Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090255332 | THERMAL INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A thermal inspection method is provided for a component comprising at least one complex internal passage arrangement defining at least one opening. The thermal inspection method includes flowing a fluid through the at least one complex internal passage arrangement. The fluid has an initial temperature that differs from an initial temperature of the component. The thermal inspection method further includes measuring a thermal response of the component to the fluid flow and analyzing the thermal response to determine a number of heat transfer coefficients {h | 10-15-2009 |
20090285259 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMAL INSPECTION OF OBJECTS - A thermal measurement system for an object is provided. The system includes an array of detectors in two dimensions configured to receive radiation within multiple wavelength ranges, the array of detectors having a first axis representing a spatial dimension and a second axis representing a wavelength dimension. The system also includes an optical system configured to focus the radiation emitted by the object on to the array of detectors. | 11-19-2009 |
20100319643 | LASER IGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A laser beam ignition system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The laser beam ignition system comprises a laser configured to generate a laser beam, and a beam steering unit comprising a lens and a prism both configured to cooperatively transmit the laser beam to focus on an oxygenated fuel mixture supplied into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A beam steering unit and a method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine are also presented. | 12-23-2010 |
20110128989 | MULTIWAVELENGTH THERMOMETER - A thermal measurement system that includes a light collection device and a detection system in communication with the device. The detection system includes two detection subsystems, wherein one subsystem is configured to detect light from a surface of an object, while the other subsystem is configured to detect light from the surface and a gas. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. | 06-02-2011 |
20110240858 | MULTI-SPECTRAL PYROMETRY IMAGING SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a system includes a turbine including multiple components in fluid communication with a working fluid that provides power or thrust. The system also includes an imaging system in optical communication with at least one component. The imaging system is configured to receive a broad wavelength band image of the at least one component during operation of the turbine, to split the broad wavelength band image into multiple narrow wavelength band images, and to output a signal indicative of a two-dimensional intensity map of each narrow wavelength band image. | 10-06-2011 |
20110257864 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING FAILURE IN GAS TURBINE HARDWARE - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting failure in gas turbine hardware. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for detecting a failure in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include monitoring a parameter associated with the turbine, wherein the monitored parameter comprises at least one turbine bucket temperature, detecting an event associated with operation of the turbine, wherein the event is based at least in part on the monitored parameter, and initiating shutdown of the turbine upon detection of the event wherein the monitored parameter is above a predetermined value for at least a predetermined time duration. | 10-20-2011 |
20110267428 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAPPING A TWO-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE ONTO A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL - In one embodiment, a system includes a turbine comprising multiple components in fluid communication with a working fluid. The system also includes an imaging system in optical communication with at least one component. The imaging system is configured to receive a two-dimensional image of the at least one component during operation of the turbine, and to map the two-dimensional image onto a three-dimensional model of the at least one component to establish a composite model. | 11-03-2011 |
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 |
20120105619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING IN REAL TIME, A GAP BETWEEN PORTIONS IN A MACHINE - A monitoring system for monitoring, in real time, a gap between a rotating portion and a stationary portion of a machine. The monitoring system includes an imaging device for forming a reference image of the gap and one or more next images of the gap, the imaging device including a portion disposed within the machine and a portion external to the machine. The system also includes an image processor coupled to the imaging device configured to monitor whether the gap is increasing or decreasing by comparing the reference image to the one or more next images. | 05-03-2012 |
20120153157 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SPALL WITHIN A TURBINE ENGINE - In one embodiment, a system includes a multi-spectral pyrometry system configured to receive a broad wavelength band radiation signal from a turbine component, to split the broad wavelength band radiation signal into multiple narrow wavelength band radiation signals, to determine emissivity of the turbine component based on the narrow wavelength band radiation signals, and to detect spall on a surface of the turbine component based on the emissivity. | 06-21-2012 |
20120162192 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROTARY MACHINE ONLINE MONITORING - In one embodiment, a system includes an optical monitoring system configured to optically communicate with an interior of a rotary machine. The optical monitoring system is configured to redirect a field of view toward different regions of a component within the interior of the rotary machine while the rotary machine is in operation, and to capture an image of each region. | 06-28-2012 |
