Abstract: A combined cycle power plant CCPP includes one turbomachine and heat recovery steam generator HRSG that is shutdown (or offline) and a second turbomachine and heat recovery steam generator HRSG that is online. The HRSG supplied duct dampers can provide sealing air therein to ensure no back flow from the online turbomachine to the shutdown turbomachine of the plant. However, as cooling flow is desired, a controlled flow may be implemented to allow cooling flow to the shutdown turbomachine. This solution is valuable to cool CCPP configurations with multiple (e.g., 2) HRSGs discharging into a common exhaust stack without individual flues dedicated to each HRSG, regardless of turbomachine configuration.

Abstract: A system and process for restarting a turbomachine includes a shutdown cooldown protection process implemented by a plant level control system or direct control system of the turbomachine. The system and process for restarting ensure rotating components are cooled as expected prior to a unit restart. This system and process for restarting will lockout an ability to restart if an improper cooldown of rotating components is detected. If this lockout is enabled, delaying restart for the rotating components to cool naturally is needed, or the operator could decide to force cool the components.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant CCPP includes one turbomachine and heat recovery steam generator HRSG that is shutdown (or offline) and a second turbomachine and heat recovery steam generator HRSG that is online. The HRSG supplied duct dampers can provide sealing air therein to ensure no back flow from the online turbomachine to the shutdown turbomachine of the plant. However, as cooling flow is desired, a controlled flow may be implemented to allow cooling flow to the shutdown turbomachine. This solution is valuable to cool CCPP configurations with multiple (e.g., 2) HRSGs discharging into a common exhaust stack without individual flues dedicated to each HRSG, regardless of turbomachine configuration.

Abstract: A system and process for restarting a turbomachine includes a shutdown cooldown protection process implemented by a plant level control system or direct control system of the turbomachine. The system and process for restarting ensure rotating components are cooled as expected prior to a unit restart. This system and process for restarting will lockout an ability to restart if an improper cooldown of rotating components is detected. If this lockout is enabled, delaying restart for the rotating components to cool naturally is needed, or the operator could decide to force cool the components.

Abstract: A system and process for restarting a turbomachine includes a shutdown cooldown protection process implemented by a plant level control system or direct control system of the turbomachine. The system and process for restarting ensure rotating components are cooled as expected prior to a unit restart. This system and process for restarting will lockout an ability to restart if an improper cooldown of rotating components is detected. If this lockout is enabled, delaying restart for the rotating components to cool naturally is needed, or the operator could decide to force cool the components.

Abstract: A fan assembly for a cleaning system of a combine harvester includes a housing having a plurality of interconnected walls, the interconnected walls defining least one inlet opening through which air is delivered into the housing, and at least one outlet opening through which air is exhausted from the housing. A deflector is positioned either at or adjacent the outlet opening, the deflector being configured to affect a flow of air across a width dimension W of the outlet opening. The deflector may be a single, unitary body or the deflector may include a plurality of independently rotatably panels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pollination cage for the field pollination of a ridge planted crop, the pollination cage comprising: a plurality of frames; and one more nets supported by the plurality of frames; wherein: the frames and one or more nets define at least one enclosed region for containing pollinating insects; and each frame comprises a notched structure for placing on ridged ground.

Abstract: An actuator position sensing system for sensing a position of an actuator. The actuator position sensing system includes a first sensor for detecting a position of a first moveable portion of the actuator; a plurality of second sensors each being configured for detecting a position of a second moveable portion of the actuator; and a controller connected to the first sensor and the plurality of second sensors. The controller is configured to calculate a difference between (i) a position of the second movable portion as calculated based upon the data transmitted from the first sensor, and (ii) a position of the second movable portion as calculated based upon the data transmitted from one or more of the plurality of second sensors. A motor is connected to the first movable portion and the controller, and the motor is configured to move the first moveable portion based upon the calculated difference.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a control system that defines a test part having multiple features of multiple feature types. The control system controls an additive manufacturing (AM) machine to print multiple copies of the test part, with each copy being printed according to a respective set of values used as printing parameters. A measurement system obtains a computed tomography (CT) image of each of the copies of the test part. An analysis system, for each of the plurality of feature types, analyzes the CT images to identify a selected set of values for the printing parameters. The analysis system identifies a portion of the CT image related to a first feature and assesses its density based on an average grayscale value. The AM machine is then controlled to print production parts according to, for each feature type of the production parts, the selected set of values for the printing parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a control system that defines a test part having multiple features of multiple feature types. The control system controls an additive manufacturing (AM) machine to print multiple copies of the test part, with each copy being printed according to a respective set of values used as printing parameters. A measurement system obtains a computed tomography (CT) image of each of the copies of the test part. An analysis system, for each of the plurality of feature types, analyzes the CT images to identify a selected set of values for the printing parameters. The analysis system identifies a portion of the CT image related to a first feature and assesses its density based on an average grayscale value. The AM machine is then controlled to print production parts according to, for each feature type of the production parts, the selected set of values for the printing parameters.

