With Inspection, Signaling, Indicating Or Measuring Means Patents (Class 415/118)
  • Patent number: 8092155
    Abstract: A light-emitting fan includes a frame, a vane, at least one flexible circuit structures, and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The van is pivotally provided on the frame. The van has a hub and a plurality of blades connected to the hub. The flexible circuit structure is circumferentially provided on the frame. The light-emitting elements are provided on the flexible circuit structure to emit light respectively. With the above arrangement, the light-emitting elements can be combined with the frame easily via the flexible circuit structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Enermax Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Chun Tsen
  • Patent number: 8087880
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of operating a centrifugal compressor and active control system includes a centrifugal compressor with compressor blades mounted on an impeller, an annular cavity bounded in part by a shroud adjacent to the blades, and an active control system for controlling a clearance between the shroud and the blades by controlling a cavity pressure in the cavity. An electronic controller for controlling a control pressure valve for pressurizing using a source of compressor discharge pressure air and depressurizing the cavity respectively may open and close the valves using pulse width modulation. Pressure and clearance sensors positioned for measuring the cavity pressure the blade tip clearance respectively in signal supply communication with the electronic controller may be used. The shroud may be supported by radially spaced apart annular radially outer and inner supports connected to a casing by a bolted joint bounding the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Apostolos Pavlos Karafillis, Kenneth Allen Loehle, Robert Patrick Tameo, David Allen Gutz
  • Publication number: 20110318165
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting asymmetric utilizing longitudinal tower acceleration data may include: providing a rotorspeed acceleration monitoring system; determining from the rotorspeed acceleration monitoring system whether a rotorspeed acceleration is above a rotorspeed acceleration limit; determining whether a rotor-mass imbalance condition exists; and determining whether a longitudinal tower acceleration coincides with icing on a rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Hubert Oing, Bastian Sundermann, Christian Siuts
  • Patent number: 8075267
    Abstract: A method for determining the deflection and/or strain of an elongated member of a component is provided, in which a first point and a second point are assigned to the same side 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 and a third point, which is connected to the first point by an inflexible support, whereby the distance between the first point and the third point is considerably longer than the distance between the second point and the third point, and wherein the distance between the second point and the third point is determined in time steps and the frequency of the change of the distance is analyzed to detect frequency changes. Furthermore, an elongated member of a component subject to strain and comprises a sensor unit for determining the deflection and/or strain of the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peder Bay Enevoldsen, Ib Frydendal
  • Patent number: 8075252
    Abstract: A cooling fan includes a frame, a stator, a rotor and a display panel. The frame includes a base. The stator is mounted on a bottom surface of the base. The rotor is rotatably installed on the stator and received in the frame. The display panel is attached to a top surface of the base and electrically connected to the stator. The display panel can show a lot of useful information such as a logo of the cooling fan, a rotating speed of the cooling fan and an environment temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong-Bo Xu
  • Patent number: 8075253
    Abstract: A gas turbine compressor presents a first fixed stage having a plurality of first adjustable vanes and a further fixed stage, which has an inner ring extending about a first axis; an outer ring arranged about the inner ring and coaxial with the inner ring; and a plurality of second adjustable vanes, each of which extends along a second axis in an essentially radial direction with respect to the first axis between the inner ring and the outer ring; and it is adjustable about the corresponding second axis independently from the first adjustable vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ansaldo Energia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianluigi Bertino
  • Patent number: 8070423
    Abstract: A fan air flow measurement sensor comprising a housing having a sensor cap, a thermistor pair disposed within the housing, each thermistor projecting through the sensor cap a predetermined distance above the sensor cap, a flange extending normally from the housing, the flange engagable with a mounting surface, a sensor circuit comprising a multiplexer for controlling each thermistor, and for measuring a condition of each thermistor, and for receiving and transmitting signals, and a cable for connecting the sensor to a multiplexing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ruskin Company
    Inventors: Tim Vogel, Josiah Wiley, Jeff Beneke
  • Publication number: 20110293403
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a blade monitoring system includes: at least one computing device configured to monitor a compressor during a load change by performing actions comprising: extracting a dynamic component of a blade time-of-arrival (TOA) deviation signal in response to the load change on the compressor; calculating, using the dynamic component, at least one of: a natural frequency of the GT compressor blade during the load change, an overshoot of the GT compressor blade during the load change, a rise time of the compressor blade during the load change, a damping factor of the compressor blade during the load change, or a settling time of the GT compressor blade after the load change; and determining whether the GT compressor blade is damaged based upon the at least one of: the natural frequency, the overshoot, the rise time, the damping factor, or the settling time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Vivek Venugopal Badami
  • Publication number: 20110293404
    Abstract: An underwater hydroelectric turbine comprises a turbine housing having an inlet and an outlet, a central shaft extending axially inside the turbine housing, a self-contained, sealed front bearing unit for rotationally supporting a front end of the central shaft, and a self-contained, sealed rear bearing unit for rotationally supporting a rear end of the central shaft. The front bearing unit and the rear bearing unit each comprises a self-powered lubricant circulation system that draws a fraction of the mechanical power from rotation of the central shaft to circulate lubricant through each respective bearing unit. The turbine may have an equilibrium chamber for automatically balancing lubricant pressure inside a lubricant-containing chamber of the bearing chambers with ambient water pressure outside the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GESTION RSW INC.
