| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080296441 | System and method for broken rail and train detection - A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090003991 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TURBINE ENGINE CLEARANCE CONTROL WITH RUB DETECTION - A method of detecting rubs during operation of a turbomachine comprising at least one rotating object having a tip and a shelf is provided. The method includes generating signals representative of a sensed parameter and processing the signals to generate height versus time data for the tip. The height of the tip corresponds to the distance between the tip and the shelf. The method further includes monitoring the height versus time data, in order to determine whether a change in the height data exceeds a threshold value, and detecting a rub of the rotating object(s) on a second object, when the change in the height data exceeds the threshold value. A rub detection system for a turbomachine and a turbine engine system with rub detection are also provided. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090031787 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GATHERING DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION IN A PROCESSING PATH OF A COAL GASIFICATION SYSTEM - A system and method for gathering diagnostic information relating to an operating condition of a gas stream or processing path of a coal gasification system is disclosed. The information is gathered by deploying one or more specially constructed modules or seeds that proceed through the gas stream of the coal gasification system as part of the mass flow of the gas stream. The seed may be physically recoverable in which an outer material of the seed ablates when exposed to a predetermined temperature of the gas stream. The seed may be physically non-recoverable in which electronic circuitry transmits a signal to a receiver relating to the temperature of the gas stream. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090167110 | Broad band energy harvesting system and related methods - A broad band energy harvesting system to harvest energy from a structure and associated methods are provided. The system includes a structure carrying a plurality of environmentally produced vibration frequencies extending over a frequency range and an energy harvesting apparatus positioned in vibration receiving communication with the structure to harvest energy from the structure. Each energy harvesting apparatus includes broadly tuned energy harvesting generators having relatively low quality factor and corresponding relatively wide bandwidth. The energy harvesting generators collectively provide energy harvesting over multiple modes to thereby provide energy harvesting over a substantial portion of the frequency range. Each energy harvesting generator can include a cantilevered beam connected to a common backbone comprised of a resilient material configured to transfer energy between adjacent generators to further enhance energy harvesting. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090243585 | SYSTEMS FOR INSPECTION OF SHROUDS - A system to measure thickness of a shroud is provided. The system includes at least one resistive element embedded within the shroud. The system also includes an impedance measurement device that measures a total resistance associated with the at least one resistive element. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090243628 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONLINE PHASE CALIBRATION - A system for online relative phase calibration is provided. The system includes at least one excitation source configured to generate multiple excitation signals. The system also includes at least two sensors coupled to respective ones of the at least one excitation source via a transmission line, wherein the two sensors are configured to receive respective ones of the excitation signals. The system further includes at least two phase detectors configured to receive at least two reflected signals from the two sensors via the transmission line, wherein each of the two phase detectors are configured to output a respective voltage representing a phase difference between respective ones of the reflected signals and respective ones of the excitation signals. The system also includes a switch coupled to the sensors and the phase detectors, the switch configured to switch the phase detectors between the sensors at a pre-determined switching interval. The system further includes a calibration module coupled to the phase detectors, wherein the calibration module is configured to receive and process the respective voltage from the at least two phase detectors to generate respective calibrated voltage signals, wherein the calibration module is further configured to and match the calibrated voltage signals of each of the phase detectors. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090281766 | CLEARANCE ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A ROTARY MACHINE - A method of estimating a clearance between at least one rotating object of a rotary machine and a second object is provided. The method includes measuring an operating parameter of the rotary machine. The method also includes obtaining signals corresponding to the at least one rotating object across multiple revolutions in time, wherein the number of the revolutions is determined based upon the measured operating parameter. The method further includes generating waveforms corresponding to the at least one rotating object from the obtained signals for the revolutions. The method also includes estimating the clearance between the second object and the at least one rotating object based upon the generated waveforms. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100077830 | ELECTRONIC SELF-CALIBRATION FOR SENSOR CLEARANCE - Self-calibration of a multiple channel clearance sensor system, which in one embodiment includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one clearance parameter signal between a stationary object and a rotating object of a rotating machine. The sensor output is processed as a clearance parameter by an offset correction section configured to determine an offset error in the clearance parameter signal which is used by a level shifter. The level shifter is also switchably coupled to the clearance parameter signal wherein the output of the level shifter, which may be amplified and digitally converted, is processed by a signal level analyzer to determine a channel gain signal. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100095779 | Wireless Strain Sensors, Detection Methods, and Systems - A strain sensor comprises a transmitting element; a receiving element wirelessly coupled to the transmitting element; and a modulating element located on a rotating component, wherein the modulating element modulates the wireless coupling between the transmitting element and the receiving element, wherein the modulation of the wireless coupling is indicative of strain on the rotating component. A method of detecting strain in a rotating component of a rotary machine comprises wirelessly coupling a transmitting element and a receiving element; modulating the coupling with a modulating element located on the rotating component; and calculating the strain in the rotating component based on the modulation of the coupling. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100100010 | 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. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100100079 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE SYSTEM - An implantable device system is disclosed. The implantable device system includes, a first energy transceiver system, a second energy transceiver system at least partially implanted within an organic tissue and capable of communication with the first energy transceiver system, and a sensing system capable of communication with the second energy transceiver system. An implantable device system array is also disclosed. A method of monitoring a physical parameter is also disclosed. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100123467 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THICKNESS OF A REFRACTORY WALL OF A GASIFIER USING ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY - A system and method for measuring a thickness of a refractory wall of a gasifier using electromagnetic energy is disclosed. The system includes a waveguide with a bistatic or monostatic phased array antenna at one end. The waveguide is operably connected to a Network Analyzer that generates a pulse of electromagnetic energy with a desired bandwidth. The pulse is transmitted through a coaxial cable to the waveguide. The reflection of the pulse is received by the waveguide and input to a data acquisition system. An output device displays the resolvable discontinuities in impedance encountered by the pulse in its propagation path in the system | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100188100 | AUTOMATED SENSOR SPECIFIC CALIBRATION THROUGH SENSOR PARAMETER DOWNLOAD - A sensor system for measuring a clearance parameter between a stationary component and a rotating component of a rotating machine is provided. The system includes a clearance sensor to output a clearance measurement signal. A sensor memory is attached to the sensor for storing a first sensor information. A second sensor information is stored in a electronics interface memory. The first and the second sensor information are read and the clearance sensor is matched with a respective plurality of calibration data by an electronic interface based on the first and the second sensor information. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191502 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLEARANCE ESTIMATION BETWEEN TWO OBJECTS - A processing system for clearance estimation in a rotating machine includes one or more sensors and one or more digital signal processors for calculating the estimated clearance. The processing system may include techniques for obtaining real-time clearance estimates and techniques for obtaining averaged clearance estimates. Aspects of the processing system may also include a method of switching between real-time clearance estimates and averaged clearance estimates depending on the operating conditions of the rotating machine. Other aspects of the processing system include the use of two digital signal processors: a first digital signal processor configured to receive signals from a clearance sensor and perform a first set of high speed processing tasks, and a second digital signal processor configured to receive signals from the first digital signal processor and perform a second set of lower speed processing tasks. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100321048 | SYSTEMS FOR INSPECTION OF SHROUDS - A system to measure thickness of a shroud is provided. The system includes at least one resistive element embedded within the shroud. The system also includes an impedance measurement device that measures a total resistance associated with the at least one resistive element. | 12-23-2010 |