Abstract: A cleaning and tailings system of an agricultural harvester including an upper sieve and a lower sieve spaced from the upper sieve. A clean grain sheet is disposed below the lower sieve, and a tailings sheet is disposed below the clean grain sheet for receiving grain from the lower sieve and upper sieve. A tailings auger is disposed about a forward end of the tailings sheet, and a sensor is disposed about an inlet of the tailings auger for sensing impact of grain received by the tailings sheet. A controller is in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of grain received by the tailings sheet.

Abstract: A cleaning and tailings system of an agricultural harvester including an upper sieve and a lower sieve spaced from the upper sieve. A clean grain sheet is disposed below the lower sieve, and a tailings sheet is disposed below the clean grain sheet for receiving grain from the lower sieve and upper sieve. A tailings auger is disposed about a forward end of the tailings sheet, and a sensor is disposed about an inlet of the tailings auger for sensing impact of grain received by the tailings sheet. A controller is in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of grain received by the tailings sheet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a sieve for capturing grain, and a magnetic propulsion system configured to move the sieve in a reciprocating motion with respect to a stationary housing of the combine harvester. The magnetic propulsion system includes a magnet that moves as the sieve moves and a plurality of electromagnets arranged along a path of movement of the magnet during a throw stroke and a return stroke of the sieve. During the throw stroke, the plurality of electromagnets may be one of attracted to and repulsed by the magnet. During the return stroke, the plurality of electromagnets may be another of attracted to and repulsed by the magnet. The magnet may move along an arc, and the plurality of magnet may be arranged along an arc adjacent to the magnet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester having an adjustable throwing angle is provided. The cleaning system includes a shoe for holding a sieve of the cleaning system, a mounting surface disposed on the shoe, and a rocker arm either movably or removably connected to the mounting surface. The rocker arm is configured to be mounted to the mounting surface at at least two different locations on the mounting surface. Each location resulting in a different throwing angle of the shoe of the cleaning system.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester having an adjustable throwing angle is provided. The cleaning system includes a shoe for holding a sieve of the cleaning system, a mounting surface disposed on the shoe, and a rocker arm either movably or removably connected to the mounting surface. The rocker arm is configured to be mounted to the mounting surface at at least two different locations on the mounting surface. Each location resulting in a different throwing angle of the shoe of the cleaning system.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a sieve for capturing grain, and a magnetic propulsion system configured to move the sieve in a reciprocating motion with respect to a stationary housing of the combine harvester.

Abstract: A preparation section of a combine harvester that is configured to receive a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from a threshing section of the combine harvester. The preparation section includes a conveyor positioned beneath the threshing section that is configured to transport the grain and MOG in a downstream direction toward a cleaning section, and a deflector positioned at a downstream end of a conveyor that is configured to launch the grain and MOG into the air and cause at least partial separation of the MOG and grain prior to falling onto the cleaning section.

Abstract: A preparation section of a combine harvester that is configured to receive a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from a threshing section of the combine harvester. The preparation section includes a conveyor positioned beneath the threshing section that is configured to transport the grain and MOG in a downstream direction toward a cleaning section, and a deflector positioned at a downstream end of a conveyor that is configured to launch the grain and MOG into the air and cause at least partial separation of the MOG and grain prior to falling onto the cleaning section.

Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.

Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.