    Inventors: Imad Hamad, Guy Arnaud, Georges Dick
  • Publication number: 20110286831
    Abstract: An example method of partitioning turbomachine faults includes using a modeling computer to model a system, to establish a modeled gas path parameter, and to establish a modeled subsystem parameter. The method then determines a gas path condition representing a difference between an actual gas path parameter and the modeled gas path parameter. The method also determines a subsystem condition representing a difference between an actual subsystem parameter and the modeled subsystem parameter. The method diagnoses a sensor failure based on the gas path condition and the subsystem condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Sampath K. YERRAMALLA, William DONAT, Ravi RAJAMANI
  • Patent number: 8061972
    Abstract: A closure device for a compressor having at least one access opening, wherein the closure device includes a plug portion disposeable at least partially within and configured to substantially obstruct the at least one access opening, a head portion having a shoulder surface extending generally radially outwardly with respect to the plug portion, wherein the head portion is generally disposeable against an inner surface of the compressor and configured to maintain the plug portion disposed within the at least one access opening during compressor operation, and a retainer member having a bracket engageable with an outer surface of the compressor and a threaded rod extending between the bracket and the plug portion, wherein the retainer member is configured to retain the plug portion disposed within the at least one access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8057165
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon presence sensor used to detect for the presence of a fuel in a buffer cavity of an inter-propellant seal. A sensor is formed on a rotor shaft in the buffer cavity and an optical imaging device is used to view a change in appearance of the sensor when a hydrocarbon forms on the surface. In one embodiment, the sensor is a coating of porous silicon. In other embodiments, the sensor can be a mirrored or frosted surface on the shaft. A white light source or a laser is reflected off of the sensor and an optical imaging device reads the reflected light to detect for a change in color or intensity of the light to indicate if a hydrocarbon is present on the sensor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth D Garvin, William S Walsh, Elizabeth V Stein, Alex Pinera
  • Publication number: 20110272947
    Abstract: A large capacity wind power generator is provided, which includes an outer rotor including an upper partitioning plate having a plurality of spokes formed along a circular circumference of the upper partitioning plate at equal intervals and a side partitioning plate formed on one side surface of the outer rotor, the outer rotor having a lower surface and the other side surface which are open; and a windmill formed inside the outer rotor to be rotated by wind flowing through the outer rotor. The side partitioning plate is formed to have an area that is smaller than a half of the entire circumferential area of the outer rotor, and spaces between the respective spokes are open so as to facilitate an inflow of the wind through the side surface of the outer rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Boo-Hyeon Bang
  • Publication number: 20110265443
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adil Ansari, Rahul Jaikaran Chillar
  • Patent number: 8047769
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Henry G. Ballard, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110262266
    Abstract: A linear actuator for a variable-geometry member of a turbocharger comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion that can undergo primary translational movement along a longitudinal axis and secondary rotational movement about one or more other axes. A sensor assembly is included, comprising a permanent magnet fixedly mounted on the movable portion and a sensor fixedly mounted relative to the fixed portion and adjacent to the magnet. The sensor is operable to sense magnetic flux density components of the magnet along each of three mutually orthogonal axes. A position of the magnet along the longitudinal axis is determinable from these magnetic flux density components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Matus Rakoci
  • Patent number: 8043048
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a structural health of a wind turbine. The method includes transmitting, from a sensor to a controller, at least one monitoring signal indicative of a structural discontinuity, the sensor operatively coupled to a structural component of the wind turbine. A first notification signal is transmitted from the controller to a user computing device upon receiving the monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Dinesh Kumar Annadurai, Satish Vemuri
  • Patent number: 8043047
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch
  • Patent number: 8043054
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a wind turbine includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to measure an acoustic emission generated by at least one component of the wind turbine, and a control system configured to calculate at least one wear characteristic of the component based on the measured acoustic emission. The wear characteristic includes at least one of a current amount of wear on the component, a rate of wear on the component, and a predicted amount of wear on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mallikarjuna Reddy D, Sujan Kumar Pal, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli
