Patents by Inventor Jero AHOLA
Jero AHOLA 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).
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Publication number: 20240410063Abstract: An electrolyzer system comprises electrolyzer elements (101) each comprising an electrolyzer stack (104) constituted by electrolysis cells. Furthermore, each electrolyzer element comprises a water inlet (106), a hydrogen separator tank (107) having a hydrogen outlet (108), an oxygen separator tank (109) having an oxygen outlet (110), and a channel system (111) for conducting electrolyte from the hydrogen separator tank and from the oxygen separator tank to the electrolyzer stack. The electrolyzer stacks of the electrolyzer elements are electrically connected to each other so that direct voltage of the electrolyzer system is a sum of direct voltages of the electrolyzer stacks of two or more of the electrolyzer elements. The water inlets, the hydrogen outlets, and the oxygen outlets of different ones of the electrolyzer elements are galvanically separated from each other. This enables the direct voltage of the electrolyzer system to have a desired value with low stray electric currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2022Publication date: December 12, 2024Inventors: Jero AHOLA, Pertti KAURANEN, Markku NIEMELÄ, Vesa RUUSKANEN, Antti KOSONEN
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Publication number: 20230400033Abstract: A condition monitoring method for a pump assembly, wherein the method includes estimating a large number of system curves for the pump assembly over a long period of time in order to detect a change in an operating state of the pump assembly for assessing whether the pump assembly requires maintenance. The method includes a curve fitting procedure, in which estimated system curves are fitted on operating point data of the pump assembly. The curve fitting procedure includes providing estimated system curves for a plurality of fitting time windows, wherein each of the plurality of fitting time windows includes a plurality of operating points of the pump assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Santeri Pöyhönen, Jero Ahola, Markku Niemelä
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Patent number: 11608485Abstract: A power converter for a bioelectrochemical system includes first converters each including a direct current terminal for supplying electric current via electrodes of the bioelectrochemical system, and a second converter for supplying energy to the first converters from an external electric power grid. Each first converter includes an electric element for receiving energy from the second converter and a circuitry for converting voltage of the electric element into electrolysis voltage suitable for the bioelectrochemical system. The electric element can be a secondary winding of a transformer or a direct voltage energy storage. Each first converter is galvanically isolated from the other first converters at least when the first mentioned first converter supplies energy to the bioelectrochemical system. Thus, each first converter drives its own electrode pair without disturbing the other first converters.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Solar Foods OyInventors: Lauri Nygren, Andrey Lana, Jero Ahola, Vesa Ruuskanen, Juha-Pekka Pitkänen
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Publication number: 20230040184Abstract: An apparatus for estimating electrical properties of an electrolyzer includes a data processing system for estimating electrical values, for example a membrane resistance, of the electrolyzer based on a difference voltage, a current, and an initial value and an attenuation time constant of a double-layer capacitance voltage of the electrolyzer during a shutdown of the electrolyzer. The difference voltage is a difference between a voltage of the electrolyzer and a total reversible voltage of the electrolyzer. The initial value and the attenuation time constant of the double-layer capacitance voltage are estimated based on values of the difference voltage when the current is zero and thus the difference voltage equals the double-layer capacitance voltage. The electrical values can be estimated even if a stepwise interruption of the current of the electrolyzer is not possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2021Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Joonas KOPONEN, Vesa RUUSKANEN, Antti KOSONEN, Anton POLUEKTOV, Jero AHOLA, Markku NIEMELÄ, Tuomo LINDH
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Publication number: 20220325425Abstract: A system for alkaline water electrolysis includes electrolysis cells, a hydrogen separator tank, a first piping from the electrolysis cells to the hydrogen separator tank, an oxygen separator tank, a second piping from the electrolysis cells to the oxygen separator tank, and a third piping for conducting liquid electrolyte from the hydrogen separator tank and from the oxygen separator tank back to the electrolysis cells. The system includes an ultrasound source for applying ultrasound on the liquid electrolyte contained by the first piping. The ultrasound enhances the separation of dissolved hydrogen gas from the liquid electrolyte contained by the first piping, and thus energy efficiency of the alkaline water electrolysis is improved. Furthermore, a safe control range of the alkaline water electrolysis is broadened because crossover of hydrogen gas to an oxygen side of the system is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Joonas KOPONEN, Vesa RUUSKANEN, Antti KOSONEN, Anton POLUEKTOV, Jero AHOLA, Markku NIEMELÄ, Tuomo LINDH
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Publication number: 20220243340Abstract: A system for an electrochemical process includes an electrochemical reactor, a converter bridge for supplying direct current to electrodes of the electrochemical reactor, and serial inductors connected to alternating voltage terminals of the converter bridge. The converter bridge includes bi-directional controllable switches between the alternating voltage terminals and direct voltage terminals of the converter bridge. Forced commutation of the bi-directional controllable switches enables reduction of current ripple in the direct current supplied to the electrochemical reactor. The forced commutation enables also to control a power factor of an alternating voltage supply of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Joonas KOPONEN, Vesa RUUSKANEN, Antti KOSONEN, Anton KRIMER, Jero AHOLA, Markku NIEMELÄ