20120166102 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ONLINE CREEP MONITORING - A method and system for monitoring creep in a moving object are provided. The creep monitoring system includes a creep sensor assembly formed onto a surface of an object rotatable about an axis, the creep sensor assembly includes at least one of an image pattern and a radio frequency interrogatable circuit. The creep monitoring system also includes an online monitoring system communicatively coupled to the creep sensor assembly. The online monitoring system configured to collect information from the creep sensor assembly relative to an amount and a rate of creep of the object. The creep monitoring system also includes a processor programmed to receive the information, correct the information for movement of the creep sensor assembly during the collection, and determine a creep rate, a crack presence, and a temperature of the object simultaneously. | 06-28-2012 |
20120170611 | SMART RADIATION THERMOMETRY SYSTEM FOR REAL TIME GAS TURBINE CONTROL AND PROGNOSIS - A smart radiation thermometry system including a turbine component is provided. The thermometry system also includes at least one smart real time processing sub-system electrically coupled to at least one detector array via at least one high-speed multi-channel ADC. The at least one smart real time processing sub-system calculates temperature and emissivity of the turbine component based upon a computed radiance temperature, reflection correction and multi-wavelength algorithm. The smart real time processing sub-system also transmits data indicative of the temperature, emissivity and other plurality of parameters within a pre-determined time period to a communication unit. The smart real time processing sub-system also outputs emergency alarm signals and controls either directly or via a controller one or more actuators coupled to the gas turbine based upon the data to ensure optimum operation of the gas turbine within safe operating limits. | 07-05-2012 |
20120171015 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING COOLING AND PURGING AIR FLOW TO A ROTARY MACHINE ONLINE MONITORING SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a system includes a sight tube configured to optically communicate with an interior of a rotary machine via insertion within an inspection port. The sight tube includes a window and multiple openings configured to direct purge air across the window. The system also includes a curtain tube disposed about the sight tube and configured to direct purge air from a first air source to the openings via a first passage formed between an inner surface of the curtain tube and an outer surface of the sight tube. The curtain tube includes multiple outlets configured to direct curtain air around the window, and the curtain tube is configured to direct the curtain air from a second air source to the outlets via a second passage formed between an outer surface of the curtain tube and an inner surface of the inspection port. | 07-05-2012 |
20130118183 | OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - An optical sensor system includes a multi-color pyrometer in optical communication with a component. The pyrometer generates signals at least partially representative of radiation received from the component and from soot particles. The system includes at least one processing unit coupled to the pyrometer. The processing unit is programmed to receive the signals and distinguish portions of radiation received between at least two wavelength bands. The processing unit is also programmed to determine that a first portion of radiation within a first of the wavelength bands is representative of a temperature of soot particles and that a second portion of radiation within a second of the wavelength bands is representative of a temperature of the component. The processing unit is further programmed to filter out signals representative of the first portion of the radiation. | 05-16-2013 |
20130176418 | CONTINUOUS INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY MONITORING AND LIFE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR HEAT RECOVERY STEAM GENERATORS - A method for continuously monitoring the working condition of a heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) using infrared thermography, comprising the steps of identifying target locations inside the HRSG, positioning one or more infrared cameras to continuously monitor and record the temperature at each target location, generating continuous thermographic images corresponding to selected components and locations at each target locations, comparing the continuous thermographic images to corresponding, stored base line images and generating a set of comparative data reports in real time for each target location in order to predict the life span or potential failure of HRSG components. | 07-11-2013 |
20140033737 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GAS TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT - A temperature measurement system includes at least one filament configured to emit thermal radiation in a relatively broad and substantially continuous wavelength band that is at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one filament. The system also includes an optical system configured to receive at least a portion of the thermal radiation emitted from the filament. The optical system includes a wavelength splitting device configured to split the emitted thermal radiation into at least one relatively narrow wavelength band of thermal radiation. The optical system also includes a detector array configured to receive the at least one relatively narrow wavelength band of thermal radiation and to generate electrical signals at least partially representative of the received thermal radiation. The temperature measurement system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the detector array. The controller is configured to transform the generated electrical signals to a temperature indication using a predetermined conversion module. | 02-06-2014 |