| GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120036466 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LARGE DATA SET NAVIGATION ON A MOBILE DEVICE - Example systems and methods provide navigation and review of images within a large data set via a handheld or other mobile device. A computer-implemented method includes providing a clinical data set divided into a plurality of portions. Each portion is associated with a graphical representation and includes a plurality of sub-portions. The graphical representation for each portion is displayed to a user such that the plurality of portions can be viewed on a user interface of the device. User navigation is facilitated at various levels of granularity among the plurality of portions via the user interface. User access is allowed to one or more sub-portions within a portion to locate an item of clinical data within a sub-portion. User selection of an item of clinical data within a sub-portion is enabled for viewing via the user interface. A selected item of clinical data is loaded for viewing via the user interface. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120036102 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A PREDICTIVE NOTIFICATION ENGINE - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for predictive notification including a notification engine adapted to receive a sequence of data values for a parameter from a medical device. The notification engine is adapted to determine a prediction based at least in part on the sequence of data values. The notification engine is adapted to generate a notification based on the prediction. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035945 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO COMPUTE OPERATION METRICS FOR PATIENT AND EXAM WORKFLOW - An example operation metrics collection and processing system is to mine a data set including patient and exam workflow data from information source(s) according to an operational metric for a workflow of interest; identify one or more states involved in the workflow; determine a wait time for each of the state(s); apply one or more applicable deductions to the wait time for each of the state(s) based on one or more workflow-specific events to generate an adjusted wait time for each of the state(s) in the workflow of interest; aggregate the adjusted wait time for each of the state(s) to generate a normalized wait time for the workflow of interest; group normalized wait times for the workflow of interest according to one or more thresholds; and output a representation of the normalized wait times to the user interface based on the grouping and the one or more thresholds. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035861 | BLADE MONITORING SYSTEM - A system including a turbine including a compressor having at least one row of a plurality of blades; a sensor for sensing a blade passing signal of at least one of the plurality of blades; an analog signal transmitter for transmitting an analog signal for the blade passing signal; a signal splitter for splitting the analog signal into at least two split analog signals; at least two analog-to-digital (AD) converters, each AD converter converting each split analog signal to at least two digital waveform samples; and a blade monitoring system that: calculates at least two interpolated threshold crossings, each interpolated threshold crossing calculated from at least two digital waveform samples from each AD converter; and calculates an average threshold crossing (ATC) of the at least two interpolated threshold crossings. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035427 | System and Method of Using Location Technology to Aid Patient Recovery - A system for telemetrically monitoring a patient includes a remote monitoring device associated with the patient. A location services system tracks a location of the remote monitoring device. A patient tracking computer calculates a distance and a duration of patient ambulation from the tracked location. A method of monitoring an ambulatory patient monitors the location of a remote monitoring device and derives ambulatory event data from the monitored location. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034102 | BUCKET ASSEMBLY COOLING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE BUCKET ASSEMBLY - A bucket assembly and a method for forming the bucket assembly are disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a platform, an airfoil, and a lower body portion. The platform defines a platform cooling circuit configured to flow cooling medium therethrough. The airfoil extends radially outward from the platform. The lower body portion extends radially inward from the platform. The lower body portion defines a root and a cooling passage extending from the root. The cooling passage is configured to flow cooling medium therethrough. The platform and lower body portion further include a ligament between the cooling passage and the platform cooling circuit. The ligament defines a bore hole extending through the ligament between the cooling passage and the platform cooling circuit. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034076 | FAN CASE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - Composite article includes a generally cylindrical body having an internal grid structure interleaved with casing layers formed of reinforcing fibers disposed in a resin matrix. The composite article may be utilized in a fan case containment system for aircraft engine applications. Methods for fabricating the composite article are also provided. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034064 | CONTOURED AXIAL-RADIAL EXHAUST DIFFUSER - In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a gas turbine diffuser. The gas turbine diffuser includes an axial diffuser section including a first duct portion having an axial flow path along a centerline of the gas turbine diffuser. The gas turbine diffuser also includes an axial-radial diffuser section coupled to the axial diffuser section, wherein the axial-radial diffuser section includes a second duct portion having a curved flow path along the centerline from the axial flow path to a radial flow path and the axial-radial diffuser section excludes any turning vane in the second duct portion. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033289 | ARTICLE USING AN OPTICAL DEVICE - An article includes an optical device. The optical device includes a first prism, a second prism, and a light source. The first prism includes an optically active material that affects a refractive index of at least a portion of the first prism via a photochemical change induced by exposure to different wavelengths of light from the light source. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033207 | COMPOSITE FIBER WAVE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for inspecting a wind turbine blade having a pair of shells surrounding a shear web. The system includes a scanning machine for taking images of an interior portion of the shells of the wind turbine blade, a measuring apparatus for taking numerous measurements of a defect imaged within the shells of the wind turbine blade, and a look-up table for ascertaining the theoretical strength of the wind turbine blade. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032810 | THERMAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR FAULT DETECTION WITHIN A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - A system includes a radiation sensor configured to direct a field of view toward a conduit within a heat recovery steam generator, and to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the conduit. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation sensor. The controller is configured to determine the temperature based on the signal, and to compare the temperature to a threshold value. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032090 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR ANODE AND CATHODE ELECTRICAL SEPARATION IN DETECTORS - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing anode and cathode electrical separation in detectors. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is presented for providing a neutron detector tube. The method may include applying a conductive layer to at least a portion of an inner surface of a non-conductive cathode tube associated with a neutron detector; applying a neutron sensitive cathode coating to at least a portion of the conductive layer; sealing a first portion of the neutron detector tube with a cathode cap; and sealing a second portion of the neutron detection tube with an anode cap. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031600 | TURBINE INTERCOOLER - An intercooler includes a shell with an inlet and an outlet. The shell defines a first chamber. The intercooler further includes a plurality of elongate conducting members. Each of the conducting members includes a first end section and a second end section and is disposed such that each of the first end sections is inside the first chamber of the shell and such that each of the second end sections is disposed exteriorly of the shell. Each of the second end sections is disposed in a flow path of at least one cooling medium so as to undergo evaporative cooling. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031596 | HEAT EXCHANGER MEDIA PAD FOR A GAS TURBINE - A media sheet for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The media sheet includes a first layer having a first outer surface and a second layer having a second outer surface. The first and second layers define a plurality of passages extending therebetween. At least one of the first and second outer surfaces comprises a plurality of depressions. The plurality of depressions further define the plurality of passages therebetween. The media sheet is polymer fiber-based and wettable. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031581 | THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FAULT DETECTION AND MITIGATION WITHIN A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - A system includes a radiation sensor configured to direct a field of view toward at least one conduit along a fluid flow path into a heat exchanger. The radiation sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the at least one conduit. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation sensor. The controller is configured to determine the temperature based on the signal, to compare the temperature to a threshold range, and to adjust a fluid flow through the fluid flow path or the at least one conduit if the temperature deviates from the threshold range. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031350 | ICE BLAST CLEANING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present application provides an ice blast cleaning method for a layer of slag on a surface. The ice blast cleaning method may include the steps of maintaining the surface with the layer of slag thereon at an elevated temperature, shooting a number of ice pellets at the layer of slag on the surface, and loosening the layer of slag on the surface via a mechanical impact of the ice pellets on the layer of slag and a thermal shock caused by a temperature differential between the ice pellets and the layer of slag. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031106 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING TEMPERATURE WITHIN A TURBINE SYSTEM - A system includes a radiation detector array configured to direct a field of view toward multiple conduits within a fluid flow path from a turbine into a heat exchanger. The radiation detector array is configured to output a signal indicative of a multi-dimensional temperature profile of the fluid flow path based on thermal radiation emitted by the conduits. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation detector array. The controller is configured to determine a temperature variation across the fluid flow path based on the signal, and to compare the temperature variation to a threshold value. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031105 | PRESSURE-ACTUATED PLUG - A plug for regulating a flow of gas in a system is disclosed. The plug includes a housing disposed on a temperature boundary in a system. The housing defines a passage for flowing gas therethrough. The plug further includes at least one pressure-actuated valve disposed in the passage and movable between an open position and a closed position. The at least one pressure-actuated valve moves from the open position to the closed position as the pressure of the gas increases and moves from the closed position to the open position as the pressure of the gas decreases. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031097 | MULTI-PREMIXER FUEL NOZZLE - The present application provides a fuel nozzle for use in a gas turbine. The fuel nozzle may include a mounting flange, a number of premixers attached to each other, and a number of gas pathways extending from the mounting flange to the number of premixers. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031067 | TURBULATED ARRANGEMENT OF THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENTS FOR UTILIZING WASTE HEAT GENERATED FROM TURBINE ENGINE - Disclosed is a turbulated arrangement of thermoelectric elements for utilizing waste heat generated from a turbine engine. The turbulated arrangement of thermoelectric elements is located within the turbine casing at a heat exhaust end of the turbine engine. The turbulated arrangement of thermoelectric elements convert heat exhaust generated from the turbine engine into electrical energy. In one embodiment, the electrical energy generated from the turbulated arrangement of thermoelectric elements can be used to power electrical components located about the turbine engine. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030656 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PARAMETRIC SYSTEM EVALUATION - A method and system for evaluating a system are described. A parameter space comprising one or more parameters corresponding to the system and/or an application executed on the system is defined. Additionally, one or more search functions for selecting a parameter from the parameter space to evaluate a desired characteristic of the system are determined. Further, at least one parameter from the parameter space is selected using the one or more search functions and the application is executed using the selected parameter. Subsequently, the execution of the application is monitored and metrics associated with the application are recorded. The method further includes iteratively selecting another parameter from the parameter space based on the recorded metrics and executing the application using the selected another parameter. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120030372 | REDUNDANT ETHERNET CONNECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes a first communication network including a first switch and a second switch connected to the first switch, a second communication network including a third switch and fourth switch coupled to the third switch, and a first computing device coupled to the first communications network through a first network interface controller (NIC) and coupled to the second communication network through a second NIC. The first computing device is configured to communicate through the first NIC first communication network until it determines that it is not receiving bridge protocol data units (BPDUs) and then to communicate through the second NIC. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120030276 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING WEB ANALYTIC REPORTS - A system for generating web analytic reports is provided. The system includes a processor configured to receive an input web page link, execute a unified tag for the input web page link, and generate unified tagged data based on the executed unified tag. The system also includes a server side translation unit configured to translate the unified tagged data to corresponding client tagged data for each of a plurality of clients. The system further includes a plurality of client side analytical units associated with a corresponding client among the plurality of clients and communicatively coupled to the server side translation unit, wherein at least a portion of the client side analytical units are configured to analyze the corresponding client tagged data for each of the plurality of clients and generate a corresponding client side web analytics report for each of the plurality of clients. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029939 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO GROUP AND PRESENT CLINICAL RECORDS - Methods and apparatus to present and group clinical records are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining work list data of a healthcare practitioner and one or more clinical records associated with the work list data; extracting descriptive information from the clinical records to obtain one or more classifications associated with the clinical records; organizing the clinical records using the classifications into a hierarchy associated with a multi-tiered structure for graphical display; displaying one or more work items from the work list data in a first tier of the structure associated with the hierarchy; displaying one or more nodes associated with a first one of the classifications in a second tier of the structure in response to a first selection of a first one of the work items; and presenting one or more of the clinical records in a user interface in response to a second selection from a base tier of the structure. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029853 | SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ELECTRICAL DISCHARGES ON A STRUCTURE - A lightning detection and damage estimation system for a structure is disclosed herein. The system includes a lightning receptor coupled to a lightning conductor configured to receive multiple lightning strikes and induce lightning current in a pick-up coil coupled to the lightning conductor. An integrated circuit coupled to the lightning conductor via the pick-up coil includes a non-volatile memory for successively storing one or more samples of the lightning induced current for the multiple lightning strikes. A damage estimation unit is configured to estimate a condition of the structure based on analyzing a history of stored samples of the lightning induced current of the multiple lightning strikes from the non-volatile memory. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029840 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING LIFETIME OF WIND TURBINE BLADE - A method for monitoring stress on a wind turbine blade during loading is disclosed. The method includes capturing multiple images at respective locations of the blade. The method also includes measuring temperature at the respective locations based upon captured images. The method further includes calculating stress applied on the blade at the respective locations based upon the measured temperature. The method also includes calculating stress applied on the blade at the respective locations based upon the measured temperature. The method further includes comparing the calculated stress with respective theoretical stress in a finite element model to predict lifetime of the blade. The method also includes alerting an operator in event that the calculated stress at one or more of the respective locations is above a pre-determined limit. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029838 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A WIND TURBINE GEARBOX - A system and method are provided to monitor the health of a wind turbine gearbox. The system includes a plurality of sensors coupled to the wind turbine gearbox and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to acquire vibration information from a vibration sensor, acquire a tachometer signal, convert the tachometer signal and the vibration information into a cycle domain signal, and perform an order analysis on the cycle domain signal, the order analysis providing information that identifies potential and actual damage within the wind turbine gearbox. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029835 | FIBER OPTIC CARBON DIOXIDE PURITY SENSOR PACKAGE AND SYSTEM - A carbon dioxide (CO2) purity sensor package includes a fiber core, a periodic refractive index modulated fiber grating structure within the fiber core and a fiber cladding. A thermally conductive sensing layer is positioned about a portion of the fiber cladding surrounding the periodic refractive index modulated fiber grating structure. A gas chamber encloses the fiber cladding with the thermally conductive sensing layer. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029824 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING REGIONS OF DISTINCT WIND FLOW - Systems and methods for detecting areas of distinct wind flow in a region of a wind farm are disclosed. Areas of distinct flow can be identified by a computing tool based at least in part on wind velocity field data. For instance, using wind velocity field data, a finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) field, which measures the rate at which particles are stretching over time relative to each other, can be calculated. The FTLE field can be analyzed to determine the transport barriers in the flow. The maximum transport barriers of the FTLE field describe Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS). The LCS can be used to identify areas of distinct wind flow, which can be used to determine desirable locations for placement of wind measurement data or to identify recirculation zones. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029393 | COMPACT ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A compact ultrasound transducer assembly is provided. The ultrasound transducer assembly comprises a compact housing, a therapy transducer disposed in the compact housing, and an interchangeable Fresnel lens having a flat surface and a structured surface. The Fresnel lens is disposed in the compact housing so that the flat surface of the Fresnel lens faces the therapy transducer. The structured surface of the Fresnel lens is disposed in a direction away from the therapy transducer, and the Fresnel lens is removably coupled to the therapy transducer, the compact housing, or both. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029386 | Ambient Noise Canceling Physiological Acoustic Monitoring System & Method - The present invention is an ambient noise canceling physiological acoustic monitoring system and method. The system and method utilizes a plurality of microphones to collect input data including ambient noise signals, bed frame noise signals and patient respiratory and cardiac data signals. The system and method cancels the ambient noise and bed frame noise signals, and calculates a filtered audio output signal with an algorithm that utilizes ECG rhythm patterns and impedance pneumography. The set of input data and the filtered audio output signal are then displayed in real time. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029252 | METHODS FOR PREPARING FUEL COMPOSITIONS FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES, AND RELATED SYSTEMS - A method for producing a fuel composition from a feedstock which may contain biomass and municipal solid waste is described. The method includes the step of pyrolyzing the feedstock in the presence of a transition metal, using microwave energy, so that the level of oxygen in at least one product of the pyrolysis is reduced. An integrated process is also described, in which the transition metal can be regenerated. Moreover, pyrolysis products such as bio-oils can be upgraded to liquid fuel compositions. Related systems for producing fuel compositions are also described. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028756 | COMPLIANT CARRIER WALL FOR IMPROVED GEARBOX LOAD SHARING - A planetary gear system and a method of fabricating same. The planetary gear system includes at least one planet gear, at least one planet pin receiving the at least one planet gear, and a carrier. The carrier itself includes at least one carrier opening for accommodating the at least planet gear, at least one planet pin opening for receiving the at least one planet pin, and at least one flex portion within a wall of the carrier for providing enhanced compliance to the carrier in response to force directed on the at least one planet gear. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028755 | PIN FOR PLANETARY GEAR SYSTEM - A pin for coupling a planet gear to a carrier in a planetary gear system is disclosed. The pin includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, the pin further includes means for modifying the compliance of the pin at an interface between the pin and the carrier. In other embodiments, the pin further include a compliance feature defined in the outer surface, the compliance feature allowing greater compliance of the pin in the tangential direction than in the radial direction. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028754 | LIQUID EQUALIZED GEAR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - A carrier for use in a planetary gear system. The carrier has a plurality of openings or slots offset from a midline thereof. The carrier includes alignment mechanisms positioned in each of the plurality of openings or slots to substantially align each planet gear about the midline of the carrier. The carrier may be used in a planetary gear system for use in a wind turbine. One aspect incorporates eccentric rings in the openings. Another aspect incorporates inserts in the slots. Each of the rings and inserts has openings that, when properly positioned, will substantially bisect the carrier midline. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028201 | SUBSURFACE HEATER - In one aspect, the present invention provides a subsurface heater comprising: a combustible gas supply conduit; an oxygen supply conduit and a heat transmissive external housing encompassing a porous refractory medium. The combustible gas supply conduit and the oxygen supply conduit are configured as a concentric pair disposed within the porous refractory medium and coupled to a plurality of gas jets disposed within the porous refractory medium. The porous refractory medium has disposed within it a plurality of combustion product gas return conduits. The combustion product gas return conduits are configured to receive combustion product gases from the porous refractory medium. Also provided in another aspect of the present invention, is a method for heating a subsurface zone. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027664 | CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE SYSTEM AND METHODS OF CAPTURING CARBON DIOXIDE - In one embodiment, a system for recovering carbon dioxide from a gas stream, comprising: a reaction chamber having a first pressure and comprising a gas stream inlet; a phase-changing liquid sorbent, wherein the liquid sorbent is chemically reactive with carbon dioxide to form a solid material; a regeneration unit to decompose the solid material to released carbon dioxide gas and regenerated liquid sorbent; and a transport mechanism disposed between the reaction chamber and the regeneration unit and configured to mix the solid material with a liquid to form a slurry, pressurize the slurry, and transport the slurry to the regeneration unit. In one embodiment, a method of recovering carbon dioxide from a gas stream, comprising: chemically reacting carbon dioxide with a phase-changing liquid sorbent to form a solid material; mixing the solid material with a liquid to form a slurry; pressurizing and transporting the slurry to a regeneration unit; and heating the slurry to form carbon dioxide gas and regenerated liquid sorbent. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027663 | CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE SYSTEM AND METHODS OF CAPTURING CARBON DIOXIDE - In one embodiment, a system for recovering carbon dioxide can comprises: a reaction chamber having a first pressure and comprising a gas stream inlet; a phase-changing liquid sorbent, wherein the liquid sorbent is chemical reactive with carbon dioxide to form a solid material; a regeneration unit to decompose the solid material to released carbon dioxide gas and regenerated liquid sorbent; and a dry transport mechanism configured to transport the solid material from the reaction chamber at the first pressure to the regeneration unit at a second higher pressure. In one embodiment, a method of recovering carbon dioxide from a gas stream, comprises: chemically reacting carbon dioxide with a liquid sorbent to form a solid material; without adding a carrier fluid, dry pressurizing and transporting the solid material, to a regeneration unit; and heating the solid material in the regeneration unit to decompose the solid material to carbon dioxide gas and regenerated liquid sorbent. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027648 | INTERFACING CAPS FOR MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - An interfacing cap for a reagent storage vessel is provided. The interfacing cap comprises a partitioning element having a structure corresponding to an opening of the reagent storage vessel, a projection fitting disposed on the partitioning element, a holder element, and a puncturing element coupled to the projection fitting. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027618 | ANGLED BLADE ROOT - A blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade is disclosed. The blade root may generally comprise a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and defining a planar end surface. Additionally, an angle may be defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027615 | ROTOR BLADE - A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade includes an outer shell having exterior surfaces and interior surfaces, the exterior surfaces defining a pressure side and a suction side each extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, the interior surfaces defining a rotor blade interior. The rotor blade further includes a structural member extending through at least a portion of the interior, and a generally elastic material connecting the structural member to an interior surface. The generally elastic material allows movement of the outer shell with respect to the structural member. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027614 | WIND TURBINE BLADE MULTI-COMPONENT SHEAR WEB WITH INTERMEDIATE CONNECTION ASSEMBLY - A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade and includes first and second components extending from a respective spar cap. An intermediate connection assembly is provided between facing transverse ends of the first and second components, and includes bond paste retaining structure configured relative to the transverse ends to achieve a bond between the transverse ends having desired width and thickness dimensions. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027613 | WIND TURBINE BLADE SHEAR WEB CONNECTION ASSEMBLY - A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. A connection assembly is configured between the transverse ends of the shear web and the spar caps and includes a channel structure configured on the spar cap. The channel structure includes rigid side walls that extend from the spar cap along the longitudinal sides of the shear web. Bond paste is disposed between the channel structure side walls and the longitudinal sides of the shear web. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027612 | WIND TURBINE BLADE SHEAR WEB CONNECTION ASSEMBLY - A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. A connection assembly is configured between the transverse ends of the shear web and the spar caps. The connection assembly includes a spacer member configured on the spar cap. A male/female engagement interface is defined between transverse end of the shear web and the spacer member, and includes an axial extension length to accommodate for variances in shear web length. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027611 | COMPRESSION MEMBER FOR WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADES - A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may include a body having a pressure side shell and a suction side shell extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. A spar member may extend between the pressure and suction side shells. Additionally, a removable compression member may extend between the pressure and suction side shells. The compression member may be formed from a compliant material. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027610 | WIND TURBINE BLADE SHEAR WEB WITH SPRING FLANGES - A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. A connection assembly is configured between the transverse ends of the shear web and the spar caps. The connection assembly includes spring flange members that extend distally beyond the transverse ends of the shear web at opposite sides of the shear web so as to define a laterally extending float section. A bond paste layer is between the float sections and the spar cap and between the transverse end of the shear web and the spar cap as a result of compression of the spring flanges against the spar cap. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027608 | Rotor Blade Section and Method for Assembling a Rotor Blade for a Wind Turbine - A rotor blade section and a method for assembling a rotor blade for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade section includes a plurality of ribs each extending in a generally chord-wise direction. Each of the plurality of ribs includes an outer surface. The outer surface has a generally aerodynamic contour. The rotor blade section further includes at least one cross-member extending between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs, and an outer body mounted to the plurality of ribs. The outer body has an aerodynamic contour generally corresponding to the aerodynamic contour of the plurality of ribs. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027607 | NICKEL ALLOY AND ARTICLES - Articles suitable for use in high temperature applications, such as turbomachinery components, and methods for making such articles, are provided. One embodiment is an article. The article comprises a material comprising a plurality of L12-structured gamma-prime phase precipitates distributed within a matrix phase at a concentration of at least 20% by volume, wherein the gamma-prime phase precipitates are less than 1 micrometer in size, and a plurality of A3-structured eta phase precipitates distributed within the matrix phase at a concentration in the range from about 1% to about 25% by volume. The solvus temperature of the eta phase is higher than the solvus temperature of the gamma-prime phase. Moreover, the material has a median grain size less than 10 micrometers. The method comprises providing a workpiece, the workpiece comprising at least about 40% nickel, from about 1.5% to about 8% titanium, and from about 1.5% to about 4.5% aluminum. A weight ratio of titanium to aluminum is in the range from about 1 to about 4, and the workpiece further comprises a plurality of A3-structured ordered eta phase precipitates distributed within the matrix phase at a concentration in the range from about 1% to about 25% by volume. The method further comprises mechanically working the workpiece at a temperature below a solvus temperature of the eta phase; and heat treating the workpiece at a temperature sufficiently high to dissolve any gamma prime phase present in the workpiece but below the solvus temperature of the eta phase. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027596 | PLANETARY GEAR SYSTEM - A planetary gear system is disclosed. The planetary gear system includes a carrier, a planet gear defining a central planet axis, and a pin coupling the planet gear to the carrier. The planetary gear system additionally includes a bearing disposed between the planet gear and the pin. The bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements. Each of the rolling elements is in contact with an inner race and an outer race. The planetary gear system further includes a resilient member. The resilient member is disposed between one of the inner race and the pin or the outer race and the planet gear. