Patents Assigned to ABB
  • Patent number: 9979106
    Abstract: A field device connection unit has a main body, on which a plurality of connection elements for connection of connecting lines to field devices and a plurality of slots each intended for receiving a respective plug-in unit are arranged. The plug-in unit has a first group of field-side plug contact devices which are connected by the connection elements for connection of connecting lines to field devices, and a second group of system-side plug contact devices which are connected to a higher-level arrangement. For testing of the field device connection unit when the field wiring is disconnected, the plug-in units have a resilient latching cam, which latches switchably in a recess in the main body, the contacts of the second group of system-side plug contact devices being closed and the contacts of the first group of field-side plug contact devices being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Rolf Eriksson, Erik Hammarstrand, Owe Rask
  • Patent number: 9975194
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of connecting two components by ultrasonic welding for producing a power semiconductor module, said method comprising the steps of: a) Aligning the components to be welded to form a welding interface; b) Aligning a welding tool to the aligned components; c) Removably arranging a trapping material at least partly encompassing the welding interface, whereby the trapping material is a foam; and d) Connecting the components by activating the welding tool. The method like described above provides an easy and cost-saving measure in order to prevent particle contamination when performing a welding process such as particularly an ultrasonic welding process sue to scattered particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Venkatesh Sivasubramaniam, David Guillon, Dominik Trüssel, Markus Thut, Samuel Hartman
  • Patent number: 9977085
    Abstract: A method and system of determining an electro-mechanical fault condition in a synchronous machine having a stator, a rotor, and exciter. The method includes: a) obtaining an exciter current signal which is a measurement of an exciter current through stationary windings of the exciter, b) transforming the exciter current signal to obtain an exciter current frequency spectrum, and c) determining whether an electro-mechanical fault condition is present, and a type of the electro-mechanical fault condition, based on harmonic content related to the frequency of the stator, of the exciter current frequency spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Pedro Rodriguez, Subrat Sahoo, Cajetan Pinto
  • Patent number: 9979696
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of a security framework for transmitting communication messages between a Substation LAN and packet-switched WAN, in particular, a network interface for transmitting protection data in a power network. The present invention provides a network interface for transmitting communication data including protection data of a power communication network, between a Substation Ethernet LAN and a packet-switched WAN usually in Layer 2. The network interface comprises: a firewall and a Layer 3 router being connected with each other and adapted to transmit the communication data excluding the protection data; and a Layer 2 bypass being in parallel with the firewall and the Layer 3 router, and adapted to transmit the protection data. According to a further aspect, the present invention also provides a method for transmitting such communication data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Dominique Cachin, Alex Gygax, Hans-Joerg Maag
  • Patent number: 9979273
    Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses for a ZVT ZCT resonant converter with a variable resonant tank are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a system comprising a bidirectional resonant converter comprising an input/output terminal, a switching device coupled with the input/output terminal, a resonant circuit coupled with the switching device and including a variable inductor, an output/input terminal coupled with the resonant circuit, and a DC biasing circuit operatively coupled with the variable inductor. The variable inductor comprises a toroidal core, a first winding wound around the toroidal core and coupled with the switching device and the output/input terminal, a second core structured to overlap a portion of the toroidal core, and a second winding wound around the second core and coupled with the DC biasing circuit. The DC biasing circuit is controllable to vary the inductance of the variable inductor by saturating a portion of the toroidal core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Harish Suryanarayana, Jiaqi Liang, Jukka-Pekka Kittila, Wen Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20180138674
    Abstract: A method in the manufacturing of an insulated electric high voltage DC termination or joint includes providing an insulated electric high voltage DC cable including a high voltage DC conductor, a polymer based insulation system surrounding the high voltage DC conductor, the polymer based insulation system including an insulation layer and a semiconducting layer surrounding the insulation layer, and a grounding layer surrounding the semiconducting layer, removing the grounding layer and the semiconducting layer in at least one end portion of the high voltage DC cable, thereby exposing the insulation layer of the polymer based insulation system in the at least one end portion of the high voltage DC cable, mounting a field grading adapter or joint body in the at least one end portion of the high voltage DC cable, thereby covering the insulation layer of the polymer based insulation system in the at least one end portion of the high voltage DC cable, the field grading adapter or joint body being part of the high
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: ABB HV CABLES (SWITZERLAND) GMBH
    Inventors: Carl-Olof OLSSON, Markus SALTZER, Anders LINDGREN
  • Publication number: 20180138825
    Abstract: A multi-level power converter for one or more phases includes one or more converter arms including a plurality of serial connected switching cells. Each switching cell includes a plurality of switching devices, a primary energy storage, a secondary energy storage and a first inductor. The switching devices are arranged to selectively provide a connection to the primary energy storage, wherein each switching cell includes a bridge circuit including the switching devices and the primary energy storage, a battery circuit connected to the bridge circuit and including the secondary energy storage, and an arm circuit providing a connection between two adjacent switching cells. The first inductor of each switching cell is arranged in the arm circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Lennart HARNEFORS, Tomas TENGNER
  • Patent number: 9973004
    Abstract: An arrangement for changing current return path in a bipole direct current power transmission system includes a converter station having an active and a passive converter connected in series between an active and a passive pole line via a first neutral bus, a metallic return transfer switch in an electrode line, a ground return transfer switch in a current redirecting path between the passive pole line and the neutral bus and a control unit which in case of change to the passive pole line for providing a return current path is configured to, upon control of power related to the active converter from steady-state to zero, close the ground return transfer switch and thereafter open the metallic return transfer switch, whereupon power related to the active converter may be controlled back to steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Tommy Holmgren, David Shearer, Felipe Sobrinho, Hector-Armando Avila, Per-Erik Björklund, Sören Nyberg
  • Patent number: 9973117
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor, which are coupled mechanically to one another via a common string of the system. The string has a torsional natural oscillation at a natural frequency. A first oscillating torque acts on the string by the first electric motor and a second oscillating torque acts on the string by the second electric motor. The second electric motor is arranged with respect to the first electric motor such that the effect of the second oscillating torque on the string results in damping of the excitation of the natural oscillation owing to the first oscillating torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Joerg Pieder, Paolo Belli
  • Patent number: 9970828
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining the temperature of a medium in a container or a pipe has at least one temperature sensor, arranged on the outside of a container or pipe wall; an output for the temperature registered thereby; and an output for the measurement result obtained thereby. The device connects at least one first differentiator, capable of determining at least one first derivative of the progression over time of the temperature registered by the temperature sensor; at least one first multiplier for multiplying the derivative by a first factor which is a value for the time constant of the heat transfer through the wall; and at least one adder, between the output of the temperature sensor and the output of the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Peter Ude
  • Patent number: 9974214
    Abstract: A cooled power conversion assembly comprising a first chamber, a second chamber at least partially separated from the first chamber, at least one first type device located in the first chamber, at least one second type device located in the second chamber, and cooling means comprising a first cooling element and a second cooling element. The first cooling element is adapted to transfer heat out of the first chamber, and the second cooling element is adapted to transfer heat out of the second chamber. The first cooling element is in direct contact with the at least one first type device, and the second cooling element is in a heat transfer connection with the at least one second type device through a gaseous cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Juha Hamari, Jani Kangas, Mikko Myller, Dan Millner
  • Patent number: 9966869
    Abstract: A modular high voltage supply system has a mobile adapter transformer with a high-voltage output side and a low-voltage input side, electrical connecting input-terminals being foreseen at the mobile adapter transformer outer surface, a mobile container with a low voltage supply system, mounted stationarily therein, having a high current busbar and at least one electrical frequency converter connected thereto, electrical connecting output-terminals for the high current busbar being foreseen at an accessible the mobile container edge; and a modular interim busbar system, for temporary electrical connection of input- and output-terminals, having at least one interim busbar with at least one elongated busbar basic module mounted on a frame structure and respective resilient electrical connections on both busbar basic module ends forming an electrical connection to the input- and/or output-terminals and arranged such that a transmission of vibrations from the mobile adapter transformer to the mobile container is s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Matthias Steiger, Janusz Szczechowski, Bernhard Wanzek
