Patents Assigned to ABB
  • Publication number: 20100133915
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a thyristor controlled series capacitor connected to a power transmission line. A thyristor firing control includes a unit for effectuating a desired capacitor voltage zero crossing in dependence of a line current and a capacitor voltage in response to a command signal. A command control provides the command signal to the thyristor firing control. The command control includes a damping control including a damper configured to damp at a least one discrete frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Research LTD
    Inventors: Gunnar Asplund, Changchun Zhou, Quianjin Liu
  • Publication number: 20100134930
    Abstract: A protective circuit arrangement is disclosed for electrical equipment supplied, for example, from a conductor loop in surroundings subject to explosion hazards in process engineering installations. To suppress current flow from an energy store of the electrical equipment into the conductor loop, an exemplary cascadeable switchgear cell is disclosed, having a first transistor, which allows the loop current to pass, and a second transistor, which short-circuits a parasitic base-emitter diode of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Yannick MARET, Daniel Schrag, Richard Bloch, Harald U. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100138187
    Abstract: Time synchronization of two clocks is disclosed herein, such as two stationary clocks. A global time signal from a global time reference or common time source can be used to calculate a common view based clock offset between the two clocks. In parallel, a network based clock offset between the two clocks can be calculated based on messages exchanged over a communication network interconnecting the two clocks, without reverting to the global time reference. Two recent values (e.g., the two most recent values) of the common view clock offset and the network based clock offset can be combined or superposed in a seamless way to produce a final time offset estimate. The combination of independently calculated common view and network based clock offsets can be a weighted average of the two values, involving respective weights based on quality estimates of the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Dacfey DZUNG, Mats Larsson
  • Publication number: 20100134967
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a subassembly for an expandable automation device, which includes a housing which accommodates a central processing unit, a voltage supply, an interface for connecting external input and output modules, and internal input and output modules. The subassembly can include three electronic subassemblies which are each arranged on a separate carrier, a third carrier being arranged between a first carrier and a second carrier. The first carrier can be configured to accommodate the electronic subassembly of the central processing unit, the second carrier can be configured to accommodate the electronic subassembly of the internal input and output modules, and the third carrier can be configured to accommodate the electronic subassembly of the voltage supply and the interface for connecting external input and output modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Gernot GAUB, Gerd GLOECKNER, Andreas WILMERS, Deqiang YANG, YongHui SU, YiLing WANG, YIQing CHEN
  • Publication number: 20100138030
    Abstract: A system for calibrating a handling apparatus relative to a workpiece comprises a handling apparatus having at least one tool and at least one measuring arrangement configured to record at least one controlled variable; and a regulatory device configured to determine at least two faces in a multidimensional space and to provide a resultant line of intersection for the at least two faces as a trajectory coordinates using the at least one controlled variable when the at least one workpiece is moved by the at least one measuring arrangement, thereby providing an optimized trajectory profile for implementation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Martin Kohlmaier, Rainer Krappinger
  • Publication number: 20100134943
    Abstract: An exemplary method is disclosed for disturbance current compensation for an electrical system by a disturbance current compensation device, which electrical system has a voltage source and a series circuit which is connected via a conductor in parallel with the voltage source. The series circuit has an inductance and a capacitance, with the inductance being connected in series with the capacitance via a conductor. To compensate for disturbance currents, the conductor for the connection of the voltage source to the series circuit of the inductance with the capacitance, and/or the conductor of the series circuit between the inductance and the capacitance, can be surrounded by a ring (e.g., a portion of the conductor can be substantially surrounded by the ring) which can be magnetized. The ring includes an air gap of the disturbance current compensation device. A compensation voltage can be applied by magnetization of the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Peter DAEHLER, Stefan WICKI
  • Patent number: 7729148