  • Publication number: 20110247418
    Abstract: A system for monitoring compressor anomalies includes an acoustic energy detector connected to the compressor and a controller in communication with the acoustic energy detector. The acoustic energy detector transmits an acoustic energy signal reflective of acoustic energy produced by the compressor to the controller. At least one sensor connected to the compressor measures an operating parameter of the compressor and transmits a parameter signal reflective of the operating parameter to the controller, A method for monitoring compressor anomalies includes sensing acoustic energy produced by the compressor and transmitting an acoustic energy signal reflective of the acoustic energy to a controller. The method further includes sensing at least one operating parameter of the compressor, transmitting a parameter signal reflective of the operating parameter to the controller, and transmitting an output signal based on the acoustic energy signal and the operating parameter signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Mordin Hoyte, Preston Keith Parker, Achalesh Kumar Pandey, Ravi Yoganatha Babu, Bhasker Rao Keely
  • Publication number: 20110243708
    Abstract: A method of calculating the tip clearance during operation of a combustion turbine engine that includes the steps of: measuring a cold tip clearance and a cold shell-to-shell distance; while the combustion turbine engine is operating, measuring an operating parameter and measuring a shell-to-shell distance with a proximity sensor; calculating the tip clearance based on the cold tip clearance measurement and the operating parameter measurement; calculating the shell-to-shell distance based on the cold shell-to-shell distance measurement and the operating parameter measurement; comparing the shell-to-shell distance measurement of the proximity sensor with the shell-to-shell distance calculation; and calibrating the calculated tip clearance calculation based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew Troy Hafner
  • Patent number: 8029233
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine including a wind rotor shaft, a rotary encoder for measuring the azimuth angle of the wind rotor shaft, wherein the wind turbine further includes at least one impulse generating device including at least one first part and at least one second part, wherein the at least one first part is rotating with the wind rotor shaft and the least one second part is disposed stationary with respect to the wind rotor shaft such that the at least one first part moves by the at least one second part; wherein the method includes: encoding the azimuth angle of the wind rotor shaft by the rotary encoder into a rotation value; generating an impulse when one of the at least one first part moves by one of the at least one second part of the impulse generating device; comparing the rotation value at the time of a detected impulse with a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Till Hoffmann, Julian Quindt
  • Publication number: 20110229307
    Abstract: The monitoring system for a gas turbine engine including a viewing tube assembly having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is located adjacent to a hot gas flow path within the gas turbine engine and the outer end is located adjacent to an outer casing of the gas turbine engine. An aperture wall is located at the inner end of the viewing tube assembly and an optical element is located within the viewing tube assembly adjacent to the inner end and is spaced from the aperture wall to define a cooling and purge chamber therebetween. An aperture is defined in the aperture wall for passage of light from the hot gas flow path to the optical element. Swirl passages are defined in the viewing tube assembly between the aperture wall and the optical element for passage of cooling air from a location outside the viewing tube assembly into the chamber, wherein swirl passages effect a swirling movement of air in a circumferential direction within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Dennis H. Lemieux, Jan P. Smed, James P. Williams, Vinay Jonnalagadda
  • Publication number: 20110229303
    Abstract: A method for operating a multistage compressor is provided. The method includes monitoring the pump limit, wherein at least a first measurement parameter measured during operation is compared to a reference parameter. The reference parameter is characteristic of reaching the surge limit or a specific distance of the operating point from the surge limit. A multistage compressor is also provided. In order to enlarge the operating range without risking safety, it is proposed that each stage to be monitored individually for the onset of the surge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Georg Winkes
  • Publication number: 20110223006
    Abstract: A method for use in operating a plurality of wind turbines is provided. An aggregate noise level at one or more geographic positions is calculated. The aggregate noise level is compared to a target noise level associated with the geographic position. When the aggregate noise level differs substantially from the target noise level, an operational adjustment is transmitted to at least one wind turbine controller. When the aggregate noise level is greater than the target noise level, such an operational adjustment may lead to a decrease in the aggregate noise level. Conversely, when the aggregate noise level is less than the target noise level, such an operational adjustment may lead to an increase in the aggregate noise level, facilitating an increase in the overall power output of the wind turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Friedrich Loh, Benoit P. Petitjean, Mahesh A. Morjaria
