Patents Assigned to ABB
  • Patent number: 11820006
    Abstract: Embodiments of present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for calibrating a laser displacement sensor for use with a robot. The apparatus comprises an auxiliary object arranged in a work space of the robot or held by the robot and comprising a planar surface adapted to be detected by the laser displacement sensor; and a controller configured to: determine a characteristic point on the planar surface of the auxiliary object based on a detection result from the laser displacement sensor; cause the laser displacement sensor to point at the characteristic point for plural times with the same angle and different distances to obtain an orientation of the laser displacement sensor; and cause the laser displacement sensor to point at the characteristic point for plural times with different angles and the same distance to obtain a relative position relationship between the laser displacement sensor and the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Hao Gu, Jiafan Zhang, Yang Shu
  • Publication number: 20230367297
    Abstract: A method for analysing process data related to a segment of a production process includes providing a process data sequence of the segment of the production process exhibiting a data pattern of at least one process variable to be analyzed; providing a set of metadata; determining process data sequences, which are stored in a first database; determining a start timestamp and end timestamp of each of the determined process data sequence, based on the first database; and calculating a similarity value for each of the determined process data sequences compared to the provided process data sequence, based on the data pattern of the at least one process variable, wherein the determined process data sequences for the calculation are provided, based on the related start timestamps and end timestamps, by accessing a second database comprising the process data sequences, for analysing the process data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Martin Hollender, Benedikt Schmidt, Ruomu Tan, Chaojun Xu, Lara-Marie Volkmann
  • Publication number: 20230370003
    Abstract: A de-exciting system for dissipating energy from an inductive circuit that comprises at least one coil adapted to be attached to said inductive circuit and comprising a series connection of a discharge resistor and a unidirectional discharge switching element; a unidirectional bypass switching element that is connected in parallel to the discharge resistor such that, when the de-exciting system is attached to the inductive circuit and both the discharge switching element and the bypass switching element are in a conducting state, a closed conducting path comprising the coil, the discharge switching element, and the bypass switching element is formed; and a control device configured to, in a first de-excitation phase, switch both the discharge switching element and the bypass switching element into a conducting state, and in a second de-excitation phase, switch the bypass switching element into a non-conducting state, while keeping the discharge switching element in the conducting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Deyan Zhelev, Matthias Baechle, Georg Meier
  • Patent number: 11813951
    Abstract: An automated charging system for an electric vehicle is disclosed that includes a plug with a built-in camera assembly. The camera assembly captures images of a charging port of the electric vehicle, which are processed by one or more processors to estimate the location of the charging port relative to the plug. A control system generates signals for one or more actuators to move the plug relative to the charging port, thereby inserting the plug into the charging port to connect a power supply to the electric vehicle. The images may be processed via an image recognition algorithm and/or one or more machine learning algorithms. In an embodiment, the images are processed by a neural network to estimate the location of the charging port relative to the plug. The plug can also include a tapered structure to make fine adjustments to the position or orientation of the plug during connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Matthew Hetrich, Gregory A. Cole
  • Patent number: 11812765
    Abstract: A system includes a wet extrusion process machine configured to receive, mix, and convey a plurality of ingredients to an extrusion die, the plurality of ingredients include a protein powder, an oil, and water. The system includes an electronic process control system (EPCS) configured to control the wet extrusion machine using a plurality of process settings effective to produce an extrusion die mixture which is forced into, passes through, and is output from the extrusion die. The system further includes a supervisory machine intelligence control system (SMICS) operatively coupled with at least one of a direct fibrosity measurement (DFM) subsystem configured to directly measure one or more physical fibrosity parameters of the extrusion die mixture, and an indirect fibrosity measurement (IFM) subsystem configured to measure one or more extrusion process parameters associated with the extrusion die mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: ABB Schweiz AG, Planted Foods AG, ETH Zürich
    Inventors: Chau-Hon Ho, Vedrana Spudic, Kim Listmann, Sandro Schoenborn, Elsi-Mari Borrelli, Philipp Sommer, Mehmet Mercangoez, Erich J. Windhab, Eric Stirnemann, Lukas Böni, Patrick Rühs
  • Patent number: 11815203
    Abstract: A device for gas-tight connection includes: a first connection point with a terminal surface; a second connection point with a stationary, predetermined reference surface of a pipe flange connection, which is arranged relative to the terminal surface by an offset angle which is compensated for by an angular offset compensation; and a flanged disc unit. The first connection point includes a central ball-and-socket joint arrangement as an angular misalignment compensation. The central ball-and-socket joint arrangement has a tube section with a convex distal end region configured to interact in an articulated manner with a concave annular region, corresponding thereto, of the flanged disc unit. A side surface region of the flanged disc unit includes at least one adjusting screw for adapting to the offset angle so as to adjust a local distance to a counter-disc fixedly fastened coaxially to a pipe section adjacent to the convex distal end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Johannes Schmitt, Matthias Guth, Stefan Bleil, Gary Hachadorian
