Patents Assigned to ABB
  • HYDROMECHANICAL STORED-ENERGY SPRING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20100089738
    Abstract: A hydromechanical stored-energy spring mechanism is provided for acting upon high-voltage switches. The mechanism includes a drive cylinder having a piston guided therein. The mechanism also includes a piston rod which is articulated on the piston and which penetrates centrally through a cylinder block provided with a reception bore as a guide for a damping ring. The damping ring is arranged in the reception bore of the cylinder block. The outside of the damping ring bears on the cylinder block housing, and the outside of the damping ring has a protuberance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Joachim Eggers, Claus Sticker
  • DETERMINATION AND USE OF POWER SYSTEM SENSITIVITIES
    Publication number: 20100094477
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to power system sensitivities as computed from power flow parameters and control parameters of a Power Flow Control Device (PFC). To this end, control parameter variations are applied to or generated by a PFC, and comprise variations in a control input u, a control effort e (injected series voltage, inserted series reactance), or a control effect q (power flow, active power transfer, phase-shift, current). A power flow response measuring unit measures a variation of a power flow response such as current, active or apparent power, in a way sufficiently synchronized with the control parameter variation to allow establishing an unambiguous causal relationship or correspondence in the form of a power system sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Bertil Berggren, Mats Larsson, Tord Bengtsson, Petr Korba, Alexandre Oudalov
  • TAPPING POWER FROM A HVDC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100091527
    Abstract: An apparatus for tapping electric energy from an HVDC power transmission system includes at least one voltage source converter. The apparatus includes an intermediate ac network containing the voltage source converter, and a switching arrangement for disconnecting the intermediate ac network in dependence on the transmission direction of the HVDC power transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Gunnar Asplund
  • METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT TO REVERSE THE POWER FLOW OF A DIRECT CURRENT POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100091528
    Abstract: A direct current power transmission system includes a first and a second converter station that are coupled to each other via a direct current link. Each converter station includes a first or second line commutated converter, respectively. Before power reversal the first converter is operated as a rectifier and the direct current is controlled in the first station, while the second converter is operated as an inverter and in the second station the extinction angle of the second converter or the direct voltage is controlled. After power reversal, the first converter is operated as an inverter and the second converter as a rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Ulf Radbrandt
  • A RESISTOR FOR ELECTRIC HIGH-VOLTAGE APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF MOUNTING A RESISTOR
    Publication number: 20100090794
    Abstract: A resistor for electric high-voltage apparatus, especially for connection to a diverter switch in an on-load tap changer for a high-voltage transformer. The diverter switch and the resistor are arranged in a housing with transformer oil. The resistor includes a number of resistor elements, wherein each resistor element includes a resistive element, arranged in a frame, which are electrically interconnected by a connection member. The frames are designed to enclose resistive elements that include spring elements formed from spirally wound resistance wire. Connection members include a connection plug. A method of mounting a resistor for electric high-voltage apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Petter Nilsson, David Sundqvist, Lena Lunn
  • TEMPERATURE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20100091816
    Abstract: A temperature sensor is disclosed having at least one thermal measuring element which is arranged on a carrier body to convert a temperature into an electrical measurement signal which can be tapped off by electrical connecting lines as a result of a voltage supply. A generator is likewise fitted to the carrier body adjacent to the thermal measuring element to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, and to supply the voltage to the thermal measuring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Christian Schroll, Manfred Wetzko, Ralf Huck
  • METHOD FOR TEACHING AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT, AND A CORRESPONDINGLY EQUIPPED INDUSTRIAL ROBOT
    Publication number: 20100094461
    Abstract: A method is provided for teaching movement processes for an industrial robot having a stand and at least one moving jointed arm. The method includes fitting a measurement system to a measurement head at a free end of the jointed arm, fitting a handling appliance to an end effector at the free end of the jointed arm, operating the handling appliance to teach the intended movement process to the robot, detecting each position of the handling appliance, via the measurement head, transforming the detected positions to co-ordinate data and transmitting the detected co-ordinate data to a monitoring and control system, storing and evaluating the co-ordinate data in the monitoring and control system to develop a movement program for the robot. A correspondingly equipped industrial robot is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Michael ROTH, Martin KOHLMAIER, Rainer KRAPPINGER
