Abstract: A gas turbine with an active clearance control system includes a plurality of actuators circumferentially spaced between an inner shroud and an outer casing. The actuators are configured to eccentrically displace the shroud relative to the outer casing. A plurality of sensors circumferentially spaced around the shroud detect a parameter that is indicative of an eccentricity between the rotor and shroud as the rotor rotates within the shroud. A control system in communication with the sensors and actuators is configured to control the actuators to eccentrically displace the shroud to compensate for eccentricities detected between the rotor and shroud.

Abstract: A system for arranging wind turbine blades includes first and second root cradles and a first support proximate to the second root cradle. A first tip cradle is rotatably connected to the first support, and a second tip cradle is proximate to the first root cradle. A method for arranging wind turbine blades includes transferring a first wind turbine blade proximate to a first root cradle and rotating the first wind turbine blade at least 90 degrees so that the first wind turbine blade is angled approximately 20 to 90 degrees with respect to a horizon. The method further includes transferring a second wind turbine blade proximate to a second root cradle and nesting the second wind turbine blade with the first wind turbine blade.

Abstract: An external steam turbine main steam startup control valve bypass loop is provided to facilitate a full pressure combined cycle rapid response/fast start powerplant. The main steam startup bypass control loop particularly includes a main steam startup bypass control valve, which allows for the implementation of high efficiency, low pressure drop main steam control valve that otherwise would not be able to handle the severe throttling duty during a full pressure steam turbine startup and enhances the controllability of the steam turbine allowing for the high fidelity controls necessary to minimize steam turbine rotor stresses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of hospital acquired infections. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site or for periodic in vitro monitoring of tissue or fluid from a patient and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods utilize fluorophore pairs that optically interact with one another according to Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) mechanism. One member of the pair or a cofactor that interacts with an enzyme to form a member of the pair may be tethered to a device by a substrate that is specific for an enzyme expressed by a targeted pathogen. Upon interaction of the enzyme with the substrate, an optically detectable signal may be altered or initiated, detection of which may then provide information as to the existence of the pathogen at the site.

Abstract: A dual-component locking spacer assembly for insertion in a circumferential dovetail slot includes a stationary member having a platform configured to fit into a space between the adjacent rotor blade platforms. A first leg extends transversely from an underside of the platform. A longitudinally extending groove is defined in the platform. A slide member is movably engaged with the stationary member along the groove, and includes an upper plate and a second leg connected to the upper plate. The slide member is movable along the groove between a first unlocked position wherein the first and second legs are spaced apart a first distance so as to be insertable into the dovetail slot, and a second locked position wherein the first and second legs are spaced apart an extended second distance so as to engage against opposite walls of the dovetail slot and lock the stationary member in position in the dovetail slot.

Abstract: A blade joint for joining a first blade segment and a second blade segment, each having an aerodynamic profile, in a rotor blade is disclosed. The blade joint includes a first joint segment and a second joint segment each having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness therebetween. The outer surface of each joint segment has an aerodynamic profile. The first joint segment and the second joint segment each further have a joint interface end, a blade interface end, and a length therebetween. The joint interface end of the first joint segment and the joint interface end of the second joint segment are configured to couple the first joint segment and second joint segment together.

Abstract: Methods and products for forming a coated image on a substrate are generally disclosed. The methods can include forming an image on a printable surface of a transfer coating layer of a printable transfer sheet. In a separate step, the negative mirror image of that same image is printed with toners on a toner printable sheet. After registering the sheets together, a portion of the transfer coating layer of the printable transfer sheet is transferred to the toner printable sheet, such that the portion of the transfer coating layer transferred to the toner printable sheet corresponds to the imaged areas on the toner printable sheet. However, the image formed on the printable surface of the transfer coating layer and the underlying transfer coating substantially remain on the printable transfer sheet. Thereafter, the image and the transfer coating layer remaining on the printable transfer sheet are transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a wind turbine for indications is disclosed. The method includes providing an inspection system on a tower of the wind turbine, the inspection system including a climbing device and an inspection device, the climbing device including a traction apparatus configured to engage the tower and a drive mechanism configured to drive the climbing device. The method further includes rotating a rotor blade of the wind turbine such that the rotor blade is approximately parallel to and proximate the tower, operating the inspection system to traverse the tower, and operating the inspection system to inspect the rotor blade for indications.

Abstract: A doorway for a tower of a wind turbine is disclosed. The doorway may generally comprise a doorway frame having a substantially rectangular shape and including an inner face and an outer face. An opening may be defined between the inner and outer faces and may be configured to provide access to an interior of the tower. Additionally, at least one of the inner face and the outer face may define a substantially planar surface along at least a portion of its width.

Abstract: Conductive nonwoven webs are disclosed. The nonwoven webs contain pulp fibers combined with conductive fibers. In one embodiment, the webs are made in a wetlaid tissue or paper making process. The pulp fibers contained in the webs may comprise softwood fibers, while the conductive fibers may comprise carbon fibers. Base webs can be produced having a resistance of less than about 100 Ohms/square in one embodiment. Once produced, the conductive material can be cut into slits that are then wound on spools. From the spools, the conductive slits can be fed into a process for making any suitable product.

