Abstract:
An apparatus and method for monitoring temperature of one or more components of a multi-component system, such as a power generator system, using at least one temperature probe ( 20 ) are provided. Each temperature probe includes a temperature probe container ( 25 ) enclosing at least one light window ( 30 ) responsive to temperature variation and a light-guide pair ( 40 ) corresponding to each such light window ( 30 ). Each light guide pair ( 40 ) preferably has first ( 41 ) and second ( 42 ) strands for conveying light to the corresponding light window ( 30 ) and receiving light passing through a light window ( 30 ), respectively. Light can be provided from an external light source ( 51 ), and light passing through a light window ( 30 ) can be detected by an external light sensor ( 52 ). A temperature probe light window ( 30 ) passes light if its temperature is within a predetermined range or otherwise blocks light. The temperature probe container ( 25 ) is preferably constructed from a heat conducting material having a sufficiently high thermal conductivity coefficient to ensure rapid efficient transmission of temperature information to a temperature responsive light window ( 30 ).

Description:
RELATED INVENTIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/651,937, filed Aug. 31, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is related to multiple-component electrical systems such as those used in the power generation industry and, more particularly, to the field of monitoring conditions of electrical generator systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the power generation industry, monitoring the conditions of components of electrical generator systems is essential for the efficient and nonhazardous functioning of such systems. Effective monitoring encompasses detecting and registering conditions in various components including generators, exciters, collectors and large utility transformers. Conventional techniques for monitoring the temperature of such components use thermocouples or resistance temperature detector devices which convey temperature information with conductors. Such devices and techniques, however, are limited and have significant drawbacks. For example, the devices cannot be routed across components operating at high voltage nor where there is a risk of flash-over or electromotive force (emf) distortion. The ability to measure accurately the temperature of a component is thus further limited because temperature measuring devices cannot be positioned in proximity to critical areas whose temperatures it is desirable to monitor. Therefore, critical areas cannot be well-monitored using these conventional devices and methods. 
     These limitations on monitoring the condition of power generator systems, moreover, often necessitate monitoring by visual means, which, in turn, may require shutting down a system and imposing costs associated with the downtime of the system while visual inspections are performed. Moreover, because visual monitoring can only be undertaken at intermittent intervals, there is no capability for continuous monitoring of electrical system components. Thus, such conventional techniques and devices suffer deficiencies in terms of both efficiency and efficacy. Conventional techniques are more costly whenever monitoring requires suspending system operations. They also are inevitably less reliable when they can not monitor each component&#39;s temperature accurately or can not measure temperature continuously throughout the system. 
     Other devices and methods have been tried for certain types of components, but these are also subject to limitations and constraints on efficiency and efficacy. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,975 by Jenkins titled “Generator Stator Core Temperature Monitor” proposes measuring ambient temperature of the stator core of a generator in terms of hydrogen gas (H 2 ) exiting through the stator core. Temperature of the core can be inferred from either of two effects: (1) the hotter the gas, the more frequent the gas molecules impinge on a temperature-responsive liquid crystal so as to block monitored light; and (2) the hotter the gas, the greater the expansion of a housing-mounted flexible bladder thereby influencing the angle and hence amount of light detected. There are at least two limitations with this type of monitoring, however. First, owing to the relative diffusion of gas molecules, gas is a less efficient heat conductor. Accordingly, the hydrogen gas is a less efficient, less reliable conveyor of temperature information. Second, and more fundamentally, this type of monitoring measures only an aggregate or average temperature of the environment surrounding the stator, not the actual temperature of a specific system component. This can be especially limiting given the need to detect and isolate a temperature variation occurring in individual components. Measuring ambient temperature does not permit separate monitoring and detecting of temperature variations in individual components. Detection, moreover, is also delayed until, for example, an overheating condition in a single component contributes sufficient heat to raise the average or ambient temperature surrounding the stator or other electrical system. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,326, by Gottlieb et al. titled “Method and Means for Improved Optical Temperature Sensor” proposes an “optical conductor” to measure temperature, but does not address directly the problems of the more conventional type conductor temperature information conveyors. Such devices combine an optical core with cladding, along with a jacket to encase the core and clad material. The core and clad material are formed so as to produce a temperature-influenced difference in refractive indexes that is intended to overcome a common problem with such conductors: temperature responsiveness varies linearly with the length of the conductor. But whatever deficiencies may be corrected with respect to this conductor-length factor, such a device registers only a temperature range and does not address other problems described above. Moreover, there are additional limitations inherent in such devices that limit the efficiency with which temperature detection can be performed. For example, thermal disruption of the fiber conductor by melting in the fiber or surrounding cladding disturbs light conduction. Although using different cladding material can compensate for this risk, doing so can further complicate choosing a proper material composition that will provide the correct refractive indexes difference to accurately monitor for temperature variation. Finally, in addition to their above-described complications in achieving a desired result, such devices also are fundamentally limited in the result that is achieved. Specifically, such devices provide detection of only a range of temperatures, thereby providing less-than-desirable accuracy and problematic delay in monitoring for critical conditions like overheating in an electrical system component. 
