Patents Assigned to AB Volvo
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Patent number: 8181502Abstract: There is provided a method of calibrating a measurement system for measuring a position (h) of a meniscus of a liquid fuel included within a marine fuel tank and therefrom generating a corresponding content signal indicative of a proportion of the tank filled with fuel.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: AB Volvo PentaInventor: Pål Loodberg
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Publication number: 20120095628Abstract: There is elucidated a safety system for a marine vessel. The vessel includes two engines coupled to propellers for propelling the vessel through water. The vessel is provided with a digital anchor in communication with the two engines for maintaining the vessel substantially at a defined location when the anchor is activated. The safety system includes a sensor assembly coupled to a data processing assembly for sensing a region of said water at least partially surrounding the vessel for detecting one or more persons present in the region and for modifying operation of the digital anchor is response to the one or more persons being detected. The invention is of advantage in that the digital anchor is capable of responding to the one or more persons being present in the water and thereby reducing a risk of injury or loss of life when the digital anchor is employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: AB VOLVO PENTAInventor: Lennart Arvidsson
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Patent number: 8060265Abstract: There is provided a boat (200) including a hull (20), and two engines (30, 50) couplable to rotationally drive mutually spaced separate corresponding propeller assemblies for providing thrusts. Directions of the thrusts are angularly adjustable (?1, ?2) relative to the hull (20). A control unit (70) receives first and second user commands (S1, S2) and sends corresponding signals for controlling powers (P1, P2) coupled from the engines (30, 50) to their propeller assemblies. The control unit (70) determines a difference in power (?P) to be coupled to the propeller assemblies as a function of the first and second user commands (S1, S2). The control unit (70) controls coupling of power (P1, P2) to the propeller assemblies so that the propeller assemblies develop a difference in thrust which is a function of the difference in power (?P).Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: AB Volvo PentaInventors: Oddbjorn Hallenstvedt, Anders L Larsson
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Patent number: 7996122Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring coupling ratios in a marine vessel. The vessel includes: (a) a source of mechanical power; (b) a coupling system operatively coupled via a first input shaft to the source of power and operatively coupled via a second output shaft to one or more propellers of the vessel; and (c) a controller coupled to a user interface and also to the coupling system such that the user interface is operable via the controller to control a degree of power coupling occurring in operation through the coupling system. The first and second shafts are provided with first and second rotation rate sensors respectively coupled to the controller for generating first and second rotation rate signals indicative in operation of rotation rates of the first and second shafts respectively. The method involves measuring a ratio of the first and second signals when the coupling system is in a fully coupled state.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: AB Volvo PentaInventors: P{dot over (a)}l Loodberg, Marcus Broberg
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Publication number: 20110174576Abstract: A method and a draining adapter are provided for draining fluids, especially lubricant oils, from an engine or machine like a combustion engine and especially from a boat drive or another engine which is not accessible from underneath in order to open an outlet and let the fluid flow out.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2007Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: AB Volvo PentaInventor: Staffan Mansson
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Publication number: 20110144851Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for monitoring oil condition. In one embodiment, a marine powertrain is provided that includes a marine engine and a gear casing containing an oil and a gas. An engine speed sensor generates an output value, which indicates a speed of the marine engine. An oil sensor generates an output value, which indicates a condition of the oil. The condition of the oil is selectively monitored according to whether the marine engine is operating at a speed that is less than an engine speed threshold value, which denotes a speed of the marine engine at which the oil and the gas form an oil and aerated gas mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: AB VOLVO PENTAInventors: William GREMMINGER, Emil Hasl
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Publication number: 20110089048Abstract: A method is provided for corrosion protection in a marine construction, such as a marine surface vessel or a marine structure, the marine construction including at least one metal element and a sacrificial anode adapted to be at least partly immerged in an electrolyte in the form of water, in which the marine construction is at least partly immerged, the at least one metal element including a metal part, the sacrificial anode being provided for corrosion protection of the metal part. The method includes connecting at least one of the at least one metal element and the sacrificial anode to a DC electrical power outlet so as to allow an electric de-passivation current through an electrical circuit including the sacrificial anode, the metal element and the electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2008Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: AB Volvo PentaInventors: Carl Nelvig, Petter Igede