Abstract: Methods for protecting a cadmium sulfide layer on a substrate are provided. The method can include sputtering a cadmium sulfide layer onto a substrate from a cadmium sulfide target at a sputtering pressure (e.g., about 10 mTorr to about 150 mTorr), and sputtering a cap layer directly on the cadmium sulfide layer. The cap layer can be sputtered directly onto the cadmium sulfide layer without breaking vacuum of the sputtering pressure. Methods are also provided for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device through depositing a cadmium sulfide layer on a substrate, depositing a cap layer directly on the cadmium sulfide layer, heating the substrate to sublimate at least a portion of the cap layer from the cadmium sulfide layer, and then depositing a cadmium telluride layer on the cadmium sulfide layer. An intermediate substrate for forming a cadmium telluride based thin-film photovoltaic device is also provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit employs a lateral flow device that contains a membrane. A metering channel is formed in the membrane that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay. Such a metering channel is particularly effective for embodiments in which the test sample has a relatively low volume, such as less than about 100 microliters, in some embodiments from about 0.5 to about 25 microliters, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 10 microliters. For example, whole blood drops obtained from patients with a lancet typically have a volume of less than about 3 microliters. Despite their low volume, the present inventors have discovered that the blood drops may still be accurately analyzed for the presence of an analyte using lateral flow detection techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing deterioration in a gearbox. Data is obtained from an operating gearbox regarding harmonic frequencies and their related sidebands generated as a consequence of the gearbox operation. In a first embodiment, a Sideband Energy Ratio (SER) is calculated by dividing the amplitude of the sum of sideband signals associated with a harmonic to the amplitude of the harmonic. In a second embodiment, a SER is calculated based on sideband amplitudes associated with adjacent harmonics. The ratio may be monitored over time or compared to one or more values to provide an indication of deterioration.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may generally include a shell having a pressure side and a suction side. The shell may define an opening in at least one of the pressure and suction sides. The rotor blade may also include a base and at least two surface features spaced apart along the outer perimeter of the base. The base may generally be movable relative to the opening between a recessed position and an actuated position. Additionally, the base may be rotatable within the shell in order to adjust which of the surface features is received within the opening when the base is moved to the actuated position.

Abstract: The present description discloses a polymeric composition which is a melt-processed alloy comprised of (a) a polyarylene sulfide resin, (b) a polyaryl-ether-ketone resin, and a reactive compound which results in (c) a graft copolymer of the polyarylene sulfide resin and/or the polyaryl-ether-ketone resin in addition to the starting resins. Exemplary melt-processed polymeric compositions can be made by reacting an alkoxy silane with the polyarylene sulfide resin and/or the polyaryl-ether-ketone resin to produce a graft copolymer of a portion of one or both of the resins, sufficient to render the composition uniform and homogeneous. It is normally preferred for the exemplary organosilane compound, to be an amino silane. The subject invention further reveals an insulated wire comprising (1) an electrical conductor and (2) a layer of the melt-processed alloy composition; and fiber reinforced composites comprising fibers substantially fully impregnated with the alloy polymeric composition.

Abstract: An inventive self-aligning blade joint structure is provided to facilitate assembly and clamping of wind turbine blade sections carried on a transporter. The blade joint structure includes alignment pins on one end bulkhead of a blade body section at the joint and complimentary female bushings on a bulkhead of an adjacent blade body section to permit fine alignment of the joint. The blade joint structure also includes through holes in the end bulkheads for the adjacent blade body sections to permit clamping of the sections in preparation for application of adhesive bonding to the joint. A pair of male scarfed surfaces of spar caps extend from one blade section into the second blade section and engage female scarfed surfaces of spar caps formed in the second blade section and recessed from the joint. An inventive method is provided to utilize the self-aligning blade joint structure for assembly of the blade sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for monitoring tire related conditions. A substrate is provided having one or more pairs of sensors mounted thereon. The pairs of sensors are mounted in predetermined relationship to each other at predetermined separation distances such that rotational direction, speed and other parameters of a tire with which the sensors may be associated may be determined. In some embodiments, plural effective pairs of sensors are provided so that mounting orientation of the sensor need not be predetermined.

Abstract: Materials suitable for use in highly energy-efficient production of white light through photo-luminescence, such as in light emitting devices, are generally provided. A composition comprising a compound having the formula: Sr3-vAvMO4-xF1-ywherein A is Ca, Ba, or a mixture thereof; M is Al, Ga, In, W, Mo, or a mixture thereof; 0?v?1; 0<x<0.4; and 0<y<0.2 is generally described. A composition comprising a compound having the formula: Sr3-vAvIn1-mMmO4-xF, where A is Ca, Ba, or a mixture thereof; M is Al, Ga, W, Mo, or a mixture thereof; 0?v?1; 0<m<1; and 0<x<4 is also provided. Nitrogen can be substituted for a portion of the oxygen atoms in these structures. Methods introducing defects into a compound by removing a portion of oxygen and fluorine atoms from the compound are also provided.

Abstract: To perform an inter-technology handoff, an indicator in a service request message is received by a mobile switching center (MSC). The indicator is to indicate to the MSC that an inter-technology handoff from a packet-data wireless access network to a circuit wireless access network has been requested. The behavior of the MSC is modified in response to the indicator to reduce the communication silence during the inter-technology handoff.

Abstract: A male dovetail for a bucket mounted on a drum rotor for a steam turbine is provided by a tight hook-to-hook fit with the female dovetail of a retaining groove around the periphery of the drum rotor wheel. The tight hook-to-hook fit eliminates the use of loading pins which heretofore have been driven between a base of the male dovetail and a bottom of the retaining groove, a manually intensive operation with the potential to damage the bucket and the rotor.