Patents Represented by Attorney Michael C. Prewitt
  • Patent number: 8283903
    Abstract: The method determines the optimal settings for the controllable taps ut of voltage regulating transformers and the capacitor bank switches uc in a distribution network. Var optimization is calculated with the controllable tap settings ut fixed at an initial value, or the best value found so far, to output an optimized set of control settings uc. Voltage optimization is calculated with the control settings uc fixed at the best solution found so far, to output an optimal set of control settings ut. Using an objective function, system performance is evaluated using the optimal set of control settings ut and uc and repeating the steps until either the control values ut and uc do not change from one iteration to the next, the objective function value does not change or if the new objective function value is greater than the last. The control values ut and uc are then output to a distribution control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoming Feng
  • Patent number: 8285498
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for detection and automatic identification of defects in rolling bearings applicable in diagnosing rolling bearings and detecting damage in a very early stage of its occurrence. The inventive method in which the vibrations of a bearing in operation are measured, the measured analogue signals are converted to digital data which are filtered and next shock pulses are detected, whereupon defects present in the tested bearing or bearings are identified, characterized in that the detection of shock pulses is done using shock pulse likelihood ratio (Ms).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Kari Saarinen, Jaroslaw Nowak
  • Patent number: 8205819
    Abstract: An automatic dereeler includes a rocker arm that is movable between various positions to indicate the relative tension on a continuously supplied material. A sensor detects the rocker arm position which is transmitted to a controller. The controller actively controls a motor to either increase or decrease the resistive torque on a rotating axle that carries the continuous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Andrew T. Groff, Stephen J. Schmidt, Thomas E. Dotson
  • Patent number: 8168901
    Abstract: A cutout is used in an electrical distribution network to electrically connect a first electric cable with a second electrical cable, The cutout includes an electrically non-conductive insulator having first and second end. A first terminal assembly is secured to the first insulator end. A second terminal assembly is secured to the second insulator end. A failsafe fuse assembly is pivotally secured to the second terminal and is movable between an engaged position and a lockout position. A reclosing mechanism is secured to the first terminal and monitors electrical current through the fuse assembly. If a fault condition exists, the reclosing mechanism opens and then closes the electrical link between the first and second electrical cable. If, after a predetermined number of closes, the fault condition still exists, the reclosing mechanism disconnects from the fuse assembly, allowing the fuse assembly to fall to the lockout position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Mohamed Y. Haj-Maharsi
  • Patent number: 8082500
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with an intelligent electronic device coupled to a switching device used in a power system, wherein a user-interface software program operates on a computing device which is operatively connected to the intelligent electronic device. The user-interface software program when executed by the processor of the computing device provides a plurality of wizards selectable by a user. Upon selecting a wizard to be executed, the user-interface software program causes the display on a monitor of a first window displaying wizard controls for guiding a user in the execution of one or more steps related to the selected wizard, and a second window separate from the first window displaying information related to the step under execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Michael Mendik, Anton Poeltl
  • Patent number: 8045307
    Abstract: A method of identifying fault conditions in a three phase power system includes monitoring the changes of both the current and voltage properties on a three phase power network. A maximum phase change value of both the current and voltage is determined. Either the voltage or the current values are selected, whichever includes the largest maximum phase change. Thereafter, the selected set of measurements is analyzed to determine whether a fault condition exists on any phase of the three phase power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Florin Peter Selejan
  • Patent number: 7979222
    Abstract: A method of forecasting loads on a distribution network is disclosed. The method employs load profiles in combination with short-term load estimations to forecast expected loads on a distribution network. The predicted loads may then be used by power restoration controllers when performing back-feed capacity checks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Vaibhav Donde, Zhenyuan Wang, Mohamed Maharsi, Fang Yang, James Stoupis
  • Patent number: 7889342
    Abstract: A sensor is provided that measures web caliper using optical and magnetic measuring devices. The optical measuring devices may employ a confocal chromatic aberration method to accurately determine the distance to the moving web and the magnetic devices may be ferrite core coil and target. Means of stabilizing a moving web are included for improving dynamic measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventors: Ake Hellstrom, Rambod Naimi, Michael O'Hora
  • Patent number: 7847943
    Abstract: A sensor is provided that measures web caliper using optical and magnetic measuring devices. The optical measuring devices may employ a confocal chromatic aberration method to accurately determine the distance to the moving web and the magnetic devices may be ferrite core coil and target. Means of stabilizing a moving web are included for improving dynamic measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventors: Ake Hellstrom, Rambod Naimi, Michael O'Hora
  • Patent number: 7780817
    Abstract: A method for measuring both caliper and tension of a web such as paper wound into a roll. The method may include a standard caliper sensor whose air supply is selectively modified to allow for both the measurement of caliper and tension of the web. In another embodiment two similar or identical measurement devices are installed in tandem where one device measures tension without pinching the sheet and the other device measures caliper. The sensor may include two sheet guides for providing support for tension measurement or one or both sheet guides can be eliminated by support from machinery rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventor: Ake Hellstrom
  • Patent number: 7662262
    Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for applying steam from a steam source to a moving web to thereby improve the smoothness and gloss of the web. A housing has at least one cooling chamber upstream and at least one steam chamber downstream. The cooling air in the cooling chamber is used to cool the web before steam is applied to the web from the steam chamber. This allows a sufficient volume of steam to be delivered to the web to thereby raise its moisture content to a desired level to thus achieve optimized calendering of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hamel
  • Patent number: 7550960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a voltage potential in a power switching device. The method and apparatus uses a conductive shield surrounding a coil positioned around a connector in a power switching device. The coil is used to provide a current measuring device within the power switching device. The combination of the shield, connector and the dielectric between them forms a capacitor, which is the high voltage leg of a capacitive voltage divider circuit. The capacitive voltage divider has a low voltage leg made of one or more capacitors. The capacitors of the low voltage leg may be removed in order to adjust the output of the capacitive voltage divider. The output of the voltage divider circuit is measured, converted and displayed to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Erskine R. Barbour, Mietek T. Glinkowski
  • Patent number: 7385155
    Abstract: A power switching device for use in a power distribution network has a conductive element that is shaped in a non-cylindrical form. The non-cylindrical shape of the conductive element allows the non-conductive material such as epoxy that is used to form the body of the device to securely fasten the conductive element in place to thereby keep the conductive element from rotating when excessive rotational force is applied to the conductor. The conductive element can be shaped with a protrusion or in a C-shape. The protrusion and C-shape help prevent rotation of the conductive element when a threaded bolt is applied to secure a power cable to one end of the conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Marty L. Trivette, Oliver Claus, Edgar Dullni, Hoan D. Le
  • Patent number: D593961
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Roy Ball, Timothy Masters
  • Patent number: D595170
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Timothy Frankland Masters, Samuel Bovenzi, Roy Ball
  • Patent number: D595662
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Roy Ball, Timothy Masters
  • Patent number: D611004
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Robert Nutting, Roy Ball, Timothy Masters
  • Patent number: D621784
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Andrew Bower, Tim Masters, Roy Ball
  • Patent number: D621793
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Robert Nutting, Roy Ball, Timothy Masters
  • Patent number: D640642
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Ball, Timothy F. Masters, Andrew Bower