Patents by Inventor Heikki Laurila

Heikki Laurila 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: 11402244
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic calibration method for a measuring circuit for example in an industrial automation or handling process, where only one person is needed to manage the entire procedure. The components are a calibrator (11) which the worker in the field has with him, which can be connected to the starting end of the measuring circuit in order to give an impulse. The quantity to be measured/calibrated has not been limited. The measurement result is seen at the end of the measuring circuit on a screen of the control room, i.e. DCS (13). Depending on the alternative embodiment, the measured numerical value can be steered either to a dedicated server (14) over an OPC connection, and onwards wirelessly or via Ethernet back to the calibrator (11). One alternative is to use a smart device (16) which the worker has, with suitable applications, to which the measured data can be sent over a network, and the data is also presentable in a user-friendly manner in such an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: BEAMEX OY AB
    Inventors: Mathias Ray, Anders Nyman, Heikki Laurila
  • Publication number: 20210123821
    Abstract: The present invention combines the functionalities of a multifunctional process calibrator with a heating and/or cooling unit (also called as a dry block). The heating and/or cooling unit and the process calibrator are integrated in a single housing forming the arrangement. The arrangement allows using several digital communication protocols i.e. fieldbus protocols. Temperature sensor simulation is possible as well. Pressure measurement and/or calibration is also enabled. The arrangement is supplied with internal rechargeable battery, which enables all other functionalities without mains power, except the use of the heating and/or cooling unit, where the mains power is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventor: Heikki LAURILA
  • Publication number: 20200096371
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic calibration method for a measuring circuit for example in an industrial automation or handling process, where only one person is needed to manage the entire procedure. The components are a calibrator (11) which the worker in the field has with him, which can be connected to the starting end of the measuring circuit in order to give an impulse. The quantity to be measured/calibrated has not been limited. The measurement result is seen at the end of the measuring circuit on a screen of the control room, i.e. DCS (13). Depending on the alternative embodiment, the measured numerical value can be steered either to a dedicated server (14) over an OPC connection, and onwards wirelessly or via Ethernet back to the calibrator (11). One alternative is to use a smart device (16) which the worker has, with suitable applications, to which the measured data can be sent over a network, and the data is also presentable in a user-friendly manner in such an application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: MATHIAS RAY, ANDERS NYMAN, HEIKKI LAURILA
  • Patent number: 10156880
    Abstract: A process calibrator is formed with functions of a fieldbus communicator. Preferably, functions of a fieldbus communicator support several fieldbus protocols, and it is provided such that the use of it does not hamper the functioning of a process calibrator. This has been achieved by providing the process calibrator with a pair of fieldbus connecting terminals for measuring of the fieldbus signal. The process calibrator comprises a processor, and the pair of fieldbus connecting terminals comprises a signal terminal and a ground terminal. The process calibrator further comprises at least two parallel fieldbus protocol units between the processor and the signal terminal of the pair of fieldbus connecting terminals. Each fieldbus protocol unit is dedicated to its respective fieldbus protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Beamex OY AB
    Inventors: Kari Autio, Heikki Laurila, Marko Stenbacka
  • Patent number: 9863795
    Abstract: A process calibrator is formed with a user interface, which guides to choose the right connection arrangements of the process calibrator according to the function of the process calibrator. The user interface shows in the display of the process calibrator the connection arrangements of the process calibrator and indicates the place of the connection arrangement assigned to the selected function visually compared to other connection arrangements. The connection arrangements shown by the user interface in the display are placed similarly to the physical connection arrangements of the process calibrator. As the user interface indicates the connection arrangement that is assigned to the selected function of the process calibrator, it is easy for the user to make the right connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BEAMEX OY AB
    Inventors: Kari Autio, Heikki Laurila, Marko Stenbacka
  • Publication number: 20150039257
    Abstract: A process calibrator is formed with a user interface, which guides to choose the right connection arrangements of the process calibrator according to the function of the process calibrator. The user interface shows in the display of the process calibrator the connection arrangements of the process calibrator and indicates the place of the connection arrangement assigned to the selected function visually compared. to other connection arrangements. The connection arrangements shown by the user interface in the display are placed similarly to the physical connection arrangements of the process calibrator. As the user interface indicates the connection arrangement that is assigned to the selected function of the process calibrator, it is easy for the user to make the right connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: BEAMEX OY AB
    Inventors: Kari Autio, Heikki Laurila, Marko Stenbacka
  • Publication number: 20150026492
    Abstract: A process calibrator is formed with functions of a fieldbus communicator. Preferably, functions of a fieldbus communicator support several fieldbus protocols, and it is provided such that the use of it does not hamper the functioning of a process calibrator. This has been achieved by providing the process calibrator with a pair of fieldbus connecting terminals for measuring of the fieldbus signal. The process calibrator comprises a processor, and the pair of fieldbus connecting terminals comprises a signal terminal and a ground terminal. The process calibrator further comprises at least two parallel fieldbus protocol units between the processor and the signal terminal of the pair of fieldbus connecting terminals. Each fieldbus protocol unit is dedicated to its respective fieldbus protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Kari Autio, Heikki Laurila, Marko Stenbacka
  • Patent number: 7789332
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the partial pressure of oxygen when mutually separating minerals in the different process steps of the separation process. In order to control the partial pressure of oxygen, the gases fed in the different process steps are recirculated in an essentially closed gas circulation created around the equipment used in the different process steps, so that the gas recirculation is controlled by measuring the potential of the slurry containing valuable minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Seppo Heimala, Heikki Laurila, Mikko Ruonala
  • Publication number: 20060216827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a process, in which method at least part of the process raw materials are conducted into at least one measuring cell that comprises at least one working electrode and at least one reference electrode. In accordance with the invention, in the measuring cell, there is fed together with the raw material at least one component, and the changes caused by said component in the properties of the raw material are measured by a working electrode and a reference electrode provided in the measuring cell, and that the measurement results are utilized in order to define the composition of the raw material, and by means of the defined raw material composition, the process is controlled in order to eliminate a possible altering effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Kari Pulkkinen, Heikki Laurila, Kari Saloheimo, Mikko Lyyra, Seppo Heimala
  • Publication number: 20060169643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the partial pressure of oxygen when mutually separating minerals in the different process steps of the separation process. In order to control the partial pressure of oxygen, the gases fed in the different process steps are recirculated in an essentially closed gas circulation created around the equipment used in the different process steps, so that the gas recirculation is controlled by measuring the potential of the slurry containing valuable minerals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Seppo Heimala, Heikki Laurila, Mikko Ruonala