Patents Assigned to ABB Research
  • Patent number: 9293909
    Abstract: A power electronics module for enhancing short circuit failure mode (SCFM) transitions. The module is adapted to disconnect a gate unit from the module using a first switch, upon a failure of at least one of a plurality of semiconductor chips during which the failed chip enters an SCFM, and connect a passive circuit arrangement, including at least one capacitor and at least one resistor, to the module using a second switch. The passive circuit arrangement is adapted to switch on at least one of the remaining non-failed semiconductor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Franz Wildner, Thomas Christen, Thorsten Strassel
  • Patent number: 9285787
    Abstract: A model-based control of an industrial process using a merged MLD system model is provided for the estimation and subsequent control of the process. An optimization of an objective function is performed. The objective function includes a difference between an observed quantity and an output variable of a Mixed Logical Dynamic (MLD) system model of the process. The optimization is performed as a function of state variables of the MLD system model, over a number of time steps in the past, and subject to constraints defined by the MLD system model's dynamics. The optimizing values of the state variables are retained as estimated initial states for subsequent control of the process in a model-based manner including the same MLD system model. The single MLD system model is a combination or merger of individual MLD subsystem models representing the sub-processes of the process, and may be elaborated during a customization step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Alvarez Eduardo Gallestey, Jan Poland, Konrad Stadler, Sebastian Gaulocher, Hamed Foroush
  • Patent number: 9279834
    Abstract: A voltage sensor includes an insulator with mutually insulated electrodes embedded therein. The electrodes are coaxial and cylindrical and overlap axially along part of their lengths. They are mutually staggered and control the surfaces of electric equipotential such that there is a substantially homogeneous electric field outside the insulator and a substantially homogeneous but higher field within a sensing cavity within the insulator. A field sensor is arranged within the sensing cavity to locally measure the field. This design allows for the production of compact voltage sensors for high voltage applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Göran Eriksson, Klaus Bohnert, Sergio Vincenzo Marchese, Stephan Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 9275775
    Abstract: An electrical insulation system includes a first insulation layer having a first polymer and a first filler in the form of nanoparticles, and a second insulation layer including a second polymer and a second filler in the form of either chromium oxide, Cr2O3, iron oxide, Fe2O3, or a mixture of chromium oxide and iron oxide. At least one of the insulation layers is in the form of a solid and flat sheet. An insulation system combining the first insulation layer with well dispersed nanoparticles and the second insulation layer filled with Cr2O3particles and/or Fe2O3 particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Anders Bjorklund, Fredrik Sahlen, Henrik Hillborg
  • Patent number: 9276407
    Abstract: A power system includes a power generating plant including a plurality of power generators, and an AC collection grid adapted to interconnect the power generating plant and an HVDC converter station. The AC collection grid is adapted to operate outside network regulations, whereby advantages such as simplified control and electronics are achieved. A method of operating a power system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Staffan Norrga, Antonis Marinopoulos, Konstantinos Papastergiou, Panagiotis Bakas
  • Patent number: 9277586
    Abstract: A method for maintaining network lifetime of a wireless network in wireless communication system, the network including a plurality of device nodes. Selected ones of the wireless nodes have assigned roles in the wireless network. To improve and maintain network lifetime the method includes determining a below threshold operating condition of a first sensor node assigned to a first role and re-assigning the first role to another second node in said network. In other aspects of the invention a method, system and a computer program for carrying out the method are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Pal Orten, Frank Reichenbach
  • Patent number: 9270120
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for adaptive out of step protection for power generators with load resynchronization capability are disclosed. According to one method, when a fault condition occurs in a load being supplied by a power generator, a number of pole slips expected to occur in the generator due to the fault before resynchronization is estimated. It is determined whether the estimated number of pole slips exceeds a threshold. An offline or online status of the generator is controlled based on the determination as to whether the estimated number of pole slips exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Reynaldo F. Nuqui, Yao Chen, Jiuping Pan
  • Patent number: 9264941
    Abstract: A wireless network managing device for a wireless network that is part of a process control system. The wireless network managing device includes a node determination element configured to receive an operator selection of at least one node in the process control system via an operator terminal and determine a field device implementing the functionality of the node, and a bandwidth control element configured to adjust a bandwidth assigned to the at least one field device in an auxiliary data section of a communication structure used by the wireless network based on the received operator selection in order to increase system responsiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Johan Akerberg, Krister Landernas, Mikael Gidlund
  • Patent number: 9263875
    Abstract: A device for controlling an electric field at a high voltage component includes an inner deflector electrically connected to live voltage component; a resistive layer adapted for field control, arranged along the high voltage component, and electrically connected to the live high voltage component and electrically connected to a grounded part, the resistive layer having a nonlinear current-voltage characteristics; an insulating layer extending but ending without reaching the end of the resistive layer; and a semi-conducting or conducting layer arranged on the insulating layer and extending towards the resistive layer and past the end of the insulating layer, thereby defining an outer triple point at the intersection of the resistive layer, the insulating layer, and the semi-conducting or conducting layer. The resistive layer has first, second, and third adjacent sections, wherein a portion of the first section extends below the inner deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Rapp, Ming Li, Mikael Unge, Uno Gafvert, Markus Saltzer
  • Patent number: 9255837
    Abstract: For identifying a fault in an electrical machine vibration is measured in a plurality of radial directions of the stator. On the basis of the vibration measurements a vibration frequency and a mode shape of the vibration at this frequency is determined. Characteristics of the vibration in terms of both the vibration frequency and the mode shape are used to identify a fault condition of the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Pedro Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9257870
