Abstract: A configurable light sensor comprising an array of photocells. The light sensor measures ambient light reflected from a surface in area to be monitored. A lens directs the light onto the array of photocells. A microcontroller reads each individual photocell and processes the signals from the photocells according to one or more of the methods disclosed herein. The light sensor is configurable in that the area that monitored by the light sensor is customized to match the area lit by an associated light source. The configuring process defines an active area to be monitored, by determining which subset of photocells in the array, referred to as the active set of photocells, corresponds to the area being illuminated by the light fixture. The light sensor is subsequently able to monitor the defined active area and to report sensor output values based on measurements made from the photocells monitoring the active area.

Abstract: A method for discovering the topology of a connected lighting system. The method comprises: receiving a first measurement of a first light source in relation to a first sensor; receiving a second measurement of the first light source in relation to a second sensor; generating a first estimate of the position of the first light source, based on a first angle at the first sensor between (i) a first direction toward a current light source position and (ii) a second direction defined by the first measurement; generating a second estimate of the position of the first light source, based on a second angle at the second sensor between (i) a third direction toward the current light source position and (ii) a fourth direction defined by the second measurement; and generating an updated light source position of the first light source based on the first and second estimates.

Abstract: A vehicle of the present disclosure may include at least one pair of opposing wheels coupled to a tiltable central chassis by a four-bar linkage or the like, such that the wheels are configured to tilt in unison with the central chassis. A steering actuator and/or a tilting actuator may be discretely controllable by an electronic controller of the vehicle. The controller may include processing logic configured to maintain alignment between a median plane of the chassis and a net force vector caused by gravity and any induced centrifugal forces. Various control algorithms may be utilized to steer the vehicle along a desired path, either autonomously or semi-autonomously.

Abstract: A vehicle of the present disclosure may include at least one pair of opposing wheels coupled to a tiltable central chassis by a four-bar linkage or the like, such that the wheels are configured to tilt in unison with the central chassis. A steering actuator and/or a tilting actuator may be discretely controllable by an electronic controller of the vehicle. The controller may include processing logic configured to maintain alignment between a median plane of the chassis and a net force vector caused by gravity and any induced centrifugal forces. Various control algorithms may be utilized to steer the vehicle along a desired path, either autonomously or semi-autonomously.

Abstract: There is provided herein a motion-based evaluation of reaction time that utilizes motion detection hardware of a mobile device to determine auditory and visual stimulated reaction time. In an embodiment, the subject holds a mobile computing device equipped with built-in triaxis accelerometer and gyroscope with both hands at arms length away from the face. A visual or auditory stimulus is then presented on screen via a software application that also records the response time for the individual to initiate a movement of the device. A simple reaction time test could include the movement of the device in any direction that exceeded a threshold of movement beyond what would be expected from static holding. An embodiment of a choice reaction time test would provide for specific directional movements as it related to an instructed stimulus.

Abstract: A fresh produce storage device has a pocket with an opening for receiving fresh produce. The pocket is formed, at least in part, from a composite sheet of material having at least one inner layer formed from a water permeable material, a central later formed from a water absorbent wadding, and an outer layer formed from a water permeable material.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor assembly comprises: a rotor support; a rotor which is rotatably mounted to the rotor support; and a base support; wherein the rotor support and base support are provided with an engagement mechanism which allows the rotor support and base support to engage with each other so that when the rotor support and base support are moved together a hinged connection is formed between the rotor support and base support, which hinged connection allows the rotor support to rotate relative to the base support during installation or decommissioning of the rotor.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for performing a balance evaluation that utilizes a hand held accelerometer that measures upper body compensatory and correctional movement. Instead of testing movement in the waist or lower extremity as is commonly done, the instant invention measures thoracic trunk sway to estimate an individual's balance via positional change algorithms. By holding the measuring device to the chest and performing one or a variety of balance tests, the instant invention can determine the amount of sway in the trunk without attached or fixed monitors, which presents a novel approach to assessing postural sway above the center of mass.

Abstract: A wind turbine axial flux generator for converting wind into electricity includes: a generator rotor which is rotatable about an axis; and a stator; wherein one of the generator rotor and the stator is provided with magnets and the other is provided with electrical windings in which electricity is induced by relative movement between the generator rotor and the stator; and wherein the generator further includes: an up-wind air gap on the up-wind side of the electrical windings, between the electrical windings and at least some of the magnets on the up-wind side of the electrical windings; a down-wind air gap on the down-wind side of the electrical windings, between the electrical windings and at least some of the magnets on the down-wind side of the electrical windings; and at least one wind guide for directing the wind so that the wind flows through both the up-wind air gap and the down-wind air gap in order to cool the electrical windings from both the up-wind and down-wind sides of the electrical windings.

Abstract: A wind turbine axial flux generator for converting wind into electricity comprises: a generator rotor which is rotatable about an axis; and a stator; wherein one of said generator rotor and said stator is provided with magnets and the other is provided with electrical windings in which electricity is induced by relative movement between the generator rotor and the stator; and wherein said generator further comprises: an up-wind air gap on the up-wind side of said electrical windings, between said electrical windings and at least some of said magnets on the up-wind side of said electrical windings; a down-wind air gap on the down-wind side of said electrical windings, between said electrical windings and at least some of said magnets on the down-wind side of said electrical windings; and at least one wind guide for directing said wind so that said wind flows through both said up-wind air gap and said down-wind air gap in order to cool said electrical windings from both said up-wind and down-wind sides of said