  • Short-Term Load Forecasting Based Capacity Check for Automated Power Restoration of Electric Distribution Networks
    Publication number: 20100094573
    Abstract: A method of forecasting loads on a distribution network is disclosed. The method employs load profiles in combination with short-term load estimations to forecast expected loads on a distribution network. The predicted loads may then be used by power restoration controllers when performing back-feed capacity checks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Fang Yang, James Stoupis, Mohamed Maharsi, Zhenyuan Wang, Vaibhav D. Donde
  • Power semiconductor module
    Patent number: 7696532
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module (1) with a housing (2) and at least one semiconductor chip (3, 3?) located in it is devised. At least one semiconductor chip (3, 3?) has a first main electrode side (31) and a second main electrode side (32) opposite the first main electrode side, the first main electrode side (31) making thermal and electrical contact with the first base plate (4, 4?). The first cooling device (6) makes thermal and electrical contact with the side of the first base plate (41) facing away from the first main electrode side. The second main electrode side (32) makes thermal and electrical contact with a second base plate (5, 5?). A second cooling device (7) makes thermal contact with the side of the second base plate (51) facing away from the second main electrode side. The heat sink (65) of the first cooling device is supported against the housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Wolfgang Knapp, Stefanie Apeldoorn
  • Arc suppression circuit using a semi-conductor switch
    Patent number: 7697247
    Abstract: An arc suppression circuit in a protection relay having trip contacts is used to turn off a battery-powered solenoid and trip an AC power circuit breaker. The arc suppression circuit uses a switch-control circuit to control the turning off of a semi-conductor switch so that the semi-conductor switch provides a current path around the trip contacts, and is carrying all, or substantially all, of the load current, before the trip contacts are opened. When the trip contacts begin to open, the switch-control circuit holds the semi-conductor switch on for a sufficient time to prevent an arc from becoming established before turning the semi-conductor switch off. In a second embodiment, the arc suppression circuit provides a second switch-control circuit. This second switch-control circuit is configured to accept control signals from a microprocessor within a protection relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Mohamed Maharsi, Douglas A. Voda, Mark C. Glacobbe, Dela Salah-Eldin Sayoumi, Douglas A. Wood
  • Pressure transponder with surface acoustic wave sensor
    Patent number: 7694571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor, the measuring cell of which is provided with at least one membrane for the protection of the pressure-sensitive element and a measuring chamber, filled with pressure medium, in which the pressure-sensitive element is housed. According to the invention, the membrane is monitored for damage, whereby at least one surface wave sensor is arranged in the chamber filled with pressure medium. On damage to the membrane occurring, process medium is mixed with the pressure medium. A substance change in the sensitive region of the surface wave sensor is thus brought about which results in a differing signal run time. Any change in run time is an indictor of damage to the pressure sensor and may be signaled as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Scholz, Armin Gasch, Raiko Milanovic, Peter Reigler
  • Rotary atomization head painting device
    Patent number: 7694645
    Abstract: An air source (11) is connected to an air motor (3) through an electropneumatic converter (12) which is connected to a rotational controller (13). Upon changing settings in a target rotational speed (N0) or paint discharge rate (Q0), in order to supply a necessary air pressure for rotationally driving the air motor (3) in a steady state with new setting conditions, the rotation controller (13) selects a steady value (is) from a rotational data selection processing table, and outputs to the electropneumatic converter (12) the newly selected steady value (is) as an input current value (i). By so doing, the rotational speed of the air motor (3) is quickly controlled toward the changed target rotational speed (N0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Shinichi Yasuda, Yukinori Miyamoto
  • METHOD FOR LOADING AND DISPLAYING DIFFERENT PROCESS DISPLAYS ON A USER INTERFACE OF AN INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100088627
