Abstract: System and method for testing a pump. The testing of the pump includes determining a Mechanical Power Index (MPI) for the pump. The MPI is determined by operating the pump at operating speed for a minimum operating interval. When the pump is stopped under normal operation by the application, the pump speed is continuously monitored. The time when the pump speed decreases to an initial speed close to the operating speed is read as an initial time. When the pump speed decreases to a final pump speed close to the critical speed, the end time is read and the elapsed time is determined as ?t=end time?initial time. The MPI is calculated to be the initial pump speed minus the final pump speed divided by ?t. The MPI can be used during the lifetime of the pump to determine when the pump is deteriorating.

Abstract: A method of modulating the cooling of a gas turbine component is disclosed. The method includes determining a target component temperature at which the gas turbine component can be maintained without the gas turbine component experiencing a failure over the course of an indicated life of the gas turbine component; scheduling a cooling air value to the target component temperature; and determining one or more of a demanded cooling air temperature and a demanded cooling air mass flow rate based on the scheduled cooling air value.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to fluid turbines that include a turbine shroud and a rotor assembly disposed within the turbine shroud. The rotor assembly includes a nacelle pivotally engageable with a tower structure and a slip ring disposed within the nacelle. The slip ring electrically connects one or more cables in the nacelle to one or more cables in the tower structure. The slip ring is engaged with the nacelle by a mounting apparatus which allows movement of the slip ring along at least one of an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis. Example embodiments are further directed to methods of maintaining untwisted electric cables in a fluid turbine.

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.

Abstract: A device for detecting the axial position of a rotary shaft of a rotary machine comprises a target of ferromagnetic material placed at the end of the rotary shaft, an induction coil associated with a stationary magnetic circuit and placed facing the target while leaving an airgap, and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit comprises an AC voltage source connected between a first end of the induction coil and a zone situated at a reference voltage, at least one capacitor connected between the ends of the induction coil, and a detector device interposed between a second end of the induction coil and the zone situated at the reference voltage, in order to deliver on a line information about the magnitude of the current flowing between the second end and the zone situated at the reference voltage.

Abstract: The present invention describes an aircraft gas turbine with a first rotatable shaft and a second shaft arranged coaxially thereto and which at least in an area close to the shaft end is non-rotatably connected to the first shaft. Recesses are provided in shaft areas at a distance from the connecting area between the shafts, said recesses overlapping one another at least in some areas when a defined twist of the first shaft relative to the second shaft is exceeded. The shafts are assigned at least one lever element designed rotatable and engaging in the recesses of the shafts in the radial direction in the area of an end of the shafts and swivelling about a pivot point. A second lever arm of the lever elements is, when the first lever arm is engaged in the recesses, operatively connectable to an electric sensor device, in the area of which a sensor signal equivalent to the defined twist of the first shaft can be generated.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a target member, a sensor and a mounting assembly. The target member is coupled to a shaft that is disposed within an engine housing and that rotates about an axis. The target member includes a target surface that is substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The sensor is configured to produce a signal associated with a distance between a sensor tip and the target surface. The mounting assembly is coupled to the sensor and the engine housing, and is configured to adjust the distance between the sensor and the target surface.

Abstract: A bleed valve for an air plenum includes a valve body which defines a valve seat. A poppet is movable relative to the valve seat between an open position and a closed position. A spring biases the poppet to the open position and toward the air plenum.

Abstract: A gearbox includes an outer housing including manual rotation access passage and a manual rotation shaft coupled to a spool of an engine to rotate the engine spool. The gearbox also includes coupled to the outer housing that includes a flapper valve that, in a closed position, prevents a lubricant from escaping from the outer housing via the manual rotation access passage.

Abstract: A wind turbine having a tower and a rotor hub that is supported by the tower. At least one blade extends from the rotor hub, and a nacelle is located proximate the rotor hub. The wind turbine also has a transport conduit that selectively provides communication between an interior of the nacelle and an interior of the rotor hub. The transport conduit may have a collapsed condition in which the transport conduit is located completely within the nacelle, and an extended condition in which the transport conduit partially extends into the interior of the rotor hub. In a specific embodiment, the transport conduit is a telescoping structure. A method for using the transport conduit includes accessing the interior of the nacelle to position an object therein and transporting the object to the interior of the rotor hub using the transport conduit.

