Patents by Inventor Erkki Ahola

Erkki Ahola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11472434
    Abstract: A vehicle (4) comprising a vehicle accessory arrangement (2), the vehicle accessory arrangement, including a working equipment (6), is mounted on the vehicle (4), The vehicle accessory arrangement (2) is configured to receive current position data, e.g. GPS data, and working assignment data including route data for a working assignment for said vehicle (4) provided with said working equipment (6). The accessory control unit (8) is provided with a vehicle data set comprising control characteristics of the vehicle (4) on which the accessory arrangement (2) is mounted, and is configured to determine: navigation and drive control commands adapted to control said vehicle (4) provided with said vehicle accessory arrangement (2) to work in an autonomous mode and to travel along a route of a working assignment, working control commands adapted to control said vehicle (4) such that working procedures performed by said working equipment (6) are supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Hiab AB
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Hannu Hyttinen
  • Patent number: 11307588
    Abstract: A vehicle accessory arrangement (2) structured to be mounted on a vehicle (4), the accessory arrangement (2) comprises a working equipment (6), an accessory control unit (8) configured to determine accessory control signals (10) and to control said working equipment (6) by said signals, and an accessory communication bus (12) comprising a bus interface (14) configured to connect said accessory communication bus (12) to a vehicle communication bus (16) provided at said vehicle. The accessory arrangement (2) comprises a wireless signal receiver (18) configured to receive current position data, e.g. GPS data, and working assignment data including route data for a working assignment for said vehicle (4) provided with said working equipment (6). The accessory control unit (8) is configured to receive a vehicle data set among a plurality of different vehicle data sets, each of said plurality of vehicle data sets comprises control characteristics of a vehicle on which the accessory arrangement may be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Hiab AB
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Hannu Hyttinen
  • Publication number: 20200285237
    Abstract: A vehicle accessory arrangement (2) structured to be mounted on a vehicle (4), the accessory arrangement (2) comprises a working equipment (6), an accessory control unit (8) configured to determine accessory control signals (10) and to control said working equipment (6) by said signals, and an accessory communication bus (12) comprising a bus interface (14) configured to connect said accessory communication bus (12) to a vehicle communication bus (16) provided at said vehicle. The accessory arrangement (2) comprises a wireless signal receiver (18) configured to receive current position data, e.g. GPS data, and working assignment data including route data for a working assignment for said vehicle (4) provided with said working equipment (6). The accessory control unit (8) is configured to receive a vehicle data set among a plurality of different vehicle data sets, each of said plurality of vehicle data sets comprises control characteristics of a vehicle on which the accessory arrangement may be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Erkki AHOLA, Hannu HYTTINEN
  • Publication number: 20200283018
    Abstract: A vehicle (4) comprising a vehicle accessory arrangement (2), the vehicle accessory arrangement, including a working equipment (6), is mounted on the vehicle (4), The vehicle accessory arrangement (2) is configured to receive current position data, e.g. GPS data, and working assignment data including route data for a working assignment for said vehicle (4) provided with said working equipment (6). The accessory control unit (8) is provided with a vehicle data set comprising control characteristics of the vehicle (4) on which the accessory arrangement (2) is mounted, and is configured to determine: navigation and drive control commands adapted to control said vehicle (4) provided with said vehicle accessory arrangement (2) to work in an autonomous mode and to travel along a route of a working assignment, working control commands adapted to control said vehicle (4) such that working procedures performed by said working equipment (6) are supported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Erkki AHOLA, Hannu HYTTINEN
  • Patent number: 8418618
    Abstract: A method of small-charge blasting, a rock drilling unit and a front guide to be used therein. By means of a rock drill machine provided in the rock drilling unit, a hole is first drilled into a material to be excavated and, subsequently, a drilling tool is pulled out of the hole. Next, one or more propellants comprising a propellant charge are fed to the bottom of the hole through a propellant feed channel provided in connection with a feed beam. Then, the hole is sealed and the propellant is ignited, whereupon a high gas pressure is generated, which causes fractioning in the material to be excavated. During the feeding and ignition of the propellant, the rock drill machine is kept in a parallel direction with respect to the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining & Construction Oy
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Veikko Räisänen
  • Patent number: 8342261