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Publication number: 20110083973Abstract: A method for corrosion protection in a marine construction including a plurality of metal elements and at least one reference electrode at least partly immerged in water, the metal elements including an anode and a metal part, the anode being provided for corrosion protection of the metal part includes measuring an electric potential of the metal part with the reference electrode as a ground reference. At least one of the metal elements and at least one of the at least one reference electrode are connected to a DC electrical power outlet so as to allow an electrical regeneration current through an electrical circuit including the at least one of the metal elements, the at least one of the at least one reference electrode and the electrolyte so that the reference electrode is anodized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2008Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: AB Volvo PentaInventor: Carl Nelvig
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GEAR HOUSING FOR AN AQUATIC VESSEL, BREAKAWAY SAFETY SYSTEM FOR AN AQUATIC VESSEL AND AQUATIC VESSEL
Publication number: 20110056329Abstract: A gear housing for an aquatic vessel is adapted to be attached at an attachment site to an underside of a hull of the aquatic vessel. The gear housing includes at least one weakened region adapted to yield when the gear housing is rotated at the attachment site following an impact. A breakaway safety system includes such a gear housing, and a fracturable member for attaching the gear housing to the hull at the attachment site, wherein the weakened region is adapted to yield such that the fracturable member fractures. An aquatic vessel includes such a gear housing or such a breakaway safety system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2008Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: AB Volvo PentaInventors: Lars Sjöblom, Mathias Aström, Lennart Sellman, Mikael Asberg -
Publication number: 20110053021Abstract: A method and an arrangement for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel such as dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, ethanol, propanol, or any variants or other oxidized fuels is disclosed for generating hydrogen especially for supplying a fuel cell. Furthermore, a fuel cell system is disclosed which includes such an arrangement, especially for providing power to a stationary or mobile power consuming unit like especially an auxiliary power unit (APU) for application in aircraft, ships and vehicles, or as a part of a hybrid drive or as a sole driving unit for, e.g., a ship or a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: AB VOLVOInventors: Bard Lindström, Per Ekdunge, Per Rutquist
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Publication number: 20110000794Abstract: A method in a corrosion protection system for protecting a first and a second metal part of a marine construction is provided. The method includes controlling electrical currents through electrical circuits, including respective anodes, the respective metal parts and an electrolyte, at least partly based on measured electrical potentials of the respective metal parts with an reference electrode as a ground reference. The method further includes repetitively performing the steps of controlling the electrical currents so as to be reduced or eliminated, measuring the electrical potentials while the electrical currents are maintained reduced or eliminated, and, after measuring the first and second electrical potentials, controlling the electrical currents so as to be increased or reestablished.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2008Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: AB VOLVO PENTAInventors: Carl Nelvig, Lennart Arvidsson
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Patent number: 7840318Abstract: A control system for a boat including a first hierarchical control module which receives command signals from sensors connected to a throttle control member to emit a command signal corresponding to the required acceleration and sensors connected to a steering control device to emit a command signal corresponding to the required direction of travel. A second hierarchical control module is arranged to execute operating routines for power units including at least a propulsion motor and a servo device for a direction of travel setting device, where the operating routines generate operating signals for the power units in response to input data in the form of externally received target value signals generated by a third hierarchical control module in response to operating conditions of the boat, and a boat having such a control system.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: AB Volvo PentaInventor: Lars Bremsjö
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Publication number: 20100291816Abstract: There is provided a breakaway safety system for a vessel. The vessel includes: (a) a hull; (b) one or more engine arrangements supported by the hull; and (c) one or more propeller extensions mounted to the hull and coupled to receive motive power from the one or more engine arrangements in operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2008Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: AB Volvo PentaInventor: Lennart Arvidsson
