shaft. A first conduit is fluidly connected to the packing assembly. The first conduit is configured to introduce a flow of low temperature, low pressure steam to the packing assembly. A second conduit is also fluidly connected to the packing assembly downstream from the first turbine section and upstream from the first conduit. The second conduit receives a portion of the high temperature, high pressure steam passing into the packing assembly from the first turbine section. A valve is fluidly connected to the second conduit. The valve is configured to be selectively operated so as to allow the high temperature, high pressure steam to mix with the low pressure, low temperature steam in the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nestor Hernandez, Dhaval Ramesh Bhalodia
  • Publication number: 20090231804
    Abstract: A cooling fan module is disclosed. The cooling fan module includes a module housing, a fan assembly, a fan control circuit board, and an electrical connector. The fan assembly is disposed within the module housing and includes a fan housing, a motor disposed within the fan housing, and a blade assembly coupled to the motor. The fan control circuit board is disposed between the module housing and the fan housing, and is coupled to the motor. The electrical connector is coupled to the fan control circuit board and projects outside of the module housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: John P. FRANZ, Troy A. Della Fiora, Joseph R. Allen, Wade D. Vinson
  • Publication number: 20090232638
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring radial motion of a rotating shaft of a turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a compressor and a turbine coupled to opposing ends of the shaft. The system includes a thrust collar including a cylindrical portion and a flange configured to radially extend from one end of the cylindrical portion. The thrust collar is configured to rotate with the shaft. A sensor is positioned within a separation of an outer surface of the thrust collar flange, and the sensor is configured to monitor the separation as indicative of the radial motion of the shaft. Additionally, a method is provided for monitoring radial motion of a rotating shaft of a turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Larry Gene Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090226302
    Abstract: A machine includes a static member and a moving member. The moving member includes a central hub and a moving component. The moving component includes a first end portion fixedly connected to the central hub, a second end portion and an intermediate portion. The second end portion of the moving member is spaced from the static member so as to form a gap. A transmitting element is mounted to one of the static member and the moving member. The transmitting element emits an acoustic wave having a predetermined frequency across the gap. A receiving element is mounted to the other of the static member and the moving member. The receiving element receives the acoustic wave from the transmitting element. The machine further includes a controller that determines a clearance distance extending between the moving member and the static member based on the acoustic wave passing across the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanley Frank Simpson, George Martin Gilchrist, William Michael Genovese
  • Publication number: 20090220333
    Abstract: A device for detecting a shaft rupture in a rotor of a turbine, in particular a medium-pressure turbine, of a gas turbine, in particular of an aircraft engine, at least one stator-side sensor element being positioned downstream from the turbine, in particular in the area of a stator-side blade ring of another turbine, in particular a low-pressure turbine, and, in case of a shaft rupture of the rotor of the turbine, a radially externally situated segment of a last (seen in the direction of flow) rotor-side blade ring of the turbine working together with the, or with each, sensor element to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the shaft rupture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Bilson, Derek Dewey, Andrew Cox
  • Patent number: 7578164
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a turbine nozzle segment includes positioning the turbine nozzle segment on a base of a tool, with the outer forward face and the inner forward face of the turbine nozzle segment contacting a surface of the base. The outer wall is positioned between a first pedestal outer stand and a second pedestal outer stand of the tool, and the inner wall is positioned between a first pedestal inner stand and a second pedestal inner stand of the tool. At least one of a position, a depth and a width of a seal slot formed in a side edge of the outer wall and/or the inner wall is measured. At least one axial dimension of the turbine nozzle segment and at least one radial dimension of the turbine nozzle segment are measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar, Benjamin Erick Baker
  • Publication number: 20090202340
    Abstract: An inspection port plug device is provided for sealing three or more oppositely placed inspection ports in a multi-chambered gas turbine engine. An embodiment of the inspection port plug device includes a cap and at least two shafts coupled end-to-end. A first shaft includes a first end coupled to the cap and a second end having a first sealing plug, wherein the first sealing plug includes a recess. A second shaft includes a third end coupled to the first sealing plug within the recess and a fourth end having a second sealing plug. The first shaft and the second shaft also include a first biasing mechanism and a second biasing mechanism, respectively, for maintaining the seals at the first and second sealing plugs when the inspection port plug device is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Henry G. Ballard, JR.
