Abstract: An automated transaction machine (“ATM”) can include a note input/output port, an escrow unit, and an upper transport. The escrow unit can receive and hold currency notes. The upper transport can transport currency notes among the note input/output port and the escrow unit. The escrow unit can include a drum and first and second web-supply spool assemblies. The drum collects and releases currency notes relative to the upper transport, is rotatable about a first axis, and has a variable radius including minimum and maximum radii. Each web-supply spool assembly includes a spool and a web and can rotate about respective second and third axis parallel to and spaced from the first axis. A fourth axis can extend normal to and intersect both of the second and third axis and can be closer to the first axis than the maximum radius of the drum.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and tools for handling a component, the tools (10) comprising a first clamp seat (12) for receiving a first surface of the component and a second clamp seat (14, 16) for receiving a second surface of the component, the second surface being opposite to the first surface. The tool further comprises an actuator (45) for moving the first clamp seat to clamp the component between the first clamp seat and the second clamp seat with a predetermined clamping force, and an electric motor (40) for driving the actuator (45). The tool (10) further comprises a control configured to determine currents in the electric motor and to control the electric motor to provide the predetermined clamping force based on the determined currents. Also methods for determining a desired current level in an electric motor driving an actuator for clamping a component and methods for controlling a clamping force in a tool are provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting objects in three-dimensional (3D) point clouds and detecting differences between 3D point clouds and the objects therein is disclosed. A method includes receiving a first scene 3D point cloud and a second scene 3D point cloud, wherein the first scene 3D point cloud and the second scene 3D point cloud include first and second target objects, respectively; aligning the first scene 3D point cloud and the second scene 3D point cloud; detecting the first and second target objects from the first scene 3D point cloud and the second scene 3D point cloud, respectively; comparing the detected first target object with the detected second target object; and identifying, based on the comparison, one or more differences between the detected first target object and the detected second target object. Further aspects relate to detecting changes of target objects within scenes of multiple 3D point clouds.

Abstract: A scene point cloud is processed and a solution to an inverse-function is determined to determine its source objects. A primitive extraction process and a part matching process are used to compute the inverse function solution. The extraction process estimates models and parameters based on evidence of cylinder and planar geometry in the scene. The matching process matches clusters of 3D points to models of parts from a library. A selected part and its associated polygon model is used to represent the point cluster. Iterations of the extraction and matching processes complete a 3D model for a complex scene made up of planes, cylinders, and complex parts from the parts library. Connecting regions between primitives and/or parts are processed to determine their existence and type. Constraints may be used to ensure a connected model and alignment of its components.

Abstract: A method and system for re-indexing a pitch bearing of a wind turbine includes: installing a plurality of first mounts to the fixed outer race of the pitch bearing; positioning the rotor blade to a downwardly-oriented; installing a hydraulic system; pressurizing the hydraulic system so as to support the weight of the rotor blade with the hydraulic system; detaching the rotor blade from the pitch bearing; lowering the rotor blade a predetermined vertical distance from the hub; installing a plurality of second mounts to the rotor blade; attaching a plurality of supports between the first mounts and the second mounts; transferring the weight of the rotor blade from the hydraulic system to the plurality of supports; disengaging the hydraulic system; and re-indexing the pitch bearing so as to engage a new set of pitch bearing teeth.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting fluid leaking from a component of a wind turbine are disclosed. In one aspect, the system may include a flexible sheet (102) formed from a fluid resistant material. The flexible sheet may generally be supported at or adjacent to a leakage zone (104) defined below the component of the wind turbine (10).

Abstract: A method of detecting objects in three-dimensional (3D) point clouds and detecting differences between 3D point clouds and the objects therein is disclosed. A method includes receiving a first scene 3D point cloud and a second scene 3D point cloud, wherein the first scene 3D point cloud and the second scene 3D point cloud include first and second target objects, respectively; aligning the first scene 3D point cloud and the second scene 3D point cloud; detecting the first and second target objects from the first scene 3D point cloud and the second scene 3D point cloud, respectively; comparing the detected first target object with the detected second target object; and identifying, based on the comparison, one or more differences between the detected first target object and the detected second target object. Further aspects relate to detecting changes of target objects within scenes of multiple 3D point clouds.

Abstract: A method and system for re-indexing a pitch bearing of a wind turbine includes: installing a plurality of first mounts to the fixed outer race of the pitch bearing; positioning the rotor blade to a downwardly-oriented; installing a hydraulic system; pressurizing the hydraulic system so as to support the weight of the rotor blade with the hydraulic system; detaching the rotor blade from the pitch bearing; lowering the rotor blade a predetermined vertical distance from the hub; installing a plurality of second mounts to the rotor blade; attaching a plurality of supports between the first mounts and the second mounts; transferring the weight of the rotor blade from the hydraulic system to the plurality of supports; disengaging the hydraulic system; and re-indexing the pitch bearing so as to engage a new set of pitch bearing teeth.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensional point processing and model generation includes applying a primitive extraction to the data in a point cloud to associate primitive shapes with points within the point cloud, the primitive extraction including, estimating normal vectors for the point cloud, projecting the estimated normal vectors onto a Gaussian sphere, detecting and eliminating point-clusters corresponding to planar areas of the point cloud to obtain a residual Gaussian sphere, detecting great-circle patterns on the residual Gaussian sphere to produce a segmented point cloud, projecting each segment of the segmented point cloud onto respective planes to produce respective two-dimensional point clouds, detecting circle patterns in each two-dimensional point cloud, and processing the circle patterns to determine cylinder parameters for each of a plurality of candidate cylinders, and assembling the candidate cylinders into a three-dimensional surface model of the scene.