  • Patent number: 9964362
    Abstract: A thermosyphon heat exchanger includes a plurality of first conduit elements and a plurality of second conduit elements. Each first conduit element has a heat absorbing portion defining a first plane and a first fluid transfer portion defining a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are twisted relative to each other. Each second conduit element has a heat releasing portion and a second fluid transfer portion or a connection to a fluid return line. At least one first conduit element and at least one second conduit element are connected to each other such that the fluid in the thermosyphon heat exchanger can flow in a closed loop through said first conduit element and said second conduit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruno Agostini
  • Publication number: 20180123444
    Abstract: A method for reducing lower order harmonics of a multi-level power converter includes at least one phase leg including a plurality of chain-link connected cells each including a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Aravind MOHANAVEERAMANI, Jean-Philippe HASLER, Suman MAITI
  • Patent number: 9958213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising a base plate for receiving a heat load from one or more electric components, an evaporator being in thermal contact with a surface of the base plate for transferring said heat load into a first fluid in the evaporator channels, and a condenser dissipating heat from the first fluid. In order to provide an efficient heat exchanger the heat exchanger comprises a collector space receiving first fluid from the condenser, and the collector space which is located higher than the lower ends of the evaporator channels is in fluid communication with lower ends of the evaporator channels for passing first fluid received from the condenser to the lower ends of the evaporator channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Bruno Agostini, Daniele Torresin, Francesco Agostini, Mathieu Habert
  • Patent number: 9958337
    Abstract: A protective tube device can protect a temperature sensor against contact with a fluid, and has a distal end containing the temperature sensor and has an outer wall provided for contact with the fluid, and a proximal end which is connected to the temperature sensor by electric lines and is intended for arrangement outside the fluid, wherein, on the outer wall of the distal end, an elastic membrane closes off a resultantly defined pressure transmission fluid reservoir in a fluid-impermeable manner, the pressure transmission fluid reservoir being connected fluidically by a fluid channel running within the protective tube device to a pressure sensor arranged in the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Guruprasad Sosale, Andrea Pozzi, Paul Szasz, Thomas Scholl, Wilhelm Daake
  • Patent number: 9949690
    Abstract: An automatic configuration system for an operator console wherein one or more operators control and monitor physical facilities, operations or physically dispersed services. The system includes wearable personal identification devices worn by the operators and a control unit for communicating with the wearable personal identification devices in order to detect the presence of one or more operators within a defined control room area. Each personal identification device includes a sensor unit for monitoring operator data, and is adapted to communicate the operator data to the control unit, which is adapted to configure the operator console based on the operator data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Hedin, Pierre Schäring, Pierre Skönnegård
  • Patent number: 9950914
    Abstract: A method for operating a winch and a winch having a winch drum for spooling a spoolable medium, wherein the winch drum is rotatable about a first axis, a guiding member for guiding the spoolable medium, wherein the guiding member is movable along a second axis between two end positions, and an electric drive having a first electric motor for driving the guiding member towards one of the two end positions during spooling in or spooling out of the spoolable medium. The electric drive is configured to change the driving direction of the guiding member when a monitored torque of the first electric motor, or a quantity indicative thereof, exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Mikael Holmberg, Risto Tiihonen, Asko Salminen
  • Patent number: 9953893
    Abstract: A method of producing a power electronic assembly and a power electronic assembly including a power electronic module incorporating multiple of semiconductor power electronic switch components, the power electronic module including a base plate with a bottom surface, the power electronic assembly includes further a cooling arrangement for cooling the power electronic module, the cooling arrangement including a cooling surface adapted to be attached against the bottom surface of the base plate of the power electronic module, wherein the power electronic assembly includes further a thermal interface material arranged between the bottom surface of the base plate of the power electronic module and the cooling surface of the cooling arrangement to transfer heat from the power electronic module to the cooling arrangement, the thermal interface material includes a metal foil and a solid lubricant coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Technology Oy
    Inventors: Jorma Manninen, Pirkka Myllykoski
  • Patent number: D816705
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ABB AS
    Inventors: Thomas Skovholt, Rune Holtet, David Dorantes Romero, Peter Bruce