A method of operating an aircraft that includes a propulsion system. The propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine and a fuel tank arranged to provide fuel to the gas turbine engine. The method includes: determining at least one fuel characteristic of the fuel arranged to be provided to the gas turbine engine; and controlling the propulsion system based on the at least one fuel characteristic.

The present application discloses a method of determining one or more fuel characteristics of an aviation fuel suitable for powering a gas turbine engine of an aircraft. The method comprises: determining, during use of the gas turbine engine, one or more exhaust content parameters by performing a sensor measurement on an exhaust of the gas turbine engine; and determining one or more fuel characteristics of the fuel based on the one or more exhaust parameters. Also disclosed is a fuel characteristic determination system, a method of operating an aircraft, and an aircraft.

A system and method of non-intrusive thrust measurement of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a transmitter disposed at a boundary of fluid flow and at least one receiver adapted to receive transmissions from the transmitter. A processor is coupled to the receivers to determine a parameter from a characteristic of the transmission at the receiver suite and adapted to determine a thrust parameter from the parameter. A method for non-intrusively measuring engine thrust includes transmitting a wave across the exhaust plume, receiving the transmitted wave and determining a measurement parameter of the exhaust plume based on a characteristic of the received wave, and comparing the measurement parameter to a reference parameter and determining the thrust based on the comparison.

In one embodiment, a turbine system includes a combustion system comprising a plurality of combustion cans, a number of sensors, each of the number of sensors coupled to a respective combustion can of the number of combustion cans, and a controller. The controller includes a memory storing one or more processor-executable routines and a processor configured to access and execute the one or more routines encoded by the memory. The one or more routines, when executed cause the processor to receive one or more signals from the number of sensors, convert the one or more signals to audio output, and output the converted audio output via one or more audio output devices.

In one embodiment, a turbine system includes a combustion system comprising a plurality of combustion cans, a number of sensors, each of the number of sensors coupled to a respective combustion can of the number of combustion cans, and a controller. The controller includes a memory storing one or more processor-executable routines and a processor configured to access and execute the one or more routines encoded by the memory. The one or more routines, when executed cause the processor to receive one or more signals from the number of sensors, convert the one or more signals to audio output, and output the converted audio output via one or more audio output devices.

A monitoring system for a gas turbine includes a processor configured to receive an operating signal indicating an operating parameter of the gas turbine. The processor is configured to predict an occurrence of a lean blowout (LBO) event based on the operating parameter and an entropy ratio of combustion dynamics associated with a combustor of the gas turbine, wherein the LBO event corresponds to when the combustor stops firing. The processor is configured to send an alarm signal indicating the predicted LBO event to an electronic device prior to the occurrence of the LBO event.

Systems and methods for monitoring components are provided. A component has an exterior surface. A method includes performing a first analysis of a first image of a surface feature configured on the exterior surface of the component, the first image obtained by an imaging device. The method further includes adjusting a viewing parameter of the imaging device when a predetermined first analysis threshold for the first image is unsatisfied, and performing a subsequent first analysis of a second image of the surface feature, the second image obtained by the imaging device. The method further includes adjusting a distance between the imaging device and the surface feature when the predetermined first analysis threshold for the second image is unsatisfied, and performing a second analysis of a third image, the third image obtained by the imaging device.

A cooling system includes a nozzle guide vane endwall. The nozzle guide vane endwall includes a first wall and a second wall. The first wall includes a first opening that extends completely through the first wall into a primary flow path of a high-pressure turbine. The second wall includes a second opening that extends completely through the second wall into an inner passageway of the nozzle guide vane endwall. The inner passageway is configured to direct a cooling fluid to the first opening and/or the second opening. The first and second opening are configured to receive a plug or a probe.

A method for producing a run-in coating for a turbomachine for braking a rotor in the event of a shaft breakage, the run-in coating being formed as an integral, generative blade portion during a generative manufacture of a blade. A run-in system having an abradable ring that is configured circumferentially on a blade row and has a chamber-type material structure. A turbomachine having a run-in system of this kind, as well as a guide vane having such a run-in coating.

Solar and steam hybrid power generation system including a solar steam generator, an external steam regulator, a turboset, and a power generator. A steam outlet end of the solar steam generator is connected to a steam inlet of the turboset. A steam outlet end of the external steam regulator is connected to the steam inlet of the turboset. A steam outlet of the turboset is connected to the input end of a condenser, and the output end of the condenser is connected to the input end of a deaerator. The output end of the deaerator is connected to the input end of a water feed pump. The output end of the water feed pump is connected to a circulating water input end of the solar steam generator. The output end of the water feed pump is connected to a water-return bypass of the external steam.