Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and methods for generating three dimensional (3D) images with increased composite vertical field of view and composite resolution for a spinning three-dimensional sensor, based on actuating the sensor to generate a plurality of sensor axis orientations as a function of rotation of the actuator. The output data from the sensor, such as a spinning LIDAR, is transformable as a function of the actuator angle to generate three dimensional imagery.

An automated system for mitigating risk from a wind turbine includes a plurality of optical imaging sensors. A controller receives and analyzes images from the optical imaging sensors to automatically send a signal to curtail operation of the wind turbine to a predetermined risk mitigating level when the controller determines from images received from the optical imaging sensors that an airborne animal is at risk from the wind turbine.

An automated system for mitigating risk from a wind farm. The automated system may include an array of a plurality of image capturing devices independently mounted in a wind farm. The array may include a plurality of low resolution cameras and at least one high resolution camera. The plurality of low resolution cameras may be interconnected and may detect a spherical field surrounding the wind farm. A server is in communication with the array of image capturing devices. The server may automatically analyze images to classify an airborne object captured by the array of image capturing devices in response to receiving the images.

Described is a system for monitoring deflection of turbine blades of a wind turbine comprising a tower. The system comprises a position detecting apparatus mounted to the wind turbine, the position detection apparatus comprising position detection components each detecting a presence or absence of a corresponding one of the segments of the turbine blades; and a deflection controller configured to receive the presence or absence detection and to use the presence or absence detection to determine a distance of each of the segments of the turbine blades relative to the tower, whereby the distance of each of the segments of the turbine blades relative to the tower is representative of the deflection of the turbine blades.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and methods for generating three dimensional (3D) images with increased composite vertical field of view and composite resolution for a spinning three-dimensional sensor, based on actuating the sensor to generate a plurality of sensor axis orientations as a function of rotation of the actuator. The output data from the sensor, such as a spinning LIDAR, is transformable as a function of the actuator angle to generate three dimensional imagery.

Provided is a computer-implemented analysis of a wind farm including wind turbines, including applying an object detection algorithm to a digital image showing the current state of the earth's ground in a surrounding area of the wind farm which extracts and localizes detected objects not belonging to the wind farm within the image; identifying specific objects out of detected objects, each specific object having an influence on the air flow occurring at the rotor of at least one wind turbine; determining whether there is a change with respect to the number of specific objects in comparison to an earlier state of the earth's ground in the surrounding area of the wind farm; and performing one or more actions if there is a change with respect to the number of specific objects in comparison to the earlier state of the earth's ground in the surrounding area of the wind farm.

[00001]$\mathrm{Figure}1$

Described is a system for monitoring deflection of turbine blades of a wind turbine comprising a tower. The system comprises a position detecting apparatus mounted to the wind turbine, the position detection apparatus comprising position detection components each detecting a presence or absence of a corresponding one of the segments of the turbine blades; and a deflection controller configured to receive the presence or absence detection and to use the presence or absence detection to determine a distance of each of the segments of the turbine blades relative to the tower, whereby the distance of each of the segments of the turbine blades relative to the tower is representative of the deflection of the turbine blades.

A main shaft assembly of a wind turbine and method for manufacturing the same are provided. Accordingly, the main shaft assembly includes a structural/shaft body defining a cavity therein. The shaft body is configured to transmit a load of the wind turbine developed in response to the wind. An inner body is located within the cavity. The inner body is non-loadbearing with respect to the load. At least one sensor is coupled to the inner body and positioned within the cavity for detecting a deflection of the shaft body in response to the load.

A method for assessing and inspection of wind turbine blades 4, in particular moving wind turbine blades, comprising the steps of directing a data capture device such as a camera system 1 towards a wind turbine blade 4 that is to be assessed. The camera system 1 can be attached to an aerial craft such as a helicopter 3, and is provided with a laser 13 that is used to track the motion of the blade 4 that is to be assessed. The laser 13 may be adapted to track a single blade 4 or the camera system 1 may be provided with multiple lasers to track multiple blades of the same turbine at the same time. The method further comprises collecting data of the state or condition of the blade 4 using the camera system 1 during the time that the helicopter 3 navigates around the wind turbine 2. The image data of the blade that is captured is fed into a computer processor (not shown) which can be on-board the helicopter 3 or at a remote location. The computer processor is adapted to reconstruct the image data into a 2-D or 3-D virtual digital image of the wind turbine 2. The method further comprises using at least one algorithm to compare and contrast various parts of the digital image generated by the reconstruction, with corresponding parts of a predetermined image of a healthy wind turbine, to identify defects or damage to the actual wind turbine, and the extent of the defects and damage. Using machine learning and A.I., the method is able to ascertain if and when replacement of the wind turbine blade may be necessary. An apparatus for undertaking the method is also claimed.

An automated system for mitigating risk from a wind farm. The automated system may include an array of a plurality of image capturing devices independently mounted in a wind farm. The array may include a plurality of low resolution cameras and at least one high resolution camera. The plurality of low resolution cameras may be interconnected and may detect a spherical field surrounding the wind farm. A server is in communication with the array of image capturing devices. The server may automatically analyze images to classify an airborne object captured by the array of image capturing devices in response to receiving the images.