  • Patent number: 8016548
    Abstract: A water supply tunnel secondary purpose turbine electric power generator system includes: a.) a water supply subsystem with a water source at an elevation that is at least 300 feet above the mean altitude of a community, that includes a gravity fed underground water tunnel being located, at least in part, upstream from the community, and, at least in part, being located under the community. There is a plurality of riser conduits in the community connected to the gravity fed underground water tunnel, delivering water from the water source to the community at a pressure that is at least 100 psi in excess of desired water pressure delivered to community water lines; b.) water valving subsystems connected to each of the riser conduits and one of each including at least one safety valve, to lower water pressure of the delivered water; and, c.) a power generating turbine subsystem, including at least one water driven turbine located in at least one of the water supply subsystem and water valving subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Mark R. Ziegenfuss
  • Patent number: 8016569
    Abstract: A nacelle for a wind turbine includes a cover defining an internal volume. The cover has longitudinal sides and opposite end walls. A bedplate is within the cover with the power generation and wind turbine control components mounted on the bedplate. The cover has a widest width dimension along the longitudinal sides intermediate of the end walls that exceeds a pre-defined maximum width for rail transport of the nacelle. Removable caps are configured on the longitudinal sides of the cover at the widest dimension, with the caps having a configuration such that upon removal of the caps, the widest width dimension is less than the predefined maximum width for rail transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Eduard Stam, Kenneth Bradley Leland
  • Publication number: 20110211940
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an inspection system to inspect internal components of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inspection system includes an image recording assembly having one or more image recording devices, light sources, storage devices, and power supplies. The image recording assembly may be inserted into a compressor without removal of the compressor housing or disassembly of the compressor. The image recording assembly may be removably coupled to a rotary component of the compressor, e.g., a rotor blade, and used to record images of stationary components, e.g., stator vanes, of the compressor. The images may be inspected to identify wear and/or defects in the stationary components, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sheri George, Vinay Bhaskar Jammu, Vinod Padmanabhan Kumar, Chayan Mitra, Kunal Ravindra Goray, Achalesh Kumar Pandey, Ravi Yoganatha Babu, Bhasker Rao Keely, Munish Vishwas Inamdar
  • Patent number: 8002517
    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 aging 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Lee Mansfield, Leo V. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7993098
    Abstract: A method and a system for adjusting alarm level of a component in a wind turbine is provided. The method comprises defining an alarm level corresponding to an operational parameter of the component in the wind turbine, monitoring the operational parameter of the component, determining whether the operational parameter exceeds the alarm level, thereby triggering an alarm. In the case when the alarm is triggered, the method further comprises inspecting the component to determine whether the alarm level corresponds to a predetermined remaining useful lifetime of the component, and adjusting the alarm level based on the inspection of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Yu Zhou, Tie Ling Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110188994
    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 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: TONGHUO SHANG, Anthony D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 7988408
    Abstract: A two-piece bearing housing is provided for use in centrifugal pumps having or requiring multiple chambers for enclosing or confining bearings or seals, and/or providing lubricant or coolant to the bearings and seals of the pump, the two-piece housing providing several improvements including the ability to make the two pieces from different materials, the reduction in scrap castings due to imprecision achieved in the casting process and improved structures in the housing for monitoring the lubricant chambers in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Envirotech Pumpsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Northrup, Kenneth Sessum, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7985047
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a tower; a blade for rotating on the tower; a rotor shaft, connected to the blade, having an axial hole; a line, arranged in the hole, for carrying a signal; a support, wrapped around the line inside the hole, for spacing the line from the rotor shaft inside the hole; where the support expands radially to at least partially fill an annular space between the line and an inside wall of the axial hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jens Hennig, Patrick Achenbach
  • Patent number: 7985284
