Patents Assigned to Wärtsilä Finland Oy
  • Publication number: 20130186355
    Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine comprising a pressure medium source, means for connecting the pressure medium source to at least two of the cylinders of the engine, a starting valve in connection with each cylinder that is connected to the pressure medium source for controlling the admission of the pressure medium into the cylinder, a control unit for controlling the operation of the starting valves, and an absolute rotary encoder for determining the crank angle of the engine. The system further comprises coupling means arranged between the engine and the absolute rotary encoder for releasably coupling the encoder to the engine. The invention also concerns a method for starting an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: WAERTSILAE FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Dan Björklund, Jukka Mäntylä
  • Publication number: 20130133608
    Abstract: A cylinder liner (1) of a reciprocating engine, the cylinder liner (2) having an inner surface (3) acting as a running surface (4) for piston rings (5), which running surface (4) comprises an upper portion (U) and a lower portion (L). The upper portion (U)includes at least a top dead centre region of a topmost piston ring (5). Only the upper portion (U) of the running surface (4) is provided with a coating(7) of metal matrix composite reinforced with ceramic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Fredrik Vilhelmsson, Hans Sunden, Lennart Haraldson
  • Publication number: 20130115152
    Abstract: A method for controlling a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) exploiting a set of predetermined trigger events (101) and a set point for the NOx concentration (102). At the occurrence of a trigger event (104), NOx concentration measurement downstream from the catalyst elements (2) is started (105) and the difference between the measured concentration and the set point is determined (106). If the difference is negative, the dosing of the reducing agent is decreased (107) and a new trigger event is waited for (103). If the difference is positive, the dosing of the reducing agent is increased (108). After system stabilization (109), anew measurement is started (110) and the concentration is compared to the result of the previous measurement (111). If the measured value is below the previous measured value, the same dosing is maintained (112). If the measured value is above the previous measured value, the dosing is decreased with an amount greater than the increase after the previous measurement (113).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Daniel Nordberg, Raine Peltokoski
  • Publication number: 20130095407
    Abstract: A method to control the heat balance of fuel cell stacks in a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell unit including fuel cell stacks, whose fuel cells include an anode side and a cathode side, as well as an electrolyte interposed therebetween, and a recuperator unit for heat exchange for preheating a supply flow of the cathode side. In the method, a desired portion is separated from the fuel exhaust flow coming from the anode side and adapted to be mixed with the cathode side exit flow before said recuperator unit. Also provided is a fuel cell system implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventor: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
  • Patent number: 8297241
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator (1) comprising a body (2), in which a control arm (5) and a lift means (6) provided with a piston surface (22) are arranged, which lift means is arranged to follow the reference movement of the control arm (5), and an inlet port (3) and an outlet port (4) for hydraulic medium. The body (2) encloses a pressure chamber (10) delimited by the piston surface (22) of the lift means (6), and the movement of the control arm (5) provides a flow connection between the inlet port (3) and the pressure chamber (10) in order to move the lift means (6), and the movement of the control arm (5) in the opposite direction provides a flow connection between the pressure chamber (10) and the outlet port (4) in order to move the lift means (6) in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Juha Alajoki, Pekka Hautala, Jyrki Kajaste, Jukka Kiijärvi, Petri Kuosmanen, Markus Niemi
  • Patent number: 8301312
    Abstract: A processing arrangement for the fault situation of a local electric power transmission grid comprises a generator-specific element arranged to monitor the fault situation of a data communication bus and the statuses of the switches of the electric power transmission network and to compare the status data concerning the same switch. In case of a fault situation the generators change into droop control only if there are no other possibilities to continue with the normal adjustment of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Ari Saikkonen, Tom Kaas
  • Patent number: 8262341
    Abstract: A turbine unit of a turbocompressor comprises a turbine wheel having blades and a flow channel for directing exhaust gas onto the turbine wheel. The turbine unit additionally comprises injection means for injecting carbon build-up preventing substance into the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Vesa Hilakari, Tero Raikio
  • Patent number: 8230829
    Abstract: A control arrangement for a gas exchange valve in a piston engine adapted between the camshaft of the engine and the valve mechanism, which control arrangement comprises a body part and a chamber arranged therein, into which chamber a connection for hydraulic medium opens and in which a piston device is arranged in force transmission connection with the camshaft and the valve mechanism. The connection for hydraulic medium opens to a space in the chamber, which space increases as the piston device moves in the opening direction of the valve, whereby hydraulic medium is arranged to flow into the space, when the valve is being opened, and out of the space, when the valve is being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Magnus Sundsten, Saku Niinikangas, Jussi Autio
  • Patent number: 8220321
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing the piston (2) of an injection pump of a pressure medium, the piston comprising a longitudinal groove (2b) that begins from its frontal face (2a) and extends on its side, and a screw-shaped guide edge (2c) that abuts on the envelope surface of the piston. According to the invention, the piston (2) is inserted, with its frontal face (2a) first, into a testing cylinder (1), wherein the clearance between the piston (2) and the testing cylinder (2) is tight and wherein a specific testing pressure is exerted on the envelope surface of the piston, in a limited area, from the vicinity of the said guide edge (2c) to a selected measurement point. The piston (2) is moved in the testing cylinder (1), so that the said measurement point moves, following the guide edge (2c). Changes in the testing pressure are monitored to observe any failures in the piston (2) and the said guide edge (2c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventor: Matti Koivunen
  • Patent number: 8222577
    Abstract: Method for treating a crank pin of a crank shaft. In the method hardness of the crank pin surface is measured and when the hardness is over a predetermined limit value, depth of the hard spot is measured. Heat treatment parameters are determined at least on the basis of the depth measurement and the hard spot is heat treated. During the heat treatment the hard spot is heated by an induction heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Reine Gustafsson, Sture Alm
