Abstract:
Apparatus and method for monitoring vibration levels in rotatable machinery (52). In one embodiment, a system (50) includes a source (66) for generating coherent radiation (70) and a first partially transmissive, partially reflective device (90) positioned to receive radiation (70) from the source (66) and transmit a part of the radiation there through. A second partially transmissive, partially reflective device (100) is mounted to the machinery (52), positioned to reflect a first signal (72) and transmit radiation (70) transmitted by the first device (90). A third device 104) is mounted to the machinery (52) and positioned to reflect radiation transmitted through the second device to provide a second signal (78). Circuitry (82, 86) is configured to generate an electrical signal based on a combination of the first and second signals (72, 78), and processing circuitry (114) provides a value indicative of vibration amplitude occurring in the machinery (52) based on the combination of the first and second signals. An embodiment of an associated method includes providing a first radiation signal (70) of a first frequency, deriving second and third radiation signals (78A, 78B) each having a time-varying Doppler shifting frequency relative to the first signal, and providing a value indicative of vibration amplitude occurring in the machinery (52) based on a combination of the second and third signals.
Abstract:
An optical inspection system is for visually inspecting the blades of a turbine at turning gear operation. The inspection system includes an imager for capturing images of the blades, an optical passage coupled to the imager and structured to provide maximum viewing area of the blades through an inspection port in the turbine and an illuminating assembly adapted to illuminate the blades while the imager captures images thereof. A method wherein the captured blade images are inspected for blade defects, is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A system (10) for imaging a combustion turbine engine airfoil includes a camera (12) and a positioner (24). The positioner may be controlled to dispose the camera within an inner turbine casing of the engine at a first position for acquiring a first image. The camera may then be moved to a second position for acquiring a second image. A storage device (30) stores the first and second images, and a processor (32) accesses the storage device to generate a composite image from the first and second images. For use when the airfoil is rotating, the system may also include a sensor (40) for generating a position signal (41) responsive to a detected angular position of an airfoil. The system may further include a trigger device (42), responsive to the position signal, for triggering the camera to acquire an image when the airfoil is proximate the camera.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a configuration where all optical parts of a monitoring system are contained within a seal and within the generator itself. Non-optical preamplifier functions may also be placed within the seal. In this configuration there is an electrical rather than optical feed-through at the generator wall, which is hermetically sealed, unlike a fiber optic feed-through. The fiber optic light source and detector for each sensor is located in the seal on the generator side of the hermetic electrical feed-through. Electrical power and the sensor's converted electrical vibration signals pass through the electrical feed-through to preamplifier circuitry on the outside of the seal where direct electrical connection is then made to a main chassis unit.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a flange-mounted condition monitor (30) that can be mounted to an access flange (21) on an access opening (20) on the housing (13) of a generator (10). The condition monitor (30) forms an integral part of the generator (10) and eliminates the need for complex systems of pipes and valves for transferring hydrogen samples from the generator (10) to the condition monitor (30). The flange-mounted condition monitor (30) provides greater sensitivity to overheat conditions, significantly reducing the risk of dangerous hydrogen leaks and eliminating costs associated with installing and maintaining a remote condition monitor and also reducing or eliminating the false alarms associated with water that collects in the piping of a remote condition monitor.
Abstract:
A passive blade vibration monitor sensor for determining an arrival time of a blade of a combustion turbine during operation, the sensor includes an optical lens which receives infrared radiation generated by the blade of the turbine and generates a sensor signal from the received infrared radiation, the sensor signal indicating an arrival time of the blade of the combustion turbine. Target material having an emissivity lower than the emissivity of the blade may be placed on the blade to enhance sensor sensitivity especially in shrouded blade environments.
Abstract:
A method for determining a beat frequency in a vibration sensing system attached to an electrical generator comprises the steps of (a) generating a vibration signal indicative of a vibrational frequency and amplitude of the generator; and (b) obtaining a beat frequency from the vibration signal by storing and processing time interval data representing the time intervals between zero crossings of the vibration signal. A generator 10, optical vibration sensor 12, and computer 14 constitute the vibration sensing system 16. The computer is programmed to analyze the time interval data to obtain the beat frequency.
Abstract:
A brush assembly for providing contact between a grounding brush and a rotating shaft, in which the noncontact time associated with brush bounce is reduced. A brush is provided which is fixed to a pivotable arm, with a bias force applied to the arm, such that when the brush is bounced from a shaft as a result of vibration or shaft wobbling, the bias force will reestablish contact between the brush and shaft. Rolling contact between a negator spring and the arm is also provided for reducing friction associated with contact between the spring and pivotable arm. Due to the reduced friction provided by the rolling contact, and more significantly by the pivotal mounting of the arm to which the brush is fixed, the response of the assembly in reestablishing contact with the shaft is greatly improved.
Abstract:
Both a system and method are provided for detecting and locating a leak in the housing of the steam turbine components of an electric generator of the type that are connected to a vacuum pump that generates a negative pressure to remove air from the steam system, comprising a source of tracer gas for releasing a quantity of gas at potential leak locations on the exterior of the housings, a saturatable tracer gas detector having an inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet of the vacuum pump for detecting a flow of tracer gas associated with a selected minimum leak condition and for generating an electrical signal corresponding to this condition, an electrically controllable butterfly valve located upstream of the inlet port of the tracer gas detector for regulating the amount of tracer gas that flows into the detector, and a control assembly including a microprocessor that is electrically connected to both the tracer gas detector and to the valve for preventing a saturating flow of tracer gas from entering the inlet port of the detector. The system greatly expedites air inleakage inspections of such turbine systems since the tracer gas detector is prevented from becoming saturated with tracer gas, which in the prior art frequently caused the detector to become inoperative for significant periods of time.
Abstract:
A positioning system for a steam turbine element includes a plurality of flex plates which support an inner cylinder of a steam turbine element with the rotating blades of a rotor and the stationary blades of the inner cylinder at a predetermined position. Sensors detect shifting of the rotor within the inner cylinder and provide control signals to a motor which drives the inner cylinder in an axial direction to account for shifting of the rotor.