    Abstract: A method for thermal protection of a frequency converter and a frequency converter includes means for controlling the output current of the frequency converter. The method includes the steps of determining predetermined data points which define a thermal current limit for a semiconductor component of the frequency converter at specific temperatures at plural switching frequencies, and determining predetermined data points which define a thermal current limit for the semiconductor component at specific temperatures at a zero converter output frequency. The method also includes determining the highest allowable thermal current as a function of a measured temperature, a determined switching frequency, and a determined output frequency based on the defined data points, and limiting the output current of the frequency converter to the determined highest allowable thermal current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Ari Hyvärinen, Antti Tarkiainen, Johanna Laukkanen
  • Patent number: 7728247
    Abstract: A switching device is disclosed which includes a frame, a first connector and a second connector, the first connector and the second connector extending from inside the frame outside the frame. The first and the second connector are electrically connected to one another, and one or more gas flow openings are provided in the frame and arranged for a gas flow produced by a switching event. In its portion remaining inside the frame, the first connector includes a hole provided for said gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ABB OY
    Inventors: Osmo Pikkala, Harri Mattlar
  • Patent number: 7729876
    Abstract: The diagnostic device that detects a failure of a sensor. The sensor includes memory for repeatedly recording pairs of two absolute pressure values, the absolute pressure values being related to absolute pressures in the first and the second impulse lines, respectively. A processor repeatedly computes, from a prescribable number of pairs of the two absolute pressure values, a correlation value representative of the correlation between the two absolute pressure values. The processor can also compare correlation values to at least one correlation threshold value, and generate a diagnostic output depending on the result of the comparison. It is possible to derive the absolute pressure values from one differential pressure measurement and one absolute pressure measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Raiko Milanovic, Wolfgang Scholz, Andrea Andenna
  • Patent number: 7728600
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for determining a distance of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line (30), the apparatus (40) being configured to determine a first estimate value for a distance between the measuring point (40) and a point of fault (F) on the basis of a first equation based on a fault loop model of the electric line, in which model the load of the electric line is located between the measuring point and the point of fault; determine a second estimate value for the distance on the basis of a second equation based on a fault loop model of the electric line, in which model the point of fault is located between the measuring point and load of the electric line; and select, according to predetermined criteria, one of the determined two estimate values as the distance between the measuring point and the point of fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Publication number: 20100127664
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with operation of an energy storage system (ESS) connectable to an electric power system. The charging-discharging schedule of the ESS can be determined through application of a time-dependent forecast of ESS and power system states based on historical data. Exemplary embodiments can include ESSs which have been historically activated with a certain periodicity, for example, for power system load leveling, frequency regulation, arbitrage, peak load shaving and/or integration of renewable power generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew PAICE, Alexandre OUDALOV, Thomas VON HOFF
  • Publication number: 20100129254
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for production of a component, such as a contact piece, for a switchgear assembly. To introduce a slot and apply a contact outer contour directly during the powder-metallurgical production process of the contact material, contouring in the form of a slot or slots is introduced into the powder-metal material, which is located in a mold, essentially in a direction parallel to a normal to a surface of the component, to form the component with a slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Gentsch, Guenter Pilsinger
  • Publication number: 20100128505
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement of measuring inverter current, where the inverter is connected to and supplied by a DC intermediate circuit having two or more parallel capacitor branches connected between the positive and negative rail of the DC intermediate circuit, and the capacitance of the capacitor branches being known. The method comprises the steps of measuring the current of one of the parallel capacitor branches, and determining from the measured current the magnitude of the inverter current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ABB OY
    Inventors: Ora Veli-Matti Leppänen, Matti Laitinen, Jussi Suortti
  • Publication number: 20100127816
    Abstract: An installation switching device includes a housing, a main contact point having an arc quenching chamber, an input terminal, an output terminal, an impact-style armature system configured to move the main contact point to an open position, a latching mechanism having a latching point and configured to open an isolating contact point disposed in a secondary current path parallel to a main current path, a main thermostatic bimetallic strip configured to act on the latching point to as to cause the main contact point to remain in the open position, a current limiting resistor disposed in the secondary current path, a selective thermostatic bimetallic strip disposed in the secondary current path and configured to act on the latching mechanism, a handle configured to act on the latching mechanism so as to open and close the main contact point, and a phase connecting rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Wolfgang Pump, Ralf Wieland, Albert Stieger, Joachim Majewski, Roland Ritz, Klaus-Peter Eppe, Erwin Muders, Joachim Becker, Rainer Ludovici, Heinz-Erich Popa, Wolfgang Suess