     There is thus a critical need for an apparatus or method that overcomes the problems inherent in conventional and optical conductor type devices for monitoring electrical generator components. Specifically, there is the need for a device or method that more accurately and more efficiently measures the temperatures of the distinct components of a power generator system, as well as the ambient temperature of the system at various locations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing background, the present invention advantageously provides an apparatus and method for efficiently and efficaciously monitoring the temperature of one or more regions or components of a multiple-component system, such as a power generator system wherein one confronts such inhibiting factors as high voltage and flash-over risk. The present invention advantageously provides a more accurate capability for monitoring temperature and detecting temperature variation in electrical system components. Moreover, although the apparatus and method are described herein in the context of electrical generator systems, they can have wide applicability in other contexts as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Such uses include monitoring air conditioning systems and other building service devices whose temperatures need to be monitored effectively and efficiently on a substantially continuous basis. Specifically, as described herein, vital temperature information using the apparatus and method of the present invention is directed efficiently and rapidly to a temperature variation monitor so as to monitor critical temperature variations in a direct, efficient, and reliable manner. 
     Further advantage is provided in that critical temperature information can be conveyed from within the system to a remote site. This provides capabilities for safe, continuous temperature monitoring using the apparatus and method of the present invention. Notwithstanding this significant advantage, the present invention can be used just as effectively for direct local monitoring of a system component&#39;s temperature. 
     The present invention, moreover, specifically provides the capability of strategically positioning a plurality of temperature monitoring devices or “temperature probes” within any number of selected critical areas within an electrical generator system. Moreover, the present invention allows these temperature probes to be placed adjacent one or more system components or even to be attached directly to the components. This provides capabilities for monitoring and detecting temperature variations of a plurality of discrete components within the system as opposed to only measuring an average temperature in the form of ambient temperature of the overall system. Again, the present invention permits multiple component monitoring from a remote location external to the electrical generator system as well as direct, on-site temperature monitoring. 
     The apparatus and method of the present invention provide an effective, efficient temperature probe. The temperature probe preferably comprises a light source, a light sensor, and at least one light window contained within a temperature probe container, and wherein the light window further has an associated pair of light guides. Temperature information is conveyed rapidly and efficiently to the outer surface of the temperature probe container. The container is purposely formed of a heat conducting material, preferably having a thermal conductivity coefficient of 100 or more, so as to rapidly convey temperature information from the surface of the container to the inner surface to which are attached one or more light windows. Alternatively, a thermal conducting member can extend through the container to contact at one portion an outer surface or open-air environment and convey temperature information to another portion within the container that is in contact with the one or more light windows. 
     Thus, using the present invention, one is able to convey temperature information directly via a thermal conductor linking one or more light windows contained within the container of the temperature probe. As already noted, the temperature probe so described can be adjacent or contact one or more electrical system components whose temperature is to be directly monitored. More specifically, the light source and light sensor can be positioned outside of the electrical generator system while the temperature probes are positioned within the system at any selected critical point at which temperature is to be monitored. The light guide pair associated with each light window preferably each has at least one strand to convey light from the light source to the corresponding light window. 
     Each light window is responsive to temperature in that each window &amp; perviousness to light is a function of the window&#39;s temperature; that is, the amount of light, if any, that will pass through the window will depend on the window&#39;s temperature. For example, a light window formed from a liquid crystal will be more or less permeable to radiant energy in the form of light depending on the temperature of the window. Indeed, depending on the specific properties of the liquid crystal the window may be completely transparent or completely opaque. Accordingly, the intensity of light passing through a light window will depend on the degree to which the liquid crystal is pervious to radiant energy, which in turn is a function of the specific temperature of the crystal. By measuring the intensity of light, if any, one can measure temperature based on the information received by the temperature probe. 