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention measures a sample of the airstream, in real time, for a 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 level of 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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dale J. Davis, Rahul J. Chillar, Eric Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 7980814
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a wind turbine rotor with at least one wind turbine blade, a wind turbine tower, such as a standard tubular steel tower, positioned on a foundation and connected to the wind turbine rotor through a wind turbine nacelle, and a control for establishing oscillation control values of the wind turbine. The wind turbine being capable of altering the load for optimizing the tower eigenfrequency in response to acquired values from the controls. The invention also relates to a control system and method for altering the eigenfrequency of a tower of a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: John Johannes Mathias Hubertus Nieuwenhuizen
  • Patent number: 7967564
    Abstract: A measurement arrangement for measuring a deflection of a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The measurement arrangement includes a magnetostrictive sensor, which includes a first sensor part and a second sensor part, a first support structure, which is adapted to be mounted to a first portion of the rotor, wherein the first sensor part is mounted to the first support structure, and a second support structure, which may be mounted to a second portion of the rotor, wherein the second sensor part is mounted to the second support structure and wherein either or both the first portion and the second portion is a portion of the blade. The magnetostrictive sensor measures the relative spatial position between the first sensor part and the second sensor part. A method for measuring a blade deflection and a wind turbine rotor which includes the described blade deflection measurement arrangement are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jimmi Andersen, Per Egedal
  • Patent number: 7969165
    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 of at least one frequency 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 comprises a sealing element which is configured to be transmissible for the electromagnetic waves of the frequency and which has two opposite surfaces in the direction of guidance of the electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Michael Willsch
  • Publication number: 20110150626
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide real-time monitoring of a compressor section to determine the possibility of a crack forming on a rotating blade. The present invention does not require the shutdown of the machine. The present invention may be configured to automatically raise an alarm if the acoustic signature of the compressor changes in way that may be consistent with the cracking of a blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin W. Kinzie, Chingwei M. Shieh, Dongjai Lee
  • Publication number: 20110135442
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a wind turbine. A monitoring signal, including an audio signal and/or an image signal, is received from a monitoring device. Operating data are calculated based on the received monitoring signal. An operating condition and/or a deviation is determined by comparing the operating data to baseline data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Lutz Kerber, Florian Doorenspleet
  • Publication number: 20110116908
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an arrangement for measuring shaft rotation speed, including a laser source (10) for directing a laser beam (11) onto portions of rotor blades to either be reflected from or interrupted by the rotor blades to create light impulses as a function of the rotor rotation rate. A receiver diode (12) receives the light impulses and generates voltage impulses corresponding to the rotor or shaft rotation rate. An evaluation unit associated with the receiver diode measures the number of the voltage impulses generated per unit of time and calculates therefrom the rotation speed of the engine shaft connected to the rotor. The measurement arrangement is arranged in the engine housing to be easily accessible for mounting, maintenance and adjustment, is functionally reliable under robust engine operation and can detect the rotation of a low pressure shaft and connected fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Robert THIES
  • Publication number: 20110119424
    Abstract: A server management system is provided. The server management system includes a plurality of motherboards, a baseboard, a bus, a first and a second sensor. The baseboard comprises a central control chip to generate a specific instruction. The bus is positioned on the baseboard. The motherboards are connected to the baseboard. Each of the motherboards includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) having an instruction-processing module used to receive the specific instruction through the bus and executes the specific instruction. The first sensor is connected to the central control chip and the second sensor is connected to the BMC. The instruction-processing module retrieves a first state of the first sensor from the central control chip to the BMC and retrieves a second state of the second sensor from the BMC to the central control chip according to the specific instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Wei CHEN, Hsiao-Fen LU
  • Publication number: 20110116906
