Abstract: This disclosure relates to an assembly and method for attaching a heliostat to a foundation in a tower-based solar thermal CSP installation. A heliostat securing assembly for securing a heliostat to a tubular foundation post comprises an insert locatable within an upper opening in the foundation post, the insert defining an aperture for receiving a support shaft of the heliostat. A clamp arrangement, for locating the insert in the upper opening in the foundation post, has at least one inner or outer bearing surface configured to bear against at least one corresponding outer or inner bearing surface of the insert. One or more urging connectors, for connecting the insert and the clamp arrangement, is operable to urge at least one of the insert and the clamp arrangement toward the other in an axial direction of the foundation post.

Abstract: A wear member monitoring system for a ground engaging tool, the system including: a measuring assembly having: an emitting device configured to emit a measurement signal towards a wear member of the ground engaging tool; a detecting device configured to detect a reflected measurement signal in response to the measurement signal emitted towards the wear member; and a processor configured to: analyse the reflected measurement signal with a two dimensional reference model; and determine a condition of the wear member based on the analysis of the reflected measurement signal with the two dimensional reference model.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an assembly and method for attaching a heliostat to a foundation in a tower-based solar thermal CSP installation. A heliostat securing assembly for securing a heliostat to a tubular foundation post comprises an insert locatable within an upper opening in the foundation post, the insert defining an aperture for receiving a support shaft of the heliostat. A clamp arrangement, for locating the insert in the upper opening in the foundation post, has at least one inner or outer bearing surface configured to bear against at least one corresponding outer or inner bearing surface of the insert. One or more urging connectors, for connecting the insert and the clamp arrangement, is operable to urge at least one of the insert and the clamp arrangement toward the other in an axial direction of the foundation post.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heliostat sub-assembly and to a method of forming such a sub-assembly. The method of mounting a concave mirror to a supporting structure of a heliostat includes the steps of bonding a plurality of risers at predetermined spaced intervals to a rear face of the mirror, each riser having a bonding pad and a stem extending from the bonding pad, and applying a predetermined concave curvature to the mirror by conforming the front face of the mirror with a convex forming jig or die. The supporting structure and curved mirror are then aligned, and the supporting structure is clinched to the stems of the risers when the curved mirror is conformed with the forming die.

Abstract: A system of calculating a payload weight, the system including: a first sensor configured to assist in determining an actuator load associated with a ram, the ram being connected to a lifting member; and a calibration module configured to retrieve a calibration factor based on movement of the ram, the calibration factor being applied to the actuator load to thereby provide an adjusted actuator load; wherein the payload weight is calculated based on the adjusted actuator load.

Abstract: A system of calculating a payload weight, the system including: a first sensor configured to measure a first load associated with a first member of a lifting machine; a second sensor configured to measure a second load associated with a second member of the lifting machine; and a calculating device configured to calculate the payload weight being carried by the lifting machine based on the first load and the second load.

Abstract: A concentrated solar thermal receiver is mounted on a tower to receive concentrated solar thermal energy from a concentrating array of solar reflectors. The receiver comprises a single layered array of tubes configured to carry a heat transfer fluid such as sodium and defining in combination an exposed concentrated solar thermal energy receiving surface. The array of tubes have a lower fluid inlet header communicating with an inlet conduit, and an upper fluid outlet communicating with an outlet conduit. The tubes are arranged in a serpentine configuration and define a fluid flow path which is predominantly transverse and upward. The receiver includes a thermally insulating cover movable between an open position and a closed position in which the solar thermal energy receiving surface is covered to block or reduce the incidence of solar flux on the tubes or to reduce heat loss from the array of tubes when they are not operational.

Abstract: A wear member monitoring system for a ground engaging tool, the system including: a measuring assembly having: an emitting device configured to emit a measurement signal towards a wear member of the ground engaging tool; a detecting device configured to detect a reflected measurement signal in response to the measurement signal emitted towards the wear member; and a processor configured to: analyse the reflected measurement signal with a two dimensional reference model; and determine a condition of the wear member based on the analysis of the reflected measurement signal with the two dimensional reference model.

Abstract: A system of identifying a payload destination, the system including: one or more sensors; and an identifying module configured to: receive a plurality of inputs from the one or more sensors, the plurality of inputs being associated with payload delivery from a lifting machine; define a plurality of input destination identifiers based on the plurality of inputs; compare the plurality of input destination identifiers with stored identifiers in order to establish one or more destination match estimates; and identify the payload destination based on the one or more destination match estimates.

Abstract: A heavy duty excavator bucket is constructed with an exoskeletal structure comprising coupled cast components including a lip member, opposed wing members, junction members locatable between floor and side walls and side and rear walls and a cap rail structure extending between opposed wing members about the upper periphery of the bucket to form an integral structure. Steel plate floor, side wall and rear wall members extend between adjacent exoskeletal regions. The bucket may include a cast arch member extending between opposed wing members and a cast reinforcing member extending between opposed junction members adjacent said rear wall.