    Abstract: A method for small-charge blasting, and a rock drilling unit used therein. By means of a rock drilling machine of the rock drilling unit, a drill hole is first drilled into material to be excavated, after which one or more cartridges comprising a propellant charge are fed through a drilling tool onto the bottom of the drill hole. The drilling unit comprises a cartridge feed station, which is separate from the rock drilling machine and from which the cartridges may be fed into a longitudinal channel in the drilling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining & Construction Oy
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Veikko Räisänen
  • Patent number: 8151901
    Abstract: A pressure fluid operated impact device comprising a frame (2) whereto a tool (3) is mountable movably in its longitudinal direction, and control means (7) for controlling pressure fluid feed to the impact device (1), as well as a method of generating a stress pulse in a pressure fluid operated impact device. The impact device (1) comprises a working chamber (8) and a transmission piston (9) moving therein. Energy charging means for charging energy of pressure fluid and the control means are coupled to allow periodically alternately pressure fluid to flow to the working chamber (8) and, correspondingly, to discharge pressure fluid from the working chamber (8). In the method, pressure fluid is fed to the working chamber (8), which produces a force pushing the transmission piston (9) in the direction of the tool (3), thus generating a stress pulse in the tool (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin, Timo Muuttonen
  • Patent number: 8061434
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a pressure fluid operated percussion device and to a pressure fluid operated percussion device. The method includes influencing the shape of a stress wave by setting a suitable clearance between a transmission piston and a tool. The percussion device is provided with a device for setting the clearance between the transmission piston and the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola
  • Patent number: 7891437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for breaking rock to be drilled in rock drilling, in which method the rock to be drilled is subjected to successive stress pulses via a tool. The method comprises stress pulses being exerted on the rock at a high frequency, and the load proportion calculated on the basis of the values of the frequency and the length (tp) of the stress wave being at least 0.075.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining & Construction OY
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Erkki Ahola, Mauri Esko, Aimo Helin
  • Patent number: 7878263
    Abstract: A pressure-fluid-operated percussion device includes a frame allowing a tool to be arranged movably in its longitudinal direction. Pressure liquid is fed to the percussion device and returned to a pressure liquid tank. A stress pulse is produced in the tool utilizing pressure of the pressure liquid. A pressure liquid source maintains pressure in the working pressure chamber. Pressure liquid is intermittently fed to the percussion device such that the pressure liquid pushes a transmission piston into a predetermined backward position. Pressure liquid is alternately discharged rapidly from the percussion device so that the pressure of the pressure liquid in the working pressure chamber and the pressure liquid flowing from the pressure liquid source pushes the transmission piston towards the tool, generating a stress pulse in the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction OY
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin
  • Patent number: 7836969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a pressure fluid operated percussion device comprising a working chamber for pressure fluid and in the working chamber a transmission piston installed movably with respect thereto so as to enable a tool installed in the percussion device to be pressed against a material to be broken in order to generate a stress pulse, and to a percussion device. The method comprises adjusting the length of the stress pulse by adjusting the time during which pressure influences the transmission piston. The percussion device comprises an adjustment element and adjustment means for adjusting the influence time of the pressure of the pressure fluid being fed via a control valve and influencing the transmission piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction OY
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Mauri Esko, Aimo Helin, Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Juha Piispanen
  • Publication number: 20100275801
    Abstract: A method of small-charge blasting, a rock drilling unit and a front guide to be used therein. By means of a rock drill machine provided in the rock drilling unit, a hole is first drilled into a material to be excavated and, subsequently, a drilling tool is pulled out of the hole. Next, one or more propellants comprising a propellant charge are fed to the bottom of the hole through a propellant feed channel provided in connection with a feed beam. Then, the hole is sealed and the propellant is ignited, whereupon a high gas pressure is generated, which causes fractioning in the material to be excavated. During the feeding and ignition of the propellant, the rock drill machine is kept in a parallel direction with respect to the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Veikko Räisänen
  • Publication number: 20100270076