Abstract: A machine includes a rotor supported to rotate about a rotational axis and an actuator arranged to act on the rotor and control a position of the rotor about the rotational axis. A bladed turbomachine wheel is coupled to the rotor and has blade tips that pass closely to an adjacent, non-rotating surface. A sensor is adjacent to the turbomachine wheel and arranged to sense the blade tips and output a position signal representative of the position of blade tips relative to the sensor. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the actuator and is adapted to receive the position signal from the sensor and generate and send a control signal to the actuator to control the position of the rotor based on the position signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.

Abstract: An optical fiber wear detector that includes one or more FBG sensors positioned within the fiber that are operable to reflect a defined wavelength of an optical input beam. The wear detector includes a light source for generating the optical input beam that propagates down the optical fiber and interacts with the FBG sensor. The wavelength of the optical beam that is reflected by the FBG sensor is detected, where loss of the reflected signal indicates that the fiber before the FBG sensor or the FBG sensor itself is damaged, which would most likely be an indication of wear on the component. The depth of wear can be determined by providing multiple FBG sensors in a single optical fiber and/or providing multiple optical fibers with one or more FBG sensors.

Abstract: A system includes a creep indicating member on a rotating component, and a measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of the creep indicating member. The system allows determination of, for example, rotating component life expectancy in a turbine, without exposing the rotating component.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for detecting turbocharger degradation. In one example, a method comprises detecting an axial position of a turbine rotor based on output from a turbine speed sensor, and if the axial position is greater than a threshold distance from a base position, indicating turbocharger degradation.

Abstract: A system for bleeding air on an aircraft, including: at least one air bleed valve that can bleed a flow of air on the aircraft, a first temperature information module, a second temperature information module, at least one control module, and at least one data processing module coupled to the control module.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for measuring rotor creep values for a monolithic rotor of an industrial gas turbine engine in order to determine when creep growth of the rotor has exceeded an allowable limit. One or more critical locations of the rotor are measured for real-time radius, and a CPU having rotor creep deflection model is used to compare the real-time data and determine if the rotor creep is within safe and allowable limits. If the creep is determined to exceed allowable values, then an alarm in initiated or engine shutdown occurs.

Abstract: A method for forming a pressure measurement hole in a component includes the step of forming a hole in a body of the component, the hole extending from a body surface of the component. An insert having a longitudinal passage is fitted into the hole such that the insert protrudes from the body surface. The protruding end of the insert is machined to define an insert surface profile matched to the body surface profile and displaced from the body surface by a distance substantially equal to a thickness of a covering layer that is to be bonded onto the body surface. A blocking pin is inserted into the insert passage. The covering layer is then bonded to the body surface in the region of the hole and insert after which the blocking pin is removed from the insert to open the pressure measurement hole.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a rotational system includes identifying a non-nominal spool-down profile.

Abstract: According to some aspects of the invention, a turbine, such as a wind turbine, is provided that includes one or more fluid (e.g., air) flow components for inducing a secondary fluid flow that emanates from a rearward location on the turbine to minimize wake effects. According to some aspects of the invention, arrays of turbines, such as in wind farms, are provided that comprise a plurality such turbines. According to further aspects of the invention, methods are provided for minimizing wake effects in a wind turbine and for improving the efficiency of a wind farms.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a steam valve apparatus includes: a hydraulic cylinder including an internal space sectioned into first and second chambers by a piston operated by a hydraulic liquid; a first passage to supply the hydraulic liquid to the first chamber; a second passage connecting the first and second chambers; a third passage to drain the hydraulic liquid from the second chamber; an electromagnetic valve switched between first and second states; a first cartridge valve opening the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the first state and closing the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the second state; and a second cartridge valve closing the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the first state and opening the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the second state.

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.

