Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for validating and/or identifying wind farm performance measurements so as to optimize wind farm performance. The method includes measuring operating data from one or more wind turbines of the farm. Another step includes generating a plurality of baseline models of performance of the wind farm from at least a portion of the operating data. Thus, each of the baseline models of performance is developed from a different portion of operating data so as to provide comparable models. The method also includes selecting an optimal baseline model and comparing the optimal baseline model with actual performance of the wind farm. In a particular embodiment, the actual performance of the wind farm is determined after one or more wind turbines of the wind farm is modified by one or more upgrades.

Abstract: A control system for use with a plurality of wind turbines includes a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The memory device is configured to store a plurality of program modules that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive data representative of a power generation of a first wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines, and determine an expected power generation of a second wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines based on the power generation of the first wind turbine.

Abstract: A hitch cover assembly includes a ring member, a first clip, a second clip and a cover member. The ring member defines a ring opening and has an axially extending wall with a first end and a second end. The first clip member has a body portion with a fixed end attached to the axially extending wall proximate to the second end, and a distal end spaced axially from the fixed end and spaced radially from the axially extending wall. The second clip member has a body portion with a fixed end attached to the axially extending wall proximate the second end, and a distal end spaced axially from the fixed end and oriented to face inward toward a center of the axially extending wall. The cover member is configured to selectively attach to the ring member to overlay the ring opening.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for assessing the performance impact of wind turbine upgrades may generally include determining a baseline power curve for a wind turbine prior to the wind turbine being upgraded and determining a baseline wind speed transfer function for the wind turbine prior to the wind turbine being upgraded. The method may also include determining an upgraded wind speed transfer function for the wind turbine after the wind turbine is upgraded. In addition, the method may include determining a corrected local wind speed for the wind turbine based on the baseline and upgraded wind speed transfer functions and determining an upgraded power curve for the wind turbine based on the corrected local wind speed.

Abstract: A vehicle noise reducing assembly includes a trunk structure having a floor panel, an interior wall panel and an exterior wall panel. A trunk storage area is defined by the interior wall panel and the floor panel. A trim panel is connected to the interior wall panel within the trunk storage area. A cavity is defined by the floor panel, the exterior wall panel and the trim panel and has a first cavity and a second cavity. A relief valve is disposed in a vent opening in the exterior wall panel. The relief valve extends into the first cavity and has a drafter opening facing inboard. A barrier member is disposed in the second cavity with a barrier surface positioned between the relief valve and the second cavity to prevent sound passing through the drafter opening from entering the second cavity.

Abstract: A panel of a vehicle body structure has a first slot and a second slot spaced apart from one another. A component has a mounting structure that includes a first tab and a second tab spaced apart from the first tab. A first head of the first tab is inserted through a wide second end of the first slot and the second head of the second tab is inserted through a wide second end of the second slot. The first tab and the second tab thereafter moved to a corresponding one of respective narrow first ends of the first and second slots. Consequently, the first head of the first tab rests on a first upper surface portion of a first area of the panel and the second head rests on a third upper surface portion of a second area of the panel thereby suspending the component from the panel.

Abstract: A vehicle noise reducing assembly includes a trunk structure having a floor panel, an interior wall panel and an exterior wall panel. A trunk storage area is defined by the interior wall panel and the floor panel. A trim panel is connected to the interior wall panel within the trunk storage area. A cavity is defined by the floor panel, the exterior wall panel and the trim panel and has a first cavity and a second cavity. A relief valve is disposed in a vent opening in the exterior wall panel. The relief valve extends into the first cavity and has a drafter opening facing inboard. A barrier member is disposed in the second cavity with a barrier surface positioned between the relief valve and the second cavity to prevent sound passing through the drafter opening from entering the second cavity.

Abstract: A panel of a vehicle body structure has a first slot and a second slot spaced apart from one another. A component has a mounting structure that includes a first tab and a second tab spaced apart from the first tab. A first head of the first tab is inserted through a wide second end of the first slot and the second head of the second tab is inserted through a wide second end of the second slot. The first tab and the second tab thereafter moved to a corresponding one of respective narrow first ends of the first and second slots. Consequently, the first head of the first tab rests on a first upper surface portion of a first area of the panel and the second head rests on a third upper surface portion of a second area of the panel thereby suspending the component from the panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for validating wind farm performance improvements so as to optimize wind farm performance. In one embodiment, the method includes operating, via a controller, the wind farm in a first operating mode. Another step includes collecting a first set of operating data, via a processor, during the first operating mode. A further step includes operating, via the controller, the wind farm in a second operating mode. The method also includes collecting a second set of operating data, via the processor, during the second operating mode. Next, the method includes normalizing the first and second sets of operating data based on wind speed distributions. As such, another step includes comparing, via the processor, the normalized first and second sets of operating data so as to validate one or more wind farm performance measurements.