     Light intensity is determined by the amount of light captured by the second strand of the light guide pair, which, positioned on the opposing surface of the light window, receives any light conveyed to the window from the light source via the first strand. Captured light is conveyed by the second strand of the light guide pair to a light sensor which measures over a roughly continuous range the intensity of the light received via the second strand. Temperature is thus monitored by measuring the intensity of the light which the light windows of a temperature probe are passing to the light sensor. The greater the number of light windows, the finer is the gradation of temperature ranges which can be discerned. 
     The temperature probes receive temperature information directly and, virtually instantaneously from a thermal conducting connector in communication with a surface of the component whose temperature is to be monitored and convey that information in the form of light-guide transmitted signals, i.e., light, through the light windows contained within the temperature probe container. A specific advantage of the present invention is the ability of the heat conductor to convey accurate temperature information. The conductor is in direct contact with a surface portion of the select component whose temperature is to be monitored. The temperature so measured is that of the specific component rather than an aggregate or average of the system, as taught by existing conventional and optics-based devices. 
     Whereas other methods and devices detect variation in ambient temperature by registering increased or more rapid average impingement of gas molecules on the surface of a liquid crystal to raise the temperature of the crystal, the present invention uses a heat conductor having high thermal conductivity. More specifically, recognizing that temperature information is transferred more rapidly through a medium having a fixed structural arrangement, the present invention employs a thermal conducting medium that preferably is a metal or other medium having a sufficiently high coefficient of heat conduction. Thus, the translational (or kinetic), rotational, and vibrational energy is transmitted more rapidly and exchanged more efficiently with a temperature-sensitive liquid crystal device. This, then, increases the speed and accuracy with which temperature information can be conveyed, as noted above. Thus the present invention in contrast to other devices and methods advantageously allows earlier and more accurate detection of temperature variation in electrical system components. It is the temperature of the component itself that is conveyed rather than a proxy in the form of the ambient or system environment temperature. The temperature information conveyed is accordingly more accurate because the heat conductor can preferably be a metal, and moreover, the temperature information is conveyed rapidly as compared to conventional and other optics-based devices. 
     Yet a further advantage is provided by using the light guides described above, which can enable the routing of the temperature probes across virtually any component without the concerns of high voltage or flash-over that would otherwise arise with conventional devices and methods. In a related vein, the lightweight light guides and light windows corresponding to each temperature probe ensure a lighter assembly as compared to conventional temperature monitoring devices. This provides further advantages where weight is a critical factor such as in aerospace and other non-land based applications. 
     Moreover there is the ability already noted, to utilize multiple temperature probes for monitoring not merely an ambient temperature proxy or average temperature of a multiple-component system, but also to monitor the temperature of each component. These features, then, help enable the additional advantage of measuring distinct components within, for example, the same electrical generator system. Therefore, because distinct temperature information rather than an aggregate is conveyed for each selected component, the individual components can be simultaneously monitored within the electrical generator system, whereas with conventional devices and methods there is no capability for distinguishing which of several components is contributing what temperature to the overall system temperature. Thus, it is possible to effect simultaneous monitoring of the multiple components within an electrical generator system—generator, exciters, collectors, transformers, etc.—while having the capability to identify through early detection which of the various components may be overheating or otherwise reaching an unacceptable temperature range. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system to monitor temperature of distinct components of an electrical generator system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single temperature probe according to the present invention; 
     FIG  3  is a perspective view of a single temperature robe according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a temperature probe connected to a surface portion of a component of an electrical generator system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a temperature probe connected to a segment of wire used in an electrical generator system according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of three distinct light windows, each illustrated with an associated light guide pair, housed within a temperature probe and responding uniquely to the temperature of the temperature probe according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating schematically one operative manner of monitoring temperature using a temperature probe according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a system of four temperature probes containing a plurality of light windows and positioned separately for measuring ambient temperatures in distinct regions or the temperatures of different components within an electrical generator system according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime and double prime notation, if used, indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a system  10  for monitoring the individual temperatures of distinct components of an electrical generator system  15  using five separate temperature probes  20 ,  70 ,  85 ,  95 ,  99  connected to the distinct components of the electrical generator system  15 . As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an individual temperature probe  20  preferably comprises a container  25  containing at least one light window  30  and a light-guide pair  40  associated with each light window  30 . More specifically, the temperature probe container  25  will have an outer surface  22  and inner surface  24  surrounding a hollow region. The one or more light windows  30  is preferably connected to at least a portion of the inner surface  24  of the container  25 . A light-guide pair  40  preferably will be formed of a first strand  41  and a second strand  42 . The first strand  41  of a light-guide pair  40  will extend through the first end of the container  25  and be positioned adjacent a first surface  31  of a corresponding light window  30 . The second strand  42  of a light guide pair  40  will be positioned adjacent a second, opposing surface portion  32  of the corresponding light window  30  and extend through the second end of the container  25 . 
