Patents by Inventor Janne Altonen

Janne Altonen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11831146
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use in an earth-fault protection in a three-phase electric network, the apparatus configured to detect a phase-to-earth fault in the three-phase electric network, to determine for each of the three phases of the three-phase electric network a phase current during the detected phase-to-earth fault or a change in the phase current due to the detected phase-to-earth fault, to determine an estimate of an earth-fault current on the basis of the determined phase currents or on the basis of the determined changes in the phase currents, to determine, if the estimate of the earth-fault current represents an actual earth-fault current or an apparent earth-fault current, and to determine, in response to determining that the estimate of the earth-fault current represents the actual earth-fault current, that the estimate of the earth-fault current is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Publication number: 20230318484
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a neutral point voltage of a three-phase resonant-earthed electric network, the apparatus including determining means configured to determine a target value for the neutral point voltage of the three-phase resonant-earthed electric network, calculating means configured to calculate at least one phase-specific control admittance or a neutral point specific control admittance required for controlling the neutral point voltage of the three-phase resonant-earthed electric network from a prevailing value to the determined target value, and admittance means configured to add the calculated at least one phase-specific control admittance between a ground and a respective phase of the three-phase resonant-earthed electric network or the calculated neutral point specific control admittance between the ground and a neutral point of the three-phase resonant-earthed electric network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen, Janne Leminen
  • Patent number: 11522355
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use in an earth-fault protection in a three-phase electric network, the apparatus is configured to detect a phase-to-earth fault in the network, to determine for each of the phases of the network a phase current during the fault or a change in the phase current due to the fault, to detect a faulted phase of the network, to determine an estimate of an earth-fault current on the basis of the faulted phase and the phase currents or the changes in the phase currents, to determine a zero-sequence voltage of the electric network or a change in the zero-sequence voltage, and to determine a direction of the phase-to-earth fault from the measuring point on the basis of the estimate of the earth-fault current and the zero-sequence voltage or the change in the zero-sequence voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Publication number: 20210075209
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use in an earth-fault protection in a three-phase electric network, the apparatus configured to detect a phase-to-earth fault in the three-phase electric network, to determine for each of the three phases of the three-phase electric network a phase current during the detected phase-to-earth fault or a change in the phase current due to the detected phase-to-earth fault, to determine an estimate of an earth-fault current on the basis of the determined phase currents or on the basis of the determined changes in the phase currents, to determine, if the estimate of the earth-fault current represents an actual earth-fault current or an apparent earth-fault current, and to determine, in response to determining that the estimate of the earth-fault current represents the actual earth-fault current, that the estimate of the earth-fault current is valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Publication number: 20210075210
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use in an earth-fault protection in a three-phase electric network, the apparatus is configured to detect a phase-to-earth fault in the network, to determine for each of the phases of the network a phase current during the fault or a change in the phase current due to the fault, to detect a faulted phase of the network, to determine an estimate of an earth-fault current on the basis of the faulted phase and the phase currents or the changes in the phase currents, to determine a zero-sequence voltage of the electric network or a change in the zero-sequence voltage, and to determine a direction of the phase-to-earth fault from the measuring point on the basis of the estimate of the earth-fault current and the zero-sequence voltage or the change in the zero-sequence voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 9425609
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for differential protection of a three phase electric connection of an electric system. The apparatus includes means for determining a value of an operate quantity, which operate quantity is based on a difference between current quantities at a first point and a second point of the electric connection, and means for detecting a fault in the electric connection between the first point and the second point if the value of the operate quantity exceeds a value of a predetermined threshold quantity. The operate quantity is based on a difference of residual currents at the first point and the second point, or a quantity indicative thereof, and a coefficient indicative of an angle between a residual voltage of the electric connection and the difference of residual currents at the first point and the second point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 8981785
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting an earth fault on a three-phase electric line are provided. The apparatus includes means for determining a neutral admittance on the basis of a residual current and a residual voltage, means for comparing the determined neutral admittance to a predetermined operation characteristic to detect an earth fault on the three-phase electric line, and means for determining one or more harmonic components of the residual current and one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage. The harmonic components have frequencies n*fn such that n?2 and fn is a fundamental frequency. The means for determining a neutral admittance are configured to use at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual current and at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage for determining the neutral admittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 8838402
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for voltage measurement with a transformer configuration comprising three single pole voltage transformers having tertiary windings open-delta connected with each other. The arrangement is configured to apply a correction to measured secondary voltages on the basis of one or more parameters of the voltage transformers and/or one or more quantities in a known relation to one or more parameters of the voltage transformers, one or more parameters of a circuit connected to the secondary windings and/or one or more quantities in a known relation to one or more parameters of the circuit connected to the secondary windings, and one or more parameters of a circuit connected to the tertiary windings and/or one or more quantities in a known relation to one or more parameters of the circuit connected to the tertiary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen, Pentti Mähönen
  • Patent number: 8717036
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line of an electric network, the apparatus determining a neutral admittance based on a ratio of a difference between zero sequence currents on the three-phase electric line and a difference between zero sequence voltages in the electric network before an earth fault and during the earth fault. The apparatus also compares the determined neutral admittance, to a predetermined operation characteristic to detect a phase-to-earth fault on the three-phase electric line. The predetermined operation characteristic, when presented on an admittance plane, defines a closed area such that the center of the closed area is offset from the origin of the admittance plane towards a negative susceptance direction and/or towards a negative conductance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Publication number: 20130043879