    Abstract: A method for small-charge blasting, and a rock drilling unit used therein. By means of a rock drilling machine of the rock drilling unit, a drill hole is first drilled into material to be excavated, after which one or more cartridges comprising a propellant charge are fed through a drilling tool onto the bottom of the drill hole. The drilling unit comprises a cartridge feed station, which is separate from the rock drilling machine and from which the cartridges may be fed into a longitudinal channel in the drilling tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Veikko Räisänen
  • Patent number: 7743851
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a rock drilling rig for drilling a hole in a rock. In the method the hole is drilled with a so-called top-hammer rock drilling rig including a drill rod and a cone roller bit at the end of the drill rod. During drilling with the percussion device, stress pulses of low amplitude are produced at a high frequency of at least 200 Hz. In the rock drilling rig, the cone roller bit (3) at the end of the drill rod and the percussion device are configured to feed stress pulses of low amplitude, at the frequency of at least 200 Hz, via the drill rod and the cone roller bit to the rock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Mauri Esko, Jorma Mäki, Aimo Helin, Juha Piispanen, Erkki Ahola
  • Patent number: 7717190
    Abstract: A method and software product for controlling a percussion device belonging to a rock-drilling machine, and a percussion device. The impact frequency of the percussion device is set so that the percussion device forms a new compression stress wave to the tool always when reflected waves from the previous compression stress waves reach a first end of the tool. This requires that the impact frequency be set proportional to the propagation time of the stress wave, whereby the length of the used tool and the propagation velocity of the stress wave in the tool material are to be noted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Aimo Helin, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola
  • Publication number: 20090266568
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a pressure fluid operated percussion device comprising a working chamber for pressure fluid and in the working chamber a transmission piston installed movably with respect thereto so as to enable a tool installed in the percussion device to be pressed against a material to be broken in order to generate a stress pulse, and to a percussion device. The method comprises adjusting the length of the stress pulse by adjusting the time during which pressure influences the transmission piston. The percussion device comprises an adjustment element and adjustment means for adjusting the influence time of the pressure of the pressure fluid being fed via a control valve and influencing the transmission piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Erkki Ahola, Mauri Esko, Aimo Helin, Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Juha Piispanen
  • Publication number: 20090188686
    Abstract: A method and software product for controlling a percussion device belonging to a rock-drilling machine, and a percussion device. The impact frequency of the percussion device is set so that the percussion device forms a new compression stress wave to the tool always when reflected waves from the previous compression stress waves reach a first end of the tool. This requires that the impact frequency be set proportional to the propagation time of the stress wave, whereby the length of the used tool and the propagation velocity of the stress wave in the tool material are to be noted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Aimo Helin, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola
  • Publication number: 20090065256
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a rock drilling rig for drilling a hole in a rock. In the method the hole is drilled with a so-called top-hammer rock drilling rig including a drill rod and a cone roller bit at the end of the drill rod. During drilling with the percussion device, stress pulses of low amplitude are produced at a high frequency of at least 200 Hz. In the rock drilling rig, the cone roller bit (3) at the end of the drill rod and the percussion device are configured to feed stress pulses of low amplitude, at the frequency of at least 200 Hz, via the drill rod and the cone roller bit to the rock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Mauri Esko, Jorma Maki, Aimo Helin, Juha Piispanen, Erkki Ahola
  • Publication number: 20090025948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a pressure fluid operated percussion device and to a pressure fluid operated percussion device. The method comprises influencing the shape of a stress wave by setting a suitable clearance between a transmission piston and a tool. The percussion device is provided with means for setting the clearance between the transmission piston and the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola
  • Patent number: 7441608
    Abstract: A percussion device for a rock drilling machine or the like, which includes providing an impact, i.e. a stress pulse, to a tool connected to the percussion device. The the stress pulse is provided by way of a stress element of liquid, which is supported to a body of the percussion device. The stress element is subjected to pressure and correspondingly the stress element is released abruptly, whereby the stress energy is discharged as a stress pulse to the tool in direct or indirect contact with the stress element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Erkki Ahola, Ari Kotala