     For example, the temperature probe container  25  can be cylindrical-shaped as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. Such a cylindrically-shaped container, further can have first  21  and second  22  end portions that are each substantially flat and positioned perpendicular to a center longitudinal axis of the container  25 . Within the hollow region of the cylindrically-shaped container  25  is at least one light window  30  having first  31  and second  32  opposing surfaces. Alternatively, the container might have a rectangular or other shape specifically designed to be well-positioned within the confines of a system such as an electrical generator system  15 . As further illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, a temperature probe  20  having more than one light window  38 ,  68 ,  98  will have a light-guide pair  40 ,  43 ,  46  corresponding to each one of the light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 . As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an individual light-guide pair  40  preferably will be composed of two light conveying strands  41 ,  42  (e.g., fiber optical strands). Each will have first and second ends. The first strand  41  of a light-guide pair  40  preferably has a first end positioned adjacent a light source  51  (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) external to the container  25 . The first strand  41  then extends through the surface of the container  25 . 
     As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, for a cylindrically-shaped container, the first light-guide strand  41  extends through the flat end portion  21  of the container  25  and the second end of the strand is positioned adjacent to the first surface portion  31  of a corresponding light window  30 . Light is thus conveyed from the external light source  51  to the surface of the light window  30 . Light that is not completely blocked by a light window  30  will then pass through the light window to be captured at a first end of the second light strand  42  of the light-guide pair  40  positioned adjacent the opposing surface  32  of the corresponding light window  30 . Captured light will be conveyed by the second strand  42  of the light-guide pair  40 , which extends through the opposing end  22  of the container  25 , to a light sensor  52  positioned outside of the temperature probe container  25 . 
     The intensity of the light that is conveyed through a light window  30  will be determined by the temperature of the light window  30 , the light window  30  being composed of a temperature-responsive material such as a liquid crystal, which can be manufactured according to specific temperature detection requirements by American Thermal Instruments, Dayton, Ohio. Therefore, the amount of radiant energy in the form of light passing through the light window  30  is a direct function of the specific temperature of the light window  30 . It thus follows that the amount of the light conveyed from the light source  51  by the first strand  41  of the light-guide pair  40  corresponding to the light window  30  and passed through the light window  30  to the second strand  42  of the light-guide pair  40  and conveyed to the light sensor  52  will be determined by the temperature of the light window  30 . The temperature of the light window  30 , in turn, is determined by the amount of thermal energy conducted to the light window  30  by the heat conducting temperature probe container  25 . 
     Alternatively, the temperature probe  20  may contain a distinct member that extends from the outside surface  22  of the container  25  into the inner surface  24  of the container  25  and contacts the light window  30  contained therein. In any event, temperature information is received by the temperature probe  20  at the outside surface  22  of the temperature probe container  25  and conveyed to the light window  30 , the temperature of which determines the intensity of light measured by the light sensor  52 . 
     For example, if the container  25  of a temperature probe  20  contains a plurality of light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 , the specific material of each one of the plurality of light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 , can be chosen such that each has a different permeability to light over distinct, substantially continuous ranges of temperature. Thus, the greater the number of light windows, the finer the gradation of temperature ranges that can be registered using the temperature probe  20 . In one embodiment of the present invention, for example, a temperature probe  20  might have n light windows each of which is translucent for a distinct temperature range and being otherwise opaque. Thus, by identifying the combination of one or more light windows conveying light, if any, one can identify which of n temperature ranges the temperature of the temperature probe  20  is within. 