Abstract: An offshore wind turbine generator comprises an elongated, buoyant tower, having an internal service tube, the service tube extending from the lower end of the tower to above the waterline when in use, a connection arrangement comprising an upper connection assembly, and a lower connection assembly. An intermediate tension/torsion leg is arranged between the upper and lower connection assemblies. The connection assembly is adapted for lowering and raising within the service tube.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprises a tower provided at the top with a horizontal shaft having an axis. A turbine rotor comprises turbine blades connected by a mounting arrangement to bearing members and to a rotor or a generator. Components of forces acting on the blades parallel to the axis are substantially exclusively communicated to the bearing members, for example by rigid straight members. Torque about the axis produced by the blades is communicated substantially exclusively to the rotor through a member.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising: a shaft (2); a plurality of blade arrangements (8), each of which is rotatable around the shaft and has a blade (7), said blade arrangements and blades forming a blade rotor which is rotatable around the shaft; at least first and second bearing arrangements (6) spaced axially along the shaft, said blade rotor being connected to said first and second bearing arrangements; and a direct drive generator comprising a stator (10), which is rotationally fixed to the shaft, and a generator rotor (9) having a rim; wherein the first and second bearing arrangements each transmit radial forces from the blade rotor to the shaft, and at least one of the first and second bearing arrangements transmits bending moments to the shaft, each of the blade arrangements being connected to a point at or adjacent the rim of the generator rotor so as to transmit torque generated by the blade arrangement directly thereto, and wherein the generator rotor (9) is within the blade rotor.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor assembly comprises: a rotor support; a rotor which is rotatably mounted to the rotor support; and a base support; wherein the rotor support and base support are provided with engagement means which allow said rotor support and base support to engage with each other so that when the rotor support and base support are moved together a hinged connection is formed between the rotor support and base support, which hinged connection allows the rotor support to rotate relative to the base support during installation or decommissioning of the rotor.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising: a shaft (2); a plurality of blade arrangements (8), each of which is rotatable around the shaft and has a blade (7), said blade arrangements and blades forming a blade rotor which is rotatable around the shaft; at least first and second bearing arrangements (6) spaced axially along the shaft, said blade rotor being connected to said first and second bearing arrangements; and a direct drive generator comprising a stator (10), which is rotationally fixed to the shaft, and a generator rotor (9) having a rim; wherein the first and second bearing arrangements each transmit radial forces from the blade rotor to the shaft, and at least one of the first and second bearing arrangements transmits bending moments to the shaft, each of the blade arrangements being connected to a point at or adjacent the rim of the generator rotor so as to transmit torque generated by the blade arrangement directly thereto, and wherein the generator rotor (9) is within the blade rotor.

Abstract: A turbine rotor for a wind power plant or a hydropower plant with a direct-drive generator for converting the energy in flowing wind or water into electrical energy wherein the wind or hydropower plant comprises a turbine rotor and a stator and wherein the turbine rotor further comprises a ring-shaped hub (6) having an axis of rotation that coincides with the center axis of the stator and wherein the turbine rotor comprises at least one rotor blade, which rotor blade is arranged on the ring-shaped hub. The turbine rotor is also intended to be used as a propeller for a craft.

Abstract: A turbine rotor for a wind or hydropower plant or for propulsive means for a vessel where the turbine rotor comprises a generally doughnut-shaped hub. The doughnut-shaped hub is configured as a closed, hollow profile in a cross section B, and wherein the doughnut-shaped hub is formed either in the shape of a torus, the torus being circularly shaped in cross section B and the torus being ring-shaped in cross section A wherein the outer and inner circumferences of the ring are circular, or in the shape of a quasi-torus, the quasi-torus being polygonally or circularly shaped in cross section B and the torus being ring-shaped in cross section A wherein the outer and inner circumferences of the ring are polygonally or circularly shaped, on which torus or quasi-torus at least one rotor blade is provided. There is also provided a wind, hydro or tidal plant comprising the turbine rotor.

Abstract: A turbine rotor for a wind power plant or a hydropower plant with a direct-drive generator for converting the energy in flowing wind or water into electrical energy wherein the wind or hydropower plant comprises a turbine rotor and a stator and wherein the turbine rotor further comprises a ring-shaped hub (6) having an axis of rotation that coincides with the centre axis of the stator and wherein the turbine rotor comprises at least one rotor blade, which rotor blade is arranged on the ring-shaped hub. The turbine rotor is also intended to be used as a propeller for a craft.

Abstract: An arrangement for a floating wind power station (1) tower (3) which floats in a substantially vertical position in that the effective centre of gravity of the tower (3) is below the centre of buoyancy of the tower (3), and wherein a machine house (13) including rotor (15) is non-rotatably connected to the tower (3) and the tower (3) is articulatedly connected to the seabed (5), wherein the tower (3) is rotatable about a tower axis of rotation (29) in that lower part (21) of the tower (3) is provided with a swivel joint (27a or 27b) that is designed to essentially absorb vertical tensile forces.

Abstract: A method which continuously reduces the variations of the rotor axial force and thus reduces fatigue loads on rotor blades and tower, whilst the resultant output to the generator is not significantly affected or is maintained within acceptable limits in relation to limitations of the drive gear, generator and power grid. A method of using the rotor axial force to actively counter the motions of a floating power plant. The method of using the rotor axial force to actively counter the motions of a floating power plant. The method also describes how rotational forces about the vertical axis (12) of the tower (4) are controlled and countered by cyclic variation of pitch angles and associated forces on the individual rotor blade. The method also describes how the aerodynamic force variation on each individual blade as a consequence of different wind velocities at different heights (vertical wind shear) and in the horizontal direction parallel to the rotor plane (horizontal wind shear) can be reduced.