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Patent number: 11199367Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a corresponding system for controlling energy streams in order to connect operations of an electricity distribution network (1) and a heat distribution network (2) by means of an intermediate energy storage unit (3). According to the invention, the power balance and quality of current and voltage of the electricity distribution network (1) are adjusted by supplying the losses provided by adjustment of the electricity distribution network to the energy storage unit (3) in the form of heat, and from the energy storage unit the heat is extracted to the heat distribution network (2) according to the heat requirement of the heat distribution network.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Inventors: Jero Ahola, Ari Piispanen
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Publication number: 20210179996Abstract: A power converter for a bioelectrochemical system includes first converters each including a direct current terminal for supplying electric current via electrodes of the bioelectrochemical system, and a second converter for supplying energy to the first converters from an external electric power grid. Each first converter includes an electric element for receiving energy from the second converter and a circuitry for converting voltage of the electric element into electrolysis voltage suitable for the bioelectrochemical system. The electric element can be a secondary winding of a transformer or a direct voltage energy storage. Each first converter is galvanically isolated from the other first converters at least when the first mentioned first converter supplies energy to the bioelectrochemical system. Thus, each first converter drives its own electrode pair without disturbing the other first converters.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Lauri NYGREN, Andrey LANA, Jero AHOLA, Vesa RUUSKANEN, Juha-Pekka PITKÄNEN
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Publication number: 20200011613Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a corresponding system for controlling energy streams in order to connect operations of an electricity distribution network (1) and a heat distribution network (2) by means of an intermediate energy storage unit (3). According to the invention, the power balance and quality of current and voltage of the electricity distribution network (1) are adjusted by supplying the losses provided by adjustment of the electricity distribution network to the energy storage unit (3) in the form of heat, and from the energy storage unit the heat is extracted to the heat distribution network (2) according to the heat requirement of the heat distribution network.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2018Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Jero AHOLA, Ari PIISPANEN
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Publication number: 20190368965Abstract: A system for determining a leak flow of a vacuum system of a vacuum filter includes a controller for adjusting speed of a filtration media of the vacuum filter and/or for adjusting supply rate of slurry onto the filtration media. The system includes a pressure sensor for determining pressure difference affecting over the filtration media and a layer of the slurry carried by the filtration media, and a device for determining flow rate through a vacuum pump that maintains the pressure difference. The speed of the filtration media and/or the supply rate of the slurry is/are adjusted so that the slurry is fully saturated by liquid along a whole filtration area affected by the pressure difference. Thus, fluid flow through the layer of the slurry is negligible and therefore the determined flow rate is indicative of the leak flow of the vacuum system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Manu HUTTUNEN, Lauri NYGREN, Teemu KINNARINEN, Tuomo LINDH, Jero AHOLA, Antti HÄKKINEN, Vesa KARVONEN, Bjarne EKBERG
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Patent number: 9715478Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the correct rotational direction of a centrifugal apparatus. The method includes rotating the centrifugal apparatus in a first direction, acquiring first frequency data relating to the step of rotating the centrifugal apparatus in the first direction, rotating the centrifugal apparatus in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, and acquiring second frequency data relating to the step of rotating the centrifugal apparatus in the second direction. The method also includes detecting the correct rotational direction of the centrifugal apparatus based on comparing the first frequency data with the second frequency data, the comparison being carried out with respect to at least one significant frequency range. In each of the at least one significant frequency range, a smaller magnitude is interpreted as an indication of the correct rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: ABB Technology OYInventors: Jussi Tamminen, Tero Ahonen, Jero Ahola, Markku Niemelä
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Patent number: 9587640Abstract: An exemplary method for determining a flow rate of a pump, includes measuring and storing the flow rate (QMean) when the pump is in operation, storing rotational speed (nMean) and torque (TMean) of the pump during measurement of the flow rate (QMean), determining torque (TManufacturer) corresponding to the measured flow rate (QMean), calculating a bias value of the torque (TBias) by comparing the torque determined from the characteristic curve (TManufacturer) and the stored torque (TMean) of the pump, and determining an operating point of the pump based on the bias value of the torque (TBias).Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ABB Technology OyInventors: Tero Ahonen, Jero Ahola, Jussi Tamminen
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Patent number: 9568921Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for approximating a static head of a fluid transfer system including a fluid transfer device. The method can include determining a rotational speed and a power consumption of the fluid transfer device, determining a first set of data points, calculating a second set of data points on the basis of the first set of data points, determining a minimum rotational speed producing flow through the fluid transfer device on the basis of the second set of data points, and determining the static head on the basis of the minimum rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: ABB Technology OyInventors: Jero Ahola, Jussi Tamminen, Tero Ahonen