    Abstract: A method for providing an improved user navigation interface for an industrial control system. The system includes a computer and a display device and a computer implemented workplace application. The system also includes a plurality of process control interfaces displayed on the display device. The process control interfaces include one or more software objects for controlling and/or monitoring objects controlled by the control system. The method includes displaying in the user interface a set of the process control interfaces generated by one instance of the workplace application in a designated view that includes a corresponding set of graphic user interface objects. Each graphic user interface object identifies and, on selection, displays the corresponding the process control interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Torgeir Enkerud, Kristoffer Husoy, Charlotte Skourup
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM TO INFLUENCE THE POWER GENERATION OF AN ADJUSTABLE SPEED GENERATOR
    Publication number: 20100085783
    Abstract: A method and a system to influence the power generation of at least one adjustable speed generator. The system includes a first voltage source converter connected to a local AC bus. The local AC bus is provided with power by the at least one adjustable speed generator. A second voltage source converter connected to an AC grid. A DC link is connected between the first and the second voltage source converter. At least one control unit controls the first and the second voltage source converters. The at least one control unit performs the method to control the AC voltage in the local AC bus via the first voltage source converter and to modify a reference value for the AC voltage magnitude of the local AC bus in dependence on the AC voltage magnitude of the AC grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Ying Jiang-Häfner
  • Data models for describing an electrical device
    Patent number: 7694259
    Abstract: A method and product are described for creating a model of a physical layout and/or a circuit layout of an electrical device. The layouts are defined in a user interface. A text file having metadata elements in a hierarchical format is produced that can be used by other programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: David Cox, Thomas J Lanoue
  • Method and system for automatically deciding what alarm, generated in an industrial plant, to hide or to present to an operator
    Patent number: 7692537
    Abstract: A method and an alarm processing system for deciding what alarm, out of a number of alarms generated in an industrial plant or process, to present to a system operator. The method includes creating hiding rules, associating each hiding rule with a real-world object, storing these rules in a storage means, receiving an alarm related to a real-world object, determining if a hiding rule is associated with the real-world object evaluating the hiding rule, deciding from the hiding rule whether to present or hide the alarm, selectively and actively hide such alarms that are decided to be hidden and not presenting the alarm to the system operator. The invention also includes an alarm processing system and a computer program for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Mikael Sköld, Magne Hansen, Jan Gjerseth
  • Painting method
    Patent number: 7691450
    Abstract: Two sprayer units are arranged along a conveyer. A coating surface of a panel conveyed by the conveyer is divided into four coating areas. Then, the sprayer units reciprocate parallel to the conveying direction and coat the individual coating areas. At this time, at the boundaries of the coating areas, the positions of the turning paths for reciprocation of the sprayer units are shifted from the front side to the rear side in the conveying direction and step-like coating trajectories are formed. As a result, the size of the area coated by each of the sprayer units can be expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kenmoku, Takehito Katsunuma
  • Fiber-optic current sensor with polarimetric detection scheme
    Patent number: 7692420
    Abstract: The current in a conductor is measured by exploiting the Faraday effect in a sensing fiber. The light returning from the sensing fiber is split into at least two parts, at least one of which is analyzed by a first circular analyzer for generating a first signal. A second part may e.g. be analyzed by a second circular analyzer, and a third part may be analyzed by a linear analyzer. By combining the signals obtained in this way, the current induced phase delay in the returning light can be measured efficiently and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brandle
  • FIELD DEVICE CONTROLLER ADAPTER
    Publication number: 20100082844
    Abstract: A controller adapter including a controller interface configured to interface with a controller for a legacy field device of an electrical power distribution system, wherein the controller communicates based on a first protocol, a network interface configured to interface with a network common to a plurality of assets of the electrical power distribution system, wherein the network interface communicates based on a second protocol, a mapper that maps information received from the legacy field device controller about the legacy device that to the second protocol, and storage that stores at least one logic function, wherein at least one input and/or output of the logic function is connected to the mapped information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: James Stoupis, Mohamed Y. Haj-Maharsi
  • Electrical transformer
    Patent number: D613687
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: ABB T&D Technology, Ltd., ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Sigurdur Thorsteinsson, Egil Stryken, Richard Tinggren