     For example, as perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, and  6 - 7 , a plurality of corresponding light sensors can be coupled with a container  25  containing a plurality of light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98  to thereby indicate whether and which light window  30  or windows  38 ,  68 ,  98  is opaque and which is translucent. The particular permutation of light blocking and light passing light windows will accordingly be reflected by the light sensors and so, too, indicate the particular ambient or surface temperature of the component to which the container  25  is adjacent or in contact. An even more precise measure of temperature, however, can be effected by forming each n light windows, as described above, from a light crystal that has variable perviousness to light over a continuous range of temperatures. By choosing the n light windows to have a different light permeability for n mutually exclusive temperature ranges, one accordingly can adjust the fineness of the temperature measured by a temperature probe  20  to virtually any degree of accuracy. 
     The system so described can incorporate a processor  120 , as understood by those skilled in the art, in communication with the light sensor  52  to facilitate determination of the precise temperature by determining the combination of windows, if any, that are passing light to the light sensors. For example, the light sensor  52  and processor  120  can be provided within a housing  125  external to the electrical generator system  15  (FIG.  1 ). FIG. 7 illustrates a possible sequencing of steps corresponding to a processor-implemented method  100  of determining for a temperature probe  20  utilizing a plurality of light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 . The system initiates the emission of light (Block  101 ) from the light source  51 . Sequential testing (Blocks  102 - 104 ) then proceeds. The processor determines whether light is received through or passes through any light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 , whether one of the light windows  38  allows light to pass therethrough, whether two of the light windows  38 ,  68  allow light to pass therethrough, or all three of the light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98  allow light to pass therethrough(Blocks  105 - 107 ) and correspondingly signals the correct temperature. The processor  120 , moreover, can be programmed, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, to respond to a specific permutation of light window conditions by signaling a problem within the electrical generator system being monitored (Block  110 ). 
     Preferably, the container  25  of the temperature probe  20  is formed of a heat conducting material. The container  25  then can transfer temperature information directly to the one or more light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98  contained therein. Alternatively, a separate heat conducting member can extend through the temperature probe container which has a first portion exposed outside the container  25  and second portion directly contacting the one or more light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 . 
     In either case, as noted above, the temperature probe container  25  can be connected directly to a surface portion of a power generator system component  75  to measure the temperature of the component directly or be positioned adjacent the component to measure the ambient temperature surrounding the component. Specifically, the container  25  can be hung from a system structure so as to contact or remain near the surface of a system component. Alternatively, it can be connected with an appropriately heat-resistant adhesive tape (e.g., electrical tape). As illustrated in FIG. 4, a temperature probe  20  can be taped to a vertical surface  71  portion of a power generator system component  75 . A temperature probe  20  similarly could monitor the heat of braided cable  80  by taping the temperature probe  20  directly to the cable  80  as illustrated in FIG.  5 . Additionally, a temperature probe  20  can simply be placed so as to rest on a substantially level portion of a surface. Temperature information is therefore received from the select component or the surrounding environment, and the surface or ambient temperature is accordingly conveyed to the one or more light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98  to thereby signal the temperature range of the component or its environment. 
     A particular advantage of the present invention, then, lies in the manner and the nature of the material with which temperature information is so transferred to the one or more light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 . Conventional and other optics-based devices and methods rely on gas to transfer heat to a liquid crystal. Although gas molecules, of course, exhibit the well-understood translational (kinetic), rotational, and vibrational molecular energy characteristics that enable them through interaction (collision) with the liquid crystal molecules to transmit heat, the gas molecules are simply too diffuse to make the gas a good thermal conductor. (See, e.g., Serway, Physics, 4 th  ed., 1998, pages 566-569; see also Sonntag, Borgnakke, and Van Wylen, Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, 5 th  ed., 1998; pages 84-85.) Recognizing this problem, the present invention overcomes it by providing for the direct transfer of temperature information (energy) to a light window  30  (preferably, a liquid crystal). Specifically, a heat conducting material is chosen to have at least a semi-fixed, or preferably, fixed molecular structure so as to focus and channel the energy transference such that temperature information is transferred more rapidly and more efficiently to the one or more light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98  contained within the heat conducting container  25 . 
