An automated method to determine modal characteristics of a wind turbine tower at an offshore location in a continuous manner includes reading one or more sensor data signals, prefiltering the one or more sensor data signals to divide the signals into a plurality of time segments, obtaining a frequency domain representation of each of the plurality of time segments by computing a Power Spectral Density (PSD) of each of the time segments to identify one or more frequency peaks in each of the time segments, assigning a probability to each of the frequency peaks in the PSD of each of the time segments, combining all assigned probabilities and determining the likelihood of the one or more frequency peaks. Also disclosed is an offshore wind turbine tower having a turbine control system utilizing the automated method to determine modal characteristics of the wind turbine.

A robot system includes a robot arm, encoders configured to acquire position information of the robot arm, a first control section configured to execute control processing for controlling operation of the robot arm, and a second control section provided independently from the first control section and configured to transmit a position information request signal for requesting the position information to the encoders. The second control section transmits an interrupt signal to the first control section according to the transmission of the position information request signal. The first control section executes the control processing based on the interrupt signal and the position information output from the encoders based on the position information request signal.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

A system for dispensing agricultural fluids onto plants present within a field includes a sensor configured to capture data associated with the plant and a computing system communicatively coupled to the sensor. In this respect, the computing system is configured to receive an input associated with the pesticide present within the agricultural fluid. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to determine a size parameter associated with the plant based on the data captured by the sensor. Moreover, the computing system is configured to determine a selected amount of the pesticide to be dispensed onto the plant based on determined size parameter and the received input associated with the pesticide. Additionally, the computing system is configured to control an operation of the nozzle such that a volume of the agricultural fluid containing the selected amount of the pesticide is dispensed onto the plant.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.

A robot system includes a robot arm, encoders configured to acquire position information of the robot arm, a first control section configured to execute control processing for controlling operation of the robot arm, and a second control section provided independently from the first control section and configured to transmit a position information request signal for requesting the position information to the encoders. The second control section transmits an interrupt signal to the first control section according to the transmission of the position information request signal. The first control section executes the control processing based on the interrupt signal and the position information output from the encoders based on the position information request signal.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. The charging and distribution machines may distribute portable electrical energy storage devices of particular performance characteristics and other attributes based on customer preferences and/or customer profiles. The charging and distribution machines may provide instructions to or otherwise program portable electrical energy storage devices stored within the charging and distribution machines to perform at various levels according to user preferences and user profiles.

An automated method to determine modal characteristics of a wind turbine tower at an offshore location in a continuous manner includes reading one or more sensor data signals, prefiltering the one or more sensor data signals to divide the signals into a plurality of time segments, obtaining a frequency domain representation of each of the plurality of time segments by computing a Power Spectral Density (PSD) of each of the time segments to identify one or more frequency peaks in each of the time segments, assigning a probability to each of the frequency peaks in the PSD of each of the time segments, combining all assigned probabilities and determining the likelihood of the one or more frequency peaks. Also disclosed is an offshore wind turbine tower having a turbine control system utilizing the automated method to determine modal characteristics of the wind turbine.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To avoid theft and tampering of the portable electrical energy storage devices, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is locked in and operably connected to the vehicle to which it provides power unless the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as that in a service center. Once within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device a locking mechanism in the vehicle or within the portable electrical energy storage device unlocks and allows the portable electrical energy storage device to be exchanged or serviced.