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027595 | PITCHABLE WINGLET FOR A WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE - A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may include a blade root, a blade tip and a body. The body may include a base portion extending from the blade root and a winglet extending from the base portion to the blade tip. In addition, at least a portion of the winglet may be configured to be pitched independent of the base portion. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027592 | METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE AMPLITUDE MODULATION OF NOISE GENERATED BY WIND TURBINES - In one aspect, a method for controlling the amplitude modulation of noise generated by a wind turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include determining an angle of attack of a rotor blade of a wind turbine and maintaining the angle of attack at a substantially constant value during rotation of the rotor blade in order to reduce the amplitude modulation of the noise generated by the wind turbine. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027591 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE AMPLITUDE MODULATION OF NOISE GENERATED BY WIND TURBINES - In one aspect, a method for controlling the amplitude modulation of the noise generated by wind turbines is generally disclosed. The method may include determining a sound characteristic of a turbine sound wave generated by a wind turbine and generating an additive sound wave based on the sound characteristic such that a resultant sound wave is produced having a peak-to-peak amplitude that is smaller than a peak-to-peak amplitude of the turbine sound wave. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027590 | NOISE REDUCER FOR ROTOR BLADE IN WIND TURBINE - A rotor blade assembly and a method for reducing the noise of a rotor blade for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade has surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer configured on a surface of the rotor blade, the noise reducer including a plurality of noise reduction features. Each of the plurality of noise reduction features includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a first portion mounted to one of the pressure side or the suction side and a second portion configured to interact with wind flowing past the other of the pressure side or the suction side. The second surface interrupts an aerodynamic contour of the one of the pressure side or the suction side. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027588 | ROOT FLAP FOR ROTOR BLADE IN WIND TURBINE - A rotor blade assembly and a method for reducing the separation region of a rotor blade for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a flap extending in the generally span-wise direction from the root towards the tip. The flap includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface conformingly mounted to at least one of the pressure side, the suction side, or the trailing edge, the outer surface and at least one of the pressure side or the suction side defining a generally continuous aerodynamic surface. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027587 | WIND TURBINE TORQUE-SPEED CONTROL - The present subject matter relates to methods and systems for operating a wind turbine that, in some embodiments may include a gearbox. The wind turbine is provided with a blade having an adjustable pitch angle and the tip speed ratio (TSR) of the blade is monitored. In operation, the method and system is configured to increase the pitch angle of the blade concurrently with an increase in TSR to maintain turbine operation within an identified high power coefficient (Cp) operational region for the blade. TSR may be monitored by monitoring one of the velocity of the tip of the blade, wind speed, the rotational speed of the blade, or the rotational speed of a component within the gearbox. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027586 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING WIND TURBINE THRUST - A wind turbine and methods for controlling wind turbine thrust are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a tilt angle of a wind turbine in a loaded position using a measuring device. The wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, a rotor coupled to the nacelle, and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotor. The method further includes comparing the tilt angle to a predetermined tilt angle for the wind turbine and, if the tilt angle exceeds the predetermined tilt angle, adjusting a pitch of at least one of the plurality of rotor blades such that the tilt angle is less than or equal to the predetermined tilt angle. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027585 | SYSTEM FOR ACTIVELY MONITORING WEAR ON WIND TURBINE BRAKE PADS AND RELATED METHODS - A system for monitoring wear on a brake pad of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system may include a brake assembly having a brake pad and a moveable component. The brake pad may be configured to engage a friction surface of the wind turbine. The movable component may be configured to move relative to the friction surface as the brake pad wears. Additionally, the system may include a sensor at least partially mounted within the brake assembly. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the movable component relative to the sensor or a position of the friction surface relative to the sensor. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027584 | TURBINE SEAL SYSTEM - In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a multi-stage turbine including a first turbine stage including a first wheel having multiple first slots spaced circumferentially about the first wheel, and multiple first blade segments each coupled to at least one of the multiple first slots. The multi-stage turbine also includes a second turbine stage including a second wheel having multiple second slots spaced circumferentially about the second wheel, and multiple second blade segments each coupled to at least one of the multiple second slots. The multi-stage turbine further includes a one-piece interstage seal extending axially between the first and second turbine stages, wherein the one-piece interstage seal comprises a first radial support coupled to the first wheel and a second radial support coupled to the second wheel, and the one-piece interstage seal extends circumferentially across at least two of the multiple first slots or at least two of the multiple second slots. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027582 | FLOATING PACKING RING ASSEMBLY - A packing ring assembly for use between a rotating and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed, the assembly including an arcuate packing ring casing, an arcuate packing ring segment positioned at least partially within the packing ring casing, and a resistance component configured to allow movement of the packing ring segment in an axial direction, relative to the rotating component, between a first and second position in response to a pressure condition. In one embodiment, the resistance component allows movement when the pressure condition comprises approximately 30% of the turbomachine load. Also disclosed is an altered surface topography of the rotating component to accommodate variable length teeth extending from the packing ring segment, such that when the packing ring segment is in the first position, a clearance between the packing ring segment and the rotating component is larger than when the packing ring segment is in the second position. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027581 | REINFORCED CONCRETE GAS TURBINE OUTER CASE - A turbomachine outer case includes a pair of outer case sections, each provided with attachment flanges for securing said pair of outer case sections about an internal rotor structure, the pair of outer case sections constructed of a cement composite material. The outer case sections may be lined with a relatively thin metal alloy. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027573 | SEAL TEETH FOR SEAL ASSEMBLY - In an embodiment, a seal assembly for a rotating element is disclosed. The seal assembly includes: a plurality of arcuate packing rings configured to form an annulus proximately surrounding the rotating element; and a plurality of radially and circumferentially extending seal teeth coupled to each of the plurality of arcuate packing rings, wherein at least one of the plurality of seal teeth includes a plurality of axially extending protrusions. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027566 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A WIND TURBINE - A method, system and computer program product for operating a wind turbine is disclosed. For operating the wind turbine a set of operational data points are sensed via a sensing module. The set of operational data points may include bending stress values. Based on the bending stress values, a load scenario indicator value may be computed. Further, based on the set of operational data points a loading threshold value may be obtained. At least one operating parameter of the wind turbine is changed if the load scenario indicator value exceeds the loading threshold. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027561 | LIFT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A WIND TURBINE - A lift system and a method for constructing a wind turbine are disclosed. The lift system includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. The lift system further includes a lift device including a sling and a quick release device. The sling is coupled to the rotor blade and includes a first end and a second end spaced apart by an intermediate portion. The second end is releasably joined to the first end by the quick release device. The quick release device is operable to release the second end from the first end to uncouple the sling from the rotor blade. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026855 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING INFORMATION FROM OPTICAL DISK LAYERS - A method for processing information is provided. The method includes directing a laser beam to a first track of a first layer of a holographic storage medium. The method also includes recording a base voltage based on a look-up table. The method includes directing the laser beam to a target track in the first layer, based on position information in tracks. Further, the method includes recording an offset voltage for the target track into the look-up table. Still further, the method includes directing the laser beam to a target layer based on position information in vertical wobbles. The method also includes recording an offset voltage for the target layer into the look-up table. Finally, the method includes determining a final voltage based on the look-up table and applying the final voltage to an actuator for moving the laser beam to a final target position in the holographic storage medium for recording and retrieval of information. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026769 | PHOTOVOLTAIC INVERTER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF STARTING SAME AT HIGH OPEN-CIRCUIT VOLTAGE - A power inverter system includes a DC to AC inverter configured to convert DC voltage from a DC power source to AC voltage. A DC link couples the DC power source and the inverter. An inverter pre-charger operates to pre-charge the inverter to achieve a desired DC link voltage prior to connecting the power inverter system to an AC power grid. A phased lock loop synchronizes the pre-charged inverter to the AC power grid prior to connecting the power inverter system to the AC power grid. The pre-charged inverter regulates the DC link voltage to about the minimum voltage level that allows control of AC grid currents via the inverter subsequent to connecting the power inverter system to the AC grid. The inverter operates in a maximum power point tracking control mode only subsequent to a first voltage transient caused by connecting the DC power source to energize the power inverter system. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026632 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Limiting Voltage Across a Switch - Systems, methods, and apparatus for limiting voltage across a switch utilizing voltage clamping circuitry are provided. The voltage clamping circuitry may include a rectifier circuit comprising inputs and outputs, the inputs in parallel communication across operational circuitry; an electronic active switching device in parallel communication with the outputs of the rectifier circuit; and at least one Zener diode in parallel communication with the electronic active switching device. When voltage across the electronic active switching device and the Zener diode meets or exceeds a predetermined value, the current will flow through the electronic active switching device and limit voltage across the operational circuitry to within a voltage clamping circuitry voltage limit. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026323 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING STRESS ON A WIND TURBINE BLADE - A method for monitoring stress on a wind turbine blade during loading is disclosed. The method includes capturing multiple images at respective locations of the blade. The method also includes measuring temperature at the respective locations based upon captured images. The method further includes calculating stress applied on the blade at the respective locations based upon the measured temperature. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026306 | Image Recording Assemblies and Coupling Mechanisms For Stator Vane Inspection - A system is disclosed that includes an image recording assembly for recording images of a stator vane of a compressor and a mechanism configured to magnetically couple the image recording assembly to a rotor blade of a compressor. Additional systems are provided that include image recording assemblies. Methods implementing the disclosed systems are also provided. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025989 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING A FALLEN PERSON USING A RANGE IMAGING DEVICE - A method and system for detecting a fallen person is described. An initial range image corresponding to a field of view of a DAS is generated. Further, a reference plane disposed in the field of view is identified. Additionally, one or more regions in the initial range image indicative of one or more objects disposed above the reference plane in the field of view are determined. Further, the DAS regenerates a range image corresponding to the field of view after a determined time period. The regenerated range image is compared with the initial range image to determine if the regenerated range image comprises a new object disposed above the reference plane. The new object is determined to be the fallen person if a height of the new object is less than a determined height and a volume and/or a surface area of the new object is greater than a determined value. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025942 | CONTACTLESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM - A system, such as a charging system, is provided. The system can include a coil. A connection module can be coupled to the coil and configured to allow the coil to communicate with an energy source to generate a magnetic field. A field-focusing element can be included, the field-focusing element acting to focus the magnetic field when the magnetic field varies in time at a predetermined rate. In one embodiment, the field-focusing element may be configured to focus the magnetic field in an area separated from the coil by at least about 5 cm. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025829 | ACOUSTICALLY DAMPED GRADIENT COIL - A gradient coil assembly is provided. The gradient coil assembly includes a cylindrical element. The cylindrical element has an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one first isolation material is disposed over the outer surface of the cylindrical element. A conducting material is disposed over the isolation material. A method to form the gradient coil assembly is also provided. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025827 | NUCLEAR QUADRUPOLE RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING - Structural health monitoring using nuclear quadrupole resonance is disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a method of monitoring stress is provided. The method includes scanning a composite using an NQR spectrometer, the composite having a polymer matrix and a microcrystalline material disposed in the matrix. The microcrystalline material includes molecules having nuclei with respective nuclear quadrupole moments. The method also includes determining microscopic strain distribution indices of the composite from the NQR scans to quantify stress and identify precursors to failure in the composite. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025804 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTING LIGHTNING STRIKES ON WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADES - A system and method for detecting lightning strikes on a wind turbine includes detecting and measuring a parameter that is indicative of a lightning strike, which may be current induced in a conductor as a result of the lightning strike. A current receptor may be located on a component of the wind turbine and electrically coupled to a ground conductor. A current sensor is disposed on the ground conductor and generates a primary current I(p) that is proportional to a lightning strike current flowing through the ground conductor upon a lighting strike on the receptor. A signal converter sub-system is configured to convert the primary current I(p) into a processing signal. A processing sub-system is configured to receive and use the processing signal to determine an actual lightning strike on the wind turbine. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025758 | CONTACTLESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM - A contactless charging system is presented. The contactless charging system includes an electrical outlet coupled to a power source and comprising a primary coil. An inlet on a vehicle comprising a dielectric region is disposed within a cavity. A secondary coil is disposed within the cavity and coupled to a storage module. A field focusing element is disposed proximate the dielectric region and configured to focus a magnetic field. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025638 | APPARATUS FOR COOLING AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - Provided is an apparatus, for example, for use with a rotating electric machine, that includes a housing. The housing can include a housing main portion and a housing end portion. The housing main portion can be configured to be disposed proximal to a body portion of a stator section of an electric machine. The housing main portion can define a main fluid channel that is configured to conduct fluid therethrough. The housing end portion can receive fluid from said main fluid channel and direct fluid into contact with a winding end portion of a conductive winding of the stator section. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025632 | ELECTRIC MOTOR APPARATUS - An apparatus is provided and includes a load, circuitry coupled to the load for turning the load on and off, a conduit box through which electricity is transmitted to the load to power the load when the load is turned on, the conduit box including a conduit box body formed to define an aperture and a cover, which closes the aperture when the cover is disposed at a predefined position relative to the conduit box body and a system by which the conduit box body and the cover are operably coupled to the circuitry to provide transmission of the electricity through the conduit box when the load is turned on only when the cover is disposed at the predefined position relative to the conduit box body. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025530 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE AMPLITUDE MODULATION OF NOISE GENERATED BY WIND TURBINES - In one aspect, a method for controlling the amplitude modulation of the noise generated by wind turbines is disclosed. The method may include determining a rotor position of a first wind turbine, determining a rotor position of a second wind turbine, determining if the first and second wind turbines are operating in-phase and, in the event that the first and second wind turbines are operating in-phase, adjusting an operating condition of at least one of the first wind turbine and the second wind turbine so that the first and second wind turbines operate out-of-phase. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025529 | System and Methods for Monitoring Oil Conditions of a Wind Turbine Gearbox - A method for monitoring the condition of oil contained within a gearbox of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method generally includes receiving a signal corresponding to a measurement of an oil parameter of the gearbox, comparing the measurement to a predetermined limit for the oil parameter, assigning a severity level based on the comparison of the measurement to the predetermined limit and determining a recommended course of action for the wind turbine based on the severity level. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025528 | MAGNETOSTRICTIVE SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A magnetostriction-based sensor system for sensing force on a wind turbine rotor shaft having multiple localized magnetized domains sensitive to magnetostriction. The sensor system includes at least two sets of first and second magnetometers. The signals from the at least two sets of first and second magnetometers can be utilized to determine torsional and linear forces being exerted on the wind turbine rotor shaft. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025527 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE CONSTANT SPEED MECHANICAL OUTPUT IN A MACHINE - A system to provide constant speed mechanical output in a wind turbine is provided. The system includes at least one electrical machine configured to convert a rotary mechanical power received from a main gear to a machine electrical power. The system further includes one or more electrical converters electrically coupled to the machine and configured to convert the machine electrical power from a direct current (DC) power to an alternate current (AC) power or from the alternate current (AC) power to the direct current (DC) power, where the converters generate a differential electrical power. A torque converter is electrically coupled to the electrical converters and generates a constant speed mechanical output employing the differential electrical power received from the one or more electrical converters. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025526 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING WIND TURBINE GEARBOX HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE - A system and method are provided to monitor the health and performance of a wind turbine gearbox. A plurality of sensors coupled to the wind turbine gearbox provide input to a controller. The controller generates output information that includes performance and health information of the wind turbine gearbox based on the input received from each of the sensors. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025521 | FLUID CONNECTOR DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A fluid connector device is provided. The fluid connector device includes a coupling substrate having a conformal recess, a reconnectable fitting disposed in the recess to provide a first passageway, and a force applying element operatively coupled to the reconnectable fitting, or the coupling substrate, or both the reconnectable fitting and the coupling substrate to at least partially provide a sealing force between the reconnectable fitting and the coupling substrate, wherein at least one of the force applying element, the reconnectable fitting, and the coupling substrate comprises one or more degrees of freedom for self alignment of the reconnectable fitting and the conformal recess. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025092 | MASK FOR CODED APERTURE SYSTEMS - A coded aperture includes a position sensitive detector configured to observe the location of emitted high energy radiation, and a mask disposed in front of the position sensitive detector, wherein the mask has a non-linear shape configured to define a perimeter around position sensitive detector, wherein the mask comprises a plurality of attenuating and transparent elements of a predetermined configuration, positioned such that the emitted radiation is detected by the position sensitive detector after passage through the mask. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024985 | INTEGRATED FUEL NOZZLE AND INLET FLOW CONDITIONER AND RELATED METHOD - A nozzle center body includes a unitary, one-piece, elongated tubular member having a forward end formed with a radially outwardly extending mounting flange; an aft end formed with a plurality of radially outwardly extending swirler vanes; and, an intermediate region, located axially between the forward and aft ends, formed with an inlet flow conditioner including an annular plate provided with plural, circumferentially-spaced flow openings therein. A related method of forming the nozzle center body by casting is also disclosed. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024843 | THERMAL TREATMENT OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS - A method of treating a carbonaceous material is disclosed. The method includes heating the carbonaceous material in a reactor with microwave energy, at a pressure less than about 5 atmospheres, to generate a mixture comprising char, oil and gas. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024563 | INTEGRAL AC MODULE GROUNDING SYSTEM - A photovoltaic (PV) ac-module grounding system includes a plurality of PV dc-voltage modules. Each PV dc-voltage module is integrated with a corresponding dc-ac micro-inverter to provide a corresponding PV ac-voltage module. Each PV ac-voltage module includes an ac-voltage plug and play connector that includes a dc ground conductor. Each dc-ac micro-inverter is internally electrically connected to its own chassis ground or metal enclosure which in turn is electrically connected to a corresponding dc ground conductor. A dc ground path is carried through an ac power bus from ac-voltage module to ac-voltage module through the plug and play connectors via the dc ground conductors. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024465 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STATOR BAR PRESS TOOLING - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing stator bar press tooling. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for pressing and curing insulation material on a shaped element. The method can include providing tooling. The tooling can include an inner press and an outer press, wherein at least an inner press surface associated with the inner press and an outer press surface associated with the outer press are fabricated at least in part by sintering. The method can include applying at least one of pressure or heat to insulation material in contact with a shaped element with the tooling, wherein the inner press surface and the outer press surface of the tooling conform to least an external portion of the shaped element. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024457 | Method and System for Bonding Wind Turbine Blades - A method and associated system are provided for bonding component parts of a wind turbine blade along a bond line. A barrier is placed within an internal cavity of the blade at a defined bond line width along the length of the bond line. A plurality of spaced apart external access ports are defined along the bond line into the internal cavity. A bond paste is sequentially injected into the plurality of access ports to fill the bond line. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024405 | GUIDING DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A fluid connector device is provided. The fluid connector device comprises a coupling substrate comprising a conformal recess, a reconnectable fitting corresponding to the conformal recess, and a guiding device. The guiding device comprises a base component, a body at least partly disposed in the base component and comprising a broad end and a narrow end, wherein the broad end is disposed away from the coupling substrate, and wherein the body is slidably disposed in the base component, and a resilient component disposed on the body of the guiding device and configured to move the reconnectable fitting one or more degrees in a translational, or a rotational direction, or both, relative to the coupling substrate. The fluid connector device further comprises a force applying element operatively coupled to the guiding device, the coupling substrate, or both, to at least partially provide a sealing force between the reconnectable fitting and the coupling substrate, wherein at least one of the force applying element, the reconnectable fitting, and the coupling substrate are adapted to move one or more degrees to enable self-alignment between the reconnectable fitting and the conformal recess. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024360 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - A photovoltaic device is provided. The device comprises a transparent conducting layer. A p-type semiconductor window layer is disposed over the n-type transparent conducting layer. An n-type semiconductor layer is disposed over the p-type semiconductor window layer. An n-type cadmium telluride absorber layer is disposed between the p-type semiconductor window layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024246 | MULTI-MODE VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CAM-DRIVEN POPPET VALVES - A multi-mode valve control mechanism for an engine includes a primary cam follower rotatably mounted within a mount and having one end engaging a camshaft. One or more secondary cam followers are rotatably mounted within the mount and having one end engaging the camshaft. Each secondary cam follower is operatively coupled to a shaft. A follower is dedicated to each cam lobe. A frequency and a duration at which valves in a valve train are actuated is changed by activating only the primary cam follower in a first mode of operation, or activating both the primary cam follower and the one more than one secondary cam followers in a second mode of operation, depending on whether the control mechanism has been activated or not. In either mode of operation, the entire valve train assembly is actuated. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024053 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ICE ON A WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE - A system and method for detecting ice on a rotor blade of a wind turbine are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may include pitching the rotor blade across a range of pitch angles, monitoring an ice-related parameter of the wind turbine as the rotor blade is pitched and comparing the monitored ice-related parameter to a predetermined baseline profile for the ice-related parameter. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023969 | COOLING SYSTEM OF AN ELECTROMAGNET ASSEMBLY - An assembly for a magnetocaloric refrigeration unit includes a magnetocaloric core. Electromagnetic coils may be wound around the magnetocaloric core. The assembly further includes one or more cooling structures to extract the waste heat generated from the electromagnet coils. In some embodiments, the assembly may include one or more magnetic yokes disposed at the longitudinal ends of the magnetocaloric core. At least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the magnetic yoke is provided with a micro-channel structure. In other embodiments, the assembly may include a coil housing disposed around the electromagnet coil. The coil housing includes cooling structures such as, but not limited to, a micro-channel structure, a fin structure, and a heat pipe structure. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023966 | POWER PLANT START-UP METHOD - Ambient air is compressed into a compressed ambient gas flow and delivered to a turbine combustor. At least one of an exhaust port, a bypass conduit, or an extraction conduit is opened to vent the power plant. A turbine shaft is rotated at an ignition speed and a fuel stream is delivered to the turbine combustor for mixing with the compressed ambient gas flow to form a combustible mixture. The combustible mixture is burned and forms a recirculated gas flow that drives the turbine. The recirculated gas flow is recirculated using the recirculation loop. The turbine is operated at a target operating speed and then reaches substantially stoichiometric combustion. At least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is extracted using an extraction conduit that is fluidly connected to the turbine compressor. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023963 | POWER PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATION - At least one main air compressor makes a compressed ambient gas flow. The compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to both master and slave turbine combustors at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to each turbine combustor from each turbine compressor as at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow. A fuel stream is delivered to each turbine combustor, and combustible mixtures are formed and burned, forming the recirculated gas flows. A master and slave turbine power are produced, and each is substantially equal to at least a power required to rotate each turbine compressor. At least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated through recirculation loops. At least a second portion of the recirculated gas flow bypasses the combustors or an excess portion of each recirculated gas flow is vented or both. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023962 | POWER PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATION - At least one main air compressor makes a compressed ambient gas flow. The compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to a turbine combustor at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to the turbine combustor from a turbine compressor as at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow. A fuel stream is delivered to the turbine combustor, and a combustible mixture is formed and burned, forming the recirculated gas flow. A turbine power is produced that is substantially equal to at least a power required to rotate the turbine compressor. At least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated through a recirculation loop. An excess portion of the recirculated gas flow is vented or a portion of the recirculated gas flow bypasses the turbine combustor or both. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023960 | POWER PLANT AND CONTROL METHOD - Ambient air is compressed into a compressed ambient gas flow with a main air compressor. The compressed ambient gas flow having a compressed ambient gas flow rate is delivered to a turbine combustor and mixed with a fuel stream having a fuel stream flow rate and a portion of a recirculated gas flow to form a combustible mixture. The combustible mixture is burned and forms the recirculated gas flow that drives a turbine. The recirculated gas flow is recirculated from the turbine to the turbine compressor using a recirculation loop. At least one emission level is measured by at least a first emission sensor in the recirculated gas flow and at least a first control signal is generated. The fuel stream flow rate is adjusted based on the at least a first control signal to achieve substantially stoichiometric combustion. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023959 | POWER PLANT AND METHOD OF USE - A power plant arrangement and method of operation are provided. The power plant arrangement comprises at lease one main air compressor and one or more gas turbine assemblies. Each assembly comprises a turbine combustor for mixing a portion of a compressed ambient gas flow with a portion of a recirculated low oxygen content gas flow and a fuel stream, and burning the combustible mixture to form the recirculated low oxygen content flow. The assembly further comprises a turbine compressor, fluidly connected to the turbine combustor, and connected to a turbine shaft that is arranged to be driven by rotation of a turbine. The assembly also comprises a recirculation loop for recirculating at least a portion of the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow from the turbine to the turbine compressor. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023958 | POWER PLANT AND CONTROL METHOD - Ambient air is compressed into a compressed ambient gas flow with a main air compressor. The compressed ambient gas flow having a compressed ambient gas flow rate is delivered to a turbine combustor and mixed with a fuel stream having a fuel stream flow rate and a portion of a recirculated low oxygen content gas flow to form a combustible mixture. The combustible mixture is burned and forms the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow that drives a turbine. A portion of the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow is recirculated from the turbine to the turbine compressor using a recirculation loop. The compressed ambient gas flow rate and the fuel stream flow rate are adjusted to achieve substantially stoichiometric combustion. An excess portion, if any, of the compressed ambient gas flow is vented. A portion of the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow is extracted using an extraction conduit. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023957 | POWER PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A power plant arrangement and method of operation is provided. The power plant arrangement includes at least one main air compressor and at least one gas turbine assembly. Each assembly includes a turbine combustor for mixing a portion of compressed ambient gas with a portion of a recirculated low oxygen content gas flow and a fuel stream for burning to form the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow. A recirculation loop for recirculating at least a portion of the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow from the turbine to a turbine compressor is provided. At least one auxiliary apparatus is fluidly connected to the main air compressor and may be at least partially powered by the compressed ambient gas flow. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023956 | POWER PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A power plant and method of operation is provided. The power plant comprises at least one main air compressor, an oxidizer unit configured to deliver a compressed oxygen-rich gas flow to at least one gas turbine assembly. Each assembly comprises a turbine combustor for mixing the compressed oxygen-rich gas flow with a recirculated gas flow and a fuel stream to burn a combustible mixture and form the recirculated gas flow. The assembly also comprises a recirculation loop for recirculating the recirculated gas flow from a turbine to a turbine compressor. The assembly further comprises a recirculated gas flow extraction path for extracting a portion of the recirculated gas flow from the assembly and delivering this to a gas separation system. The gas separation system separates the portion of the recirculated gas flow into a nitrogen portion and a carbon dioxide portion. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023955 | POWER PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A power plant and method of operation are provided. The power plant comprises at least one main air compressor and at least one gas turbine assembly. Each gas turbine assembly comprises a turbine combustor for mixing a compressed ambient gas with a recirculated low oxygen content gas flow and a fuel stream to form a combustible mixture for burning to form the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow. A turbine is arranged to be driven by the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow from the turbine combustor. The assembly includes a recirculation loop for recirculating the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow from the turbine to a turbine compressor and a gas flow extraction stream for extracting a portion of the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow for delivery to a carbon monoxide catalyst unit. A portion of the compressed ambient gas is directed to the carbon monoxide catalyst unit. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023954 | POWER PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A power plant and method of operation that comprises at least one main air compressor and at least one gas turbine assembly. The assembly comprises a turbine combustor for mixing compressed ambient gas with a recirculated low oxygen content gas flow and a fuel stream to form a combustible mixture and for burning the combustible mixture and forming the recirculated low oxygen content flow. The assembly comprises a recirculation loop for recirculating the recirculated low oxygen content gas flow from the turbine to the turbine compressor. The assembly comprises an integrated inlet bleed heat conduit that fluidly connects the at least one gas turbine assembly to an input of the at least one main air compressor and delivers at least a portion of the recirculating low oxygen content gas flow from the at least one gas turbine assembly to the input of the at least one main air compressor. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023953 | METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FUEL SPLITS TO A GAS TURBINE COMBUSTOR - Methods for controlling fuel splits to a combustor of a gas turbine are disclosed. The methods may include determining a combustion reference temperature of the gas turbine, measuring a biasing parameter of the gas turbine, determining at least one fuel split biasing value based on the combustion reference temperature and the biasing parameter and adjusting a nominal fuel split schedule based on the at least one fuel split biasing value. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023952 | FUEL NOZZLE AND ASSEMBLY AND GAS TURBINE COMPRISING THE SAME - A nozzle for assemblies and gas turbines is provided. The nozzle exhibits destabilized flame holding characteristics, i.e., the nozzle is unable to stabilize flame up to an equivalence ratio of about 0.65. As a result, flame heat release is delayed resulting in lower peak flame temperatures and correspondingly lower NOx levels. Flame stabilization capability is retained for higher equivalence ratios to support operation of the combustor in other regions of the load range. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023947 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CO2 CAPTURE - The present disclosure relates to the separation of CO | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023943 | FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM FOR AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE HYDROCARBON EVAPORATOR - The present invention provides an organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system comprising features which provide for fire suppression and/or ignition suppression in the event of an unintentional release of a flammable component of the system, for example a flammable working fluid such as cyclopentane, into a part of the of the system in which the prevailing temperature is higher than the autoignition temperature of the flammable component. In one embodiment, and the organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system comprises an inert gas source disposed upstream of a hydrocarbon evaporator and configured to purge the hydrocarbon evaporator with an inert gas on detection of a leak thereby. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023894 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING CORROSION OR CORROSIVE CONTAMINANTS ASSOCIATED WITH LIQUID FUEL - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for monitoring corrosion or corrosive contaminants associated with liquid fuel. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for monitoring and predicting corrosion. The method can include monitoring corrosion or corrosive contaminants associated with liquid fuel in a fuel supply system of a gas turbine, predicting, based at least in part on the monitoring, a cumulative level of corrosion of one or more components associated with a gas turbine, and outputting information associated with the monitoring. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023892 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CO2 CAPTURE - The present disclosure relates to the separation of CO | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023864 | Bolt Connection for a Wind Tower Lattice Structure - A bolt connection assembly is provided that is particularly suited for connecting components of a lattice structure wind tower. The assembly includes a pin component having a head and a shaft, with the shaft having a textured friction-fit outer circumferential surface. The shaft further includes a threaded internal bore. A bolt component having a threaded shaft engages within the threaded internal bore. In an assembled state of the pin component and bolt component, the threaded shaft has a free length section that extends into the threaded internal bore for increased distribution of a specified pretension of the bolt component. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023860 | Adapter Configuration for a Wind Tower Lattice Structure - A wind turbine tower includes a lattice tower structure having a plurality of vertically oriented columns and cross-brace members. An adapter is molded onto a top of the lattice tower structure such that top portions of the columns are embedded into the adapter. The adapter may be a concrete member molded onto the lattice tower structure. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023859 | WIND TURBINE WITH TOWER SUPPORT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION - A wind turbine has a nacelle mounted atop a tower, with a support system configured around a base portion of the tower. The support system includes a plurality of support fins spaced radially around the base portion. Each of the support fins has a continuous header member secured to the tower and a continuous face member extending radially outward and downward from the header member towards ground. The support fins include a web extending between the header member and face member. The support fins extend from the tower with a length and at an acute extension angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tower so as to provide vertical and lateral support around the circumference of the tower. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023736 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STATOR BAR SHAPE TOOLING - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing stator bar shape tooling. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for shaping an element. The method can include providing at least one constraining surface, wherein the at least one constraining surface is fabricated at least in part by selective laser sintering, and deforming an element with the at least one constraining surface to define at least an external shape of a formed element. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120022712 | GRID FREQUENCY RATE LIMITING SYSTEM - A grid frequency rate limiting system for a droop governor is disclosed, the grid frequency rate limiting system including: a rate limit calculator for: obtaining data including at least one of: a transient power response requirement indicator, a turbo-generator power level indicator, a grid stability indicator, a fuel transfer indicator, a combustion mode timing indicator, or a temperature matching indicator; and defining rate limits according to the obtained data; a rate limiter operably connected to the rate limit calculator, the rate limiter for: obtaining a grid frequency reading associated with a grid frequency of an electrical grid; obtaining the defined rate limits; and filtering the grid frequency using the defined rate limits to provide a filtered frequency; and a droop governor operably connected to the grid frequency rate limiting system, the droop governor for: obtaining the filtered frequency; and providing a power response to the electrical grid based upon the filtered frequency. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021931 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR BATCH PROCESSING MAGNETIC BEAD ASSAYS - A microfluidic device for batch processing magnetic bead assays and having one or more microfluidic sample channels, comprising, one or more micromagnets seated in a fixture; and an actuator; wherein a portion of each micromagnet is in releasable operative association with one or more of the microfluidic sample channels, and another portion of each micromagnet is in releasable operative association with the actuator; and methods for using the same. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021243 | COMPONENTS WITH BONDED EDGES - A metallic sheath for a mounting on a component is disclosed. The metallic sheath comprises a nose portion extending in a chordwise direction, a first side-wall extending in the chordwise direction from the nose portion and a second side-wall extending in the chordwise direction from the nose portion wherein the second side-wall is bonded to the nose portion such that the nose portion, the first side-wall and the second side-wall form a cavity capable of receiving a portion of the component. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020804 | TURBINE NOZZLE SEGMENT HAVING ARCUATE CONCAVE LEADING EDGE - Turbine nozzle segments with trimmed leading edges are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a turbine static nozzle airfoil includes: an arcuate concave leading edge; and a substantially flat trailing edge. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020783 | SLINGER SHIELD STRUCTURE - A slinger shield structure is provided and includes a first annular disc, having a body, opposing faces defining an aperture extending through the body and through-holes extending through the body, which are arrayed around the aperture, a second annular disc having a body and opposing faces defining an aperture extending through the body, a hub for connection with the first and second annular discs at the respective apertures and radial vanes suspended between the first and second annular discs at a distance from the hub to define radial channels between adjacent radial vanes and drainage channels between the radial vanes and the hub. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020775 | FLOW SPLITTER ASSEMBLY FOR STEAM TURBOMACHINE AND METHOD - A turbomachine includes a first turbine portion and a second turbine portion. A flow splitter assembly is coupled between the first and second turbine portions. The flow splitter assembly includes a first end portion including a first mounting member and a second end portion including a second mounting member. A flow diverting member is positioned between the first and second end portions. The flow diverting member includes a first end section having a first mounting element coupled to the first mounting member and a second end section having a second mounting element coupled to the second mounting member. The flow diverting member includes a flow diverting surface. A first locking member engages the first mounting element and the first mounting member, and a second locking member engages the second mounting element and the second mounting member. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020130 | Series Power Module - A power module includes a switch portion operative to switch an alternating current (A/C) voltage, a rectifier portion operative to receive the switched A/C voltage, rectify the switched A/C voltage, and output a direct current (D/C) voltage, a power control module operative to receive the D/C voltage and to charge a voltage storage device, and a controller portion, configured to be powered by the D/C voltage from the voltage storage device, operative to receive an external control signal and control a state of the switch portion. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019244 | COMPOSITE SPIN LOCKING PULSE SEQUENCE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - Present embodiments are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging method. In one embodiment, the method includes (a) performing a first magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a first preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by similarly oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire first magnetic resonance data. The method further includes (b) performing a second magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a second preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by oppositely oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire second magnetic resonance data. The method also includes (c) storing the first and second magnetic resonance data. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019243 | REDUCTION OF SLICE SELECT ARTIFACTS IN HALF PULSE EXCITATIONS USED IN ULTRASHORT TE (UTE) IMAGING - The present embodiments are directed towards artifact reduction in slice select pulse sequences utilized in ultra short echo time imaging sequences. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a desired slice select thickness, determining a radiofrequency pulse shape and duration based upon the desired slice select thickness while maintaining a desired relationship between excitation k space and radiofrequency amplitude, and determining radiofrequency scaling based on the determined radiofrequency pulse shape and duration. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019126 | OXYNITRIDE PHOSPHORS, METHOD OF PREPARATION, AND LIGHT EMITTING INSTRUMENT - An oxynitride phosphor is presented. The oxynitride phosphor has a formula: ApBqOrNs: R such that A is barium or a combination of barium with at least one of Li, Na, K, Y, Sc, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu; B is silicon or a combination of silicon with at least one of Al, B, Ga, and Ge; R is europium or a combination of europium with at least one of Ce, Pr, Sm, Nd, Tb, Dy, Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, and Mn. p, q, r, s are numbers such that p is greater than about 2 and less than about 6, q is greater than about 8 and less than about 10, r is greater than about 0.1 and less than about 6, and s is greater than about 10 and less than about 15. The method of preparing the oxynitride phosphors and light emitting apparatus including the oxynitride phosphors are included. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018138 | HEAT SINK SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLY - A heat sink system with reduced airborne debris clogging, for cooling power electronics, the heat sink system including a heat sink having a plurality of fins, a housing configured to direct air flow around the side, top, and/or bottom of the heat sink and then through the fins of the heat sink at a back of the heat sink, and an inlet airway passage formed between a wall of the housing and said side, top, and/or bottom of the finned heat sink to allow air to pass within the housing, wherein said side, top, and/or bottom of the heat sink comprises at least one of said plurality of fins disposed directly in contact with the inlet airway passage. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018015 | EXHAUST PLENUM FLOW SPLITTER - An apparatus is provided and includes a plenum into which a fluid is exhausted, the plenum including a wall toward which the exhausted fluid is directed, the wall including first sections, second sections interposed between the first sections and a flow splitter interposed between the second sections, and a plane of the second sections being recessed from a plane of the first sections and the flow splitter protruding from the plane of the second sections. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017825 | METHOD ASSOCIATED WITH A CRYSTALLINE COMPOSITION AND WAFER - A method for growing a crystalline composition, the first crystalline composition may include gallium and nitrogen. The crystalline composition may have an infrared absorption peak at about 3175 cm | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017602 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE STARTUP OF A GAS TURBINE - Systems and methods for controlling the startup of a gas turbine are described. A gas discharge component may be configured to discharge gas from a compressor component associated with the gas turbine. A fuel control component may be configured to control a fuel flow provided to a combustor component associated with the gas turbine. A drive component may be configured to supply a rotational force to a shaft associated with the gas turbine. At least one control device may be configured to (i) direct the gas discharge component to discharge gas from the compressor component, (ii) direct the fuel control component to adjust the fuel flow, and (iii) direct the drive component to rotate the shaft. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017597 | HYBRID POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND A METHOD THEREOF - A hybrid power generation system includes a gas turbine engine system and a supercritical rankine cycle system. The gas turbine engine system includes a first compressor, an intercooler, and a second compressor. A first compressor is configured to compress an inlet airflow to produce a first outlet airflow at a first pressure. An intercooler is coupled to the first compressor and configured to cool the first outlet airflow exiting the first compressor to produce a second outlet airflow. A second compressor is coupled to the intercooler and configured to compress the second outlet airflow exiting the intercooler to produce a third outlet airflow at a second pressure. The supercritical rankine cycle system is coupled to the gas turbine engine system. The supercritical rankine cycle system is coupled to the intercooler to circulate a working fluid in heat exchange relationship with the first outlet airflow to heat the working fluid at a supercritical pressure from a first temperature to a second temperature above a critical temperature of the working fluid and to cool the first outlet airflow exiting the first compressor. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017564 | SUPERCONDUCTIVE HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEM - A system, including a superconductive heat transfer assembly, including, a first superconductive heat transfer pipe, a second superconductive heat transfer pipe, and a superconductive heat transfer contact switch configured to open and close a gap between the first superconductive heat transfer pipe and the second superconductive heat transfer pipe. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017562 | HIGH PRESSURE CONVEYANCE GAS SELECTION AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE GAS - A method is provided that includes removing carbon dioxide from untreated syngas received from a gasifier to produce a gas stream comprising carbon dioxide, modifying the gas stream by adding carbon monoxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or any combination thereof, and providing the gas stream from an acid gas remover to a feed system for use as a conveyance gas to convey a feedstock into the gasifier. Systems implementing these and other methods are also provided. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120016636 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING STEADY STATE CONDITIONS IN A GAS TURBINE - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining steady state conditions in a gas turbine. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for determining stability in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include receiving a guide vane (VGV) command and a fuel stroke reference (FSR) command associated with a gas turbine control system, determining a filtered VGV change based at least in part on the received VGV command, determining a filtered FSR change based at least in part on the received FSR command, and outputting a unit stability signal after a pickup delay time when the filtered VGV change is less than a predetermined VGV stability threshold and the filtered FSR change is less than a predetermined FSR stability threshold. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015309 | METHOD FOR A COMBUSTOR NOZZLE - A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a nozzle, injecting the fuel into the nozzle, and mixing the fuel with the working fluid to create a fuel and working fluid mixture. The method further includes swirling the fuel and working fluid mixture, sensing flame holding in the nozzle, and reducing the swirl in the fuel and working fluid mixture. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing the working fluid through a nozzle and swirling the working fluid flowing through the nozzle. The method further includes sensing flame holding in the nozzle and reducing the swirl of the working fluid flowing through the nozzle. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014803 | TURBINE BLADE HAVING MATERIAL BLOCK AND RELATED METHOD - A turbine blade including a root section at an end of the turbine blade, a first airfoil section adjacent to the root section, and a tip section adjacent to the airfoil section and including a material block that is incongruous with the airfoil section. A midspan section may also include a material block. Each material block can be selectively machined to customize the length of the turbine blade and the position of a tip shroud connection or midspan connection. The turbine blade can be sized for retrofitting last stage blades of older turbines. A radial position of the root mounts for the turbine blade may also be adjusted to provide further customization. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014802 | DOVETAIL CONNECTION FOR TURBINE ROTATING BLADE AND ROTOR WHEEL - Swivel dovetail connections, such as a tangential entry, straight axial entry or curved axial entry dovetails, for connecting a blade and a rotor wheel in a turbomachine are disclosed. A modified shape of dovetail contact surfaces creates a swivel dovetail connection between blades and rotor wheels, and allows limited motion of blades relative to wheels, while still maintaining the structural connection between blades and wheels. The swivel dovetail connection is achieved by providing concave or convex dovetail contact surfaces between a rotor wheel and a blade such that the contact surfaces lie along a common substantially toroidal arc, an axially extending, substantially cylindrical arc, or a substantially frusto-conical arc. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013472 | Systems and Methods of Monitoring Combustible Gases in a Coal Supply - A method of monitoring a coal supply includes receiving a sampled level of at least one combustible gas in the coal supply from a combustible gas sensor device embedded in the coal supply, analyzing the sampled level to identify an accumulated combustible gas condition, and indicating a combustible gas alert in response to the accumulated combustible gas condition. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013345 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTION FAULT SELF-MONITORING WITH DC BIAS CURRENT - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing connection fault self-monitoring with DC bias current. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for obtaining measurements and detecting connectivity faults associated with a voltage mode sensor. The method can include coupling a DC bias current into a circuit. The circuit includes a voltage mode sensor, and the voltage mode sensor can output a time varying signal. The method can also include setting a nominal level of the DC bias current, monitoring a voltage associated with the DC bias current, and determining circuit connectivity status based at least in part on monitoring the voltage. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012518 | CORELESS FILTER CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF FORMING A CORELESS FILTER CARTRIDGE - A coreless filter cartridge includes a filtration media having a plurality of pleats formed in a tubular configuration. The filtration media includes a first end that extends to a second end through an intermediate portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a hollow core. At least one retention device is adhered to the exterior surface of the filtration media. The at least one retention device is configured and disposed to limit radial movement of the filtration media. The filter cartridge is devoid of an internal core support provided within the hollow core thereby establishing a coreless filter cartridge. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012241 | FRICTION WELD VIBRATION QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHODS - Friction welding systems and methods including a welding arrangement configured to impart kinetic friction between at least one surface of a first workpiece and at least one surface of a second workpiece to form a weld, a force providing mechanism arranged and disposed for applying a force to one or both of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and a sensor arranged and disposed to measure a parameter of the welding arrangement, wherein an amount of vibration is determinable from the measured parameter. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011852 | STEAM TURBINE FLOW ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM - A steam turbine flow adjustment system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a steam turbine having a first inlet port and a second inlet port for receiving inlet steam; a first conduit and a second conduit operably connected to a first valve and a second valve, respectively, the first conduit and the second conduit for providing the inlet steam to the first inlet port and the second inlet port, respectively; and a control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve for controlling an amount of inlet steam flow admitted and pressure to each of the first inlet port and the second inlet port based upon a load demand on the steam turbine and an admission pressure of the inlet steam. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011237 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSFERRING REMOTE CONTEXT - Example systems and methods provide remote context transfer and session termination. A computer-implemented method for remote context transfer between user sessions with a clinical information system includes accepting a user log on request for a user session at a first clinical information system; identifying one or more open sessions associated with the user; saving a context associated with one of the one or more open sessions; terminating the one or more open sessions identified as associated with the user; and transferring the saved context to the user session at the first clinical information system for use by the user in the user session. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010901 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO SCHEDULE RESOURCES IN DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE OF A PATIENT - A method to schedule resources in delivery of healthcare to a series of patients is provided. The method comprises the steps of identifying an availability of the series of resources to deliver the healthcare to each patient; calculating a predicted duration to deliver the healthcare to each patient; calculating a schedule including a block of time dependent on the predicted duration for each resource to deliver healthcare to the patient, the block of time including a start time and an end time; calculating a confidence level in the schedule, the confidence level including a probability that one or more of the resources will not be available for the block of time of the schedule or calculating a likelihood that one or more resources will be available for the block of time in the schedule; and outputting the schedule and the confidence level in the schedule for display. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010896 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CLASSIFY REPORTS - Methods and apparatus to classify reports are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a type of an examination associated with a report; obtaining an identification of a person associated with the report; using the identification to determine whether the person associated with the report is specialized in the type of the examination; when the person associated with the report is specialized in the type of the examination, classifying the report as associated with a specialist; when the person associated with the report is unspecialized in the type of the examination, classifying the report as associated with a non-specialist; and presenting a document consumer with an indication of the classification of the report. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010759 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A WIND TURBINE - A method for controlling operation of a wind turbine included within a power generation and delivery system is described. The method includes measuring at least one operating condition of the power generation and delivery system. The method also includes transmitting, to a power limiter system, an operating condition feedback signal that corresponds to the operating condition. The method also includes analyzing the operating condition feedback signal to identify an occurrence of a grid contingency event and generating a real current command signal corresponding to an occurrence of a grid contingency event. The method also includes transmitting the real current command signal to a controller and applying the real current command signal to power converter performance to facilitate reducing pole-slipping. The method also includes storing, in a memory, at least one variable corresponding to the operating condition upon the occurrence of a grid contingency event. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010756 | VOLTAGE CONTROL AT WINDFARMS - A voltage control arrangement for a system of multiple windfarms with transmission lines. Voltage is regulated at a point of regulation on the system, such as a high voltage substation or other system bus. Regulation is achieved at the point of regulation by sensing the voltage, comparing to a reference voltage, and adjusting the reactive power output of the wind turbines and other equipment in the system. The regulation point may be shifted to another point if needed to respect voltage limits at that points of the system after attempting to shift reactive load to restore voltage within limits at the other points in the system. The reference voltage may be adjusted to minimize losses for the system of multiple windfarms and transmission lines. A loss optimizing algorithm is applied to the combined multiple windfarm and transmission line to shift reactive load among local windfarms to minimize losses and to shift reactive load among individual wind turbines within an individual windfarm. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010491 | System and Apparatus for Collecting Physiological Signals from a Plurality of Electrodes - A system and apparatus for obtaining physiological data from a patient. The system and apparatus comprising at least one electrode disposed to collect physiological data from the patient and an electrode connection device having a conductive array formed by a plurality of conductive regions and a plurality of nonconductive regions. The conductive regions are suitable to be connected to the at least one electrode. The electrode may be connected to a first conductive region of the electrode communication device and wherein upon movement by the patient or the conductive array, the electrode is connected to a second conductive region of the conductive array. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120009666 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANTIGEN RETRIEVAL PROCESS - The invention provides a method for antigen retrieval of a formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample comprising incubating a formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample in a first antigen retrieval solution at a temperature of greater than 90° C., transferring the tissue sample to a second antigen retrieval solution, and incubating the tissue sample in the second antigen retrieval solution at a temperature of greater than 90° C. The invention also provides a kit and sample delivery device for carrying out the method. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120009411 | CERAMIC METALLIC INTERLOCKED COMPONENTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A composite element is provided. The composite element includes a ceramic component defining a cavity having a first end and a second end, and a metallic component comprising a head and a body. At least a portion of the body of the metallic component is disposed in the cavity, and the head of the component is disposed on the first end of the cavity. A cross-sectional area of a portion of the body is greater than an area of the first end. In addition, the ceramic and metallic components are interlocked. Methods of making a composite element and of making a clearance sensor part are also provided. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120009075 | SYSTEMS FOR COMPRESSING A GAS - Systems for efficiently compressing a gas are included. In one embodiment, a system includes a carbonous gas compression system and a vapor absorption chiller (VAC). The carbonous gas compression system comprises a compressor configured to compress the carbonous gas. The VAC is configured to circulate a coolant through at least one coolant path through the carbonous gas compression system. Utilization of the VAC may aid in cooling the carbonous gas, which may allow for less energy to be expended by the compression system. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120009058 | COMPRESSIBLE SUPPORTS FOR TURBINE ENGINES - A system is provided that includes a first turbine alignment component for a turbine engine; and a shim comprises a metal foam. The shim mounts between a first surface of the first turbine alignment component and a second surface of a second turbine alignment component. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007601 | INDUCTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - An inductor assembly includes an electrical conductor having a first end and an opposite second end, and a plurality of turns, each turn having a first lobe and a second lobe, the electrical conductor being formed into a lemniscate shape. A Radio Frequency (RF) coil including the lemniscate shaped inductor and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system including the lemniscate shaped inductor are also described herein. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007594 | LOW ROW STEAM GENERATOR INSPECTION PROBE - An inspection assembly for insertion inspection of an elongate hollow member. The inspection assembly includes a probe head including at least one sensor for sensing a characteristic of the elongate hollow member as the probe head is moved internally within the elongate hollow member. The assembly includes a flexible shaft connected to the probe head and transmitting a motive force to the probe head to move the probe head within the elongate hollow member. The flexible shaft encloses at least one wire operatively connected between the probe head and at least one component external to the elongate hollow member for sensory operation of the at least one sensor. The flexible shaft is at least partially corrugated. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007486 | LED LIGHT SOURCE IN INCANDESCENT SHAPED LIGHT BULB - An LED light bulb that includes a base providing an electrical connector and a substantially hollow envelope extending from the base. The light bulb further includes a metal space separator having a top side, bottom side and side wall that has a plurality of holes connected by at least one channel that extends through the interior of the separator, such that air can pass through the separator. At least one LED is mounted on the separator in electrical connection with the base connector. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007472 | THERMAL TRANSFER AND ACOUSTIC MATCHING LAYERS FOR ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - Ultrasound transducers and methods of making ultrasound transducers with improved thermal characteristics are provided. An ultrasound transducer includes a piezoelectric element defining a front side and a back side. The ultrasound transducer includes a lens connected to the front side of the piezoelectric element, a heat sink connected to the back side of the piezoelectric element, and a backside matching layer disposed between the piezoelectric element and the heat sink. The backside matching layer is thermally connected to the piezoelectric element and the heat sink, and the backside matching layer is configured to conduct heat from the piezoelectric element to the heat sink. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007471 | Thermal Transfer and Acoustic Matching Layers for Ultrasound Transducer - Ultrasound transducers and methods of making ultrasound transducers with improved thermal characteristics are provided. An ultrasound transducer can include: a backing, a piezoelectric element attached to the backing, a first matching layer attached to the piezoelectric element, and a second matching layer attached to the first matching layer. The first matching layer can comprise metal and can have a thermal conductivity of about greater than 30 W/mK. The second matching layer can have a thermal conductivity of about 0.5-300 W/mK. The first matching layer can have an acoustic impedance of about 10-20 MRayl, and the second matching layer can have a lower acoustic impedance. The first matching layer can be thicker than the second matching layer. The ultrasound transducer can include a lens and a matching layer disposed between the piezoelectric element and the lens can be configured to conduct heat from the piezoelectric element to the backing. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006795 | HYBRID LASER ARC WELDING PROCESS AND APPARATUS - A welding method and apparatus for welding workpieces together by conducting a forward hybrid welding process on a joint region that includes a weld seam defined by and between faying surfaces of the workpieces, and then conducting an aft hybrid welding process on the joint region. The forward hybrid welding process simultaneously causes a forward laser beam and a forward electric arc to travel along the joint region, which in combination penetrates the weld seam and forms a weld pool that solidifies to form a weldment. The aft hybrid welding process utilizes an aft electric arc and an aft laser beam to produce a second weld pool that remelts and mixes with the weldment. On cooling, a weld joint is formed that is capable of deeply penetrating the weld seam of the joint region. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006671 | CONTROL OF SCALE FORMATION IN PRODUCED WATER EVAPORATORS - Methods for inhibiting scale formation in evaporators of the type used to produce aqueous distillate from produced waters such as those waters that are commonly formed in steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil recovery methods are provided. In accordance with the invention, a chelant selected from EDTA, DTPA, NTA, and HEEDTA is added to the recirculating evaporator system brine or to the feedwater to such systems. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006624 | LUBE INJECTION FOR FREE SOLIDS FLOW THROUGH A PUMP - A lubricating pump system and a lubrication injection apparatus for a pump of such a system. The pump conveys material, including bulk solids material. A lubricant reservoir stores a lubricant. The lubrication injection apparatus delivers lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to a surface portion of the pump along which material is conveyed. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006615 | HIGH PRESSURE DROP MUFFLING SYSTEM - A system for venting a high-pressure flow stream is disclosed, the system comprising a device having a plurality of orifice plates, each orifice plate having a plurality of orifices, wherein the plurality of orifice plates are oriented relative to each other such that the pressure of the flow stream substantially drops. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006200 | SYSTEM FOR ACID GAS REMOVAL - A gas purification system including a hydrogen sulfide (H | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006134 | LOW ROW STEAM GENERATOR INSPECTION PROBE - An inspection assembly for inspecting a hollow member, with a probe head, which includes at least one sensor, and a flexible shaft connected to the probe head to transmit motive force. The shaft encloses at least one wire operatively connected to the probe head for sensory operation of the sensor. The shaft has a first part adjacent to the probe head and a second part distal there from. The first part is relatively more flexible that the second part. The shaft has an improved ability to follow a torturous path of the hollow member and for aiding in kink prevention of the shaft. In one aspect, the first part is made of polymer material and has a reduced-diameter and corrugations. Optionally, at least one non-metallic retrieval cable is enclosed within the shaft and connected to the probe head for transmitting a pulling force to the probe head. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006133 | LOW ROW STEAM GENERATOR INSPECTION PROBE - An inspection assembly for insertion inspection of an elongate tubular member. The inspection assembly includes a probe head with a sensor. The assembly also includes a flexible shaft connected to the probe head and transmitting a motive force to the probe head to move the probe head within the elongate tubular member. The probe head includes at least one characteristic to minimize resistance against movement of the probe head along a torturous path within the tubular member. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006033 | Combustor and Combustor Screech Mitigation Methods - The present application provides for a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a cap member and a number of fuel nozzles extending through the cap member. One or more of the fuel nozzles may be provided in a non-flush position with respect to the cap member. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006032 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIRMING IGNITION IN A GAS TURBINE - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for confirming ignition in a gas turbine. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for confirming ignition associated with a gas turbine combustor. The method can include receiving one or more permissive signals associated with one or more gas flow control valves, receiving one or more fuel supply pressure signals, receiving one or more fuel igniter signals, and receiving one ore more compressor pressure discharge (CPD) signals. The method can also include determining an ignition status associated with the gas turbine combustor based at least in part on the one or more permissive signals, the one or more fuel supply pressure signals, the one or more fuel igniter signals, and a qualified change in the one or more CPD signals. The method can also include outputting an ignition status signal based on the determined ignition status. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006031 | REPLACEABLE ORIFICE FOR COMBUSTION TUNING AND RELATED METHOD - A boss and orifice plate assembly comprising an annular boss adapted to be secured in a hole formed in a combustor component, said boss formed with an annular seat supporting a replaceable orifice plate, and an annular retaining ring groove adjacent said seat, said seat extending radially inwardly of said annular retaining ring groove; and a retaining ring seated in said retaining ring groove and at least partially and resiliently engaged between a surface of said groove and a surface of said orifice plate. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006030 | INJECTION NOZZLE FOR A TURBOMACHINE - A turbomachine includes a compressor, a combustor operatively connected to the compressor, an end cover mounted to the combustor, and an injection nozzle assembly operatively connected to the combustor. The injection nozzle assembly includes a first end portion that extends to a second end portion, and a plurality of tube elements provided at the second end portion. Each of the plurality of tube elements defining a fluid passage includes a body having a first end section that extends to a second end section. The second end section projects beyond the second end portion of the injection nozzle assembly. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006026 | STEAM TURBINE SHELL - A steam turbine apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam turbine apparatus comprises: an exhaust shell portion including: a first section having a semi-circular cross-section; an exhaust section contiguous with the first section, the exhaust section including an intermediate-pressure exhaust outlet; and a second section having an oblate spherical cross-section including a substantially flattened portion, the second section configured to fluidly connect with the first section, wherein the first section and the second section form a continuous steam flow path. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005997 | PLEATED WALLED BAG FILTERS FOR GAS TURBINE INLET SYSTEMS - A filter bag assembly and an associated method. The assembly has a filter bag that includes at least two sidewalls of filter material spaced from each other at an open end and connected to provide a closed end of the filter bag assembly. At least one of the sidewalls includes at least one folded pleat. In one specific example, the folded pleat extends perpendicular relative to a direction extending from the open end to the closed end. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005959 | GASIFIER COOLING SYSTEM - A system, including, a gasifier, including: a gasification region, an inner wall surrounding the gasification region, and a first fuel path extending along the inner wall, wherein the first fuel path is configured to flow a first fuel to cool the gasifier, and the gasifier is configured to inject the first fuel from the first fuel path into the gasification region. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005257 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING WEB ANALYTIC REPORTS - A system for generating web analytic reports includes a client interface unit configured to receive one or more predefined tagging conditions from a client for generating a set of tagging rules based on the one or more predefined tagging conditions. The system also includes a tag generation unit configured to generate a client tagged data based on the set of tagging rules. The system also includes an output interface unit configured to generate web analytic reports via analyzing the client tagged data based on the set of tagging rules. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004851 | FIELD-PORTABLE IMPEDANCE READER AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A field-portable impedance reader is provided. The impedance reader comprises a reader antenna, an impedance compensator, a calibrator, and a synchronous sampler. The impedance reader further comprises a digital processor that receives and processes signals from the synchronous sampler. Further, a wireless system comprising the impedance reader of the invention is provided. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004646 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE SYSTEM - An implantable device system is disclosed. The implantable device system comprises, a first energy transceiver system, a second energy transceiver system at least partially implanted within an organic tissue and capable of being interrogated by the first energy transceiver system, and a sensing system, wherein a state of the sensing system is available at the second energy transceiver system. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120003080 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LABYRINTH SEAL PACKING RINGS - The present disclosure relates to a seal assembly for a turbomachine that includes at least one arcuate plate, a biasing member, and a packing ring. In addition, the seal assembly includes a plurality of arcuate teeth disposed intermediate to the packing ring and the rotor. The plurality of arcuate teeth includes at least one subset of arcuate teeth. The clearance of at least one of the arcuate teeth is different from the clearances of the rest of the arcuate teeth. The clearances of the arcuate teeth of the at least one subset do not progressively increase going from an upstream to a downstream side of the turbomachinery. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120003079 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR SEALING A TURBINE ROTOR - An apparatus for restricting fluid flow in a turbo-machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first inter-stage sealing member configured to be located between a first rotating airfoil stage and a second rotating airfoil stage attached to a rotor shaft, the first inter-stage sealing member including a segmented structure that includes a plurality of segments forming a circumferential surface, the first inter-stage sealing member including: a first base portion including a securing mechanism configured to at least substantially radially and tangentially secure the inter-stage sealing member to an inter-stage support structure; a first axial retention mechanism; and a first axially extending sealing portion configured to be outwardly radially loaded against at least one of the first rotating airfoil stage and the second rotating airfoil stage. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002854 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING DATA SIGNALS - A signal processing method is presented. The method includes acquiring undersampled data corresponding to an object, initializing a first image solution and a second image solution, determining a linear combination solution based upon the first image solution and the second image solution, generating a plurality of selected coefficients by iteratively updating the first image solution, the second image solution and the linear combination solution and adaptively thresholding one or more transform coefficients utilizing the undersampled data, an updated first image solution, an updated second image solution and an updated linear combination solution, and reconstructing a data signal using the plurality of selected coefficients. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002853 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEFINITION OF DICOM HEADER VALUES - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an improved system and method for image file header configuration. Certain embodiments of the method include retrieving one or more criterion for configuration of an image orientation parameter, configuring the image orientation parameter based on the one or more criterion, obtaining image data, and storing the image data in an image file. The image file has a header portion including the image orientation parameter. In an embodiment, the image orientation parameter may be modified from a default configuration. The one or more criterion may include user preference, modality restriction, system preference, and/or rule, for example. The method may further include saving the image file with the configured image orientation parameter. Additionally, the method may include displaying an image according to the configured image orientation parameter. The image may be automatically oriented for display based on the configured image orientation parameter. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002447 | GATE DRIVE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT WITH ANTI-SATURATION CIRCUIT AND POWER UP CIRCUIT THEREFOR - A high side isolated gate drive controller circuit is presented with an on-time limiting circuit to prevent isolation transformer saturation as well as a universal power up circuit adaptable to power the driver with constant voltage for different input voltage levels. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002195 | ARC FLASH DETECTION METHOD - An arc flash detection method includes transmitting light via an optical fiber to a sensor and transmitting light from the sensor that includes components representative of acoustic waves and light for filtering and processing to detect an occurrence of an arc flash. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002035 | MULTI-SPECTRAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MULTI-DIMENSIONAL TEMPERATURE DATA - In one embodiment, a system includes an imaging system configured to receive an image of a gas and a surface observable through the gas from an interior of a turbine, to split the image into a first two-dimensional intensity map of wavelengths indicative of a temperature of the gas and a second two-dimensional intensity map of wavelengths indicative of a temperature of the surface, and to output signals indicative of the first and second two-dimensional intensity maps. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001730 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INTEGRATED INTERROGATION OF RFID SENSORS - An integrated interrogator for a RFID sensor is provided. The integrated interrogator comprises a digital reader in communication with the RFID sensor, an impedance reader in communication with the RFID sensor, and one or more controllers that coordinate actions of the digital reader and the impedance reader. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001715 | TRANSFORMER ASSEMBLY FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - A transformer assembly includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first spiral wound inductive coil formed on the first surface, a second spiral wound inductive coil formed on the first surface, and a third spiral wound inductive coil formed on the first surface, the first, second and third spiral wound inductive coils forming a triple spiral arrangement on the first surface such that the first coil is inductively coupled to the second coil and the third coil. An RF coil including the transformer assembly and a method of fabricating the transformer assembly are also described. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001340 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALIGNMENT OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - Alignment for electronic devices using a template having holes to align the protrusions of one or more integrated circuits. There are least one integrated circuit having a plurality of protrusions arranged in a protrusion pattern. There is a template with holes disposed on the integrated circuit, wherein at least some of the holes are arranged in the protrusion pattern and the holes are disposed onto the protrusions such that a portion of the protrusions extends from the template. There is an interconnect disposed on the template, wherein the interconnect has a plurality of electric contacts, wherein at least some of the electrical contacts are arranged in the protrusion pattern, and wherein at least some of the electrical contacts are electrically coupled to at least some of the protrusions. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001078 | SCINTILLATOR ARRAYS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A scintillator array and method for making the same are provided. The array comprises a bi-layer reflector further comprising a conformal smoothing layer and a mirror layer. The bi-layer reflector does not comprise an intervening reducing agent or adhesion layer and/or comprises aluminum. Further, the mirror layer may be deposited via gas phase metallization, allowing application to tightly confined spaces. A detector array comprising the scintillator array is also provided. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000892 | HYBRID LASER ARC WELDING PROCESS AND APPARATUS - A welding method and apparatus for welding workpieces together by conducting a laser beam welding process on a joint region that includes a weld seam defined by and between faying surfaces of the workpieces, and then conducting a hybrid laser arc welding process on the joint region. The laser beam welding process entails causing a first laser beam to travel along the joint region, penetrate the weld seam and form a weldment. The hybrid laser arc welding process remelts the weldment by simultaneously causing an electric arc and a second laser beam to overlap and travel along the joint region and form a weld pool in the weldment. On cooling, a weld joint is formed within the joint region and its weld seam. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000448 | DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR A DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEM - A diesel engine system includes a cylinder, an exhaust manifold, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) manifold, and a valve. The exhaust manifold is fluidly coupled with the cylinder and directs exhaust generated in the cylinder to an exhaust outlet that delivers the exhaust to an external atmosphere. The EGR manifold is fluidly coupled with the cylinder and recirculates the exhaust generated in the cylinder back to the cylinder as at least part of intake air that is received by the cylinder. The valve is disposed between the cylinder and the exhaust manifold and between the cylinder and the EGR manifold. The valve has a donating mode and a non-donating mode. The valve fluidly couples the cylinder with the EGR manifold when the valve is in the donating mode and fluidly couples the cylinder with the exhaust manifold when the valve is in the non-donating mode. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000330 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR CUTTING POROUS SUBSTRATES - Apparatuses and methods for cutting a sample piece, having a shape and an outer dimension, out of a porous substrate, comprising: a puncher having an outermost dimension at a punch head; a stripping sleeve; a die having an innermost dimension that is larger than the outermost dimension of the punch head; and a fixture that holds the die in a fixed position relative to the puncher and stripping sleeve. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000201 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AND STORING TRANSIENT INTEGRATED ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE ENERGY - A system and method are provided for using the thermal mass of an ORC, the working fluid, the oil loop, the cooling fluid loop and all components, to provide additional transient power to an electrical grid. A pre-heater transfers heat from the cooling fluid to a low temperature (LT) ORC loop working fluid. A LT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the thermal oil to a high temperature (HT) ORC loop working fluid. A HT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000200 | INERT GAS PURGING SYSTEM FOR AN ORC HEAT RECOVERY BOILER - In one embodiment, a system includes a valve system switchable between a waste heat recovery position configured to direct incoming exhaust gas through an interior volume of an exhaust section of an engine and a bypass position configured to direct the incoming exhaust gas through a bypass duct to bypass a heat recovery boiler disposed within the interior volume. The system also includes an inert gas purging system configured to inject an inert gas into the interior volume to displace residual exhaust gas from the interior volume. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000178 | SYSTEMS INVOLVING FIBER OPTIC IGNITERS - A gas turbine engine system comprising, a gas turbine engine including a combustion area, a laser, a fuel nozzle including a cavity operative to transmit a fuel into the combustion area, and an optical fiber engaging the cavity, operative to transmit light emitted from the laser to the combustion area, wherein the light is operative to ignite the fuel in the combustion area. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000176 | FOG AND MIST CATCHING APPARATUS - An apparatus is provided and includes an inlet, including a peripheral wall formed to define a pathway along which gaseous, fluidic and particulate matter flow and two or more nets sequentially disposed in the pathway, the two or more nets being suspended on the peripheral wall with substantially no clearance between each of the two or more nets and the peripheral wall and held sufficiently loosely to permit relative movement of each of the two or more nets such that an effective pore size of the two or more nets is variable over time to encourage fluidic condensation at the two or more nets and to permit a relatively substantial portion of the gaseous and particulate matter to continue to flow. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110320181 | TURBOMACHINE AIRFOIL LIFE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for creating a risk analysis for at least one turbomachine includes a database storing characteristics of one or more turbomachines and a processing module coupled to the database that receives the characteristics from the database and creates the risk analysis. The processing module includes a modeling module creates a representation of the amount of rocking in a particular turbomachine based on the characteristics and a performance modeler coupled to the modeling module and that, based on the representation of the amount of rocking, creates the risk analysis. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320169 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF COLLECTOR FLASHOVER - A system, method and computer program product for predicting collector flashover is disclosed. The method includes receiving a frame of measured data from a data acquisition system, fitting a statistical model to the measured data wherein the measured data includes a plurality of measured variables measured at multiple time instances. The statistical model and the measured data are used for estimating one or more parameters for the frame wherein the one or more parameters include at least one of field circuit impedance and field current noise. A flashover is predicted based, at least in part, upon the one or more estimated parameter for the frame. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320142 | TEMPERATURE INDEPENDENT PRESSURE SENSOR AND ASSOCIATED METHODS THEREOF - A temperature independent pressure sensor for selectively determining pressure is provided. The sensor comprises a resonance sensor circuit, a pressure sensitive component disposed on the sensor circuit, and an electromagnetic field modulator. A temperature independent pressure sensor system comprises a resonance sensor circuit, a pressure sensitive component disposed on the sensor circuit, an electromagnetic field modulator, and a processor that generates a multivariate analysis of sensor response pattern that is based on a change in an environmental pressure of the sensor system. A method of detecting a pressure response pattern in a temperature independent manner is also provided. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320138 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING HEALTH OF AIRFOILS - A method for monitoring the health of a plurality of blades is presented. The method includes determining delta TOAs corresponding to the plurality of blades, determining a standard deviation utilizing the delta TOAs corresponding to the plurality of blades, determining a delta sigma | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320137 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING HEALTH OF AIRFOILS - A method for monitoring the health of one or more blades is presented. The method includes the steps of determining a delta TOA corresponding to each of the one or more blades based upon respective actual time of arrival (TOA) of the one or more blades, determining a normalized delta TOA corresponding to each of the one or more blades by removing effects of one or more operational data from the delta TOA, and determining a corrected delta TOA corresponding to each of the one or more blades by removing effects of reseating of the one or more blades from the normalized delta TOA. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319763 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED MEASURING OF THE INTERVENTRICULAR SEPTUM THICKNESS - A method for automatically measuring interventricular septum thickness is provided. The method in one embodiment comprises acquiring a series of ultrasound images of a heart, acquiring a septum mask by applying a septum segmentation algorithm on the series of ultrasound images, localizing a mitral valve tip using a valve tip localization algorithm and calculating the thickness of the interventricular septum using an interventricular septum thickness algorithm. The interventricular septum thickness algorithm uses the septum mask and the localized mitral valve tip as inputs. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319751 | DYNAMIC REFERENCE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USE WITH SURGICAL PROCEDURES - A substrate configured for placement on an internal organ or internal tissue is provided. In certain embodiments, the substrate conforms to and moves with the internal organ or internal tissue. Three or more sensor elements are integrated on the substrate. In one implementation, the substrate and associated sensor elements provide dynamic referencing of the internal organ or internal tissue after registration of the sensor data with images and/or volumetric representations of the internal organ or internal tissue. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319718 | Laryngoscope - A laryngoscope includes an arm and a handle. The arm is configurable between at least a first and a second position. A first blade sheath secures over the arm in the first position and a second blade sheath secures over the arm in the second position. A method of configuring a laryngoscope includes configuring a laryngoscope arm into a first position or a second position and securing a selected blade sheath to the arm. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318601 | PROCESS FOR FORMING A CHROMIUM DIFFUSION PORTION AND ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM - In one embodiment, a method for forming an article with a diffusion portion comprises: forming a slurry comprising chromium and silicon, applying the slurry to the article, and heating the article to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient period of time to diffuse chromium and silicon into the article and form a diffusion portion comprising silicon and a microstructure comprising α-chromium. In one embodiment, a gas turbine component comprises: a superalloy and a diffusion portion having a depth of less than or equal to 60 μm measured from the superalloy surface into the gas turbine component. The diffusion portion has a diffusion surface having a microstructure comprising greater than or equal to 40% by volume α-chromium. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318234 | FLUIDIZATION DEVICE FOR SOLID FUEL PARTICLES - A system includes a fluidization device including a flow passage configured to convey a flow of solid fuel particles in a downstream direction, and a body disposed within the flow passage. The body is configured to direct the flow of solid fuel particles between the body and an outer wall of the flow passage. The fluidization device also includes a carrier gas injection port positioned radially outward from the body. The carrier gas injection port is configured to provide a flow of carrier gas in the downstream direction to break up agglomerations within the flow of solid fuel particles. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318190 | WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH IMPROVED BOND LINE - A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member defining an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste along bond lines at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade. A seal member is disposed between the upper and lower shell members at a designed width of the bond line along at least one of the trailing or leading edges. The seal member comprises a dam on each of the lower and upper shell members that overlap in a mated configuration of the shell members. | 12-29-2011 |
