Patents Assigned to ABB, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120257430
    Abstract: In a neutral-point-clamped power inverter, gate drive circuit comprises four drive blocks providing bipolar DC signals to control switch gates. The first and third drive blocks are bootstrapped to the second and fourth. Inverter's neutral bus is commonly connected to the positive and negative DC buses through clamping capacitors. An arm of four serially-stacked-switches bridges DC buses. The switch arm midpoint is an output of the inverter. A first clamping diode connects the neutral bus to the first switch emitter; a second clamping diode connects the neutral bus to the third switch emitter. In one embodiment, a second switch arm mirrors the first, providing a second output; a second gate drive circuit mirrors the first. A bias circuit provides two reference voltages for the gate drive circuits. Three isolated DC sources provide signals that, when used by the gate drive circuit, result in seven isolated bipolar DC signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Truettner
  • Publication number: 20120253496
    Abstract: Systems and other embodiments for altering a primary roll are described. A system can comprise a calculation component configured to proactively find a caliper for material of a primary roll based, at least in part, on a desired caliper for a material of a secondary roll. The secondary roll can be produced from the primary roll. The system can also comprise a controller configured to proactively cause the material of the primary roll to implement with the caliper in response to finding the caliper for the material of the primary roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ABB INC.
    Inventor: MACIEJ J. MALCZEWSKI
  • Publication number: 20120217053
    Abstract: Arc resistant enclosures for dry-type transformers. More particularly, transformer enclosures having one or more arc-resistant features, including arc channels, arc fault dampers, and arc fault plenums, and methods for providing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Ballard, Nathan T. Sigman, Edgar A. Wimmer, JR., Rafael Gutierrez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120216393
    Abstract: Arc resistant enclosures for dry-type transformers. More particularly, transformer enclosures having one or more arc-resistant features, including arc channels, arc fault dampers, and arc fault plenums, and methods for providing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Ballard, Nathan T. Sigman, Edgar A. Wimmer, JR., Rafael Gutierrez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120218067
    Abstract: Arc resistant enclosures for dry-type transformers. More particularly, transformer enclosures having one or more arc-resistant features, including arc channels, arc fault dampers, and arc fault plenums, and methods for providing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Ballard, Nathan T. Sigman, Edgar A. Wimmer, JR., Rafael Gutierrez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120199450
    Abstract: A motor box is used to rack withdrawable devices into or out of the associated cell in a switchgear cabinet. A hand held control is used to operate the motor box from a remote location. The motor box is attached to a mounting assembly on the switchgear cabinet door. The assembly can be part of the door or separately attached to the door. The mounting assembly allows for easy alignment of the motor box to the door and prevents rotation of the motor box when the box is latched to the mounting assembly. A cart is used to transport the motor box, remote control and associated peripherals to and from the switchgear cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: ABB INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Bower, Michael Murray
  • Publication number: 20120175432
    Abstract: A paint delivery system (10) for delivering paint to a spraying device (34). The paint delivery system (10) includes a launch station (42) connected by a flow line (52) to an arrival station (44) and one or more shuttles. Paint and the one or more shuttles are transmitted from the launch station (42) to the arrival station (44) and the paint is delivered from the arrival station (44) to the spraying device (34). After the paint is delivered to the spraying device (34), the one or more shuttles are returned to the launch station (42) through the flow line (52). In one or more embodiments, the paint transmitted from the launch station (42) is followed or preceded by a predetermined amount of solvent disposed between two shuttles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ABB INC.
    Inventors: Dragoslav Kosta Milojevic, Christopher M. Rennie, Gary J. Ciarelli, Tianjian Ted Wang
  • Publication number: 20120089239
    Abstract: An intelligent interface system is provided for connecting an external application to a distributed control system (DCS). The interface system is operable to automatically scan the DCS to determine its configuration and build a topology model of the DCS. The topology model is used to determine whether data requested from a module in the DCS can be provided by the module. The topology model is constructed to be thread-safe. A throttling mechanism in the interface system protects the DCS from being subjected to excessive data requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Sentgeorge, David M. Carney, Paul E. Hunkar
  • Publication number: 20120006363
    Abstract: A compact robotic wash system is provided for cleaning a work piece. The robotic wash system includes an enclosed wash chamber. A robot is fully disposed inside the wash chamber. The robot has a maximum horizontal reach that is at least 40% of the maximum horizontal linear dimension of the wash chamber. The robot may hold a work piece and move the work piece around a plurality of spray devices. Alternately, the robot may hold one or more spray devices, while a work piece is supported on a movable table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ABB INC.
