ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David J.
Yang, Jie
Schupbach, Roberto Marcelo
Fraley, John R.
Schillig, Cora
Western, Bryon
Abstract
Chopper circuitry may be adapted to operate in a high-temperature environment of a turbine. A first semiconductor switch (122) may have a first terminal coupled to receive a first output signal from a first leg (148) of a differential amplifier (150). A second switch (128) may have a first terminal coupled thru a first resistive element (R1) to a second terminal of the first semiconductor switch. The first terminal of the second semiconductor switch may be coupled to receive thru a second resistive element (R2) a second output signal from a second leg (152) of the amplifier. Switches (122,128) may be responsive to a switching control signal to respective gate terminals of the switches to supply an output signal, which alternates in correspondence with a frequency of the switching control signal from a first amplitude level to a second amplitude level, which effectively provides a doubling amplification factor.
G01K 1/02 - Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
G01K 7/02 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
G01K 7/13 - Circuits for cold-junction compensation
G01K 13/08 - Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring temperature of moving solid bodies in rotary movement
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
2.
HYBRID LOAD DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER OPERABLE IN A HIGH TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENT OF A TURBINE ENGINE
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David J.
Fraley, John R.
Yang, Jie
Schillig, Cora
Schupbach, Roberto Marcelo
Western, Bryon
Abstract
A circuitry (120) adapted to operate in a high-temperature environment of a turbine engine is provided. The circuitry may include a differential amplifier (122) having an input terminal (124) coupled to a sensing element to receive a voltage indicative of a sensed parameter. A hybrid load circuitry (125) may be AC-coupled to the differential amplifier. The hybrid load circuitry may include a resistor-capacitor circuit (134) arranged to provide a path to an AC signal component with respect to the drain terminal of the switch (e.g., 128) of a differential pair of semiconductor switches 126, 128, which receives the voltage indicative of the sensed parameter.
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
F01D 1/00 - Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines
3.
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTS
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David J.
Fraley, John R.
Yang, Jie
Schillig, Cora
Western, Bryon
Schupbach, Roberto Marcelo
Abstract
A circuitry adapted to operate in a high-temperature environment of a turbine engine is provided. A relatively high-gain differential amplifier (102) may have an input terminal coupled to receive a voltage indicative of a sensed parameter of a component (20) of the turbine engine. A hybrid load circuitry may be coupled to the differential amplifier. A voltage regulator circuitry (244) may be coupled to power the differential amplifier. The differential amplifier, the hybrid load circuitry and the voltage regulator circuitry may each be disposed in the high-temperature environment of the turbine engine.
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
F01D 1/00 - Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines
4.
VOLTAGE REGULATOR CIRCUITRY OPERABLE IN A HIGH TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENT OF A TURBINE ENGINE
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David, J.
Fraley, John, R.
Yang, Jie
Schillig, Cora
Western, Bryon
Schupbach, Roberto, Marcelo
Abstract
A voltage regulator circuitry (50) adapted to operate in a high-temperature environment of a turbine engine is provided. The voltage regulator may include a constant current source (52) including a first semiconductor switch (54) and a first resistor (56) connected between a gate terminal (G) and a source terminal (S) of the first semiconductor switch. A second resistor (58) is connected to the gate terminal of the first semiconductor switch (54) and to an electrical ground (64). The constant current source is coupled to generate a voltage reference across the second resistor 58. A source follower output stage 66 may include a second semiconductor switch (68) and a third resistor (58) connected between the electrical ground and a source terminal of the second semiconductor switch. The generated voltage reference is applied to a gating terminal of the second semiconductor switch (58)
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
F01D 1/00 - Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines
G05F 3/24 - Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics being semiconductor devices using diode-transistor combinations wherein the transistors are of the field-effect type only
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Reese, Bradley Alan,
Valle-Mayorga, Javier Antonio,
Escorcia-Carranza, Ivonne,
Phan, Khoa Minh,
Gutshall, Caleb Paul,
Schupbach, Roberto Marcelo,
Abstract
A half bridge gate driving circuit for providing gate driving circuits in a bi-hecto Celsius (200 degrees Celsius) operating environment having multiple functions including combinations of multiple level logic inputs, noise immunity, fault protection, overlap protection, pulse modulation, high-frequency modulation with transformer based isolation, high-frequency demodulation back to pulse width modulation, deadtime generator, level shifter for high side transistor, overcurrent protection, and undervoltage lockout.