Abstract: A fan driving system includes a fan connector, a fan mounted onto the fan connector, and a main circuit board. The main circuit board includes a detection module and an alarm circuit, the detection module is electrically connected between the fan connector and the alarm circuit. The detection module is configured to detect an electrical connectivity between the fan and the fan connector, and enabling the alarm circuit to set an alarm when detecting the electrical connectivity between the fan and fan connector is poor.

Abstract: A method or system for steam purity monitoring in a steam powered turbine includes providing a chloride-sensing device in a steam flow path; generating a signal from the chloride-sensing device indicative of a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow; and indicating a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow. The steam turbine includes a rotor, a rotating shaft and a plurality of axially spaced rotor wheels. A plurality of rotating blades is mechanically coupled to each rotor wheel. A chloride-sensing device is disposed in a steam flow path. A controller is arranged to generate a signal from the chloride-sensing device indicative of a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow and indicate a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow.

Abstract: A method of deploying offshore wind turbine assemblies includes mounting a wind turbine assembly horizontally on a vessel and transporting the wind turbine assembly to an offshore site. The wind turbine assembly is raised to a vertical condition at the site and attached to anchor weights. Blades are attached to the turbine head after the wind turbine assembly is in the vertical condition. In one embodiment, the wind turbine assembly can include a tower including tapered lower and upper sections joined together at their respective wide ends, a turbine head connected to the upper section, and a platform connected to the lower section. The platform includes a buoy tank partially filled with ballast to provide mass and buoyancy. A wave piercing cowling is rotatively attached to the lower section. The turbine head can include an adjustable journal bearing, scabbard blade mounts, and a gearless induction generator with flux adjusting capabilities.

Abstract: Method for detecting failure including possible under or over delivery of a micropump having at least an inlet valve, a pumping chamber with an inner pressure sensor and an outlet valve, said method comprising the determination of the pump tightness via the measurement of the pressure by said inner pressure sensor in said pumping chamber at least at certain intervals when the pump is inactive and the comparison with a value of reference.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses and related methods for determining the enthalpy of steam. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: an extraction conduit fluidly connected with a steam turbine section, the extraction conduit for obtaining wet steam from the steam turbine section; a mixing chamber fluidly connected with the extraction conduit; an injector fluidly connected with the mixing chamber, the injector for providing dry steam to the mixing chamber for mixing with the wet steam from the steam turbine section to produce a sample mixture; and an enthalpy detection system fluidly connected with the mixing chamber, the enthalpy detection system configured to determine an enthalpy of the sample mixture.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a sight tube configured to optically communicate with an interior of a rotary machine via insertion within an inspection port. The sight tube includes a window and multiple openings configured to direct purge air across the window. The system also includes a curtain tube disposed about the sight tube and configured to direct purge air from a first air source to the openings via a first passage formed between an inner surface of the curtain tube and an outer surface of the sight tube. The curtain tube includes multiple outlets configured to direct curtain air around the window, and the curtain tube is configured to direct the curtain air from a second air source to the outlets via a second passage formed between an outer surface of the curtain tube and an inner surface of the inspection port.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine of the kind used in a turbocharger has a variable geometry element such as a nozzle ring or an annular array of swing vanes that is operated by an actuator. The actuator has an output shaft coupled to a transmission mechanism for moving the variable geometry element. A rotary sensor device coupled to the output shaft of the actuator has a sensor wheel with a stop, slip clutch mechanism and a rotary position sensor. The device converts movement of the actuator output shaft into rotation of the wheel and the sensor generates an output signal representative of the rotary position of the wheel to provide a value indicative of the position of the variable geometry element.

Abstract: A method of measuring a flow rate of a first fluid through a rotary seal of a gas turbine engine comprising controlling a probe flow of a second fluid at an intra-seal cavity and measuring a pressure change in the first fluid caused by the probe flow.

Abstract: A hollow-cast casting is provided, which includes at least one core opening that is caused by the production technique and which has a closure device that closes the core opening. The closure device can be inserted into the core opening axially in relation to the core opening and provides at least one surface region which, in axial projection in relation to the core opening, can be made to abut a surface region of the casting that is facing toward the casting. The surface region lies radially outside a cross-sectional area predetermined by the core opening.