  • Patent number: 11817759
    Abstract: The electric machine includes a shaft, a rotor, a stator, and a frame. The shaft is supported rotatably on the frame with an axially locating sleeve bearing at each axial end of the shaft. The axial play limiting the axial movement of the shaft is greater in one of the two axially locating sleeve bearings compared to the axial play in the other of the two axially locating sleeve bearings. An axial movement of the shaft is limited only by the bearing with the smaller axial play during normal operational circumstances and by both bearings during exceptional events, the bearing with the greater axial play reducing the axial load of the first bearing in such exceptional events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Janne Kamppuri, Samu Aarnivuo
  • Patent number: 11817808
    Abstract: A redundant variable-frequency drive (VFD) system including a first VFD and a second VFD each configured to receive an operational status signal from the other, the second VFD being configured to output a drive signal to a motor based on receiving an operational status from the first VFD indicating the first VFD is non-operational, a circuit protection module electrically connected to each of the first VFD and the second VFD, a mounting panel configured for mounting against a mounting surface, each of the first VFD, the second VFD, and the circuit protection module being configured to mount to the mounting panel in a vertically stacked configuration, and a housing configured to encase the second VFD and the circuit protection module against the mounting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Brian J. Baldwin, Kiese L. Mukana, Ilkka T. Pajari, David K. Benson
  • Patent number: 11817743
    Abstract: An electric machine including a stator and a frame, the stator is supported with support necks on the frame in at least two axially spaced support locations. The support locations include a first group of support necks and a second group of support necks. The support necks in the first group are positioned in connection with a vertical centre plane. The second group includes two side support necks positioned opposite to each other at an angular distance above or below a horizontal centre plane. The angular distance is defined by a first angle which is determined in degrees by the formula ?1=(90/P)±(?)*(90/P), where P is the number of poles of the electric machine and P>2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Timo Holopainen, Juha Pekka Jokinen, Carlos Chavez
  • Patent number: 11814964
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a turbine valve. The turbine valve has a first coil and a second coil to control or sense movement of a mechanical valve positioner. Two valve positioners are provided with each valve positioner having two drive circuits to drive the first and second coils. Switches are provided such that only one drive circuit is connected to each coil at a time. The control system may also include a hydraulic pilot valve section and a main hydraulic valve section. Feedbacks are used to determine a pilot valve error and a main valve error which are combined to determine a turbine valve error. The turbine valve error is repeatedly determined to minimize the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
  • Patent number: 11817276
    Abstract: Described herein is a low voltage switching device including: one or more electric poles having one or more movable contacts and corresponding fixed contacts adapted to be coupled to or uncoupled from each other; a movable contact assembly including said movable contacts and a main supporting and operating shaft reversibly movable between a first contact position, at which said movable contacts and said fixed contacts are uncoupled, a second contact position, at which said movable contacts and said fixed contacts are coupled, and a third contact position, at which said movable contacts and said fixed contacts are coupled and kept pressed; an operating assembly including a handle mechanism having a handle adapted to be reversibly moved by a user or a motor operated actuator (MOE) between a first, open position and a second, closed position; and a driving assembly operatively connected to said operating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Rocca, Mauro Ghislotti
  • Publication number: 20230361561
    Abstract: A direct current (DC) distribution system includes a plurality of power consumer clusters, each comprising at least one power consumer. The power consumer clusters are arranged as a ring structure with a common low voltage (LV)-DC ring bus. Each power consumer is connected to the LV-DC ring bus. The DC distribution system further comprises a plurality of normal-open ring switches. Each power consumer cluster is separated from its adjacent power consumer clusters by one of the normal-open ring switches. Each power consumer cluster is fed by a MV-DC/DC converter, which in turn is fed by a MV-AC/DC converter connected to a MV-AC grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: ABB E-mobility B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Rothmund, Francisco Canales
  • Publication number: 20230358659
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a physical parameter of a fluid in a pipe includes performing a numerical vibration simulation of the section of the pipe resulting in a computed Eigen-frequency range of computed maxima; inducing a first vibration and acquiring first maxima in an amplitude-frequency diagram; selecting a first hoop mode maximum and inducing a second vibration to acquire second maxima with a second frequency. Using a vibration mode analysis, a second hoop mode maximum is selected and the physical parameter of the fluid is derived from a difference between the first hoop mode maximum and the second hoop mode maximum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Paul Szasz, Vadim Migunov