H03K 17/687 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices the devices being field-effect transistors
H02M 3/335 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Subramanian, Ramesh
Kulkarni, Anand A.
Mitchell, David J.
Karlsson, Bjoern
Waits, Rod
Fraley, John R.
Abstract
A telemetry system for use in a combustion turbine engine (10) that includes a first sensor (306) in connection with a turbine blade (301) or vane (22). A first telemetry transmitter circuit (312) is affixed to the turbine blade and routes electronic data signals, indicative of a condition of the blade, from the sensor to a rotating data antenna (314) that is affixed to the turbine blade or is on a same substrate as that of the circuit. A stationary data antenna (333) may be affixed to a stationary component (323) proximate and in spaced relation to the rotating data antenna for receiving electronic data signals from the rotating data antenna. A second sensor (335) transmits electronic data signals indicative of the stationary component to a second telemetry circuit (332), which routes the signals to the stationary antenna. The stationary antenna transmits the electronic data signals to a receiver (338).
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
F23R 3/00 - Continuous combustion chambers using liquid or gaseous fuel
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Subramanian, Ramesh
Kulkarni, Anand A.
Mitchell, David J.
Karlsson, Bjoern
Waits, Rod
Fraley, John R.
Abstract
A telemetry system for use in a combustion turbine engine (10) having a compressor (12), a combustor and a turbine (16) that includes a sensor (306) in connection with a turbine blade (301) or vane (22). A telemetry transmitter circuit (312) may be affixed to the turbine blade with an electrical connecting material (307) for routing electronic data signals from the sensor (306) to the telemetry transmitter circuit, the electronic data signals indicative of a condition of the turbine blade. A resonant energy transfer system for powering the telemetry transmitter circuit may include a rotating data antenna (314) affixed to the turbine blade or on a same substrate as that of the circuit. A stationary data antenna (320) may be affixed to a stationary component such as a stator (323) proximate and in spaced relation to the rotating data antenna for receiving electronic data signals from the rotating data antenna.
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
F23R 3/00 - Continuous combustion chambers using liquid or gaseous fuel
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
ROHM CO., LTD. (Japan)
Inventor
Lostetter, Alexander, B.
Hornberger, Jared
Otsuka, Takukazu
Abstract
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including: a source trace, a drain trace, and a gate trace placed on a substrate; a transistor which is placed on the drain trace and includes a source pad and a gate pad; insulating films placed between the drain and source traces and between the drain and gate traces on the substrate so as to cover sidewall surfaces of the transistor; a source spray electrode which is placed on the insulating film between the source and drain traces and connects the source pad of the transistor and the source trace; and a gate spray electrode placed on the insulating film between the gate and drain traces and connects the gate pad of the transistor and the gate trace.
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David J.
Kulkarni, Anand A.
Subramanian, Ramesh
Roesch, Edward R.
Waits, Rod
Schupbach, Roberto
Fraley, John R.
Lostetter, Alexander B.
Mcpherson, Brice
Western, Bryon
Abstract
A circuit assembly (34) affixed to a moving part (20) of a turbine for receiving information about a condition of the part and transmitting this information external to the engine. The circuit assembly includes a high-temperature resistant package (34A) that attaches to the part. A high temperature resistant PC board (42) supports both active and passive components of the circuit, wherein a first group of the passive components are fabricated with zero temperature coefficient of resistance and a second group of the passive components are fabricated with a positive temperature coefficient of resistance. The active components are fabricated with high temperature metallization. Connectors (40) attached to the PC board pass through a wall of the package (34A) for communication with sensors (30) on the part and with an antenna (26) for transmitting data about the condition of the part to outside the turbine.
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David, J.
Kulkarni, Anand, A.
Subramanian, Ramesh
Roesch, Edward, R.
Waits, Rod
Schupbach, Roberto
Fraley, John, R.
Lostetter, Alexander, B.
Mcpherson, Brice
Western, Bryon
Abstract
A circuit assembly (34) resistant to high-temperature and high g centrifugal force is disclosed. A printed circuit board (42) is first fabricated from alumina and has conductive traces of said circuit formed thereon by the use of a thick film gold paste. Active and passive components of the circuit assembly are attached to the printed circuit board by means of gold powder diffused under high temperature. Gold wire is used for bonding between the circuit traces and the active components in order to complete the circuit assembly (34). Also, a method for manufacturing a circuit assembly resistant to elevated temperature is disclosed
H05K 1/09 - Use of materials for the metallic pattern
H05K 3/32 - Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits
H05K 3/34 - Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits by soldering
11.