    Abstract: An example airfoil assembly includes an airfoil body extending between a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side, and a pressure side. The assembly further includes a first protective sheath, an indicator sheath, and a second protective sheath. The first protective sheath has an outer side and an inner side that forms a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the airfoil body. The inner side being bonded to the leading edge of the airfoil body. A portion of the indicator sheath is positioned forward the first sheath relative to the leading edge of the airfoil. A portion of the second protective sheath is positioned forward the indicator sheath relative to the leading edge of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Blair A. Smith, Brian P. Huth, Paul A. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 7938617
    Abstract: According to the present invention, along the right and left sides of a rotary shaft, flat faces that serve as sealing faces are formed at the circumferential edges, on the suction chamber side, of semicircular division plates, which define suction chambers and a discharge chamber of a volute casing that is divided into two segments. Two disc plates are prepared as pressure test tools, and are positioned on the right and left sides of the rotary shaft so that they contact the flat faces that are formed around the circumferential edges of the division plates near the suction chambers. The two disc plates are then securely connected to a member in the axial direction. In addition, a bolt fastening structure, which is axially tightened by the member that connects the disc plates axially, is provided in at least one axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Naruse, Hideki Akiniwa, Hiroaki Yoda, Minoru Hiroshima
  • Publication number: 20110103934
    Abstract: Provided is a vacuum pump which can detect precisely physical contact between a rotor portion and a stator portion, and contact between the rotor portion and the stator portion that occurs as the amount of deposited solid product reaches the clearance between the rotor portion and the stator portion. A vibration sensor is provided, taking advantage of a clearance, at the outer peripheral of a thread groove spacer. Contact between the rotor portion and the stator portion is decided, when a particular vibration during contact between the rotor portion and the stator portion exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The vibration sensor is mounted on the outer peripheral of the thread groove spacer at the end of the side of an exhaust port. The thread groove spacer is fixed on a casing via an elastic member (an O-ring) that have a vibration absorption (vibration damping) function of a cutoff frequency (fc1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Ohtachi, Manabu Nabaka, Yasushi Maejima
  • Publication number: 20110103933
    Abstract: The invention relates a wind turbine rotor. The rotor comprises at least one wind turbine blade, at least one image capturing device, and one or more markers arranged on the blade so that the at least one image capturing device may detect the position of the markers. The invention further relates to a wind turbine and use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Ib Svend Olesen, Imad Abdallah
  • Publication number: 20110097192
    Abstract: A pyrometer for gas turbines is provided. Incident thermal radiation is split between a plurality of optical wave guides by a reflection prism and a lens according to regions on the surface of a turbine blade. The pyrometer is built into the wall of the turbine without protruding and enables the simultaneous and parallel measurement of the temperature of a plurality of regions on the surface of the turbine blade when a spectrum of the heat radiation is largely maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Stefan Maurer, Michael Willsch
  • Patent number: 7927067
    Abstract: A variable vane control system for use with a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of vanes, an actuation assembly, a mechanical linkage assembly, and a sensor. Each of the plurality of vanes has an airfoil portion disposed in a gas flowpath of the gas turbine engine, and a position of each of the vanes is adjustable with respect to an angle of attack of the airfoil portion of each vane. The actuation assembly is configured for generating actuation force to position the plurality of vanes. The mechanical linkage assembly operably connects the actuation assembly to at least one of the plurality of vanes. The sensor is configured to sense at least one of the position of the airfoil portions of the plurality of vanes and the mechanical linkage assembly, and to generate a position output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Rajamani, Peter E. Chenard, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 7922441
    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: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductors Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tonghuo Shang, Anthony D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 7922449
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine having rotor with at least one blade, includes sensing an icing hazard for the blade; and moving the at least one blade into a position to reduce the icing hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hartmut A. Scholte-Wassink
  • Publication number: 20110081229
    Abstract: A method for attaching a connector to deposited material includes the steps of depositing material on a substrate using a thin- or thick-film deposition process and attaching at least one connector to the deposited material using a high energy beam welding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Glen Alan Aussiker, Canan Uslu Hardwicke, Kurt Kramer Schleif