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Patent number: 7828863Abstract: A method and an arrangement for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel such as dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, ethanol, propanol, or any variants or other oxidized fuels is disclosed for generating hydrogen especially for supplying a fuel cell. Furthermore, a fuel cell system is disclosed which includes such an arrangement, especially for providing power to a stationary or mobile power consuming unit like especially an auxiliary power unit (APU) for application in aircraft, ships and vehicles, or as a part of a hybrid drive or as a sole driving unit for, e.g., a ship or a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: AB VolvoInventors: Bard Lindström, Per Ekdunge, Per Rutquist
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Patent number: 7780490Abstract: A watercraft with a control system includes at least two propulsion units carried by a hull of the watercraft. Each propulsion unit is independently turnable. The watercraft includes a control system arranged to control orientation of the propulsion units. The control system includes a first control mode in which turning of two of the propulsion units is limited to turning through less than an entire range of motion of the two propulsion units, in equal amounts, and in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal centerline of the watercraft.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: AB Volvo PenlaInventor: Kent Lundgren
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Patent number: 7726952Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a compressed air system in a vehicle that includes a connection (6, 10) for delivering compressed air from a compressor (2) to the rest of the compressed air system (1). An oxidation catalytic converter (9) is included that is designed to clean the compressed air and which is located along the connection (6, 10). The connection (6, 10) includes a line (10) that forms a connection between the oxidation catalytic converter (9) and the rest of the compressed air system. The invention also includes a valve (11) that is arranged upstream of the rest of the compressed air system (1) and that can be adjusted so that in a first position it will allow and in a second position will prevent the delivery of air to the rest of the compressed air system (1), depending on the operating condition of the compressor (2). The invention provides an improved system in which the risk of contaminated air being delivered to the compressed air system is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: AB VolvoInventor: Mats Sabelström
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Mounting arrangement for a drive unit of a boat, and boat with mounting arrangement for a drive unit
Patent number: 7690959Abstract: A mounting arrangement is provided for mounting a boat drive to a boat hull and includes a mounting collar including a first plate having a first opening therein and a first wall extending from a top surface of the first plate around the first opening and defining a first cylinder. The mounting arrangement also includes a clamping collar including a second plate having a second opening therein and a second wall extending from a top surface of the second plate around the second opening and defining a second cylinder, an external shape of at least a top end of the first cylinder substantially matching an internal shape of at least a bottom end of the second cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: AB Volvo PentaInventors: Edmund Alexander Szilagyi, David John Anspach, Andrew Ross Pelton -
Publication number: 20100068950Abstract: A watercraft with a control system includes at least two propulsion units carried by a hull of the watercraft. Each propulsion unit is independently turnable. The watercraft includes a control system arranged to control orientation of the propulsion units. The control system includes a first control mode in which turning of two of the propulsion units is limited to turning through less than an entire range of motion of the two propulsion units, in equal amounts, and in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal centerline of the watercraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: AB VOLVO PENTAInventor: Kent Lundgren
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Patent number: 7666040Abstract: Enhanced watercraft performance is provided by combinations of one or more inboard swivel propulsion drives and hull tunnels. A tunnel at the hull centerline with specific features provides performance advantages for a center swivel propulsion drive. Use of front propeller based traction propulsion is particularly advantageous in the swivel drive systems and allows the use of tunnels with improved tunnel conformations. Advantages of the traction swivel drive arrangements include minimization of hull space with smaller engine room volume, greater propulsion efficiency and improved watercraft handling.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: AB Volvo PentaInventor: Lennart Sven Mikael Arvidsson
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Publication number: 20090276148Abstract: There is elucidated a safety system for a marine vessel. The vessel includes two engines coupled to propellers for propelling the vessel through water. The vessel is provided with a digital anchor in communication with the two engines for maintaining the vessel substantially at a defined location when the anchor is activated. The safety system includes a sensor assembly coupled to a data processing assembly for sensing a region of said water at least partially surrounding the vessel for detecting one or more persons present in the region and for modifying operation of the digital anchor is response to the one or more persons being detected. The invention is of advantage in that the digital anchor is capable of responding to the one or more persons being present in the water and thereby reducing a risk of injury or loss of life when the digital anchor is employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: AB VOLVO PENTAInventor: Lennart Arvidsson