Abstract: A turbine includes: a plurality of turbine blades arranged within a casing, the arrangement including a clearance between tips of the blades and the casing; a plurality of manifolds disposed proximate to the casing opposite the clearance, wherein each of the manifolds includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface thereof; a source of clearance information; and a source of cooling air for supplying cooling air through a plurality of flow control devices to selected ones of the manifolds according to the clearance information. A system and a method are also provided.

Abstract: A gas turbine including a compressor, the gas turbine including a sensor for measuring a clearance of blades in the compressor; and a controller for receiving clearance information and using the information to control the gas turbine for prevention of at least one of a surge and rubbing of the blades.

Abstract: A cooling fan includes: a casing having a surrounding wall that defines an accommodating space; a circuit board disposed in the accommodating space and including a substrate and a control circuit, the substrate having a center portion that has a peripheral edge, and a plurality of spaced apart connecting beams that extend from the peripheral edge of the center portion and that are connected directly and securely to the surrounding wall; a hollow shaft secured directly to and protruding from the circuit board into the accommodating space; a stator mounted securely on the center portion of the substrate of the circuit board and coupled to the control circuit; a fan blade unit disposed in the accommodating space and including an annular hub journalled rotatably to the hollow shaft; and a rotor mounted on the hub.

Abstract: In an exhaust-gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust-gas turbine arranged in an exhaust strand of the internal combustion engine and a compressor arranged in an intake tract and connected to the exhaust gas turbine so as to be driven thereby, the compressor including a compressor wheel and a compressor housing surrounding the compressor wheel and having an inlet duct, a dynamic pressure probe is provided upstream of the compressor wheel in the inlet duct for measuring at least the total pressure in the air flow into the compressor.

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 and system for determining a limit exceedance of an operating parameter in a steam turbine system. Measurement data associated with the operating parameter is received, and a limit exceedance is determined when the rate of change in the received data over a predefined period of time exceeds a predefined limit. A control action is taken when a limit exceedance has been determined.

Abstract: The invention is a method for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine engine having a flowpath extending therethrough, and a system for carrying out the method. The method includes acquiring a first nonpulsating pressure signal PC representative of tip clearance, sensing a second pressure PB substantially unaffected by tip clearance, forming an actual ratio of the acquired pressure and the sensed pressure, determining an error E having an actual component and a desired component, the actual component being a function of the actual ratio; and commanding a clearance control system to reduce the error.

Abstract: The fan has a support structure (11), an impeller (16) supported by a shaft (26) coupled to a drive motor (24), and at least one ball bearing (30, 32) interposed between the shaft (26) and the support structure (11), the fan having means (40) of monitoring the ageing of the bearings, the means (40) of monitoring the ageing including: a temperature sensor (42, 43) fitted on at least one bearing (30, 32); a processing circuit (44) connected to the temperature sensor (42, 43) and capable of providing an indicator representing the measured temperature and of evaluating the indicator, or each indicator, with respect to at least one predetermined criterion. The temperature sensor is fitted directly on a bearing race in contact with the support structure.

Abstract: A fan detecting apparatus for detecting operation of at least two fans includes at least two airflow detecting units with two signal transmitting terminals, a judging unit with at least one judging terminal, and at least two identity indicating units electrically coupled to the corresponding at least two airflow detecting units respectively. The airflow detecting units detect airflow of the fans, and output control signals to corresponding identity indicating units when airflow from corresponding fans is no longer detected. Each of the identity indicating units has an identity code corresponding to a fan which is electrically coupled to the airflow detecting unit, and transmits the identity code to the judging terminal of the judging unit when it receives the control signal. The judging unit indicates which of the fans is no longer producing detectable airflow according to the identity codes received at its judging terminal.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a nacelle, a fan casing within the nacelle, a variable area fan nozzle, a sensor and a controller. The sensor detects an airfoil flutter condition. The controller communicates with the sensor and is operable to move the variable area fan nozzle to influence a discharge airflow area in response to the detection of the airfoil flutter condition.

Abstract: A method for detecting a surge condition during operation of a gas turbine engine includes detecting a change of pressure differential between fuel flows in a fuel system of the engine during engine operation.

Abstract: There is provided a non-contact, passively suspended blood pump that includes (a) a housing; (b) a pump rotor within the housing, wherein the pump rotor has a first end and a second end, and an axis of rotation; (c) a first axial thrust bearing across a first axial gap, between the first end and the housing, that axially suspends the first end; (d) a second axial thrust bearing across a second axial gap, between the second end and the housing, that axially suspends the second end; (e) a first radial hydrodynamic bearing that radially suspends the first end; and (f) a second radial hydrodynamic bearing that radially suspends the second end. Determining pump differential pressure by monitoring rotor axial position allows automatic physiologic control.

Abstract: Sensors (32, 52, 72) for determining a gap between a conductive member (34, 54, 74) such as a blade in a gas turbine engine and a seal segment (31, 51) are known to use capacitive variants in order to create an electrical signal indicative of the gap width. Thermal disparities can create problems with regard to sensor ageing and accuracy. By creating a sensor incorporating a metal rod (33, 53, 74) typically integrally formed or associated with the seal segment (31, 51) and coupled through inductive coupling loops (35, 36; 55, 56; 75) it is possible to create a tuned circuit with a Q value which is more stable and therefore acceptable with regard to producing more accurate results at elevated temperatures with less problems with regard to thermal disparities.

Abstract: A method for detecting rubbing between components in a steam turbine, the method includes: sensing a temperature at a plurality of locations on a casing of the steam turbine; comparing the sensed temperatures of the plurality of locations; detecting the rubbing between the components if one of the plurality of locations has a higher sensed temperature than the sensed temperature at the other plurality of locations, and reporting the rub as being at a location near the one of the plurality of locations having the higher sensed temperature.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting and controlling rotating stall in the diffuser region of a compressor. A pressure transducer is placed in the gas flow path downstream of the impeller, preferably in the compressor discharge passage or the diffuser, to measure the sound or acoustic pressure phenomenon. Next, the signal from the pressure transducer is processed either using analog or digital techniques to determine the presence of rotating stall. Rotating stall is detected by comparing the detected energy amount, which detected energy amount is based on the measured acoustic pressure, with a predetermined threshold amount corresponding to the presence of rotating stall. Finally, an appropriate corrective action is taken to change the operation of the compressor in response to the detection of rotating stall.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with monitoring combustion dynamics in a gas turbine engine environment are described herein. In one embodiment of a system for monitoring combustion dynamics in a gas turbine engine environment, the system includes a transducer and an optical fiber. The transducer is positioned within the gas turbine engine environment, and the transducer includes a diaphragm, a window, and a Fabry-Perot gap. The diaphragm has a reflective surface, and the window has a partially reflective surface. The Fabry-Perot gap is formed between the reflective surface of the diaphragm and the partially reflective surface of the window. The optical fiber is positioned proximate to the window and directs light into the Fabry-Perot gap and receiving light reflected from the Fabry-Perot gap.

Abstract: The fan comprises a support structure, a wheel which is carried by a shaft which is coupled to a drive motor and at least one ball-bearing which is interposed between the shaft and the support structure, the support structure comprising an outer conduit which encloses a bulb-like portion which has a chassis for supporting the drive motor and the wheel, the outer conduit and the bulb-like portion delimiting an annular channel for circulation of air which is caused to move by the wheel, the fan comprising means for monitoring the ageing of the bearings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing pressure in a hostile environment are described. In one example embodiment, a microwave radar based sensor is provided. The sensor is coupled to a signal conditioning unit. The signal conditioning unit includes at least one of a processor configured to determine a sensor value and a memory having pre-stored values therein, the pre-stored values representing possible sensor values. Each pre-stored value is assigned a respective pressure. The method includes operating the signal conditioning unit to sample a signal generated by the sensor, operating the signal conditioning unit to correlate a characteristic of the sampled signal to a pre-stored value having an assigned pressure, and operating the signal conditioning unit to generate a signal representative of the assigned pressure of the pre-stored value that is correlated to the sampled signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pumping drilling fluid (mud) containing drill cuttings, comprising a centrifugal pump with screw pump accelerator. The screw pump creating positive pressure for centrifugal pump inlet to increase performance. The screw pump mud level fluctuations are compensated by the vertical screw pumping unit. Adjusting the elevation of pump will adjust the quantity of mud pumping, which is not possible with ether one pump alone. Air is allowed to mix with the mud in the centrifugal pump to create air bubbles to decrease density of the mixture and decrease the head pressure.

Abstract: A tool has a flange attached to an engine housing. A primary cam is rotated to advance segments into the housing and a second rotational cam causes the segments to turn relative to each other as they are being inserted into the housing. This causes the segments to follow a predetermined path as they extend into the housing to bring a sensor at the end of the segments into a sensing position.