  • Patent number: 7574035
    Abstract: An inspection system for locating multiple features on an exterior of an object includes a fixture, a camera, a computer and software. The fixture secures the object and includes a plurality of nest points for mating with specific positions on the exterior of the object, and a reference point located at a specific position relative to the nest points and within a best-plane of the object. The camera is positioned normal to the best-plane of the object and obtains video imaging of a plurality of the features and the reference point. The computer communicates with the camera and collects the video imaging. The software determines the actual parameters of the features relative to the reference point based on the video imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Koonankeil
  • Patent number: 7571057
    Abstract: A degradation monitoring system including: a machine; a sensor affixed to the machine, the sensors measuring a operational parameters of the machine; a set of filters receptive of information about the machine from the sensors and the filters responsively generate status signals; and comparators for comparing the status signals to stored signals, wherein the comparators indicate at least one of a presence of degradation of the machine, or a cause of degradation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fernando Javier D'Amato, Vivek Venugopal Badami, Jitendra Kumar
  • Publication number: 20090190625
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining fan rotation direction. A first temperature detection module detects a first temperature at a first location between a fan and a heat generating device. The fan provides cooling for the heat generating device by drawing air from the heat generating device across the first location to the fan when the fan is rotating in a first direction. A second temperature detection module detects a second temperature at a second location where the heat generating device is between the second location and the fan such that heat from the heat generating device is drawn away from the second location when the fan is rotating in the first direction. A temperature comparison module determines if the second temperature is above the first temperature. A fan rotation error module generates a fan rotation error signal if the second temperature is above the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chu Te Chung, C. Charles Dishman, Jen-Ching Lin, Randhir S. Malik
  • Patent number: 7563070
    Abstract: A cooling fan (100) includes a frame (10), a circuit board (20) and a rotor (30). The frame includes a housing (12) and a plate (14) connecting with the housing. The circuit board is mounted on the plate. The rotor is received in the housing and includes a hollow hub (32) and a plurality of blades (38) extending from the hub. A plurality of light emitting diodes (40) is mounted on the circuit board. When the rotor rotates, each LED projects light towards the rotor and to the frame so that the light will be reflected and deflected by the fan whereby the whole fan glows and produces a fantastic visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Lin, Hong-Bo Xu
  • Patent number: 7559739
    Abstract: Movement system (10) for the inspection of a turbine (40) of the type equipped with a shaft (42) having a series of blades, which is coupled with a shaft (72) of a compressor (70) by means of a loading joint (80), the system (10) comprises a crank rotation mechanism (20) in turn comprising a reducer group (24) for rotating the shaft (42) of the turbine (40) to allow the inspection of the series of blades by means of a boroscope, avoiding the necessity of decoupling the turbine (40) from the compressor (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Colonna, Lorenza Sassolini, Luca Poli
  • Publication number: 20090169363
    Abstract: A compression system is disclosed, the compression system comprising a stator stage having a row of a plurality of stator vanes arranged around a centerline axis, each stator vane having a vane airfoil and at least one plasma actuator located on the stator stage. Exemplary embodiments of a detection system for detecting an instability in a compression system rotor and a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Aspi Rustom Wadia, Seyed Gholamali Saddoughi, Clark Leonard Applegate
  • Publication number: 20090169357
    Abstract: A method for correcting offsets in sensors includes mounting, on a rotating machine, a first set of sensors in locations selected to measure vector loads in a first set of coordinates. The method further includes mounting, on the rotating machine, a second set of sensors in locations selected to measure vector loads in a second set of coordinates, wherein the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates rotate with respect to one another when the rotating machine is operating. The method also includes utilizing measurements from either or both of the two sets of sensors to correct offset errors in vector loads measured by the other set of sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Peter Slack