WIRELESS TELEMETRY CIRCUIT STRUCTURE FOR MEASURING TEMPERATURE IN HIGH TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTS
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David, J.
Kulkarni, Anand, A.
Subramanian, Ramesh
Roesch, Edward, R.
Waits, Rod
Schupbach, Roberto
Fraley, John, R.
Lostetter, Alexander, B.
Mcpherson, Brice
Western, Bryon
Abstract
A circuit affixed to a moving part of an engine for sensing and processing the temperature of the part. The circuit generates a signal representative of the temperature sensed by a thermocouple (110) and amplified by an amplifier (112). A square wave oscillator (113) with a temperature sensitive capacitor (C8) varies its frequency in response to changes of a local temperature of the circuit. A chopper (114, J27) converts the output of the amplifier into an alternating current signal. The chopper is gated by the square wave oscillator and a second input is coupled to an output of the amplifier. Thus, the chopper has an output signal having a frequency representative of the local temperature and an amplitude representative of the thermocouple temperature, whereby the combined signals represent the true temperature of the part
G05D 23/22 - Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means with sensing elements having variation of electric or magnetic properties with change of temperature the sensing element being a thermocouple
G01K 7/13 - Circuits for cold-junction compensation
G08C 15/06 - Arrangements characterised by the use of multiplexing for the transmission of a plurality of signals over a common path successively, i.e. using time division
12.
WIRELESS TELEMETRY ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY FOR MEASURING STRAIN IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTS
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David, J.
Kulkarni, Anand, A.
Subramanian, Ramesh
Roesch, Edward, R.
Waits, Rod
Schupbach, Roberto
Fraley, John, R.
Mcpherson, Brice
Western, Bryon
Lostetter, Alexander, B.
Abstract
In a telemetry system for use in an engine, a circuit structure (34) affixed to a moving part (20) of the engine is disposed for amplifying information sensed about a condition of the part and transmitting the sensed information to a receiver external to the engine. The circuit structure is adapted for the high temperature environment of the engine and includes a differential amplifier (102, 111) having an input for receiving a signal from a sensor (101, 110) disposed on the part. A voltage controlled oscillator (104, 115) with an input coupled to the output of the amplifier produces an oscillatory signal having a frequency representative of the sensed condition. A buffer (105, 116) with an input coupled to the output of the oscillator buffers the oscillatory signal, which is then coupled to an antenna (26) for transmitting the information to the receiver.
G01D 3/036 - Measuring arrangements with provision for the special purposes referred to in the subgroups of this group mitigating undesired influences, e.g. temperature, pressure on measuring arrangements themselves
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
G01K 1/20 - Compensating for effects of temperature changes other than those to be measured, e.g. changes in ambient temperature
H03F 1/30 - Modifications of amplifiers to reduce influence of variations of temperature or supply voltage
ARKANSAS POWER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Mitchell, David J.
Kulkarni, Anand A.
Subramanian, Ramesh
Roesch, Edward R.
Waits, Rod
Fraley, John R.
Schupbach, Roberto M.
Lostetter, Alexander B.
Abstract
A telemetry system for use in a combustion turbine engine (10) having a compressor (12), a combustor and a turbine (16) that includes a sensor (50, 74) in connection with a turbine blade (18) or vane (22). A telemetry transmitter circuit (210) may be affixed to the turbine blade (18) with a first connecting material (52, 152) deposited on the turbine blade (18) for routing electronic data signals from the sensor (50, 74) to the telemetry transmitter circuit (210), the electronic data signals indicative of a condition of the turbine blade (18). An induction power system for powering the telemetry transmitter circuit (210) may include a rotating data antenna (202) affixed to the turbine blade (18) with a second connecting material (140) deposited on the turbine blade (18) for routing electronic data signals from the telemetry transmitter circuit (210) to the rotating data antenna (202). A stationary data antenna (184) may be affixed to a static seal segment 180 adjacent the turbine blade (18) for receiving electronic data signals from the rotating data antenna (202).
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom