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 load panel shelf assembly includes a shelf frame, at least one panel, a mounting rail, and a hinge assembly. The shelf frame is composed of a plurality of frame segments. The at least one panel is fitted within the shelf frame to form a shelf surface. The mounting rail is configured to attach to a sidewall of a transport vehicle and includes a shelf support configured to support a portion of the shelf frame. The mounting rail includes a mounting rail receiver and the at least one of the frame segments includes a frame segment receiver. The hinge assembly includes first and second hinge segments which are pivotally connectable by a pivot pin disposed through both the first and second hinge segments. The first hinge segment and the second hinge segment each have a cross-section profile that is configured to fit into the cross-section profiles of the mounting rail receiver and the frame segment receiver, respectively.

Abstract: A fluid intake for a system includes a support structure defining an interior space and configured for fluid to pass into the interior space. The system includes a pump for pumping fluid from a well including a well casing defining a passageway for the fluid to flow therethrough in a flow direction. The fluid includes liquid and gas. A porous member extends over a portion of the support structure. The fluid intake extends inside the passageway in the flow direction such that the porous member and the well casing define an annular space therebetween. The porous member defines pores for liquid to wick through. The interior space is in flow communication with the pores such that liquid wicking through the porous member passes into the interior space.

Abstract: A method for providing mobile messages includes generating a message based on received content. A first functional bind to an aggregator is identified. A second functional bind to the aggregator is also identified. The first functional bind and the second functional bind are distinct communication connections to the aggregator. First message recipients are associated with the first functional bind, and second message recipients are associated with the second functional bind. The message is provided in parallel to the aggregator for the first message recipients through the first functional bind and for the second message recipients through the second functional bind.

Abstract: A turbine wheel or disk having a plurality of dovetail slots formed in its circumference for receiving a dovetail root of a blade such as a compressor or turbine blade. Each of the dovetail slots has a load face positioned to oppose a centrifugal load exerted by the dovetail root when a turbine is in operation. Each of the dovetail slots has a pair of opposing acute bottom corners formed between a radially inner edge of the load face and a bottom of the dovetail slot. Each of the acute bottom corners may have an undercut formed that includes a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature to form a clearance between the dovetail root and the dovetail slot. Each of the dovetail slots may have a curved bottom for receiving a rounded dovetail root.

Abstract: A blade retention arrangement is disclosed for retaining a blade within a disk or wheel within a turbine. The blade retention arrangement includes a dovetail connected with the blade for insertion within a dovetail slot formed in a circumference of the disk or wheel. A first chamfer is formed on an axially front bottom edge of the dovetail and a first deformation of a axially front surface of the wheel presses against the first chamfer whereby a first radially outward force is exerted on the dovetail with respect to an axis of the wheel that presses the dovetail against a first centrifugal retention surface of the dovetail slot. A second chamfer may be formed on an axially back bottom edge of the dovetail that performs in the same manner. The first and second chambers may be formed on respective ones of a forward and aft spacer, or on a bottom spacer instead of being formed on the blade dovetail directly.

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 system for use in a package delivery vehicle includes an edge railing, and a panel with a hinged edge and a free edge that is located opposite from the hinged edge. A panel hinge member is located at the hinged edge of the panel. A hinge body is mounted to the edge railing and pivotally coupled to the panel hinge member to allow the panel hinge member and the panel to pivot with respect to the hinge body. The panel and the panel hinge member are formed as a unitary monolithic body.

Abstract: A method for fault detection includes selecting a measured parameter from a subsurface electrical device and obtaining a plurality of samples for the measured parameter. The method also includes removing at least one invalid sample from the plurality of samples to generate a remaining number of samples. The method further includes computing a diagnostic parameter based on the remaining number of samples, if the remaining number of samples is greater than a predefined threshold number and terminating the method otherwise. The method also includes obtaining a rule from a plurality of rules stored in a database, based on the diagnostic parameter. The rule is indicative of a standard operating condition of the subsurface electrical device. The method further includes evaluating whether the determined diagnostic parameter satisfies the obtained rule, to generate an output and determining a measured operating condition of the subsurface electrical device based on the output.

Abstract: A method for providing mobile messages includes generating a message based on received content. A first functional bind to an aggregator is identified. A second functional bind to the aggregator is also identified. The first functional bind and the second functional bind are distinct communication connections to the aggregator. First message recipients are associated with the first functional bind, and second message recipients are associated with the second functional bind. The message is provided in parallel to the aggregator for the first message recipients through the first functional bind and for the second message recipients through the second functional bind.

Abstract: A stowable floor panel system includes a horizontal railing coupled to a sidewall of a package delivery vehicle where the horizontal railing includes an upper and a lower track that are spaced apart from each other. The upper track defines an upper channel, and the lower track defines a lower channel. A hinge assembly couples a stowable floor panel to the horizontal railing. A hinge body has a plurality of relief features and an upper projection extending from a rail receiving body portion and a lower projection extending from the rail receiving body portion opposite the upper projection. When the hinge body is inserted in the railing and rotated 90 degrees the upper projection seats in the upper channel, and the lower projection seats in the lower channel.

Abstract: An exemplary system for use in a package delivery vehicle is provided that may include a hinge member that includes a first opening and a hinge body that includes a second opening that is pivotally coupled to the first opening so that the hinge body can pivot with respect to the hinge member. The hinge body also includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that extends from the first protrusion. The first and second protrusions are slideable within a key structure that extends at least partway along a longitudinal axis of an edge railing of the package delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A beverage making machine may employ a mixing chamber to mix a beverage medium with a precursor liquid, such as carbonated water. The mixing chamber may have a precursor liquid inlet coupled to a precursor liquid supply, a beverage medium chamber to receive a beverage medium into the beverage medium chamber, and a dispense outlet from which beverage medium and precursor liquid are dispensed, e.g., into a user's cup. The beverage medium chamber may include a chamber inlet coupled to the precursor liquid inlet, e.g., so precursor liquid can enter the chamber when a pressure is low in the beverage medium chamber, and a chamber outlet downstream of the chamber inlet that is coupled to the dispense outlet, e.g., so that beverage medium can exit the chamber.

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: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for optimizing power output of a wind farm. The method includes determining baseline loading condition(s) for wind turbines of the wind farm and defining a baseline threshold value for the load sensors. Another step includes identifying at least one wind turbine having at least one load sensor operating below the baseline threshold value. An upgrade is then provided to the identified wind turbine. In response to the upgrade, the method includes determining whether the load sensor of the identified wind turbine continues to operate below the baseline threshold value. The method also includes classifying an additional load sensor(s) of an additional wind turbine with respect to the load sensor of the identified wind turbine to determine whether to provide the additional wind turbine with the upgrade.

Abstract: A prognostics module includes a systems analysis module and a determination module. The systems analysis module is configured to obtain operational information corresponding to a system-wide operation of a multi-element system. The multi-element system includes multiple elements communicatively coupled by at least one common communication link. The determination module is configured to determine a future health of at least one of the multiple elements of the multi-element system using the operational information corresponding to the system-wide operation of the multi-element system.

Abstract: A system includes a physical analysis module, a cyber analysis module, and a determination module. The physical analysis module is configured to obtain physical diagnostic information, and to determine physical analysis information using the physical diagnostic information. The cyber analysis module is configured to obtain cyber security data of the functional system, and to determine cyber analysis information using the cyber security data. The determination module is configured to obtain the physical analysis information and the cyber analysis information, and to determine a state of the functional system using the physical analysis information and the cyber analysis information. The state determined corresponds to at least one of physical condition or cyber security threat. The determination module is also configured to identify if the state corresponds to one or more of a non-malicious condition or a malicious condition.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a model building platform may receive a set of historic industrial plant parameters associated with operation of a plurality of industrial plants over a period of time. The model building platform may automatically create a generative model based on relationships detected within the set of historic industrial plant parameters. A model execution platform may then receive incomplete industrial plant information associated with a particular industrial plant, and automatically generate supplemented industrial plant data based on the received incomplete industrial plant information and the generative model. An indication of the supplemented industrial plant data may then be output.

Abstract: A bird feeder includes a tubular container for bird food and a removable base engageable with projections at a lower end thereof to retain it in place to form the bottom of the container. The base has an upper part in the form of a plug insertable into the container and a lower part having an annular outer part on which the upper part can rotate, and includes locking mechanism projections selectively locked into slots in the upper part by rotation. The projections can be disengaged from the slots in a first rotational position and are locked into the slots in a second rotational position, respectively. The upper and lower parts of the base can be separated from one another with a relative rotation between a first, locked position and a third, disengaged.