  • Patent number: 7723930
    Abstract: Method and system in connection with a motor operated tension measuring roll (1) for compensating an error in tension measuring of a continuous material web, the method comprising defining the tension Tmeas of a material web (4) by a force sensor (3) provided at the tension measuring roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Vesa Kajander
  • Patent number: 7724495
    Abstract: A rolled film capacitor is disclosed which includes a first dielectric film and a second dielectric film, which are wound along their length dimension to form alternating turns of the winding. A plurality of first conductive segments are arranged on a first surface of the first dielectric film along the length dimension of the first dielectric film, and a plurality of second conductive segments are arranged on a surface of the second dielectric film along the length dimension of the second dielectric film, or on a second surface of the first dielectric film along the length dimension of the first dielectric film. The first conductive segments can have a progressively increasing length along the length dimension of the first dielectric film, and the second conductive segments have a progressively increasing length along the length dimension of the first or second dielectric film. The number of the first and/or second conductive segments per turn of the winding can be equal to or more than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Abb Research Ltd
    Inventors: Henning Fuhrmann, Joerg Ostrowski, Johan Mood
  • Patent number: 7725295
    Abstract: A cable fault detection component (168) receives input data indicative of a fault in an electrical power system. The component (168) analyzes the input data to determine if the fault is indicative of a temporary or self-clearing cable fault and generates corresponding output data (276). In one implementation, the cable fault detection component (168) is implemented as a software module which operates on a computer (105) of a substation intelligence system (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: James Stoupis, Ajay C. Madwesh, David Lubkeman, Mirrasoul Mousavi
  • Patent number: 7724503
    Abstract: The invention relates to a frequency converter, comprising: a power electronics part provided with wheels on the lower part thereof; an installation cabinet for receiving the power electronics part movable on the wheels; and connectors arranged to the power electronics part and the installation cabinet, a contact being created between the connectors when the power electronics part is installed into the installation cabinet. To facilitate electrical installation works, the power electronics part is divided at least into a base part provided with wheels and a power stage part arranged thereon, the two being detachably attached together, whereby the base part, when detached from the power stage part, can be pulled out of the installation cabinet whereas the power stage part remains in place in the installation cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Markku Talja
  • Publication number: 20100124029
    Abstract: An input/output module for an automation device includes a housing having a lower part separable from an upper part; a first printed circuit board disposed in the housing; and an electronic subassembly for an input/output function of the input/output module. The electronic subassembly includes a plurality of connection elements disposed on the first printed circuit board and configured to connect signal lines and process voltage lines, the plurality of connecting elements being accessible from a front side of the upper part; and a plurality of optical waveguides disposed on the front side, wherein each one of the plurality of optical waveguides is assigned to a respective one of the plurality of connection elements and each configured to signal a state of at least one input/output channel of the input/output module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Gernot Gaub, Andreas Wilmers
  • Publication number: 20100122582
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a flowmeter, such as an inductive flowmeter, in which a medium flows through a measuring tube, and an arrangement of electrodes are conductively connected to the medium. To determine a filling level in a simple and reliable manner, at least four electrodes are arranged in the measuring tube essentially in a half-circumferential region based on a cross section through the measuring tube. When at least one signal is fed in at one of the electrodes or at one of the electrode pairs, an electrical current is measured at an electrode or between an electrode pair. An electrical voltage is measured between at least one other electrode pair or with respect to a common connection to ground. When comparing measurements with two different electrode combinations, different voltage and current values are related to infer a diagnosis, such as a filling level in the tube, and/or an electrode coating, and/or an oblique installation, and/or a sedimentation at a bottom of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Kai Hencken, Hans-Werner Schwiderski, Harald Grothey, Daniel Schrag