Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Paul R. Katterle
  • Patent number: 7997122
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an analyzer for measuring the vapor pressure of a hydrocarbon liquid. The analyzer includes a pressure measuring system connected to an air saturation system having a circulation chamber with opposing first and second ends. A first opening is disposed toward the first end and a second opening is disposed toward the second end. A plumbing system connects the first and second openings. A pump moves the hydrocarbon liquid through the plumbing system from the first opening to the second opening so as to saturate the hydrocarbon liquid with air. The air saturation system has a cooler for cooling the hydrocarbon liquid and the pressure measuring system has a heater for heating the hydrocarbon liquid. The pump may be a piston actuated pump or a motor-driven pump and the plumbing system may include an aeration chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Terry E. Davis
  • Patent number: 7992423
    Abstract: A feed-through module for an analyzer, such as a gas chromatograph. The feed-through module is adapted for connection to a plurality of tubes and for conveying fluids between the tubes and an enclosed volume of a housing of the analyzer. The feed-through module includes a connection structure threadably secured to the housing and a feed plate removably mounted to the connection structure. A plurality of connectors are secured to the feed plate. The connection structure and the feed plate cooperate to define a plurality of internal flow networks. Each flow network is operable to convey one of the fluids between one of the connectors and the enclosed volume of the housing. Within each flow network, a stream of fluid is split and then recombined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Max A. Bailey, Vince B. Hadley, Stephen P. Paetz
  • Patent number: 7954360
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a field-mounted analyzer having a graphical user interface (GUI). The analyzer has a display screen visible from the exterior of the housing. A plurality of magnetically-actuatable switches are mounted behind the display screen. The GUI has a plurality of windows that may be displayed on the display screen. Navigation through the windows is accomplished by activating switches aligned with graphical navigation icons in the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Asher, Anthony P. Walker, James Michael Robinson
  • Patent number: 7953849
    Abstract: A software product and method of monitoring a field device in an enterprise having an industrial process. A subscription to the OPC DA server for diagnostic data from the field device is made and a subscription to an OPC AE server for event notifications from the OPC AE server is made. The subscription to the OPC AE server is activated, but the subscription to the OPC DA server is not activated. When an event notification is received from the OPC AE server, the subscription to the OPC DA server is activated. Diagnostic data from the field device is received and device health information from the diagnostic data is generated. The device health information is displayed on a viewing monitor. The subscription to the OPC DA server is then deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Hermes, Joerg Schubert, Paolo Argentieri
  • Patent number: 7948352
    Abstract: A wireless secondary assembly is disclosed for use in an electrical distribution network. The secondary assembly may include a wireless source electrically connected to a first electric cable and adapted to emit an electromagnetic power signal. A wireless receiver is electrically connected to a secondary device and adapted to receive the electromagnetic power signal and convert the electromagnetic power signal to electricity to power to secondary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Le Tang, Mohamed Y. Haj-Maharsi, Ernst Scholtz
  • Patent number: 7930581
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automation device, with which a multiplicity of physically distributed functional units communicate with each other by means of a common transmission protocol. The device has a microcontroller (110), which is assigned at least one clock generator (120) and one memory unit (150), and which is connected at least to one data source (140), which is designed to output a data bit-stream to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Kresse, Andreas Stelter, Ralf Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 7906742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact arrangement for a vacuum interrupter chamber (1), which comprises a pair of inner contact pieces (11, 12), configured as RMF contact pieces, and a pair of outer contact pieces (21, 22) which are connected in parallel and are mounted closely adjacent to the inner contact pieces (11, 12). At least one of the inner contact pieces (11, 12) is movably mounted. The outer contact pieces (21, 22) are also configured as RMF contact pieces. During interruption, the resulting electric arc can commutate completely or partially to the pair of outer contact pieces (21, 22). The inner contact pieces are substantially discoid. Advantageously, the contact pieces (11, 12, 21, 22) are coaxially positioned in relation to each other. The outer contact pieces (21, 22) are advantageously pot-shaped or tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Steffens, Dietmar Gentsch, Kaveh Niayesh
  • Patent number: 7905009
    Abstract: A method of forming a transformer coil, wherein first and second fibrous layers are provided. Each of the first and second fibrous layers includes a fabric formed from a plurality of interconnected fibers and a plurality of spacers affixed to the fabric and protruding therefrom. A conductor layer is disposed over the first fibrous layer such that a first side of the conductor layer contacts the spacers of the first fibrous layer. The second fibrous layer is disposed over the conductor layer such that a second side of the conductor layer contacts the spacers of the second fibrous layer. A resin is applied so as to cover the conductor layer and the first and second fibrous layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: William E. Pauley, Jr., Rush Horton, Jr., Charlie H. Sarver, Curtis H. Frye
  • Patent number: 7894918
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a batch system for managing and analyzing batch runs of a batch process in a process cell. The batch system includes a computer readable medium, a plurality of batch management routines and a plurality of batch analysis routines stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed by the at least one processor. The batch management routines are operable to schedule batch runs and create and edit recipes for the batch process. The batch analysis routines include a batch filter routine, a golden batch routine, a cycle time analysis routine, and a report wizard routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Hemant Kanodia, Mikael H. Davidsson, Rajani Nair, Anne Poorman, Joachim Ruhe, Patrick M. Martin
  • Patent number: 7886424
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transformer is provided. The method includes forming a disc-wound coil by forming a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer and a layer of cooling ducts between the first and second conductor layers. The first and second conductor layers each have a plurality of disc windings arranged in an axial direction of the disc-wound coil. Each of the disc windings includes a conductor wound into a plurality of concentric turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: William E. Pauley, Jr., Charlie H. Sarver, Rush B. Horton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7889480