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting an earth fault on a three-phase electric line are provided. The apparatus includes means for determining a neutral admittance on the basis of a residual current and a residual voltage, means for comparing the determined neutral admittance to a predetermined operation characteristic to detect an earth fault on the three-phase electric line, and means for determining one or more harmonic components of the residual current and one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage. The harmonic components have frequencies n*fn such that n?2 and fn is a fundamental frequency. The means for determining a neutral admittance are configured to use at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual current and at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage for determining the neutral admittance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari WAHLROOS, Janne ALTONEN
  • Patent number: 8081002
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a distance of a phase-to-phase fault or a three-phase fault on a three-phase electric line, the apparatus (40) being configured to determine a first estimate value for a distance between the measuring point (40) and a point (F) of fault on the basis of a first equation based on a fault loop model in which the point of fault is located between the measuring point and load of the electric line, and a second estimate value for the distance on the basis of a second equation based on a fault loop model in which the load of the electric line is located between the measuring point and the point of fault, and to select according to predetermined criteria one of the determined two estimate values as the distance between the measuring point (40) and the point of fault (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Publication number: 20110298468
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line of an electric network, the apparatus determining a neutral admittance based on a ratio of a difference between zero sequence currents on the three-phase electric line and a difference between zero sequence voltages in the electric network before an earth fault and during the earth fault. The apparatus also compares the determined neutral admittance, to a predetermined operation characteristic to detect a phase-to-earth fault on the three-phase electric line. The predetermined operation characteristic, when presented on an admittance plane, defines a closed area such that the center of the closed area is offset from the origin of the admittance plane towards a negative susceptance direction and/or towards a negative conductance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari WAHLROOS, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 8044666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line (30) of an electric network, comprising determining an equivalent load distance curve of the electric line (30) representing a voltage drop along the electric line scaled by an equivalent load distance of the electric line, determining a fault distance line indicating an estimate of a distance of the fault (F) from the measuring point (40) in relation to the equivalent load distance, determining a distance at which the equivalent load distance curve and the fault distance line intersect when superimposed, and selecting the determined distance as the distance between the measuring point (40) and the point of fault (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 8022709
    Abstract: A method and a system for determining a circular characteristic for distance protection of a three-phase electric line, the system comprising means for detecting a fault on the electric line, means for identifying a faulted phase or phases of the electric line, means for determining, at a measuring point, a first fault loop impedance by using voltage(s) of the faulted phase(s), a second fault loop impedance by using a polarization voltage and a third fault loop impedance by using predetermined line parameters, and means for determining a radius and midpoint of the circular characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 7999557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line of an electric network, comprising determining, when the ratio of a fault current and load current has a first value, a first fault distance line which indicates an estimate of a distance of the fault from the measuring point in relation to an equivalent load distance, determining, when the ratio of the fault current and load current has a second value which differs from the first value, at least one second fault distance line, determining a distance at which the determined fault distance lines intersect when superimposed and determining the distance between the measuring point and the point of fault on the basis of the determined distance or distances of intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • 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: 20090309612
    Abstract: A method and a system for determining a circular characteristic for distance protection of a three-phase electric line, the system comprising means for detecting a fault on the electric line, means for identifying a faulted phase or phases of the electric line, means for determining, at a measuring point, a first fault loop impedance by using voltage(s) of the faulted phase(s), a second fault loop impedance by using a polarization voltage and a third fault loop impedance by using predetermined line parameters, and means for determining a radius and midpoint of the circular characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Publication number: 20090267611
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a distance of a phase-to-phase fault or a three-phase fault on a three-phase electric line, the apparatus (40) being configured to determine a first estimate value for a distance between the measuring point (40) and a point (F) of fault on the basis of a first equation based on a fault loop model in which the point of fault is located between the measuring point and load of the electric line, and a second estimate value for the distance on the basis of a second equation based on a fault loop model in which the load of the electric line is located between the measuring point and the point of fault, and to select according to predetermined criteria one of the determined two estimate values as the distance between the measuring point (40) and the point of fault (F).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 7514933
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a location of a phase-to-earth fault in a three-phase electric line of an electric network, the system being configured to monitor current and voltage quantities of the three-phase electric line at a measuring point and calculate a distance (d) between the measuring point and a point of fault (F) using an equation relating the current and voltage quantities to the distance, wherein the system is further configured to calculate load-compensated zero and negative sequence currents, calculate a load-compensated phase voltage of the faulted phase by using the compensated zero sequence current; and use the compensated negative sequence current and the compensated phase voltage for calculating the distance (d) between the measuring point and a point of fault (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: ABB OY
    Inventors: Janne Altonen, Ari Wahlroos
  • Publication number: 20080297163
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line of an electric network, comprising determining, when the ratio of a fault current and load current has a first value, a first fault distance line which indicates an estimate of a distance of the fault from the measuring point in relation to an equivalent load distance, determining, when the ratio of the fault current and load current has a second value which differs from the first value, at least one second fault distance line, determining a distance at which the determined fault distance lines intersect when superimposed and determining the distance between the measuring point and the point of fault on the basis of the determined distance or distances of intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen