Abstract: An authentication system that supports passive provisioning of an authentication credential includes a widget that controls a user interface and that is embedded in a first inline frame (iframe) of a first webpage and an authenticator that conditionally provides the widget with access to confidential user account information. The authenticator is configured to generate an authentication token and store the authentication token in association with a first session ID associated with a set of inputs received through the user interface and launch a second webpage that includes a second iframe populated with the authentication token, where the second iframe identifies a URL in a same domain as a URL identified by the first iframe embedded within the first webpage. The second webpage further embeds a communication instruction executable to transmit the authentication token from the second iframe embedded within the second webpage to the widget embedded within the first webpage.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for assessing the health of an asset. For example, a system is provided. The system may include a processor and a memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations consistent with identifying a defect in a component of an asset. The operations may include fetching from an inspection system, a plurality of images acquired from an inspection of the component of the asset by the inspection system. The operations may include identifying, based on an image processing technique codified and included as part of the instructions, a subset of images from the plurality of images. The subset of images is representative of the defect in the component of the asset, and the image processing technique is selected from the group consisting of an auto-distress ranking technique, a structural similarity technique, a mean-subtracted filtering technique, and a Hessian norm computation technique.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to multi-sensor fusion using Transform Learning (TL) that provides a compact representation of data in many scenarios as compared to Dictionary Learning (DL) and Deep network models that may be computationally intensive and complex. A two-stage approach for better modeling of sensor data is provided, wherein in the first stage, representation of the individual sensor time series is learnt using dedicated transforms and their associated coefficients and in the second stage, all the representations are fused together using a fusing (common) transform and its associated coefficients to effectively capture correlation between the different sensor representations for deriving an inference. The method and system of the present disclosure can find application in areas employing multiple sensors that are mostly heterogeneous in nature.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for assessing the health of an asset. For example, a system is provided. The system may include a processor and a memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations consistent with identifying a defect in a component of an asset. The operations may include fetching from an inspection system, a plurality of images acquired from an inspection of the component of the asset by the inspection system. The operations may include identifying, based on an image processing technique codified and included as part of the instructions, a subset of images from the plurality of images. The subset of images is representative of the defect in the component of the asset, and the image processing technique is selected from the group consisting of an auto-distress ranking technique, a structural similarity technique, a mean-subtracted filtering technique, and a Hessian norm computation technique.

Abstract: Techniques for generating an expert database and verifying an expert using member data are described. A search request can be received from a device of the user. The search request can include a specific skill associated with the expert. Additionally, profile data can be accessed from a database in the online social network. Additionally, an expert recommendation process can determine an expert from the members of the online social network based on the search request and the profile data of the members. Moreover, social graph data can be accessed from a second database in the online social network. Furthermore, a connection path process can determine the connection path between the user and the expert based on the social graph data. Subsequently, the determined expert and the determined optimal path between the user and the expert can be presented on a display of the device.

Abstract: The ultrasonic sensor assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first and second flexible sets of transducers wrapped and permanently attached to the pipe at first and second locations, respectively. Each set of transducers includes at least transducers arranged in a row. The first set of transducers is configured to transmit a wave along the pipe. The second set of transducers is configured to receive the wave transmitted along the pipe. The ultrasonic sensor assembly includes a controller operatively connected to the second set of transducers for receiving information about the wave received by the second set of transducers. The controller is configured to analyze the information about the wave received by the second set of transducers to determine the presence of possible defects in the pipe. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for generating an expert database and verifying an expert using member data are described. A search request can be received from a device of the user. The search request can include a specific skill associated with the expert. Additionally, profile data can be accessed from a database in the online social network. Additionally, an expert recommendation process can determine an expert from the members of the online social network based on the search request and the profile data of the members. Moreover, social graph data can be accessed from a second database in the online social network. Furthermore, a connection path process can determine the connection path between the user and the expert based on the social graph data. Subsequently, the determined expert and the determined optimal path between the user and the expert can be presented on a display of the device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a wind turbine is provided. The method includes providing at least one remotely operated aerial platform (ROAP), providing at least one non-destructive evaluation (NDE) device attached to the ROAP, and providing at least one distance measuring system attached to the ROAP. The distance measuring system is used for determining the distance between the ROAP and at least a portion of the wind turbine. The method also includes positioning the ROAP so that the at least one non-destructive evaluation device captures data used for inspecting the wind turbine.

Abstract: An imaging technique is provided for acquiring scatter free images of an object. The technique includes acquiring a plurality of projection images of the object using a source and a detector oriented at a plurality of projection angles relative to the object, and generating a plurality of scatter free projection images by correcting the plurality of projection images based on respective ones of a plurality of stored scatter images. The scatter images are generated and stored for each of the projection angles by positioning a scatter rejection plate between the object and the detector. The technique further includes reconstructing a three-dimensional image of the object based on the scatter free projection images.

Abstract: A portable wear quantification system includes a hand-held image acquisition device and a fixture. The fixture includes a first end coupled to the image acquisition device. A light source emits a light beam along an emission axis. A beam splitter is disposed at an angle with respect to an axis of view of the image acquisition device for directing the beam from the light source toward a portion of an object. A second end of the fixture is located on an opposite side of the beam splitter from the first end. The second end includes a platform that is configured to position the fixture with respect to the object. A channel extends from the first end to the second end along the axis of view of the image acquisition device.

Abstract: Imaging systems including a multiple focal spot x-ray source adapted to irradiate an object with a series of angularly displaced x-ray beams, one at a time, without substantial rotation or translation of the multiple focal spot x-ray source are provided. Such systems also includes a detector adapted to receive at least a fraction of the angularly displaced x-ray beams after being attenuated by the object to produce at least two x-ray projection images of the object. The imaging systems also include a processor adapted to shift and add the at least two x-ray projection images to bring at least two planes of the object into focus, one at a time.

Abstract: A method of providing an image of an interior of a structure containing regions having different conductivities or admittivities. In one embodiment a series of electrical signal sets is applied to a series of electrodes, each signal set generating a rotating electric field. A measured set of electrical signals obtained from the electrodes are used to calculate a conductivity or admittivity distribution representative of the interior of the structure in a region about which the electrodes are positioned. The process of calculating the distribution includes defining a cost function, e.g., the energy function based on the distribution, and a forward model expressing the measured set of electrical signals as a function of the change in voltage values with respect to conductivity or admittivity and requiring that the partial derivative of the difference between the energy function and a function based on the forward model equal zero.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a continuity test on a lightning conduction system of a wind turbine are disclosed. The system generally includes a testing device having a blade ring configured to be positioned around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of a rotor blade of the wind turbine. A carriage may be attached to the testing device and a cable may be attached to the carriage. The cable may generally extend between a first anchor point and a second anchor point, wherein the anchor points are spaced apart from one another such that a lightning receptor of the lightning conduction system is disposed between the anchor points. Additionally, the cable may be coupled between the anchor points such that, as the cable is displaced, the testing device is moved to a position at which an electrically conductive member of the testing device contacts the lightning receptor.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for locating a maintenance device approximate an area of interest of a wind turbine. The system generally includes a carriage configured to support the maintenance device and a cable having first and second ends attached to the carriage. Additionally, the system includes first and second anchor points, with the first anchor point being disposed adjacent to a component of the wind turbine. The second anchor point is spaced apart from the first anchor point such that the area of interest is generally disposed between the first and second anchor points. The cable may be coupled along its length between the first and second anchor points such that, as the cable is displaced, the carriage is moved to a position at which the area of interest is accessible to the maintenance device.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a continuity test on a lightning conduction system of a wind turbine are disclosed. The system generally includes a testing device having a blade ring configured to be positioned around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of a rotor blade of the wind turbine. A carriage may be attached to the testing device and a cable may be attached to the carriage. The cable may generally extend between a first anchor point and a second anchor point, wherein the anchor points are spaced apart from one another such that a lightning receptor of the lightning conduction system is disposed between the anchor points. Additionally, the cable may be coupled between the anchor points such that, as the cable is displaced, the testing device is moved to a position at which an electrically conductive member of the testing device contacts the lightning receptor.

Abstract: An X-ray tube anode assembly and an X-ray tube assembly are disclosed that include an X-ray target and a drive assembly configured to provide an oscillatory motion to the X-ray target. The drive assembly is configured to provide an oscillatory motion to the target assembly.