Abstract: A turbine engine includes a target structure, for example, a rotating turbine blade. A probe is arranged near the target structure for communicating a detection frequency relative to the target structure for gathering information such as tip clearance. A housing is arranged adjacent to the target structure. In one example, the housing is a blade outer air seal. The housing includes a structural material that supports a window material. The window material is arranged between the probe and the target structure. The window material is transparent to the detection frequency permitting the detection frequency to pass through the window to the target structure for measurement of its position relative to the housing. The window material prevents probe contamination and provides a seal between the cooling path and turbine gas flow path.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a component using a tool includes determining an actual property of a region of the component, comparing the actual property of the region of the component with an expected property of the region to determine a difference between the actual property and the expected property, and updating a path of the tool that is electronically stored in a memory and executable by a processor for fabricating the component based on the difference between the actual property and the expected property of the region.

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.

Abstract: A ceiling medallion includes a first disk component having a first outer circumferential edge and a first diameter; and a second disk component having a second outer circumferential edge and a second diameter. The second diameter of the second disk component is less than the first diameter of the first disk component; the first disk component defines a central opening extending there through; the second disk component is disposed in overlying concentric relation to the first disk component; and the first disk component and the second disk component are disposed at a fixed spaced relation to each other such that a gap exists between the second outer circumferential edge of the second disk component and the first disk component, and such that an air passageway extends between the gap and the central opening defined in the first disk component.

Abstract: Condition-based monitoring functionality using sensors that monitor wind turbine component movement. A main shaft flange displacement sensor system can be used to provide signals used to perform fatigue assessment of the wind turbine rotor blades as well as drive train components. Output signals from the main shaft flange displacement sensor system are used to perform fatigue assessment, failure trending, diagnostic analysis, etc.

Abstract: A limit switch 6 is placed on an end portion of the trip rod 4, which converts the mechanical deviation of the trip rod 4 into an electrical signal. The electrical signal from the limit switch 6 is transmitted to quick acting solenoid valves placed in a drive unit for a steam valve via a sequence circuit device, and then the steam valve is closed. Accordingly, an equipment structure can be simplified and reliability can be improved as compared to conventional arts.

Abstract: Wind turbine systems, monitoring systems, and processes for measuring stress in a wind turbine blade generally includes embedding and or disposing optical glass fibers on a surface of the wind turbine blade and monitoring light transmission through the optical glass fiber. A reduction or loss of transmission indicates that the tensile strength of the optical glass fiber has been exceeded, which directly correlates to the level of stress exposed to the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A wind turbine is provided having a lidar wind speed measurement apparatus for achieving wind control. The lidar apparatus is arranged to scan the area in front of the wind turbine so as to generate a measurement of the wind speed across the wind field. The lidar apparatus may be located in the hub of the wind turbine and the look direction inclined away from the rotational axis so that rotation of the hub ensures scanning. Preferably the lidar apparatus has a plurality of look directions so as to increase the scanning rate. This may be achieved by having a number of dedicated lidar systems and/or by using multiplexed lidars. Measurement of the wind field allows improved control of the wind turbine giving efficiency and reduced wear benefits.

Abstract: A wind turbine with a sensor that measures the out-of-plane deflection of the blades and a controller that uses the signal from the sensor to determine the risk of a tower strike. The controller takes any necessary action to prevent a tower strike when it determines that the risk of a strike is high. The sensor can include strain gages or accelerometers mounted on the blades or it can include a fixed sensor mounted on the side of the tower to measure tower clearance as the blade passes by. The control action taken can include pitching blades, yawing the nacelle, or stopping the turbine. The controller is preferably a fuzzy logic controller.

Abstract: An electric fan assembly has a rotating fan blade mounted with an array of light emitting devices; a thermistor mounted on the fan blade and providing an analog signal corresponding to a sensed temperature, a fan blade position synchronizing switch and a microcontroller and display driver having an analog to digital converter. The microcontroller and display driver is connected to receive the signals from the thermistor and synchronizing switch and programmed to selectively power the light emitting devices when the fan blade is in a synchronized position to provide an alpha numeric display of the ambient temperature by a persistence-of-vision effect.

