Abstract: A belt monitoring system for an agricultural belt arrangement, the monitoring system including an agricultural belt having a magnetic element embedded therein and a sensor. The agricultural belt arrangement defines a proper belt alignment for the belt and moves the belt. The magnetic element is polarized so as to output a magnetic signal. The sensor is configured to detect, at a reference position, the magnetic signal outputted by the magnetic element. The monitoring system further includes a circuit configured to output a signal if, for example, the agricultural belt moves more than a predetermined amount through the agricultural belt arrangement without the sensor arrangement detecting the magnetic signal outputted by the magnetic element, a predetermined amount of time passes without the sensor detecting the magnetic signal, and the circuit determines the position of the magnetic element to be outside of a permissible positional range.

Abstract: A conveyor belt (8) and method for monitoring a moving conveyor belt (8), the conveyor belt (8) having a first edge region (2), a second edge region (4), and a load carrying region (6). The method functions to detect belt edge damage, changes in belt width, and changes in belt tracking by monitoring a magnetic field associated with a plurality of edge detection inserts (1,3) embedded within the conveyor belt (8). In one embodiment this is achieved by monitoring images of the magnetic field associated with the edge detection inserts (1,3) embedded within the conveyor belt (8). The method may utilize a magnetic sensor system to detect magnetic images of the edge detection inserts (1,3) where the edge detection inserts (1,3) are positioned longitudinally along the length of the conveyor belt (8) in the first edge region (2) and the second edge region (4) of the conveyor belt (8).

Abstract: A conveyor belt (8) and method for monitoring a moving conveyor belt (8), the conveyor belt (8) having a first edge region (2), a second edge region (4), and a load carrying region (6). The method functions to detect belt edge damage, changes in belt width, and changes in belt tracking by monitoring a magnetic field associated with a plurality of edge detection inserts (1,3) embedded within the conveyor belt (8). In one embodiment this is achieved by monitoring images of the magnetic field associated with the edge detection inserts (1,3) embedded within the conveyor belt (8). The method may utilize a magnetic sensor system to detect magnetic images of the edge detection inserts (1,3) where the edge detection inserts (1,3) are positioned longitudinally along the length of the conveyor belt (8) in the first edge region (2) and the second edge region (4) of the conveyor belt (8).

Abstract: Apparatus include a fitting defining a distal end and conduit, where the fitting has a port inward from the distal end and which extends from the conduit to an outer surface of the fitting. A hose is sealingly connected with the fitting at the distal end, and a temperature measuring device is sealingly secured with the fitting through the port. In some cases, the temperature measuring device and fitting are sealingly secured with mating threaded structures. The temperature measuring device may incorporate RFID technology. Also, the fitting may have a flat region on the peripheral to secure the device. The temperature measuring device may include a temperature measurement component a distal end which is in contact with material resident in the conduit. The temperature measuring device may also have a display and a push button for activating the display, whereby temperature of material resident in the conduit is shown.

Abstract: A belt monitoring system for an agricultural belt arrangement, the monitoring system including an agricultural belt having a magnetic element embedded therein and a sensor. The agricultural belt arrangement defines a proper belt alignment for the belt and moves the belt. The magnetic element is polarized so as to output a magnetic signal. The sensor is configured to detect, at a reference position, the magnetic signal outputted by the magnetic element. The monitoring system further includes a circuit configured to output a signal if, for example, the agricultural belt moves more than a predetermined amount through the agricultural belt arrangement without the sensor arrangement detecting the magnetic signal outputted by the magnetic element, a predetermined amount of time passes without the sensor detecting the magnetic signal, and the circuit determines the position of the magnetic element to be outside of a permissible positional range.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a rip detection insert embedded in a conveyor belt, the rip detection insert having a plurality of rip detection wires comprised of a magnetically permeable material; the method including the steps of: inducing a magnetic field within the rip detection wires of the rip detection insert; measuring at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert; monitoring the at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert for changes in the magnetic characteristic; determining the rip detection insert has been damaged when a change in at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert deviates beyond a predetermined threshold for the rip detection insert; and, filtering out a region of the rip detection insert containing the damage to the rip detection insert.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a rip detection insert embedded in a conveyor belt, the rip detection insert having a plurality of rip detection wires comprised of a magnetically permeable material; the method including the steps of: inducing a magnetic field within the rip detection wires of the rip detection insert; measuring at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert; monitoring the at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert for changes in the magnetic characteristic; determining the rip detection insert has been damaged when a change in at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert deviates beyond a predetermined threshold for the rip detection insert; and, filtering out a region of the rip detection insert containing the damage to the rip detection insert.

Abstract: A method for repairing a wind turbine is described. The method may include preparing the surface of the blade, removing a plurality of mounting bolts, and replacing the mounting bolts with rod members. The rod members may be bonded to the blade root thereby strengthening the blade root and/or repairing any damaged or weakened regions. This repair may be performed on blades and blade coupling regions of various characteristics as well in modular fashion using pre-molded sections attached together around the blade root. The method of repair may be performed while the blade is still attached to the turbine hub. Wind turbines repaired according to these methods are also described. The method may also be used for attaching and otherwise handling new turbine blades and new wind turbines.

Abstract: A fluid catchment system for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine has a nacelle mounted to a tower. The fluid catchment system includes at least one fluid accumulator in fluid communication with the interior of the nacelle and configured to receive fluid exiting from the nacelle. The fluid accumulator is configured to be positioned at least partially beneath the nacelle and to be attached to at least one of the tower and the nacelle. An oil absorbent material may be retained by the fluid accumulator. A fluid collector may be provided to collect fluid from the fluid accumulator. A fluid catchment system having a fluid accumulator located on a wind turbine blade is also provided. Further, a wind turbine including a fluid catchment system is provided.

