A vibrational analysis system diagnosis the health of a mechanical system by reference to vibration signature data from multiple domains. Features are extracted from signature data by reference to pointer locations. The features provide an indication of signature deviation from a baseline signature in the observed domain. Several features applicable to a desired fault are aggregated to provide an indication of the likelihood that the fault has manifested in the observed mechanical system. The system may also be used for trend analysis of the health of the mechanical system.

Method and system for diagnostics and prognostics of a mechanical system

A polyphasic multi-coil generator includes a driveshaft, at least first and second rotors rigidly mounted on the driveshaft so as to simultaneously synchronously rotate with rotation of the driveshaft, and at least one stator sandwiched between the first and second rotors. The stator has an aperture through which the driveshaft is rotatably journalled. A stator array on the stator has an equally circumferentially spaced-apart array of electrically conductive coils mounted to the stator in a first angular orientation about the driveshaft. The rotors and the stator lie in substantially parallel planes. The first and second rotors have, respectively, first and second rotor arrays.

Polyphasic multi-coil generator

A wind turbine is provided that minimizes the size of the drive train and nacelle while maintaining the power electronics and transformer at the top of the tower. The turbine includes a direct drive generator having an integrated disk brake positioned radially inside the stator while minimizing the potential for contamination. The turbine further includes a means for mounting a transformer below the nacelle within the tower.

Direct drive wind turbine

Hybrid wind turbine apparatus includes a pair of counter rotating rotors having micro thrusters fitted at tip of each blade of the rotors. An upright mast supports bearings underlying and rotatably supporting a hub assembly having tandemly mounted dual alternators. A first set of rotor is mounted on the windward alternator shaft, while the second rotor is mounted on the downwind rotor shaft. A heat exchanger having a centrifugal fan is provided to circulate ambient air to cool alternator. The hot air is directed to the combustion chamber of the thruster by means of an air duct in the blades. Natural gas or liquid fuel is also conveyed from a stationary platform to a rotating frame by means of a rotary fluid coupler. When wind speed is low, fuel will be injected into the combustion chamber and burned with large mass of air. The hot gas is expanded in an exist nozzle to provide thrust to assist wind power. Thus, the hybrid wind turbine system can become beneficial without the need for an auxiliary system during low wind season.

Jet assisted hybrid wind turbine system

A wind powered turbine (30) has a conduit (34). A middle conduit portion (46) is located between inlet and outlet conduit portions (44, 48), having a main inlet (54) and outlet (56) of the conduit (34), respectively. A rotor (80) having a shaft (82) with blades (88) extending therefrom is located in the middle conduit portion (46). The blades (88) are located completely within the middle conduit portion (46). Preferably, a splitter (60) is located in the inlet conduit portion (44) to provide upper and lower sub-tunnels (61, 62) that both feed into the middle conduit portion (46). Upper and lower interior walls (91, 92) of the middle conduit portion (46) have substantially circular plane shapes that are substantially centered at the rotational axis (84) of the shaft (82). Clearance gaps (93, 94) are located between the blades (88) and the upper and lower interior walls (91, 92), respectively.

Wind powered turbine in a tunnel

Blade pitch of variable pitch blades is changed by an actuator having first and second ac machines. The first ac machine is excited with ac power to apply a motoring torque to a control shaft of the actuator, thereby causing blade pitch to change in one direction. The second ac machine is excited with appropriate power to apply a braking torque to the control shaft, thereby causing blade pitch to change in an opposite direction. When the second ac machine is an induction machine, dc excitation will brake the control shaft. When the second ac machine is a synchronous machine, an ac excitation causing a retarding magnetic field will brake the control shaft.

Electromechanical apparatus for varying blade of variable-pitch fan blades

Blade pitch is changed by an actuator that is responsive to the relative rotation of two input members. Blade pitch is not changed when the members are rotated at the same speed. However, blade pitch is changed in one direction when a braking torque is applied to one member, and blade pitch is changed in an opposite direction when a braking torque is applied to the other member.

Quad mode fan pitch actuation system for a gas turbine engine

A reluctance torque coupler includes a first rotor assembly which provides a magnetic field and a second rotor assembly which rotates relative to the first rotor assembly. The second rotor assembly includes a pair of elongated, arcuate flux poles that are attached to a non-magnetic frame. The flux poles extend towards the first rotor such that they are magnetically coupled to the first rotor. Air gaps between ends define a position of minimum reluctance for the first rotor. When the conductors magnetic axis of the first rotor is aligned with the spaces, the leakage of flux across the spaces is at a minimum. If one rotor is rotated, there is a change in energy stored in the magnetic circuit. This change is resisted by a restoring torque toward the aligned position. In this manner, the torque coupler transmits torque from one rotor to another. The second rotor can be provided with a pair of relatively movable concentric members which allow for adjustment of the spaces, thereby allowing for the adjustment of the pull-out torque of the torque coupler.

Reluctance torque coupler

Apparatus indicates changes in blade pitch of variable pitch blades by detecting relative displacements of first and second members of a blade pitch actuator. The members are selectively displaced to change the pitch of the blades. The apparatus includes sensors which provide output signals to a microprocessor, which determines displacement of each member with respect to a frame of reference. The microprocessor takes the difference between the displacements of the two members to determine the relative displacement, which is indicative of a change in blade pitch.

Apparatus for indicating the pitch of turbofan blades

A torque coupling device of the synchronous reluctance type having a magnetic flux generating device and concentric rotors, each rotor having a sleeve of diamagnetic material including a plurality of flux windows, the diamagnetic sleeves on the two rotors cooperating to provide a reluctance gradient within a magnetic circuit, thereby variably magnetically linking the two rotors.

Frederick B. McCarty

Papers

Electromechanical apparatus for varying blade of variable-pitch fan blades

Quad mode fan pitch actuation system for a gas turbine engine

Reluctance torque coupler

Apparatus for indicating the pitch of turbofan blades

Torque coupling device