Abstract: A heavy duty excavator bucket is constructed with an exoskeletal structure comprising coupled cast components including a lip member, opposed wing members, junction members locatable between floor and side walls and side and rear walls and a cap rail structure extending between opposed wing members about the upper periphery of the bucket to form an integral structure. Steel plate floor, side wall and rear wall members extend between adjacent exoskeletal regions. The bucket may include a cast arch member extending between opposed wing members and a cast reinforcing member extending between opposed junction members adjacent said rear wall.

Abstract: A system of estimating fatigue in a lifting member, the system including: a first sensor configured to measure a first load related to a ram, the ram being connected to the lifting member; and a calculating device configured to: determine an actuator load based on the first load; determine a first force based on the actuator load; estimate a unit of fatigue life based on the first force; and estimate a fraction of total fatigue life consumed for a portion of the lifting member based on the unit of fatigue life and a fatigue life adjustment value.

Abstract: A system of estimating fatigue in a lifting member, the system including: a first sensor configured to measure a first load related to a ram, the ram being connected to the lifting member; and a calculating device configured to: determine an actuator load based on the first load; determine a first force based on the actuator load; estimate a unit of fatigue life based on the first force; and estimate a fraction of total fatigue life consumed for a portion of the lifting member based on the unit of fatigue life and a fatigue life adjustment value.

Abstract: A system of calculating a payload weight, the system including: a first sensor configured to assist in determining an actuator load associated with a ram, the ram being connected to a lifting member; and a calibration module configured to retrieve a calibration factor based on movement of the ram, the calibration factor being applied to the actuator load to thereby provide an adjusted actuator load; wherein the payload weight is calculated based on the adjusted actuator load.

Abstract: A system of identifying a payload destination, the system including: one or more sensors; and an identifying module configured to: receive a plurality of inputs from the one or more sensors, the plurality of inputs being associated with payload delivery from a lifting machine; define a plurality of input destination identifiers based on the plurality of inputs; compare the plurality of input destination identifiers with stored identifiers in order to establish one or more destination match estimates; and identify the payload destination based on the one or more destination match estimates.

Abstract: A system of calculating a payload weight, the system including: a first sensor configured to measure a first load associated with a first member of a lifting machine; a second sensor configured to measure a second load associated with a second member of the lifting machine; and a calculating device configured to calculate the payload weight being carried by the lifting machine based on the first load and the second load.

Abstract: A heavy duty excavator bucket is constructed with an exoskeletal structure comprising coupled cast components including a lip member, opposed wing members, junction members locatable between floor and side walls and side and rear walls and a cap rail structure extending between opposed wing members about the upper periphery of the bucket to form an integral structure. Steel plate floor, side wall and rear wall members extend between adjacent exoskeletal regions. The bucket may include a cast arch member extending between opposed wing members and a cast reinforcing member extending between opposed junction members adjacent said rear wall.

Abstract: A heavy duty excavator bucket is constructed with an exoskeletal structure comprising coupled cast components including a lip member, opposed wing members, junction members locatable between floor and side walls and side and rear walls and a cap rail structure extending between opposed wing members about the upper periphery of the bucket to form an integral structure. Steel plate floor, side wall and rear wall members extend between adjacent exoskeletal regions. The bucket may include a cast arch member extending between opposed wing members and a cast reinforcing member extending between opposed junction members adjacent said rear wall.

Abstract: A heavy duty excavator bucket is constructed with an exoskeletal structure comprising coupled cast components including a lip member, opposed wing members, junction members locatable between floor and side walls and side and rear walls and a cap rail structure extending between opposed wing members about the upper periphery of the bucket to form an integral structure. Steel plate floor, side wall and rear wall members extend between adjacent exoskeletal regions. The bucket may include a cast arch member extending between opposed wing members and a cast reinforcing member extending between opposed junction members adjacent said rear wall.

Abstract: A retaining pin assembly for an excavator tooth assembly. The retaining pin assembly has opposable locating members each having a shank portion able to be slidably insertable via a respective retaining pin aperture on opposite sides of a wear member into a transversely extending mounting aperture of a mounting nose of an excavator. Each locating member also has an enlarged inwardly convergent tapered wedge portion adjacent a normally outer end. The retaining pin assembly also has a tensionable retaining member extending between the locating members from one side of the retaining pin assembly. When tension is applied to the retaining member relative contraction of the locating members occurs to urge the wear member into engagement with the mounting nose by wedging engagement between each of the wedge portions and a rear wall of respective retaining pin apertures.