Abstract: A device and method to measure times of passage of blade tips in a turbine engine by a capacitive sensor mounted on a casing in register with a path followed by the tips of blades of a compressor wheel of the turbine engine. The sensor includes at least one elongate electrode fastened to an inside face of the casing and oriented obliquely relative to the path of the blade tips.

Abstract: A fluid turbine apparatus for use with a turbine comprising a convergent section, a fluid turbine section adjacent to an outlet of the convergent section, and a divergent section adjacent to the fluid turbine section. The fluid enters through the convergent section and exits through the divergent section. The convergent and divergent sections are constructed using a modular grid-like structure supporting retractable wall panels. The internal vacuum created by the diffuser and the wind shear stresses on the convergent and divergent sections can be limited. Configurations of the convergent and divergent sections can be adjusted to suit prevailing wind velocities. Barriers of rotating deflectors are used to increase the effective area of the convergent and divergent sections during low wind conditions. Horizontally mounted aerodynamic deflectors may be used to decrease wind shear and drag on the divergent section, the turbine section, and on side walls of the convergent section.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting bending deflection of a wind turbine blade is provided. The arrangement for the wind turbine includes a radio transmitter and a linear antenna array assigned to the radio transmitter. The radio transmitter is mounted on the blade tip and emits a signal. The antenna array is mounted on the rotor of the wind turbine in a co-rotating manner and receives the signal. On the basis of the transit times of the signal from the rotor to the individual antennas of the array, the position of the radio transmitter relative to the array is determined. In the event of blade deflection, for example when a high wind load is present, the relative position changes which is detected by the arrangement.

Abstract: A fan module is detachably mounted in a chassis. The chassis includes a sidewall defining a locking slot. The fan module includes a bracket including a base plate defining a first through slot, a fan fixed to the base plate, a fan duct fixed to the base plate beside the fan, and a locking member. The fan duct includes a side plate defining a second through slot. The locking member is fixed to the fan duct. The locking member includes a locking portion extending through the second through slot of the fan duct and the first through slot of the bracket to lock into the locking slot of the chassis.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing subsystem that determines preliminary voltages corresponding to a plurality of blades based upon blade passing signals (BPS), and generates a plurality of clearance values by normalizing the preliminary voltages for effects of one or more operational parameters, wherein the plurality of clearance values are representative of clearance of the plurality of blades.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device and a method of manufacture are provided. The capacitive sensor device includes at least one sensor tip that includes an electrode positioned at a first end of the sensor tip, and a stem member coupled to the electrode and extending toward a second end of the sensor tip. The device also includes a coaxial cable including a center conductor, the center conductor coupled to the sensor tip at the second end, and an insulation layer supporting the sensor tip between the first and second ends. The insulation layer includes a metallization on a portion surrounding the second end of the sensor tip. The device further includes a casing surrounding a portion of the coaxial cable, the metallization, and the coupling of the center conductor and the sensor tip, wherein a braze joint is formed between the casing and the metallization to form a hollow, hermetic cavity.

Abstract: The invention comprises a turbulence sensor and sensor system for determining the condition of a wind turbine blade. A turbulence sensor comprises a sensor membrane provided in the surface of a wind turbine blade. A light source and light detector provided in a sensor cavity in the blade illuminate the sensor membrane and detect the light reflected back. The reflected light is mixed with non-reflected light to give an interference pattern indicative of the quality of the airflow, whether it is laminar or turbulent. The turbulence sensor can be used in a sensor system for detecting the accumulation of unwanted matter, such as dirt or ice, on the blade.

Abstract: A system includes a radiation detector array directed toward a fluid flow into a compressor. The radiation detector array is configured to output a signal indicative of a two-dimensional temperature profile of the fluid flow. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation detector array. The controller is configured to detect a temperature variation across the fluid flow based on the signal, and to adjust a parameter of a temperature control device to compensate for the detected temperature variation.