     More specifically, the specific properties of such a heat conducting container  25  are perhaps best described quantitatively in terms of Fourier&#39;s law of heat conduction:            Q   .     =       -   kA               T          x           ,                          
     giving the rate of heat transfer as proportional to the heat conductivity, k, of the material the surface area of contact, A, and the temperature gradient dT/dx. To achieve speedier, more efficient transfer of temperature information (heat), the heat conducting fastener preferably is formed from a material having a value of k greater than 0.1. Although k values for gases range from less than 0.01 to 0.1, the range is 0.1 to 10 for liquids and 1 to 10 for nonmetallic solids. As understood by those skilled in the art, the most efficient temperature information transfer results, however, are achieved by using a metallic container  25 : the heat conductivity coefficient, k, of such material will be at least 100. 
     As already noted, a temperature probe  20  is defined by a combination of a heat conducting container  25  and at least one light window  30  contained within the container  25 . The temperature probe preferably also contains a light guide pair  40  corresponding to each light window  30  to convey light from a light source  51  and receive any light conveyed through the window  30  so as to signal to a light sensor whether or not light is passing through the light window  30  depending on the particular temperature range of the light window. Using a plurality of such temperature probes  20 ,  70 ,  85 ,  95  one can efficiently monitor and measure the different temperature conditions of a each component in a multiple-component system. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the distinct temperature of each of a number of separate components of a power generator system can be measured using a plurality of temperature probes  20 ,  70 ,  85 ,  95 . Therefore, rather than measure the average ambient temperature of a power generation system, the separate temperatures of each component of the system can be measured directly simply by locating a distinct temperature probe  20 ,  70 ,  85 ,  95  adjacent each component whose temperature is to be monitored. 
     It is advantageous to augment a temperature monitoring system using a plurality of temperature probes  20 ,  70 ,  85 ,  95  with a light signal processor to process temperature information conveyed. The process, if it is part of a programable computer, can indicate for each probe what the particular temperature range is of the surface or environment associated with the particular probe. So augmented, the system can provide capabilities for continuous monitoring of a plurality of power generation components. 
     It is further a method aspect of the present invention that one can measure temperature ranges of a component of a power generator or other system using the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, temperature can be measured by conveying light to at least one light window  38 ,  68 ,  98  contained within a heat conducting container  25 , receiving temperature information at the surface of the heat conducting container  25 , conveying the temperature information to each at least one light window  38 ,  68 ,  98  via heat conduction, and detecting whether light is able to pass through each at least one light window  38 ,  68 ,  98 . Preferably, the method will utilize a container  25  for the one or more light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98  that is made of a material having a heat conducting coefficient greater than 0.1, preferably a metal such as aluminum or other metal having a heat conductivity coefficient of at least 100. Specifically, temperature information can be received as ambient temperature or the temperature of the component to which the heat conducting container  25  is in contact. Thus, a further method aspect of the present invention is conveying temperature information by contacting the heat conducting material to a surface portion of a component of a power generation system. 
     Yet a further method aspect of the present invention, also illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, is measuring the different temperatures of each component of a power generator or other multiple-component system. A method of measuring temperature conditions of a multiple component system is performed by positioning one of a plurality of heat conducting containers  20 ,  70 ,  85 ,  95  adjacent each system component whose temperature is to be measured, wherein each heat conducting container  20 ,  70 ,  85 ,  95  contains at least one light window  38 ,  68 ,  98  therein, and each of the one or more light windows is opaque to light if the temperature of the light window is within a preselected temperature range and is otherwise translucent. Temperature information is received from each system component at an outside surface  22  portion of a corresponding heat conducting container  25  and is conveyed to the at least one light window  38 ,  68 ,  98  within the container  25 . To measure the temperature range of each corresponding component, one detects whether or not conveyed light is able to pass through each of the one or more light windows  38 ,  68 ,  98 . Depending on the responsiveness of each light window  38 ,  68 ,  98  to distinct temperature ranges, one can determine the ambient temperature surrounding the component or the surface temperature of the particular component by placing the temperature probe  20  near or in contact with the component. 
     These and other valuable uses of the present invention will come to mind for those skilled in the relevant art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of one skilled in the art and having the benefit of the teachings present in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that the modifications and alternative embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.