    Abstract: A battery energy storage arranged to be connected to a capacitor link, which is connected in parallel to a power converter. The battery energy storage includes a battery module and a direct current energy source connected in series with a voltage source converter. The voltage source converter is adapted to insert a positive voltage when the voltage of the battery module falls below a first threshold value, and to insert a negative voltage when the voltage of the battery module exceeds a second threshold value. The direct current energy source is adapted to be either charged or discharged during the voltage insertion by the voltage source converter. The disclosure also provides a battery energy storage system including such battery energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomas Tengner
  • Patent number: 9257848
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling single-phase DC/AC converters, along with a converter arrangement having at least two single-phase DC/AC converters. A controller is provided which can control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters, and an isolation transformer, wherein outputs of the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters are cascade-connected with each other and an input of the isolation transformer. The controller is configured to control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters to deliver power from their inputs to their outputs by turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Antonio Coccia, Francisco Canales, Leonardo-Augusto Serpa, Mikko Paakkinen
  • Patent number: 9250282
    Abstract: A method of determining a fault parameter of a fault on an AC transmission line 10 of a power distribution system 1 relative to a measurement location 12 of the transmission line 10 comprising: measuring a time-dependent current of the transmission line 10 at the measurement location 12; transmitting a current signal indicative of the measured current to a decision logic section 36, the current signal comprising a plurality of pre-fault current values and a plurality of post-fault current values; determining, by the decision logic section 36, a plurality of phase difference values indicative of respective phase differences between respective pre-fault current values and respective post-fault current values; accumulating the plurality of phase difference values into an accumulated phase difference parameter; obtaining the fault parameter by comparing the accumulated phase difference parameter to a threshold value; and outputting the determined fault parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Abhisek Ukil, Bernhard Deck, Vishal H. Shah
  • Patent number: 9248406
    Abstract: Method for on-line prediction of performance of an RO based desalination plant is disclosed. The method includes: (i) a mathematical model of the RO unit; (ii) on-line estimation of membrane physical parameters of the nonlinear mathematical model representing the RO unit; and (iii) analysis of the estimated membrane transport parameter with respect to time. Based on the analysis of these estimated parameters, plant operators can clean the membranes to restore the performance of the RO desalination plant. The method can be implemented in a computer based control system used for data acquisition and control of an RO based desalination plant. The method can help in maintaining the performance of the RO based desalination plants at a desired level and increase membrane life without affecting quality of permeate water produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Senthilmurugan Subbiah, Babji Buddhi Srinivasa
  • Patent number: 9250772
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an industrial process with a graphical user interface of an operator panel. The graphical user interface is adapted to change between a default mode in which it presents a plurality of objects related to the industrial process, and a user-adapted mode in which a subset of the plurality of objects is presented. The subset of objects is selected based on a parameter value which is associated with each object of the plurality of objects. The graphical user interface enters the user-adapted mode by the method determining whether a time of inactivity of the operator panel exceeds a threshold value, and, provided that the threshold value has been exceeded, removing those objects of the plurality of objects on the graphical user interface which are not included in the subset of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Olausson, Susanne Timsjo, Anders Hanberg
  • Patent number: 9239665
    Abstract: A method in a UI of a process control system is disclosed. The UI is configured to be displayed on an electronic visual display unit connectable to the process control system. The UI is adapted to visually indicate a plurality of components included in at least a part of a process controlled by the process control system. At least one sub-UI, such as a faceplate, is generated, each sub-UI corresponding to a respective component of the plurality of components. The at least one sub-UI is displayed on the display unit. Each of the at least one sub-UI is adapted such that a number of operation information and/or control elements visually indicated in each sub-UI when the at least one sub-UI is displayed on the display unit depends on the number of sub-UIs that are displayed on the display unit at the same time. Furthermore, such a UI is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Susanne Timsjo, Martin Olausson
  • Patent number: 9239914
    Abstract: A method for setting up an access level for use of a software system including different levels of user accesses. The method includes the steps of: using a first user login to log in to the software system, the first user login having a first access level including a first set of permissions; using a second user login to log in to the software system, the second user login having a second access level including a second set of permissions; and combining the permissions of the first set of permissions and the second set of permissions in the software system, thereby setting up the access level for the use of the software system, the access level including the combined permissions of the first set of permissions and the second set of permissions. The invention also relates to computer program products and processor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Isak Savo
  • Patent number: 9238313
    Abstract: A mold for molding a UV cured article in an inner volume thereof, the mold including a mold wall surrounding the inner volume, the mold including a UV-transparent polymer and UV radiation deflecting particles immersed in or adhered to a surface of the mold wall. Also provided is an apparatus including the mold and a process for molding a UV cured article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Marco Schneider, Patrick Meier, Xavier Kornmann
  • Patent number: 9237064
    Abstract: The invention provides a communication system for a power distribution network, which comprises at least two distribution domains, each of the domains includes one management device and at least one electrical device. The management device is configured as connected with the electrical devices within its domain, and is further configured as capable of collect information from the electrical devices. The system also comprises a communication link, which is arranged for the management devices of different domains, and the management devices are configured as capable of directly exchanging information through the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Zhao Wang, Bernhard Deck, Jukka Kinnunen
  • Patent number: 9234834
    Abstract: A sensor assembly senses hydrogen and moisture content of insulation liquid of a liquid-filled electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Jacobus Lodevicus Martinus Van Mechelen, Robin Gremaud, Anna Di-Gianni, Barbara Panella, Miklos Lenner