  • Publication number: 20090169364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stator (100-1000) with a profiled helical bore (106,206,306,606,706,806,906,1006) having a cast material layer (102;202;302;602;702;802;902;1002) with transducers (104A-104D;304;604A-604D;710;804;904A-904C;1010) disposed therein and describes the methods of forming such stators. Cast material can be fluidic during displacing of a transducer therein. Cast material layer 202 can include housings (218,222) disposed therein and/or a cavity 226 formed therein. Transducer can be a sensor (104A-104C) and/or an actuator 104D. Transducer 804 can extend axially along a length of the stator 800. Transducer or plurality of transducers (904A-904C) can extend along a helical path. Additionally or alternatively, sleeve 1008 can include a transducer 1010.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Geoff Downton
  • Publication number: 20090169362
    Abstract: An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor during the operation of the rotor, a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor when the onset of instability is detected by the detection system, a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Aspi Rustom Wadia, Seyed Gholamali Saddoughi, Clark Leonard Applegate
  • Publication number: 20090169356
    Abstract: A compression system is disclosed, the compression system comprising a rotor having a circumferential row of blades each blade having a blade tip, a static component located radially outwardly and apart from the blade tips, a detection system for detecting an instability in the rotor during the operation of the rotor, and a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor when an instability is detected by the detection system. A gas turbine engine comprising a detection system for detecting an instability during the operation of the fan section and a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the fan section is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Aspi Rustom Wadia, Seyed Gholamali Saddoughi, Clark Leonard Applegate
  • Patent number: 7553125
    Abstract: A method of calibrating the mass of components intended to be mounted at the periphery of a rotor, the method consisting, for each of the components, in removing by machining a volume of material in a region of the component situated on one of its axes of inertia in order to bring the mass of the component to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Stephane Audic, Eric Jacques Lefebvre, Thierry Nitre
  • Publication number: 20090162191
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a turbo-machinery blade breakage monitoring unit and a turbo-apparatus having the same. The blade breakage monitoring unit includes a pressure sensor disposed near a rotor having a plurality of blades to be rotated at a predetermined speed, the pressure sensor functioning to measure total pressures of the respective blades. The blade breakage monitoring unit further includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor and functioning to judge whether or not each measured total pressure value, transmitted from the pressure sensor, is within a preset criterion total pressure range. With the use of the blade breakage monitoring unit, total pressures of the respective blades are monitored in real time at a position downstream of the blades when the blades are rotated at a high speed within the turbo-apparatus, such as a turbine, compressor and fan, enabling real-time monitoring of breakage of the blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jeong Seek KANG, Bong Jun CHA, Iee Ki AHN
  • Publication number: 20090152870
    Abstract: A tandem axial turbine comprises a front, confusor funnel-shaped runner having inner blades and capable of accelerating and directing an oncoming flow toward a co-axial rear runner which rotates in an opposite direction. A tangential turbine has a hub, blades capable of rotating in relation to the hub between positions across and along the flow, and a propulsion springs for controlling the movement of the blades in relation to the hub and the transfer of the energy. A second tangential turbine comprises a runner having a hub and blades and a shroud capturing the runner from above and around and permitting the blades to dip into water flowing immediately below the hub and an opening of the shroud. A surface vessel comprises a stabilized frame rotatably affixed on a vessel hull about a center of wave induced rocking motions of the vessel and therefore isolated from a rocking motion of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Vladimir Anatol Shreider, Natalia Shreider
  • Publication number: 20090148278
    Abstract: This invention relates to an abradable coating system for use in axial turbine engines. When coated onto a turbine ring seal segment the coating system may allow formation of an individualized seal between turbine blade disks and the surrounding ring seal without causing excessive wear to the blade tips. The abradable coating system includes columns of an abradable material. Thus, interference between the blades and the abradable coating system causes the individual columns to break off at the base. This abrasion mechanism may reduce blade wear and spalling of the coating system when compared to conventional coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: David B. Allen
  • Publication number: 20090148270
