Abstract: A system and method are disclosed enabling the use of electromagnetic engines to traverse a wheeled bogie assembly across a plurality of rails. The electromagnetic engines may be used within a rail assembly comprising four rails and a frog assembly. Further, the electromagnetic engines may be used to traverse between a straight path and a turnout path at a non-moving rail switch having a frog assembly. In one aspect, an algorithm for powering various coils is disclosed wherein the algorithm controls the power level to switch tracks connected to the frog assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning and evaluating a portion of rail operable for travel by a wheeled bogie having a plurality of electromagnetic engines. The electromagnetic engines are generally operable to generate an electromagnetic field that is operable to penetrate a rail. A resulting eddy current may be generated that is further operable to penetrate the rail. As the electromagnetic engines travel along the rail, readings from the electromagnetic field and resulting eddy current may be used to detect differences in the rail as measured with respect to a nominal rail. The defects detected may be head checks, cracks, corrosion, etc. Further, a treated rail section may be utilized to strengthen the rail itself without compromising non-destructive evaluation. The disclosed system and method may be embodied as a computer program product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating natural language responses to user queries in which the response may be influenced by weather, climate, environmental or similar factors. The system includes an input/output module for inputting and outputting natural language queries and responses, a pre-processor to extract information from freetext queries to assemble a further query, a generator for generating responses, a post-processor to process responses for quality. Helper modules and other data sources may also be provided to augment queries and responses.

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: In a laser cutting machine for cutting a sheet of material, a laser scanner (12) is traversable in a lateral direction across a cutting surface (14). The laser scanner is controllable to direct a laser beam onto the cutting surface within a cutting area (A) of the cutting surface. A material-advancing mechanism is provided that is controllable to incrementally advance the sheet of material in a longitudinal direction over the cutting surface. In use, the material-advancing mechanism is controllable to position and hold stationary successive laterally- extending portions of the material in the cutting area. The laser scanner is controllable to cut each successive laterally-extending portion of the material held stationary in the cutting area before the material is advanced.

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: An example computing system may include a plurality of processors, persistent memory that is shared by the plurality of processors, and a memory-side accelerator that is to control access to the memory. A requesting processor of the plurality of processors may simultaneously request locking of and access to a target data object of the persistent memory by sending a single lock-and-access message to the memory-side accelerator. The lock-and-access message may include a first memory capability pointing to the target data object, a second memory capability pointing to a lock object that controls locking of the target data object, and a specified access operation that is requested.

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 snap ring manipulation tool for installation and removal of snap rings includes a frame that comprises a pair of members. The members are opposing, such that a first end of one member opposes a second end of the other. Each of a pair of first holes is positioned through a respective member proximate to the first end. Each of a pair of rods is fixedly coupled to a respective member proximate to the second end. The rod is slidably positionable through an opposing first hole. A biaser is operationally coupled to each member. Each of a pair of first tips is coupled to and extends from a first side of the frame. The frame positions the first tips for insertion into the complementary orifices of the snap ring. The biaser is positioned to diverge and converge the members to respectively widen and narrow the snap ring.