Patent ID: 8922203

Claim:
A turbomachine blade monitoring system, comprising: an eddy current proximity probe assembly, comprising: an eddy current proximity probe having a probe tip; a probe case disposed at least partially about the eddy current proximity probe; a probe sheath at least partially disposed about the probe case, wherein the probe sheath is coupled to the probe case by a first threaded connection; and a probe tip shroud disposed about a circumference of the probe tip, wherein the probe tip shroud is coupled to the probe case by a second threaded connection, the probe tip shroud is configured to fill a gap between the probe tip and a turbomachine casing when the eddy current proximity probe assembly is coupled to the turbomachine casing, and the probe tip shroud comprises a non-metallic material; and a monitor coupled to the eddy current proximity probe assembly, wherein the monitor is configured to monitor an interval of elapsed time between passing of a first turbomachine blade and a second turbomachine blade based on a signal provided by the eddy current proximity probe, wherein the signal is indicative of a presence of the first turbomachine blade or the second turbomachine blade.