Abstract: A space 4 constituted by a sound absorption panel section 1 and active sound absorption control system section 2 between the inner and outer walls of a nacelle forming an engine intake/exhaust duct is utilized as an acoustic resonance field and as a sound absorption field by sticking a porous sound absorption material 14 onto the inside wall surface of the space. The panel section 1 defines a sound absorption space by means of surface plate 6 made of a perforated plate and wire mesh materials plate, panel construction side plate 9 and back sheet plate 13 having porous sound absorption material stuck thereon; and a movement-controlled reflective plate 8, that is capable of movement/rotation control with respect to said perforated plate, is provided within this sound absorption space. Movement of the reflective plate 8 is controlled utilizing the adaptive feed forward control method by means of the output from an active sound absorption control system section 2.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention related to a system for providing advance notice of impending contact between a stationary component and a rotating component in a turbine engine. For example, the system can be used to warn of potential contact between a seal holder and a rotor disk in the compressor section of the engine. In one embodiment, a pad or other component can be provided on the stationary seal holder. If the seal holder and the rotor disk approach each other during operation, the pad can contact the rotor disk prior to actual contact between the seal holder and the rotor disk. An optical and/or an acoustic signal can be generated by such contact. The signals can be detected remotely from the point of contact by a signal detection device, thereby avoiding the need to pass wires through the compressor section.

Abstract: Such a gas turbine is provided as can put into practical use a control technology which detects clearance between the tip of rotating blade and the inner circumference surface of ring segment surrounding them and adjusts the temperature, the pressure and the flow volume of the cooling fluid for blade rings/ring segments and the cooling fluid for rotors based on the output. A sensor is provided to detect the clearance between the tip of the rotating blade and the inner circumference surface of the ring segment. A sensor is integrated together with a first guide pipe by having a posterior portion thereof screwed together to a secondary pipe being installed to an edge of the first guide pipe inside of which a cooling fluid is introduced into. The first guide pipe is pressed to the blade ring from the outside of the casing so as to retain.

Abstract: A rotor system is provided whereby a rotary assembly such as a fan blade combination in a jet engine is brought into rub contact with a casing such that sensors detect vibration. The casing is then retreated in order to open the gap to a desired value for engine performance. In such circumstances, the rub contact position is defined as a base datum reference from which distance the casing is displaced in order to provide the specified gap for engine performance and efficiency.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wind park comprising a plurality of wind power installations which are arranged around a building to be protected. The invention provides that a small distance (as small as possible) is provided between the wind power installations and/or the building.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating an air current, in particular for cooling or heating electric components or sub-assemblies. The aim of the invention is to develop a device of this type in order to incorporate an additional air-current monitor in a simple and cost-effective manner, thus ensuring the reliable and accurate monitoring of the ventilation process. The achieve this, the device is provided with an integrated air-current monitor on a housing part, the latter surrounding and/or being allocated to the fan. Said monitor is positioned in such a way that it is situated in the air current.

Abstract: The process of attaching turbines to water mains, water towers, sewage lines, aqueducts, and various pipelines so as to capture the kinetic energy of pressurized fluid traveling through these mediums and changing the kinetic energy to electric energy by means of a generator and conducting this new electricity to the nearest power substation by means of a conduction pipe. By consumer demand for utilities such as water and sewage to be taken to and away from homes and businesses, these consumers will be making their own electricity that they will then buy back from the utility companies. With more and more people buying homes and starting businesses, there will be many new utility consumers on top of the already existing consumers, which means that the potential and scope of using the process for making cleanly generated electricity is limitless and universal.

Abstract: Vertical and horizontal wind shears, yaw misalignment and/or turbulence act together to produce asymmetric loading across a wind turbine rotor. The resultant load produces bending moments in the blades that are reacted through the hub and subsequently to the low-speed shaft. As a result, the main shaft and main shaft flange are displaced from their at rest or non-aerodynamic load positions. The amount of shaft flange displacement is measured using one or more sensors. The output signals from the sensors are used to determine the magnitude and/or the orientation of the resultant rotor load. This information is used to effect the blade pitch change needed to reduce the load and thereby reduce fatigue and loading on various turbine components.

Abstract: A method of determining diagnostic limits for a vane position sensing system installed in a variable nozzle turbocharger (VNT). The method includes defining mechanical input probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the VNT, describing the vane position sensing system in terms of component models and defining component parameter PDFs for parameters associated with the component models. Vane position signal PDFs based are generated on the mechanical input PDFs, the component models and the component parameter PDFs, and diagnostic limits are set for the vane position sensing system based on the vane position signal PDFs.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for testing the operation of a rotary flow device, such as a turbine or compressor of a turbocharger with a variable-geometry mechanism, such as adjustable vanes, is provided. The system includes a flow generator configured to provide a flow of gas through the device, a power source configured to adjust a position of the variable vanes or other variable-geometry mechanism of the device, and a controller configured to selectively control the adjustment of the position of the vanes. The controller and power source can be configured to actuate the variable vanes to at least one predetermined position so that an operational condition of the device can be determined according to the flow of air through the device. For example, the system can detect the operation of a valve or other adjustment device that controls the position of the vanes. Further, the system can monitor the flow of gas through the device to detect the configuration and operability of the vanes.