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to a device for the detection of a shaft fracture in a rotor of a turbine, for example a medium pressure turbine such as a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, whereby at least one stator-side sensor element is positioned downstream from the turbine in the area of a stator-side guide vane ring of another turbine in particular, a low pressure turbine; and whereby a radially inner section of the last rotor-side moving blade ring (as seen in the direction of flow) of the turbine cooperates with at least one sensor element directly and/or proximally in the event of a shaft fracture in the rotor of the turbine to generate an electric signal corresponding to the shaft fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Alastair McIntosh, Christopher Bilson
  • Patent number: 7540704
    Abstract: A system for sensing at least one physical characteristic associated with an engine including a turbine having a plurality of blades turning inside a casing, the system including: a pressure sensor coupled substantially adjacent to the casing and including at least one output; a port in the turbine casing for communicating a pressure indicative of a clearance between the blades and casing to the pressure sensor; a cooling cavity substantially surrounding the pressure sensor; and, an inlet for receiving fluid from the engine and feeding the fluid to the cooling cavity to cool the pressure sensor; wherein, the pressure sensor output is indicative of the clearance between the blades and casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tonghuo Shang, Anthony D. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20090123269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to detecting breakage of a shaft of a turbomachine, in particular of the aviation type. The invention relates in particular to a device designed to perform such detection. According to the invention, the device for detecting breakage of a turbomachine shaft comprises: a shaft having an upstream end and a downstream end; a rod having an upstream end and a downstream end, and placed coaxially inside the shaft, the downstream end of the rod being securely fastened to the downstream end of the shaft and the upstream end of the rod being free to rotate relative to the upstream and of the shaft; and a sensor suitable for detecting a difference in speed of rotation between the upstream end of the rod and the upstream end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jacques Rene BART, Didier Rene Andre ESCURE, Cedric MAGRET, Stephane ROUSSELIN
  • Patent number: 7527471
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a turbine stator vane includes coupling an airfoil to a vane stem wherein the airfoil includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall and wherein the first and second sidewalls are joined at a leading edge and at an axially-spaced trailing edge The method further includes forming an opening at least partially through the vane stem that is sized to receive a light probe therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jan Christopher Schilling
  • Publication number: 20090097959
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the power output efficiency of a power generation system based on an operator input. A processor is coupled to the input means and (i) receives the generated operator command, (ii) receives a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, (iii) receives a plurality of detected engine. performance parameters, (iv) determines first and second engine control commands based on the received pilot thrust command, the detected ambient environmental conditions, and the engine performance parameters, and (v) outputs control commands to optimize the efficiency of the power generation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: David W. Vos, Benjamin Russ
  • Publication number: 20090090182
    Abstract: A system and method can be utilized to determine an out of balance condition of a rotor having a plurality of blades. The system monitors a clearance between the blades and an associated housing. By looking at a center of that clearance information, a determination can be made of the magnitude of imbalance of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Eric B. Holmquist
  • Publication number: 20090087303
    Abstract: A device operating in an environment includes a fiber optic sensing system having one or more fiber optic sensors disposed in the device and configured to detect one or more parameters related to the device. The parameters may include temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric John Ruggiero, Kevin Thomas McCarthy, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Hua Xia, Bala Corattiyil, Kenneth Lee Fisher
  • Publication number: 20090081026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a system for monitoring at least one wind turbine component including a closed fluid circulating system with a fluid reservoir. The monitoring system comprises, means for establishing a level value of the fluid systems reservoir, and means for establishing at least one environmental value of the fluid systems reservoir or the surroundings of the system. The level value and the at least one environmental value contributing to defining the fluid systems functionality, and the monitoring system further comprises means for establishing a monitoring value on the basis of the level value and the at least one environmental value. The invention further relates to a method for monitoring at least one wind turbine component including a closed fluid circulating system with a fluid reservoir and a system for monitoring a mechanical and/or electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Jens Demtroder, Steen Lund, Lars Skifter
