Patents Assigned to WÄRTSILÄ
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20120260800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a scrubber unit arrangement for cleaning exhaust gas. The arrangement comprises a scrubber unit for receiving a flow of exhaust gas, a pump means for supplying a scrubbing medium to the scrubber unit from a source of scrubbing medium, and means for discharging scrubbing medium from the scrubber unit. In order to provide an energy efficient scrubbing process, the scrubber unit arrangement further comprises a turbine unit, which is arranged to receive discharged scrubbing medium from the scrubber unit. Scrubbed exhaust gas is separately discharged from the scrubber unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Ari Suominen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120214076
    Abstract: A fuel cell system arrangement is disclosed for controlling an Oxygen-to-Carbon (O/C) relationship by providing water to an anode side fuel recirculation, pumping the provided water to facilitate a water flow, and evaporating water from the facilitated water flow for generating pressurized steam having at least the motive pressure for a steam jet-ejector. The at least one steam jet-ejector can inject at least part of the steam to the fuel cell system, and entrain part of an essentially low pressure anode exhaust gas stream in the anode side gas recirculation and compress the gas mixture to an intermediate pressure of the fuel feed-in stream for controlling the Oxygen-to-Carbon (O/C) relationship in the fuel side of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Tuomas HAKALA
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20120175959
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for adjusting current values in a fuel cell system for producing electricity with fuel cells, include drawing major part of the current from at least one serial connection. An adjusting circuit adjusts current values by drawing or supplying current of at least one stack of individual fuel cell stacks or current of at least one group of the groups of stacks within the serial connection. The adjusting circuit is integrated with the at least one stack of individual fuel cell stacks or with the at least one group of the groups of stacks. Compensation current of the at least one stack or group is a small percentage of a major part of the current in the serial connection of stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventor: Kim ÅSTRÖM
  • Publication number: 20120137682
    Abstract: A turbocharging arrangement for an internal combustion engine, the arrangement having a turbocharger with a turbine and a compressor connected to a common shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, an electric motor, and coupling means for coupling the electric motor to the shaft of the turbocharger. The coupling means is arranged to steplessly adjust the torque transmitted between the electric motor and the turbocharger. A method for operating a turbocharged internal combustion engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventors: John HATLEY, Leif KNIPSTR¿M
  • Publication number: 20120129063
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell apparatus that comprises at least first and second groups of fuel cell stacks includes heating cathode gas supplied from a cathode gas inlet to cathode parts of the first group of fuel cell stacks by passing the cathode gas in heat exchange relationship with cathode exhaust gas being removed from at least one group of fuel cell stacks, and supplying cathode gas to the cathode parts of the second group of fuel cell stacks from a location upstream of a location at which the cathode gas being supplied to the cathode parts of the first group of fuel cell stacks is heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Timo KIVISAARI, Erkko FONTELL
  • Publication number: 20120090527
    Abstract: A method for operating an LNG fuelled marine vessel having a propulsion system, a power plant and an LNG storage tank, whereby LNG is supplied as a gas fuel from the LNG storage tank to the power plant. The marine vessel deploys a fixed LNG storage tank and a removable LNG storage tank on board the marine vessel. In order to facilitate bunkering, the removable LNG storage tank is removed and replaced by another removable LNG storage tank at a bunkering facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Leif Backlund, Mathias Jansson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120060795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection arrangement for piston engine comprising at least one fuel injector by means of which fuel may be injected into a combustion chamber of the engine, the fuel injector comprising at least one fuel injection valve arranged to meter the fuel into the combustion chamber, the fuel injection arrangement further comprising an intensifier piston arrangement comprising a piston space and a piston member therein having a first area which is arranged to be effected by a work fluid and which first area at least partially borders a first work space of the intensifier piston arrangement; and the piston member having a second area which at least partially borders a second work space of the intensifier piston arrangement, the second work space being arranged in flow connection with the at least one injection valve of the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Kai Lehtonen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110304102
    Abstract: (Means) A seal ring in which an apex part of the key part is formed so that the cross-section profile regarding the apex part forms a reversed V-shape toward the outside in the radial direction; the summit T of the reversed V-shape is formed as the middle center T of the apex part; a step part on the front surface side of the key part and a step part on the back surface side of the key part are formed so that the width of the seal ring in the axis direction of the ship propulsion shaft becomes thinner in the transition area from the key part toward the heel part; the inner diameter of the key part at the step part on the back surface side of the key part is greater than the inner diameter of the key part at the step part on the front surface side of the key part; a lip tip of the lip part forms a V-shape protruding inward in the radial direction and a spring groove having a semicircular cross-section in which a ringed spring is formed in the lip part; the center regarding the spring groove is arranged so as t
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: WARTSILA JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi YOSHIDA, Motofumi INABA, Minoru TAKAYASU
  • Publication number: 20110305962
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing electricity in high temperature fuel cell systems. Gas is circulated at anode sides of the fuel cells. A gas composition at anode sides is determined for providing composition information, and desired temperature conditions are arranged for producing electricity with fuel cells. Rated power of the fuel cell system is controlled by an auxiliary water feed to the fuel cell system by utilizing the composition information, by performing controlled gas recirculation at anode sides by utilizing the composition information by changing the gas recirculation, when a desire arises, and by performing controlled gas feed in to the fuel cell system by utilizing the composition information by changing the gas feed, when a need arises, to change the rated power of the fuel cell system to keep electricity production conditions substantially optimal for the gas used as fuel in the high temperature fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Tero HOTTINEN, Kim Åström, Timo Kivisaari