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Publication number: 20170016447Abstract: the screw compressor with a variable rotational speed of the screw compressor, the rotational speed of the screw compressor having a speed profile in which the rotational speed is changed stepwise such that between stepwise changes the rotational speed of the screw compressor is kept substantially constant for a time period, repeating the speed profile until the pressure of the pressure vessel reaches a set pressure value, determining pressure of the pressure vessel, power consumption of the screw compressor drive and mass flow rate during the pressurising when the rotational speed of the screw compressor is kept substantially constant, calculating energy efficiency of the screw compressor drive as a function of pressure of the pressure vessel and rotational speed of the screw compressor on the on the basis of the determined pressure of the pressure vessel and power consumption of the screw compressor drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Antti Kosonen, Jero Ahola
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Patent number: 9416787Abstract: A method and arrangement for determining the flow rate (Q) produced by a pump, when the pump is controlled with a frequency converter, which produces estimates for rotational speed and torque of the pump, and the characteristic curves of the pump are known. The method includes determining the shape of a QH curve of the pump, dividing the QH curve into two or more regions depending on the shape of the QH curve, determining on which region of the QH curve the pump is operating, and determining the flow rate (Q) of the pump using the determined operating region of the characteristic curve.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: ABB Technology OyInventors: Jussi Tamminen, Tero Ahonen, Jero Ahola
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Patent number: 9382903Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing energy efficiency of a pumping system includes at least one pump that controls a fluid level in a reservoir. The method includes a system identification stage and an energy efficiency optimization stage. The system identification stage includes determining pump characteristics for the pump, operating the pump with a range of flow rate conditions, determining a set of data points, and calculating energy efficiency optimization characteristics. The energy efficiency optimization stage includes determining a present static head value, choosing a value for a pump control parameter, and operating the pump on the pump control parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: ABB OYInventors: Jero Ahola, Tero Ahonen, Jussi Tamminen
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Patent number: 9347452Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems of determining stall of a fan are disclosed, when the fan is controlled with a frequency converter. The method includes estimating a rotational speed (n) and the torque (T) of the fan. Transferring characteristic curves of the fan to the estimated rotational speed (n) of the fan, determining the stall region of the fan. Determining an operation point of the fan from the estimated rotational speed (n) and estimated torque (T) using the characteristic curves. Calculating RMS values of the low frequency components of the torque and rotational speed estimates (TRMS, nRMS) to obtain a low frequency parameter (S), and determining an occurrence of stall based on at least one of the operation point and the low frequency parameter (S).Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY OYInventors: Jussi Tamminen, Tero Ahonen, Jero Ahola
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Patent number: 9298192Abstract: A method includes selecting the branch of a ventilation system with the greatest pressure loss, opening a control valve in the selected branch and closing control valves in all other branches, controlling a fan to produce the desired air flow rate into the selected branch by using fan characteristic shaft power to air flow rate curves, and a shaft power estimate from the frequency converter and by adjusting the rotational speed of an electric motor to achieve the desired air flow rate, calculating the fan pressure corresponding to the desired air flow rate from fan characteristic fan pressure to air flow rate curves, saving the calculated fan pressure as a reference pressure, and adjusting the control valves in each of the remaining branches so that the desired air flow rate to each branch is delivered while the fan is controlled by the frequency converter to produce the reference pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY OYInventors: Jussi Tamminen, Jero Ahola, Tero Ahonen, Simo Hammo
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Patent number: 9200995Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring accumulation of dirt on an air filter of a ventilation system including the filter and a fan controlled by a frequency converter. An initial value for an operating parameter is determined. A present operating point is determined based on a characteristic curves, and the mechanical power and rotational speed of the fan. A present value for the operating parameter is determined based on the present operating point, and accumulation of dirt is determined on the air filter based on the initial and present values of the operating parameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY OYInventors: Jero Ahola, Jussi Tamminen, Tero Ahonen
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Patent number: 9181954Abstract: An exemplary frequency converter and method are directed to estimating an operation point of a pump when the QH characteristic curve of the pump is known. The frequency converter controls the pump, and a process curve is estimated when a first operation point of the pump is in the nominal range. The process curve defines a head as a function of volumetric flow. A rotational speed of the pump is determined and a QH characteristic curve of the pump is converted to a current rotational speed of the pump based on affinity laws. A second operation point of the pump is estimated by determining an intersection point of the converted QH characteristic curve and the estimated process curve.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY OYInventors: Tero Ahonen, Jussi Tamminen, Jero Ahola