Patents Assigned to ABB AB
  • Publication number: 20100043587
    Abstract: An industrial robot including a first robot part and a second robot part arranged to be moved in relation to each other. A balancing device is arranged between the first robot part and the second robot part. The balancing device is arranged to counteract a gravitational force upon relative movement of the robot parts. The balancing device includes a mechanical spring and a spring housing arranged enclosing the spring. The spring housing includes at least one air inlet adapted for pressurized air supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventors: Arne Broberg, Roland Erkki
  • Publication number: 20100036526
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an industrial robot including a manipulator. The control system includes a plurality of modules adapted to handle various functions. A first of the modules is a drive module adapted to control the motors driving the movements of the manipulator. A second of the modules is a main computer module adapted to execute a program with instructions for the movements of the manipulator and to plan the movements of the manipulator based on the executed instructions. The control system is adapted to communicate with one or more external devices via an external network. The control system includes an internal network. Each of the modules is arranged as a node in the internal network and includes communication elements for communicating with the other nodes in the internal network. The internal network includes a first part adapted for normal communication and a second part adapted for time critical communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventor: Peter Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20100017164
    Abstract: A method for adaptive compensation of a temperature drift of a sensor, designed to measure the torque of a shaft or a drive train or the force in mechanical equipment during operation. A sensor signal is recurrently measured. An associated temperature is determined. An offset value is calculated as a function of temperature based on measured and stored data. The measured signal value is compensated using the calculated offset value. When the sensor is unloaded or nearly unloaded is detected. When the sensor is unloaded or nearly unloaded the signal sensor signal value and the associated temperature value are stored in a memory and a model of the sensor offset is updated. A system and computer program product for adaptive compensation of the temperature drift of such a sensor signal offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventor: Christer Wallin
  • Publication number: 20100004938
    Abstract: A software management method, including storing customer identifying information in a customer register, storing a subscription agreement of a customer in a subscription agreement register, creating at least one license corresponding to the subscription agreement, storing the license in a license register, generating at least one key corresponding to a scope of the license, and providing the key to the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventors: Arne Sundstrom, John Halderson, Volker Dunklau
  • Patent number: 7644152
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for selecting a recipient of a message. The method can be used in association with a control system that includes a processor adapted for object oriented data processing and a communicator for communication with a plurality of recipients. In the method a recipient for a message that is associated with an object is selected based on information regarding at least one association the object has with objects representing the recipients. A communication system for communication of control messages, a data signal generated for communication in a computerized control system, and a user terminal for a control system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Dominique Blanc, Martin Strand, Patrik Nordling, Tommy Kettu
  • Patent number: 7637710
    Abstract: An industrial robot for moving an object in space comprising a stationary platform, a movable platform arranged for supporting the object, and a first, a second and a third arm to which the platforms are joined. The first arm comprises a first actuator, a first supporting arm influenced by the first actuator and being rotatable around a first axis, and a first linkage. The second arm comprises a second actuator, a second supporting arm influenced by the second actuator and being rotatable around a second axis, and a second linkage. The third arm comprises a third actuator, a third supporting arm influenced by the third actuator and being rotatable around a third axis, and a third linkage. The first and third axes are arranged in parallel and the second supporting arm is freely journalled around a transverse axis that is substantially arranged at right angles to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Hans Skutberg, Åsa Vallin, Torgny Brogårdh, Mathilda Andreasson, Ivan Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20090315572
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating or supervising one or more internal mechanical properties of a metal alloy object with a known chemical composition based on the resistivity of the metal alloy object. The apparatus includes a device for measuring the resistivity of the metal alloy object, and a computation unit adapted to calculate the content of dissolved alloying elements in the metal alloy object based on the measured resistivity and the known chemical composition of the metal alloy, and based thereon to calculate at least one internal mechanical property of the metal alloy object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventors: Sten Linder, Lennart Thegel
  • Patent number: 7630775
    Abstract: A control system for controlling one or more manipulators. One or more drives control motors driving the movements of the manipulator. An axis computer provides control signals to the drives. A main computer is adapted to execute a program with instructions for the movements and supplies the axis computer with control instructions. Physically separated modules are adapted to be placed at separated locations and to handle different functions. Each module may be surrounded by a casing of its own, may have its own power supply and has a well-defined interface in relation to the other modules. The computers and drives are arranged in the modules. One of the modules is a main computer module, which comprises the main computer. Another of the modules is a drive module, which comprises the axis computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Henrik Ryegård, Fredrik Pahlm, Jesper Bergsjö, Peter Eriksson, Ian Bird-Radolovic
  • Patent number: 7620478
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the movements of a plurality of mechanical units. The control system includes a program that includes a plurality of mechanical unit programs. Each program includes movement instructions for at least one of the mechanical units. The control system also includes a plurality of path planners. At least one of the path planners is adapted to receive instructions from more than one of the mechanical unit programs and on basis thereof determine how the mechanical units should move in order to synchronize their movements. The control system further includes switches adapted to switch a mechanical unit program from one path planner to another, whereby the movements of the mechanical units are synchronized when their mechanical unit programs are connected to the same path planner and the movements of the mechanical units are independent when their mechanical unit programs are connected to different path planners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Håkan Fortell, Sven-Erik Johansson, Sven-Erik Lindström
  • Patent number: 7616087
    Abstract: An installation for transmission of electric power via a high-voltage ac voltage line between two switchgear units located at a large distance from each other. For the transmission of the electric power, the ac voltage line includes at least one extruded cable with an inner electric conductor, an insulating layer of a solid material surrounding the conductor, and an outer screen layer located at ground potential. The installation also includes one or more inductors located along the extent of the cable between the switchgear units and integrated into the cable. The inductors are connected between the conductor of the cable and ground for reactive shunt compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Per Halvarsson, Claes Bengtsson, David Larsson, Johan Karlstrand
  • Publication number: 20090276093
    Abstract: An industrial robot system with increased flexibility and control accuracy. The industrial robot system uses a common data bus connecting a master controller, different drive devices, and sensors. The sensors forward sensor data to the drive devices via the common data bus. A controller unit in the drive devices processes sensor data received via the common data bus for control of at least one electric motor being connected to the drive devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventor: Ian Bird-Radolovic
  • Publication number: 20090259412
    Abstract: A system for controlling position and orientation of an object. A first part is adapted to receive forces and torques from a user. A sensor is adapted to measure forces and torques caused by changes in position and orientation of the first part relative to a second part. A data processing unit is arranged to receive measured data from the sensor and based thereon to control the position and orientation of the object. The sensor includes a semiconductor chip with integrated sensor elements. The measuring assembly includes a spring arrangement mounted between the first and second parts and mechanically connected to the sensor for converting forces and torques from the user to changes in position and orientation of the first part relative to the second part. The sensor is adapted to measure forces and torques from the spring arrangement caused by the changes in position and orientation of the first part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventor: Torgny Brogardh
  • Publication number: 20090255642
    Abstract: A device for casting of metal. The device includes a mold, a casting tube via which molten metal is supplied to molten metal in the mold in a region at a distance below a meniscus of the molten metal, and at least one stirrer including an iron core and a coil arranged around the iron core. The iron core is arranged to be elongated along the broad side of the mold and adapted to apply a magnetic field to the molten metal for stirring the melted metal. An upper part of the iron core is positioned at a distance from the meniscus of from 50 mm above the surface of the meniscus to 195 mm below the surface. The length of the iron core in relation to the length of the broad side of the mold is between at least 50% and 80% of the length of the broad side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventors: Sten Kollberg, Jan-Erik Eriksson
  • Patent number: 7602128
    Abstract: A motor controller for controlling an electric motor including a soft starter and a human-machine interface for control and configuration of the soft starter. The soft starter includes a visual display and a selector associated with the visual display. A method to configure a motor controller for controlling an electric motor, including a soft starter and a human-machine interface for control and configuration of the soft starter. A computer program and graphic user interface for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Sören Kling, Gunnar Johansson
  • Publication number: 20090249893
    Abstract: A measuring device including a layer of a magnetoelastic alloy formed on a load-carrying member. The layer is intended for measuring stresses induced by a force applied to the load-carrying member. An average grain size of the layer is in the range of 100 nm to 10 000 nm. A method for production of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventors: Hans Ling, Hakan F. Wintzell, Mingsheng Wang, Per S. Gustafsson, Andrius Miniotas
  • Publication number: 20090208665
    Abstract: A device for controlling the thickness of a metallic coating on an elongated metallic element formed by continuously transporting the element through a bath of molten metal. The device includes at least one pair of electromagnetic wiper members and a second wiper member associated with the at least one pair of electromagnetic wiper members. The second wiper member is designed to apply to the element a jet of gas with a target area essentially according to a line transversely of the element with respect to the direction of the transport path in order to assist the electromagnetic wiper member in the wiping of superfluous molten metal from the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventors: Jan Erik Eriksson, Conny Svahn, Rebei Bel Fdhila, Bengt Rydholm
  • Patent number: 7577497
    Abstract: An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot, which operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit, and an emergency stop unit. The emergency stop unit is arranged movable and the portable operating unit includes a first receiving member for receiving the emergency stop unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Svein Johannessen, Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson, Ralph Sjöberg
  • Patent number: D601100
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Joakim Wåhrenberg
  • Patent number: D603793
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Per-Olof Lindberg
  • Patent number: D605665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Ulrika Falkenberg