Abstract: A scene point cloud is processed and a solution to an inverse-function is determined to determine its source objects. A primitive extraction process and a part matching process are used to compute the inverse function solution. The extraction process estimates models and parameters based on evidence of cylinder and planar geometry in the scene. The matching process matches clusters of 3D points to models of parts from a library. A selected part and its associated polygon model is used to represent the point cluster. Iterations of the extraction and matching processes complete a 3D model for a complex scene made up of planes, cylinders, and complex parts from the parts library. Connecting regions between primitives and/or parts are processed to determine their existence and type. Constraints may be used to ensure a connected model and alignment of its components.

Abstract: A component handling system for use in a wind turbine is described herein. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a drive train assembly supported from a support frame, and a drive shaft that is rotatably coupled between the rotor and the drive train assembly. The component handling system includes a lifting assembly that is removably coupled to a component of the drive train and a lifting device. The lifting assembly is configured to support the component from the lifting device, and includes a plurality of lifting legs extending between the component and the lifting device. An alignment device is coupled to at least one lifting leg of the plurality of lifting legs, and is configured to adjust a length of the at least one lifting leg to adjust an orientation of the component with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: Described herein is a data visualization system for generating an interactive 3D volume rendering of a subsurface volume with values of one or more variables displayed in the interactive 3D volume rendering of the subsurface volume.

Abstract: A method and system of matching features in a pair of images using line signatures. The method includes determining a first similarity measure between a first line signature in a first image in the pair of images and a second line signature in a second image in the pair of images; determining a second similarity measure between the first line signature in the first image and a third line signature in the second image; comparing the first similarity measure with a first threshold value; comparing a difference between the first similarity and the second similarity with a second threshold value; and if the first similarity measure is greater than the first threshold value and the difference between the first similarity and the second similarity is greater than the second threshold value, the first line signature and the second line signature produce a match.

Abstract: A system for monitoring wear on a brake pad of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system may include a brake assembly having a brake pad and a moveable component. The brake pad may be configured to engage a friction surface of the wind turbine. The movable component may be configured to move relative to the friction surface as the brake pad wears. Additionally, the system may include a sensor at least partially mounted within the brake assembly. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the movable component relative to the sensor or a position of the friction surface relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A data visualization system may allow an untrained user to easily, rapidly, and unambiguously specify the content and format of a report about information. A user interface may present to a user and receive from the user a selection of a plurality of selectable visualization types, selectable data objects, and selectable data specifications. The user interface may display all of the selections which the user makes as a single composite phrase.

Abstract: A component handling system for use in a wind turbine is described herein. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a drive train assembly supported from a support frame, and a drive shaft that is rotatably coupled between the rotor and the drive train assembly. The component handling system includes a lifting assembly that is removably coupled to a component of the drive train and a lifting device. The lifting assembly is configured to support the component from the lifting device, and includes a plurality of lifting legs extending between the component and the lifting device. An alignment device is coupled to at least one lifting leg of the plurality of lifting legs, and is configured to adjust a length of the at least one lifting leg to adjust an orientation of the component with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A positioning system for use in a wind turbine is described herein. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a drive train assembly that is supported from a support frame, and a drive shaft rotatably coupled between the rotor and the drive train assembly. The positioning system includes an alignment assembly that is coupled to a component of the drive train assembly. The alignment assembly is configured to adjust an orientation of the component with respect to the drive shaft with the drive shaft at least partially inserted within the component.

Abstract: A ventilation arrangement for a wind turbine includes an air inlet opening located in a nose cone of said wind turbine, a manhole cover for covering a manhole of a rotor hub of said wind turbine, the manhole cover providing a vent opening for venting hot air from an internal space of said rotor hub, and a flexible piping establishing fluid communication between the internal space of the rotor hub and the air inlet opening.

Abstract: A sensor system monitors deflection of turbine blades of a wind turbine. The system includes a first component configured on the turbine blades. A second component is configured on the tower at a height so as to detect the presence of the first component as the blades rotate past the tower. The second component generates a corresponding measurable parameter or value that is indicative of distance between the blades and tower. The second component is disposed substantially completely around the circumference of the tower so as to detect the first components at any rotational position of the turbine nacelle relative to the tower.

Abstract: A system for monitoring wear on a brake pad of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system may include a brake assembly having a brake pad and a moveable component. The brake pad may be configured to engage a friction surface of the wind turbine. The movable component may be configured to move relative to the friction surface as the brake pad wears. Additionally, the system may include a sensor at least partially mounted within the brake assembly. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the movable component relative to the sensor or a position of the friction surface relative to the sensor.