Abstract: A friction brake is provided for use in a wind energy system. The friction brake includes a piston adapted for being at least temporarily in contact with a braking surface, the piston having an outer circumferential surface that comprises a outer contact area. Further, the piston brake includes a housing for housing the piston, the housing having an inner surface that comprises a inner contact area wherein the inner contact area and the housing area are adapted for temporarily being in contact with each other. At least one of the inner contact area and the housing area is made of a non-metallic material. In addition, a wind energy system and a method for upgrading a wind energy system is provided.

Abstract: A sensor system monitors deflection of turbine blades of a wind turbine. The system includes a first component configured on the turbine blades. A second component is configured on the tower at a height so as to detect the presence of the first component as the blades rotate past the tower. The second component generates a corresponding measurable parameter or value that is indicative of distance between the blades and tower. The second component is disposed substantially completely around the circumference of the tower so as to detect the first components at any rotational position of the turbine nacelle relative to the tower.

Abstract: A method and system of matching features in a pair of images using line signatures. The method includes determining a first similarity measure between a first line signature in a first image in the pair of images and a second line signature in a second image in the pair of images; determining a second similarity measure between the first line signature in the first image and a third line signature in the second image; comparing the first similarity measure with a first threshold value; comparing a difference between the first similarity and the second similarity with a second threshold value; and if the first similarity measure is greater than the first threshold value and the difference between the first similarity and the second similarity is greater than the second threshold value, the first line signature and the second line signature produce a match.

Abstract: In a feature matching method for recognizing an object in two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data, features in each of which a predetermined attribute in the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data takes a local maximum and/or minimum are detected, and features existing along edges and line contours from the detected features are excluded. Thereafter, the remaining features are allocated to a plane, some features are selected from the allocated features by using local information, and feature matching for the selected features being set as objects is performed.

Abstract: A data visualization system may allow an untrained user to easily, rapidly, and unambiguously specify the content and format of a report about information. A user interface may present to a user and receive from the user a selection of a plurality of selectable visualization types, selectable data objects, and selectable data specifications. The user interface may display all of the selections which the user makes as a single composite phrase.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to implement augmented virtual environments. In one implementation, the technique includes: generating a three dimensional (3D) model of an environment from range sensor information representing a height field for the environment, tracking orientation information of image sensors in the environment with respect to the 3D model in real-time, projecting real-time video from the image sensors onto the 3D model based on the tracked orientation information, and visualizing the 3D model with the projected real-time video. Generating the 3D model can involve parametric fitting of geometric primitives to the range sensor information. The technique can also include: identifying in real time a region in motion with respect to a background image in real-time video, the background image being a single distribution background dynamically modeled from a time average of the real-time video, and placing a surface that corresponds to the moving region in the 3D model.

Abstract: A ventilation arrangement for a wind turbine includes an air inlet opening located in a nose cone of said wind turbine, a manhole cover for covering a manhole of a rotor hub of said wind turbine, the manhole cover providing a vent opening for venting hot air from an internal space of said rotor hub, and a flexible piping establishing fluid communication between the internal space of the rotor hub and the air inlet opening.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for managing video bandwidth over a network connecting one or more cameras and one or more client video display stations. In one aspect, a system includes a data communication network, cameras coupled with the network, arranged in different locations, and operable to provide video imagery of the different locations via the network, one or more video fusion clients operable to display the video imagery of the different locations received via the network, one or more camera manager components operable to manage transmission of the video imagery from the cameras over the network based on client-side information, and one or more client manager components operable to define the client-side information based on display parameters of the one or more video fusion clients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cash dispenser comprising a plurality of banknote compartments (20), disposed one after the other in a vertical position in a horizontal row, for receiving banknotes to be dispensed, wherein the banknote compartments (20) are associated with withdrawal and separation devices (26). The cash dispenser also comprises a stacking device (30) for forming a wad of banknotes to be dispensed, a single sheet transport device (28) for transporting individual banknotes from the withdrawal and separation devices (26) to the stacking device (30), a wad transport device (34) for transporting a wad of banknotes from the stacking device (30) to a dispenser slot (16) of the cash dispenser, and a return cassette (36) comprising a reject compartment (38) for receiving individual banknotes that were not dispensed. The single sheet transport device (28) can be optionally linked with an entrance opening (40) of the return compartment (36) or with the stacking device (30).