Abstract: A system for determining whether a centrifugal pump assembly is degraded as operating outside of acceptable operating limits and includes a processor adapted by software to perform the steps of automatically characterizing the pump characteristics at a predetermined operating level and testing for degradation using the automatically acquired pump characteristics.

Abstract: In a method for determination of a surge limit warning (W) for a turbocompressor, or a warning of blade damage, at least two measurement signals (p1, p2; {tilde over (p)}1, {tilde over (p)}2), are determined, a periodicity value (W1; {tilde over (W)}1) is calculated from at least one of the measurement signals (p1, p2; {tilde over (p)}1, {tilde over (p)}2), indicating a measure for the occurrence of periodic signal level changes in the at least one measurement signal (p1, p2; {tilde over (p)}1, {tilde over (p)}2) for a predetermined first time offset (t1), a correlation value (W2; {tilde over (W)}2) is calculated from the at least two measurement signals (p1, p2; {tilde over (p)}1, {tilde over (p)}2), indicating a measure for the similarity of the at least two measurement signals (p1, p2; {tilde over (p)}1, {tilde over (p)}2) to one another for a predetermined second time offset (t2), and the surge limit warning (W) or the warning of blade damage (W) is determined from the periodicity value (W1; {tilde over (

Abstract: A system that enables enhanced air flow to the air intake of an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger is disclosed. The air induction system includes a plenum or expansion chamber located within the area directly in front of the inlet of the turbocharger. Alternatively, the air induction system may include a diffuser and/or an expansion chamber for reducing the velocity of the air flow within the clean air duct in an area directly in front of the inlet of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A method for determining rotor blade deflection, wherein a rotor blade is coupled to a hub, includes coupling a first end of a beam to the rotor blade, positioning a second end of the beam adjacent the hub, measuring the deflection of the beam using at least one sensor, and determining the deflection of the blade based on the deflection of the beam.

Abstract: A vane assembly includes a vane having a main axis, a first passageway within the vane substantially parallel to the main axis, and a second passageway aligned with the first passageway. The vane has a window portion between the first passageway and the second passageway. The vane assembly also includes a sensor inserted in the first passageway and having a portion held in place in the second passageway, wherein a portion of the sensor is exposed in the window portion of the vane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method for quickly and accurately determining the rotor blade angle of a wind power installation. The present invention also allows for the rotor blade angle measurements to be taken from the ground, thereby allowing the measuring equipment to be easily disconnected and transported to other sites. For example, a rotor blade angle of a wind power installation may be determined by using a spacing measuring device to measure the spacing between the rotor blade and the spacing measuring device. The measurements may then be processed in a computer to calculate the angle between the rotor blade and the spacing measuring device. Once this angle (the ? angle) is ascertained, it may be compared to other values to assist in further adjusting the rotor blade angle.

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.

Abstract: The claimed and disclosed systems and methods are directed to providing measures and possible ways of protecting a wind power installation in a wind park from wind conditions that may potentially cause damage or even result in the failure of at least one of the wind power installations. The wind is monitored in at least one region of the wind park and based on the monitored wind readings; the rotor blades of at least some of the wind power installations may be adjusted to avoid detrimental damage thereto. This protection may be balanced with contemporaneously determining whether other, non-impacted wind installations can be contemporaneously operated at or near their maximum possible energy yield. At least one wind power installation may have a SODAR system mounted thereon to detect the wind in a region of the wind power installation.

Abstract: Vertical and horizontal wind shears, yaw misalignment and/or turbulence act together to produce asymmetric loading across a wind turbine rotor. The resultant load produces bending moments in the blades that are reacted through the hub and subsequently to the main shaft. As a result, the main shaft may be radially displaced from its at rest positions. The amount of radial displacement is measured using two or more sensors. The output signals from the sensors are used to determine the magnitude and/or the orientation of the resultant rotor load. This information is used to affect the blade pitch change or other action with similar system effect to reduce the asymmetric load and thereby reduce fatigue and loading on various turbine components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of surge or incipient surge in a centrifugal compressor is supplied. The centrifugal compressor has an inlet passage, an inlet passage wall and an impeller. When flowing a fluid through the centrifugal compressor thereby establishing a fluid flow in the inlet passage, the fluid flow is measured in the inlet passage proximate the inlet passage wall and proximate the impeller. The measurements may include detecting a reverse in the fluid flow direction, measuring a tangential component to the fluid flow, measuring a substantial decrease in the axial fluid flow, and/or measuring the fluid temperature. Fluid flow in the compressor can then be modified or controlled to prevent surge.