Abstract: Drive units for variable-length rotor blades are located so as to move mass closer to the center of a wind turbine rotor. In some cases, drive units are located within a root portion of a base blade of a blade assembly. In other cases, drive units are located outside of the blade assemblies. In some such cases, drive units are contained within separate couplers used to connect blade assemblies to a wind turbine rotor hub. In other cases, one or more drive units are located within a rotor hub.

Abstract: Power and signals may be transmitted from a root portion of an extendable rotor blade to a moving tip portion using a slide block and a slide channel. The slide block is configured to fit within the slide channel and includes a conductive element that comes into contact with a conductive element of the slide channel. The tip portion may be attached to the slide block such that as the slide block moves along the slide channel, the tip portion is extended or retracted accordingly. The conductive elements may be fixed within each of the slide block and slide channel so that when the tip portion is retracted or extended, the conductive elements do not move.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a longitudinal axis is provided. The wind turbine blade includes a root portion and a tip portion. The root portion has a supported end and an unsupported end. The tip portion is configured to be slidably received within the unsupported end of the root portion. A transverse gap is defined between the root portion and the tip portion. A transition element is affixed to the unsupported end of the root portion such that the transition element at least partially bridges the transverse gap. The wind turbine blade may further include blade cleaning elements and/or sensing elements, particularly in the vicinity of the transition element.

Abstract: A method for repairing a wind turbine is described. The method may include preparing the surface of the blade, removing a plurality of mounting bolts, and replacing the mounting bolts with rod members. The rod members may be bonded to the blade root thereby strengthening the blade root and/or repairing any damaged or weakened regions. This repair may be performed on blades and blade coupling regions of various characteristics as well in modular fashion using pre-molded sections attached together around the blade root. The method of repair may be performed while the blade is still attached to the turbine hub. Wind turbines repaired according to these methods are also described. The method may also be used for attaching and otherwise handling new turbine blades and new wind turbines.

Abstract: A cooling bushing flange having a reduced amount of precious metal is provided for a glass fiber production apparatus. The flange includes a first portion formed of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy extending outwardly from a bushing and a second portion formed of a non-precious metal. The non-precious metal portion of the flange may be affixed to the precious metal portion by known metal bonding methods. A cooling tube is positioned on the non-precious metal portion to create a thermal seal and prevent molten glass from leaking from the interface of the bushing block and bushing. The precious metal portion of the inventive flange is a fraction of the size of precious metal present in conventional bushing flanges. By reducing the amount of precious metal incorporated in the flange, a significant reduction in the overall cost of the bushing and in the manufacture of glass fibers can be obtained.

Abstract: A wind turbine may be controlled in a variety of manners to optimize operating parameters. In one arrangement, for example, the length or the pitch of a wind turbine rotor blade may be adjusted to avoid harmonic resonance frequencies. In another example, the length of a rotor blade may be modified to reduce noise or to optimize profits or both. The controls may be based on data from various types of sensors including accelerometers, sound meters, strain gauges and the like. Actuation of extendable rotor blades can rotate wind turbine rotors without wind or generator pulsing affording multiple advantages. A battery test control may also be used to determine the operational readiness of a battery useful for a variety of purposes in a turbine.

Abstract: Power and signals may be transmitted from a root portion of an extendable rotor blade to a moving tip portion using a slide block and a slide channel. The slide block is configured to fit within the slide channel and includes a conductive element that comes into contact with a conductive element of the slide channel. The tip portion may be attached to the slide block such that as the slide block moves along the slide channel, the tip portion is extended or retracted accordingly. The conductive elements may be fixed within each of the slide block and slide channel so that when the tip portion is retracted or extended, the conductive elements do not move.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a longitudinal axis is provided. The wind turbine blade includes a root portion and a tip portion. The root portion has a supported end and an unsupported end. The tip portion is configured to be slidably received within the unsupported end of the root portion. A transverse gap is defined between the root portion and the tip portion. A transition element is affixed to the unsupported end of the root portion such that the transition element at least partially bridges the transverse gap. The wind turbine blade may further include blade cleaning elements and/or sensing elements, particularly in the vicinity of the transition element.

Abstract: A wind turbine with a nacelle, a base, and a plurality of blades operably connected around a turbine hub is described. The wind turbine is configured to house a winch mechanism for servicing a portion of a blade. The winch mechanism may have any of a number of components or configurations. Features included as part of a winch mechanism are a winch, a cable, pulleys and a securing element. Methods of servicing blades of a wind turbine with the winch mechanism including repair, removal, installation, replacement of the blades is also described. The winch mechanism may be removably or statically housed in the wind turbine for performing of the described methods and may be mounted by hoisting through the tower. A device for temporarily applying attachment points to a wind turbine blade, such that the attachment points can be remotely removed, is also described.

Abstract: Drive units for variable-length rotor blades are located so as to move mass closer to the center of a wind turbine rotor. In some cases, drive units are located within a root portion of a base blade of a blade assembly. In other cases, drive units are located outside of the blade assemblies. In some such cases, drive units are contained within separate couplers used to connect blade assemblies to a wind turbine rotor hub. In other cases, one or more drive units are located within a rotor hub.

Abstract: A method for repairing a wind turbine is described. The method may include preparing the surface of the blade, removing a plurality of mounting bolts, and replacing the mounting bolts with rod members. The rod members may be bonded to the blade root thereby strengthening the blade root and/or repairing any damaged or weakened regions. This repair may be performed on blades and blade coupling regions of various characteristics as well in modular fashion using pre-molded sections attached together around the blade root. The method of repair may be performed while the blade is still attached to the turbine hub. Wind turbines repaired according to these methods are also described. The method may also be used for attaching and otherwise handling new turbine blades and new wind turbines.