    Abstract: A panelboard mounts and electrically connects to a plurality of circuit breakers. The panelboard includes a central body portion having a top surface. At least one bus bar is positioned within the central body portion. A pair of opposed legs extend the longitudinal length of the central body portion. A plurality of wells extend downwardly from the top surface and have prongs at the bottom of each well. The prongs are electrically connected to the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventor: Dean S Latham
  • Patent number: 7882615
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a transformer having a stacked core, which includes upper and lower yokes and first and second outer legs. The core also includes one or more inner legs. Each of the upper and lower yokes is formed from a stack of plates and has a rectangular cross-section. Each inner leg is formed from a stack of plates and has a cruciform cross-section. Each of the first and second outer legs is formed from a stack of plates and may have a cruciform cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: William E. Pauley, Jr., Charlie H. Sarver, Rush B. Horton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7880575
    Abstract: A transformer having high and low voltage coils mounted to legs of a core is provided. Each low voltage coil includes conductor sheeting having opposing first and second ends and opposing first and second side edges. A pair of coil bus bars is provided for each low voltage coil. Each coil bus bar has first and second portions, wherein the first portion has a width that is more than one and a half times greater than a width of the second portion. Each coil bus bar is secured to the conductor sheeting of its low voltage coil such that the first portion of the coil bus bar is disposed at the first side edge of the conductor sheeting and the second portion of the coil bus bar is disposed at the second side edge of the conductor sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Randall Farmer, Charlie Sarver
  • Patent number: 7877861
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a transformer having a stacked core, which includes top and bottom yokes and first and second outer legs. The core also includes an inner leg that is formed from a pair of stacked plates, which abut each along a seam that extends in the longitudinal direction of the inner leg. Each of the upper and lower yokes may be formed from a single stack of plates, or a plurality of stacks of plates. Each of the inner and outer legs may also be formed from a single stack of plates, or a plurality of stacks of plates. The cross-section of the core may be rectangular or cruciform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: William E. Pauley, Jr., Charlie H. Sarver, Rush B. Horton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7849726
    Abstract: A gas chromatograph for connection to a source of carrier gas and a source of a sample gas. The gas chromatograph includes a first bridge circuit with a sample sensor connected therein and a second bridge circuit with a reference sensor connected therein. The outputs of the bridge circuits are digitized and then subtracted from each other in a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Max A. Bailey, Vince B. Hadley, Jonathan W. Asher, Rodney Wayne Dilbeck, Anthony P. Walker, Steven Gene Lakey, Stephen P. Paetz, Brent E. Berry, Robert W. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 7845210
    Abstract: A flow control device for a gas chromatograph is provided. The flow control device includes first and second valves each having alpha and beta operating states and a plurality of ports. In each of the first and second valves, the ports are associated to have alpha pairs of the ports and beta pairs of the ports. In the alpha operating state of each of the first and second valves, the ports in each of the alpha pairs are connected and the ports in each of the beta pairs are disconnected. In the beta operating state of each of the first and second valves, the ports in each of the beta pairs are connected and the ports in each of the alpha pairs are disconnected. The first and second valves are formed by a cylindrical manifold plate disposed between cylindrical first and second port plates. A first diaphragm is disposed between the first port plate and the manifold plate and a second diaphragm is disposed between the second port plate and the manifold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventor: Max A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7834736
    Abstract: A distribution transformer adapted for mounting to a utility pole. The distribution transformer includes a plurality of coil assemblies mounted to a ferromagnetic core. Each of the coil assemblies includes a low voltage coil and a high voltage coil. The low voltage coils are connected together and the high voltage coils are connected together. An encasement comprised of an insulating resin encapsulates the core and the coil assemblies. The encasement includes a substantially annular body and a pair of high voltage bushings extending outwardly from the body. Terminals extend from the high voltage bushings and are connected to the high voltage coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Charles W. Johnson, Joel A. Kern
  • Patent number: 7835807
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring assets of an enterprise using a stand-alone software system and a process automation software system are provided. The stand-alone system is operable to generate a web page about a condition of the asset and to transmit data items for the condition in a single data string. The data items include a status of the condition and a URL of the web page. The process automation system includes a human system interface (HSI). An asset monitor in the process automation system is operable to monitor the status of the condition and the HSI is operable to display the data items and the web page from the stand-alone system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Vesel
  • Patent number: 7808360
    Abstract: A resin cast transformer having a core covered by a cushioning material is provided. The cushioning material is in contact with the core and includes a force absorption layer adjoining a force distribution layer. The force distribution layer is harder than the force absorption layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Hoan D. Le, Steve A. Shaw, Libor Ruprecht
  • Patent number: 7756657
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling a batch process. The system includes a control system that is operable to control the batch process and to receive measured process variables of the batch process. An analyzer analyzes a material sample from the batch process and generates array data representative of the composition of the material sample. An analyzer controller is operable to collect the array data from the analyzer and the measured process variables from the control system. A software data server running on a computer is operable to retrieve the array data and the measured process variables from the analyzer controller. A software information management system running on the computer is operable to receive the measured process variables and the array data from the data server and to store the measured process variables and the array data in a database in an associated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Mikael H. Davidson, Hemant Kanodia, Thomas Buijs, Claude LaFond