Abstract: The optical interrogation technique can use an optical prism having two opposite sides including a sample side and a refraction side, the sample side having a plurality of interrogation areas; a source assembly generating a collimated field of illumination directed towards the refraction side; a screen disposed in a screen plane intersecting the field of illumination and shielding the refraction side from the field of illumination, the screen having an aperture allowing a portion of the field of illumination to reach and be refracted by the refraction side, be totally internally reflected at one of said interrogation areas of the sample side, thereby generating a signal, the signal refracted back through the aperture, the screen being movable within the screen plane to shift the aperture and expose different portions of the field of illumination to corresponding ones of the interrogation areas.

Abstract: Wind turbine bulkhead removal systems and methods are provided. The bulkhead removal system includes a bulkhead removal device and control subsystem. The bulkhead removal device includes a drilling subsystem with a drill for drilling at least one bulkhead within a wind turbine blade and an extension subsystem which is physically connected to the drilling subsystem and releasably securable to the wind turbine blade. The extension subsystem moves the drilling subsystem forwards and backwards along a length of the wind turbine blade to position the drill for drilling through each bulkhead. The control subsystem controls the operation of the drilling subsystem and the extension subsystem. The bulkhead removal system may also include a connection subsystem for connecting power and control components of the drilling and extension subsystems to a power source and to the control subsystem.

Abstract: A snap joint for securing construction modules together on a modular construction site, the snap joint comprising a male member mounted on a first construction module and a female member mounted on a second construction module. The female member housing locking members, a tumbler and biasing members biasing the locking members against the tumbler. The male member having shaft engageable within the female member, through a base stop of the tumbler, along a trigger path in a manner to push the tumbler out of interference with the locking members, thereby freeing the locking members to transversally engage with the shaft.

Abstract: The optical interrogation technique can use an optical prism having two opposite sides including a sample side and a refraction side, the sample side having a plurality of interrogation areas; a source assembly generating a collimated field of illumination directed towards the refraction side; a screen disposed in a screen plane intersecting the field of illumination and shielding the refraction side from the field of illumination, the screen having an aperture allowing a portion of the field of illumination to reach and be refracted by the refraction side, be totally internally reflected at one of said interrogation areas of the sample side, thereby generating a signal, the signal refracted back through the aperture, the screen being movable within the screen plane to shift the aperture and expose different portions of the field of illumination to corresponding ones of the interrogation areas.

Abstract: A snap joint for securing construction modules together on a modular construction site, the snap joint comprising a male member mounted on a first construction module and a female member mounted on a second construction module. The female member housing locking members, a tumbler and biasing members biasing the locking members against the tumbler. The male member having shaft engageable within the female member, through a base stop of the tumbler, along a trigger path in a manner to push the tumbler out of interference with the locking members, thereby freeing the locking members to transversally engage with the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein which allow to determine an icing condition without requiring a wind speed measurement. The methods and systems use two sensing members both being exposed to conditions in an environment. The determination is made based on a capacity of the sensing members to react differently to the conditions to which they are exposed. The conditions can be environmental or controlled. The determination includes measuring a variable indicative of the thermal state of each individual sensing member, and processing the measured values to generate the signal indicative of icing condition. The icing condition can be instrumental or meteorological.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein which allow to determine an icing condition without requiring a wind speed measurement. The methods and systems use two sensing members both being exposed to conditions in an environment. The determination is made based on a capacity of the sensing members to react differently to the conditions to which they are exposed. The conditions can be environmental or controlled. The determination includes measuring a variable indicative of the thermal state of each individual sensing member, and processing the measured values to generate the signal indicative of icing condition. The icing condition can be instrumental or meteorological.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a value of a quantity of heat applied to at least a portion of a structure, said structure having a sensor surface exposed to the environment, receiving a temperature measurement of the sensor surface, receiving a wind speed measurement of the environment, receiving an ambient temperature measurement of the environment, determining a heat transfer projection of the sensor area using at least the wind speed measurement, the ambient temperature measurement, and one of the value of a quantity of heat and a target temperature of the sensor surface; comparing the heat transfer projection to an associated heat transfer value, and generating a signal indicating the icing condition status based on the comparison.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a value of a quantity of heat applied to at least a portion of a structure, said structure having a sensor surface exposed to the environment, receiving a temperature measurement of the sensor surface, receiving a wind speed measurement of the environment, receiving an ambient temperature measurement of the environment, determining a heat transfer projection of the sensor area using at least the wind speed measurement, the ambient temperature measurement, and one of the value of a quantity of heat and a target temperature of the sensor surface; comparing the heat transfer projection to an associated heat transfer value, and generating a signal indicating the icing condition status based on the comparison.