  • Patent number: 8221928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit having an anode side and a cathode side with an electrolyte therebetween, the fuel cell apparatus having at least a fuel inlet to the anode side and an oxygen-containing air inlet to the cathode side as well as a sulphur removal unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combustion the exhaust gases from the anode and/or cathode side. According to the invention, the afterburner is provided with a separate fuel inlet channel for introducing fuel to the afterburner during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a part of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed from the afterburner for heating at least the sulphur removal unit and/or the fuel modifying unit during the start-up phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Timo Kivisaari, Timo Mahlanen
  • Patent number: 8141508
    Abstract: The invention relates to a barge arrangement comprising a barge unit with a first end (11) and a second end (12) and a tug unit provided with a propulsion unit, which barge unit is adapted to receive the tug unit at one end. In order to achieve an efficient vessel combination for loading, transport and unloading of cargo the barge unit (102) is adapted to receive a first tug unit (2) at its second end (12) in order to be pushed by the first tug unit (2) with the first end (11) of the barge unit (1) in a forward direction (F) of motion. Further, the barge unit (101) is adapted to receive a second tug unit (3) at its second end (12) in order to be pulled by the second tug unit (3) with the second end (12) of the barge unit (1) in the forward direction (F) of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventor: Oskar Levander
  • Patent number: 8109093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement in connection with a piston engine provided with a turbocompressor. In the method, combustion air from the engine is pressurized by the compressor of the turbocompressor, pressurized combustion air is humidified, fuel is combusted in the cylinder of the engine by means of combustion air and the exhaust gases generated during the combustion are conveyed by means of combustion air to the turbine of the turbocompressor. A partial flow is separated from the pressurized combustion air flow, conveyed past the engine and combined with the exhaust gas flow going to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Björn Hallbäck, Piia Takala
  • Patent number: 8091695
    Abstract: A dampening element for a vibration damper and a vibration damper. The dampening element comprises a body part having flow openings, a dampening part arranged to abut against the body part, the dampening part having openings aligning with the flow openings of the body part. In addition, a cover part is arranged against the dampening part, the cover part being movable in relation to the dampening part for changing the cross-sectional flow area of the openings of the dampening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventor: Heikki Mikonaho
  • Publication number: 20110315908
    Abstract: A fuel injector valve (1) of a piston engine, which comprises a fuel chamber (3) for the fuel to be injected, a valve needle (9) for guiding the fuel injection from the fuel chamber (3) into the cylinder (4) of the engine, a spring (10) for pressing the valve needle (9) towards the closed position, and a piezoelectric actuator (11) for guiding the valve needle (9). Additionally, the injector valve (1) comprises a drawbar (22), which is loosely coupled to the valve needle (9), a second drawbar (23), which is attached to the piezoelectric actuator (11) and loosely coupled to the drawbar (22), and that the injector valve (1) comprises a second spring (24) fitted in connection with the drawbar (22) for pressing the valve needle (9) towards the closed position and a third spring (25) fitted in connection with the second drawbar (23) for pressing the valve needle (9) towards the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Wiliam Brace, Pekka Hautala, Jukka Kiijarvi, Markus Niemi
  • Patent number: 8043136
    Abstract: Arrangement for providing cooling energy to a cooling medium circuit of a marine vessel having a storage of liquefied gas, the arrangement having a gas feeding system being provided with gas evaporation/heating apparatus. The gas evaporation/heating apparatus is arranged in heat transfer connection with the cooling medium circuit of the vessel through an intermediate flow circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Sipilä, Oskar Levander
  • Patent number: 8028929
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the fuel supply in a fuel supply apparatus, which arrangement comprises a body part including a space, through which the fuel to be injected flows during the operation, and a fuel inlet opening and a fuel discharge opening, which open into said space, the arrangement further comprising a piston member movably arranged in said space and a flow path to provide flow communication between the fuel inlet opening and the fuel discharge opening. The arrangement comprises at least one throttle section opening to the front of the piston member in the flow direction of the fuel, the cross-sectional flow area of which section is determined by the mutual positions of the piston member and the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventor: Kai Lehtonen
  • Publication number: 20110232555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine vessel (1) comprising a hull (2) and a propulsion arrangement including an internal combustion engine (3), an exhaust gas arrangement (4), and a propulsion unit (5). The marine vessel (1) further is provided with at least one vertically arranged cylinder (6) with a vertical axis, which vertically arranged cylinder (6) is adapted to rotate around its vertical axis. To avoid any substantial increase of windage area, the vertically arranged cylinder (6) is arranged around a part of the exhaust gas arrangement (4) of the marine vessel (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Oskar Levander
  • Patent number: 7975673
    Abstract: A fuel injection arrangement for a piston engine, the arrangement comprising an injector nozzle (1) for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber (6) of the cylinder. A Theological actuator (15) is arranged in connection with the injector nozzle (1), the actuator comprising a space (18) containing Theological fluid and an apparatus (19, 20) by means of which the viscosity of the Theological fluid can be changed for controlling the fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Juha Alajoki, Jukka Kiijärvi, Markus Niemi, Jari Kostamo, Jyrki Kajaste, Pekka Hautala
  • Patent number: 7971573
    Abstract: The invention relates to supplying pilot fuel to the cylinders of a combustion engine. The invention comprises cylinder-specific pressure sensors (1) that are installed in the cylinders of the combustion engine, as well as a control unit (2). The control unit determines each cylinder's crankshaft angle at maximum pressure and the cylinders' average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure, and verifies whether the average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure is within a certain range of crankshaft angle variation. If the average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure is outside the range of variation, the duration of total pilot fuel injection into the engine is controlled. Furthermore, the differences between each cylinder's crankshaft angle at maximum pressure and the average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Kaj Portin, Jenny Hellén