Abstract: A trim panel is attached to a vehicle surface by a plurality of first attachment clips and a second attachment clip. The plurality of first attachment clips are fixedly attached to the trim panel at spaced apart locations along a first section of the trim panel. Each of the first attachment clips prevents movement of the first section of the trim panel in a direction normal to the vehicle surface. The second attachment clip is fixedly attached to a second section of the trim panel such that the second attachment clip further attaches to the vehicle surface preventing movement of the second section in a direction normal to the vehicle surface and prevents deflection of the second section relative to the first section.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for validating and/or identifying wind farm performance measurements so as to optimize wind farm performance. The method includes measuring operating data from one or more wind turbines of the farm. Another step includes generating a plurality of baseline models of performance of the wind farm from at least a portion of the operating data. Thus, each of the baseline models of performance is developed from a different portion of operating data so as to provide comparable models. The method also includes selecting an optimal baseline model and comparing the optimal baseline model with actual performance of the wind farm. In a particular embodiment, the actual performance of the wind farm is determined after one or more wind turbines of the wind farm is modified by one or more upgrades.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for recalibrating nacelle-positions of a plurality of wind turbines in a wind park is implemented by a nacelle calibration computing device including a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The method includes identifying at least two associated wind turbines included within the wind park wherein each associated wind turbine includes location information, determining a plurality of predicted wake features for the associated wind turbines based at least partially on the location information of each associated wind turbine, retrieving a plurality of historical performance data related to the associated wind turbines, determining a plurality of current wake features based on the plurality of historical performance data, identifying a variance between the predicted wake features and the current wake features, and determining a recalibration factor for at least one of the associated wind turbines based on the identified variance.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for optimizing wind turbine operation. For example, the present disclosure is configured to generate operating data for at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine for a predetermined time period. The system can then determine a robustness measurement of at least a portion of the operating data. In general, the robustness measurement indicates the tendency of the operating data to be affected by outliers present in the operating data. In addition, the robustness measurement is typically a function of a distribution of the operating data. The present disclosure is then configured to determine at least one optimal set point for the operational parameter as a function of the robustness measurement and a power production of the wind turbine. The wind turbine can then be operated based on the optimal set point.

Abstract: Wind turbines and method for adjusting yaw bias in wind turbines are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes defining an operational condition for the wind turbine, the operational condition including a turbine speed range, a pitch angle range, and a wind speed range. The method further includes operating the wind turbine within the operational condition, adjusting a yaw angle of the wind turbine during operation of the wind turbine, and measuring power output of the wind turbine during operation within the operational condition.

Abstract: A rear body panel has a pillar portion extending upward from a vehicle body waistline defined along the rear body panel. An outboard facing surface of the pillar portion has a front peripheral edge section at least partially defining a side opening. A rearward facing surface of the pillar portion has an inboard peripheral edge section partially defining a rear window opening. The rear window glass is installed within the rear window opening overlaying at least a portion of the inboard peripheral edge. A first section of the exterior trim panel extends rearward from the front peripheral edge section along the outboard facing surface at the vehicle body waistline. A second section extends in a lateral inboard direction from a rearward end of the first section to the inboard peripheral edge section along the rearward facing surface to the rear window opening at the vehicle body waistline.

Abstract: A transport device includes a first segment fixedly coupled to a wall. The transport device also includes at least one second segment coupled to the first segment. The at least one second segment includes at least one of a fluid-driven device, a rack and pinion drive device, and a carriage. The transport device further includes an automated position control system. The control system includes at least one axial positioning device coupled to the at least one second segment. The control system also includes at least one axial position feedback device coupled to at least one of the first segment and the at least one second segment.

Abstract: A control system for use with a plurality of wind turbines includes a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The memory device is configured to store a plurality of program modules that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive data representative of a power generation of a first wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines, and determine an expected power generation of a second wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines based on the power generation of the first wind turbine.

Abstract: A transport device includes a first segment fixedly coupled to a wall. The transport device also includes at least one second segment coupled to the first segment. The at least one second segment includes at least one of a fluid-driven device, a rack and pinion drive device, and a carriage. The transport device further includes an automated position control system. The control system includes at least one axial positioning device coupled to the at least one second segment. The control system also includes at least one axial position feedback device coupled to at least one of the first segment and the at least one second segment.