Abstract: A roll storage system for guiding a number of sheet members. The roll storage system includes a housing that encloses a supply roll and a storage roll. The supply and storage roll are rotatably mounted for guiding a storage film between them. A guide member is also mounted for guiding each of the number of sheet members into and away from the storage roll.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking camera pose using dynamically calibrated line features for augmented reality applications are disclosed. The dynamic calibration of the line features affords an expanded tracking range within the real environment and into adjacent, un-calibrated areas. Line features within a real environment are modeled with a minimal representation, such that they can be efficiently dynamically calibrated as a camera pose changes within the environment. A known camera pose is used to initialize line feature calibration within the real environment. Parameters of dynamically calibrated line features are also used to calculate camera pose. The tracking of camera pose through a real environment allows insertion of virtual objects into the real environment without dependencies on pre-calibrated landmarks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser for monetary items, in which the deposit and withdrawal module is mounted so that it can pivot in relation to the processing module, between a deposit and a withdrawal position and a processing position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cash dispenser comprising a plurality of banknote compartments (20), disposed one after the other in a vertical position in a horizontal row, for receiving banknotes to be dispensed, wherein the banknote compartments (20) are associated with withdrawal and separation devices (26). The cash dispenser also comprises a stacking device (30) for forming a wad of banknotes to be dispensed, a single sheet transport device (28) for transporting individual banknotes from the withdrawal and separation devices (26) to the stacking device (30), a wad transport device (34) for transporting a wad of banknotes from the stacking device (30) to a dispenser slot (16) of the cash dispenser, and a return cassette (36) comprising a reject compartment (38) for receiving individual banknotes that were not dispensed. The single sheet transport device (28) can be optionally linked with an entrance opening (40) of the return compartment (36) or with the stacking device (30).

Abstract: A method of generating a pictorial identifier for a computer object. The method comprises generating a pictorial identifier according to a modelling approach. The modelling approach is based on at least a part of a textual identifier of the computer object wherein the part of the textual identifier is not tied to any type identifiers associated with the computer object and the modelling approach is generally characterised by generating pictorial identifiers being visually different from pictorial identifiers generated from substantially different textual identifiers.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing movement of a first object relative to a second object. The apparatus includes indicia markings formed on the first object and a sensor capable of reading the indicia markings. A slipper element is secured relative to the sensor and is biased into engagement with the first object. The slipper element maintains the sensor within a predetermined range of distances from the indicia markings on the first object. In one embodiment, the first object is a piston rod of a piston assembly and the second object is a cylinder in which a piston of the piston assembly is located.

Abstract: In a piezoelectrically actuated fluid valve the bending transducer includes another bearing point at its second end remote from the immovable bearing and the valve closure member points to the valve seat in a defined partial span width between the two ends of the bending transducer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronically controllable brake actuating system for automotive vehicles, including an unpressurized pressure fluid supply reservoir, a pressure source actuatable by an electronic control unit, the pressure of which can be applied to wheel brakes of the vehicle, further including a device for detecting the driver's wish for deceleration as well as valve assemblies inserted upstream of the wheel brakes and connecting the wheel brakes alternatively to the pressure source or the pressure fluid supply reservoir. In order to increase the operational or functional reliability of a system of this type, the present invention discloses the provision of means for detecting gases or air disposed in the system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronically controllable brake actuating system for automotive vehicles, including an unpressurized pressure fluid supply reservoir, a pressure source actuatable by an electronic control unit, the pressure of which can be applied to wheel brakes of the vehicle, further including a device for detecting the driver's wish for deceleration as well as valve assemblies inserted upstream of the wheel brakes and connecting the wheel brakes alternatively to the pressure source or the pressure fluid supply reservoir. In order to increase the operational or functional reliability of a system of this type, the present invention discloses the provision of means for detecting gases or air disposed in the system.

Abstract: A fluid-pressure actuated piston/cylinder assembly having a sensor capable of reading at least one indicia marking on a piston rod in order to determine the movement and specific location of the piston rod and cylinder relative to each other. The sensor is housed within a sealing gland that is incorporated into the piston/cylinder assembly and is isolated from the fluid pressure and external elements outside of the assembly. The method of providing a compact, accurate position detecting system for the noted piston/cylinder assembly is also set forth.

Abstract: In a piezoelectrically actuated fluid valve the bending transducer includes another bearing point at its second end remote from the immovable bearing and the valve closure member points to the valve seat in a defined partial span width between the two ends of the bending transducer.