    Inventors: Dragoslav Milojevic, Kenneth A. Carmack, Daniel A. Raetz, Eric Gauci, James R. Vigneau, Larry X. Blanchard, Paul G. Cazan, Loren J. Cazan, Stephen J. Laski
  • Publication number: 20120010825
    Abstract: A gas chromatograph operable to analyze a sample gas comprising a carrier gas and components. The gas chromatograph includes a bridge circuit with a sample sensor connected therein. A servo amplifier is connected to the bridge circuit and is operable to maintain the sample sensor at a constant temperature. An output of the servo amplifier is digitized and is used to quantify the components in the sample gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Vince B. Hadley, Rodney Wayne Dilbeck
  • Publication number: 20110298470
    Abstract: A system for the detection of welded contacts in a circuit of a line converter system has a plurality of inverter switches, a plurality of utility switches in which a pair of utility switches is connected in series through a line to a utility, a voltage detector, an electronic controller, and a DC input source. The line converter system converts incoming DC power into AC output power that is delivered to the utility grid. The voltage detector measures the voltage across a first node and a second node of the circuit and provides an output that is interpreted by an electronic controller for each step performed during a method of detection of welded contacts. The detection method has a sequence of test steps in which at least one switch is opened and/or closed, a DC bus of the inverter or the utility grid is used as a stimulus voltage, and the voltage is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: ABB OY, ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan P. Gokhale, Douglas W. Karraker, IIkka T. Pajari, Matti T. Jussila
  • Publication number: 20110299312
    Abstract: A full-bridge, NPC inverter uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to convert the DC voltage from a solar panel array to an AC voltage at the output of the inverter that is acceptable for connection to a utility. The PWM control unit has a predetermined carrier frequency. The carrier unit uses for each carrier period either positive or negative values of a reference voltage to generate a predetermined number of signals to control the switching on and off of each of the eight inverter switching elements in a predetermined pattern for a predetermined period of the carrier frequency period to thereby produce the acceptable alternating current voltage at the inverter output and not produce between the inverter input and earth ground a carrier frequency component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Karraker, Kalyan P. Gokhale, Matti T. Jussila
  • Patent number: 8015856
    Abstract: A gas chromatograph controlled by a pair of microprocessors to have improved thermal maintenance and process operation. The microprocessors are operable to run independently of each other, with one microprocessor controlling heaters and other control devices and the other microprocessor running a graphical user interface. The two microprocessors are separated by a gas chromatograph assembly that includes one or more separation columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Vince B. Hadley, Jonathan W. Asher, Anthony P. Walker, Max A. Bailey, Bryan Joseph Acker, Rodney Wayne Dilbeck
  • Publication number: 20110209320
    Abstract: A system and method installs grommets into vehicle grommet holes using vision a six axis robot with a grommet tool and a vision system. The robot arm moves to the general area of a grommet hole and then the vision system determines the exact hole location. Thereafter, the robot moves the grommet tool to the hole to install the grommet. Installation is then confirmed by the vision system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ABB INC.
    Inventor: Brian E. Connolly
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110194317
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes a transformer with a pair of primary coils and a secondary coil. The converter has a DC input and a capacitor bank, having a pair of capacitors, is connected across the DC input. A switch is associated with each primary coil. A gate drive feedback module outputs a pulse width modulated signal to drive either the first or second primary coil. A gate drive switch has as an input the pulse width modulated signal and outputs to the first second switch. A pulse steering logic module determines which of the first or second capacitors has a higher voltage and controls the gate drive switch to direct the pulse width modulated signal in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ABB INC.
    Inventors: Donald J. Truettner, Kalyan P. Gokhale
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110181044
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving power generation in a thermal power plant. A dynamic reactive compensation system is provided and is connected to a high voltage bus or a generator bus of the power plant. The dynamic reactive compensation system comprises power electronic devices and is operable to provide most of the reactive power that is required from the power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: ABB INC.
    Inventors: Brian David Scott, David Larsson
  • Patent number: D640642
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Ball, Timothy F. Masters, Andrew Bower
  • Patent number: D652389
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip R. Thompson, William H. Weishuhn, II, Richard E. Tyner