Abstract: Turbomachine fitted with a device for gathering the information recorded during operation of the former by a strain gauge positioned on a fan blade borne by a fan disc of said turbomachine, said device comprising a hollow cylindrical pipe positioned inside one of the rotating shafts of said turbomachine in order to guide at least one wire for transmitting this information, characterized in that said device further comprises a part for attaching said pipe to said rotating shaft.

Abstract: A wear-indicating system includes a wear-indicating mark applied to a portion of a surface edge margin of an internal component of a turbine. The wear-indicating mark is visually discernible from the surface edge margin through boroscopic inspection. An inner extent of the wear-indicating mark is spaced a pre-selected distance from the surface edge.

Abstract: A vacuum pump includes a casing having an inlet port and an outlet port, a stator portion provided inside the casing and a rotor portion having a shaft rotatably supported inside the casing and a rotor disposed on the shaft and provided with a gas transfer mechanism that transfers a gas from the inlet port to the outlet port. The rotor portion is arranged with a predetermined clearance between the rotor portion and the stator portion. A motor rotates the shaft. Vibration detection disposed in the stator portion detects vibrations by converting vibration amplitude to an electric signal. Contact detection judges an occurrence of contact between the stator portion and the rotor portion when, in the vibration detected by the vibration detection, an amplitude in frequency of a specific vibration caused by contact between the stator portion and the rotor portion exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A measuring assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an indicia portion that extends radially inwardly from an inner surface of a ring seal structure to a location radially inwardly from tips of blades mounted on a rotor. The indicia portion of the measuring assembly comprises a section that is abraded by the blades during rotational movement of the rotor to provide a visual indication of a distance between the tips of the blades and the inner surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fault-tolerant control system for a wind turbine comprising a plurality of controllable wind turbine components, the control system comprising control means for generating a replica of essentially concurrent set-point values, a data communication network for transmitting the replica of essentially concurrent set-point values to the plurality of wind turbine components, and a plurality of decentralised voting means being arranged so that a decentralised voting means is assigned to each wind turbine component, each decentralised voting means being adapted to select one set-point value out of the replica of set-point values. The present invention further relates to a wind turbine and to an associated method.

Abstract: A blower fan unit includes a housing, a fan, a support unit to support the housing rotatably, and a exhaust tube projecting from the outlet, the exhaust tube producing a reaction force by guiding the airflow toward an upstream side of movement of the peripheral surface synchronized with rotation of the housing, the reaction force rotating the housing toward a downstream side of the movement of the peripheral surface of the housing, a stopper being positioned on a movement path of the exhaust tube that moves with the rotation of the housing to stop the rotation of the housing by blocking movement of the exhaust tube, and a switch mechanism to switch blocking and restarting of the movement of the exhaust tube using the stopper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clearance control system for adjusting a running clearance (L) between a rotor (12) having rotor blades (10) of a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, and a casing (18) that surrounds at least sections thereof and comprises at least two segments (16a-d), the clearance control system having at least one adjusting device (20), which can be coupled to at least one segment (16a-d) of the casing (18), and by means of which the at least one segment (16a-d) can be moved radially in relation to a rotational axis (D) of the rotor (12) for adjusting the running clearance (L), wherein each segment (16a-d) of the casing (18) is coupled to at least three adjusting devices (20) of the clearance control system. The invention also relates to a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, as well as to a method for adjusting a running clearance (L).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.

Abstract: A clearance probe includes a sensor component with a sensor face. A housing is arranged about the sensor component and includes multiple gas passage exit holes that are arranged about the sensor face and are operable to create a gas curtain circumferentially surrounding the sensor face. This gas curtain displaces a portion of the particles in the area between the probe and the blade tip, thereby improving the accuracy of the clearance measurement.

Abstract: A tip clearance probe includes at least one anti-rotation feature within the probe housing that prevents a sensor component from rotating when the tip clearance probe fails due to extraordinary wear and tear.

Abstract: An example split-face probe includes a sensor component having a split-face, a housing arranged about the sensor component, and at least one ceramic fitting that supports the sensor component.