  • Publication number: 20230358585
    Abstract: A system for determining at least one calculated process parameter of a fluid in a pipe includes a data interface receiving nominal process parameters, which relate to nominal parameters of a process that relates to the fluid in the pipe; an invasive temperature sensor that determines a fluid temperature; a reference temperature sensor disposed outside of the pipe for determining a reference temperature; a surface temperature sensor disposed at a surface of the pipe for determining a surface temperature; a process model that determines a process parameter by using the reference temperature, the surface temperature, the received nominal process parameters, and the determined fluid temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Paul Szasz, Joerg Gebhardt
  • Publication number: 20230358620
    Abstract: A system for non-invasive determining of a fluid temperature of a fluid in a pipe, comprising a surface temperature sensor disposed at a pipe surface of the pipe; a reference temperature sensor disposed outside of the pipe; a data interface, configured for receiving nominal process parameters; a process parameter sensor, configured for determining at least one measured process parameter, wherein the at least one measured process parameter relates to measured parameters of a process that relates to the fluid in the pipe; and a process model, configured for determining a calculated fluid temperature of the fluid in the pipe by using the determined surface temperature, the determined reference temperature, the received nominal process parameters and the at least one measured process parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Joerg Gebhardt, Paul Szasz, Guruprasad Sosale
  • Patent number: 11806877
    Abstract: Embodiments of present disclosure relate to adjusting a robot motion path. In the method for adjusting a robot motion path, a first processing procedure may be performed on a first workpiece to obtain a first product. Then, first process data may be obtained, where the first process data describes an attribute of the first processing procedure for obtaining the first product from the first workpiece. Next, based on the obtained first process data, a robot motion path of a second processing procedure that is to be performed on the first product by a robot may be adjusted. Further, embodiments of present disclosure provide apparatuses, systems, and computer readable media for adjusting a robot motion path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Fangfang Zhao, Lei Mao, Shaojie Cheng
  • Patent number: 11811887
    Abstract: A method for conveying messages between a first software application in a first container and a second software application in a second container includes receiving, by a first connectivity service an ordered sequence of messages sent by the first application; transmitting, by the first connectivity service, at least two copies of each message to a second connectivity service, wherein the at least two copies are routed on at least partially redundant paths and wherein each copy is indicative of a position of the original message in the original ordered sequence; and forwarding, by the second connectivity service, at least one copy of each message to the second application, in the order given by the original ordered sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Julius Rueckert, Heiko Koziolek, Sten Gruener
  • Patent number: 11811219
    Abstract: A method for restoration of a fault isolation in a medium voltage, MV, network having a plurality of feeders and a plurality of normally open, NO, switches possibly in parallel with MV direct current, DC, links is presented. The method is performed in a control device of the MV network. The method includes closing at least two NO switches in parallel with MVDC links of the plurality of NO switches, being connected to a fault isolated feeder of the plurality of feeders of the MV network, and opening the closed at least two NO switches in parallel with MVDC links except one. A control device, a computer program and a computer program product for restoration of a fault isolation in a MV network are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Ritwik Majumder, Bertil Berggren, David Schaeffer, Lidong Zhang, Frans Dijkhuizen
  • Patent number: 11809170
    Abstract: An industrial automation system device includes: a secure communication processing unit for communicating securely with a further trusted industrial automation system device; and a pre-shared secret module including a pre-shared secret, the pre-shared secret including shared asymmetric key pair generation data. The secure communication processing unit: derives a shared asymmetric key pair including a shared secret key and a shared public key from the shared asymmetric key pair generation data, derives a shared certificate including the shared public key, signs the shared certificate with the derived shared secret key, and generates a device asymmetric key pair including a device secret key and a device public key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Soeren Finster, Florian Kohnhaeuser
  • Patent number: 11811210
    Abstract: A modular floor box assembly that includes a floor box having a plurality of fittings having passageways for power and data transmission cables. A power deck configured for placement within the interior region of the floor box can include a female deck receptor that is electrically coupled to one or more terminals that are configured for a hardwired connection with at least one of the power transmission cables. The floor box can include an aperture within the interior region adjacent to the power deck that is sized to accommodate passage of data transmission cables, and which is in fluid communication with the passageways. The assembly further includes a removable power puck having a male receptacle configured for plugging into the female deck receptor. The power puck can further include one or more electrical receptacles for electrical coupling to power plugs of external devices, and at least one data opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Michael D. Martin, Michael Devin O'Neil, Phillip Taylor