  • Publication number: 20090073731
    Abstract: A method for detecting a performance degradation of a fan in a power converter is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a speed of the fan and detecting the performance degradation of the fan based, at least in part, on the monitored speed. The method further includes generating a warning signal after detecting the performance degradation of the fan. According to another aspect, a power converter includes a fan and a processor operably coupled to the fan for monitoring a speed of the fan. The processor is configured for detecting a performance degradation of the fan based, at least in part, on the monitored fan speed. The processor generates a warning signal after detecting the performance degradation of the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Vijay Phadke, Gordon Currie, Arlaindo Asuncion
  • Publication number: 20090067989
    Abstract: Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include an occlusion sensor system that communicates with control circuitry to detect the presence of an occlusion. In some embodiments, the occlusion sensor system includes first components that are located within a disposable and non-reusable pump device, and second components that are located within a reusable controller device, the second components being in operable communication with the first components to determine whether a fluid is flowing from the pump device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: M2 MEDICAL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark C. Estes, Mitchell Wenger, John W. Sadler
  • Publication number: 20090067990
    Abstract: A method for determining the deflection and/or strain of an elongated member of a component is provided, in which a first point (16) and a second point (17) are assigned to the same side (11, 12) of an elongated member of the component, wherein the deflection and/or strain of the elongated member is determined by determining the distance between the second point (17) and a third point (18), which is connected to the first point (16) by an inflexible support (5), whereby the distance between the first point (16) and the third point (18) is considerably longer than the distance between the second point (17) and the third point (18), and wherein the distance between the second point (17) and the third point (18) is determined in time steps and the frequency of the change of the distance is analysed to detect frequency changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Peder Bay Enevoldsen, Ib Frydendal
  • Patent number: 7500299
    Abstract: A method to introduce a deliberate mismatch into a turbomachine bladed wheel so as to reduce vibration amplitudes of the wheel in forced response. The method includes a step of determining an optimum value of the standard deviation for the mismatch as a function of operating conditions of the wheel inside the turbomachine, with respect to the maximum vibration amplitude response required on the wheel. The method further includes a step of at least partly placing blades with different natural frequencies on the wheel such that the standard deviation of the frequency distribution of all blades is equal to at least the mismatch value, the mismatch value being determined statistically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jérôme Dupeux, Christian Dupont, Jean-Pierre Lombard, Eric Seinturier
  • Publication number: 20090060716
    Abstract: A compressor casing for an exhaust gas turbocharger is disclosed. The exhaust gas turbocharger has a rotatable turboshaft, a compressor wheel mounted on the turboshaft, and a turbine wheel mounted on the turboshaft. The compressor casing includes a sensor for measuring a rotational speed of the turboshaft. The sensor is embedded in the compressor casing and forms an integral component of the compressor casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch
  • Publication number: 20090063003
    Abstract: A method and controller for identifying lean blowout conditions in a Dry Low NOx (DLN) combustor during a premix mode. An effective approach to quickly and reliably identify a blowout during operation in the premix mode is by the effect on fuel normalized power (FNP). FNP is a useful signal, in that a power reduction from a blowout may be distinguished much slower changes in power resulting from global fuel demand (changing load request). A difference between the FNP and a filtered FNP parameter may be compared against a predetermined threshold. If the difference exceeds the threshold, a lean blowout is identified and a signal may be transmitted to the turbine controller to reposition combustor operation away from blowout conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher T. Meadows, Douglas E. Dean, Jason D. Fuller, William F. Seely