Patents by Inventor Mats Alakula

Mats Alakula 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).

  • Publication number: 20230124198
    Abstract: The devices and methods described herein are utilized to continuously track unpowered logistics platforms such as semi-trailers and intermodal shipping containers. In some examples, a tracking device harvests the kinetic energy of oscillatory movements of the shipping container to power the tracking device. In some instances, the shipping container is moving on a roadway, railway, or waterway. In other examples, a tracking device harvests the kinetic energy of airflow moving around the shipping container. In some instances, the airflow is caused by movement of the shipping container. In other instances, the airflow may be caused by ambient weather such that air is flowing around a stationary shipping container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: FREDERICK STEINWAY ZIEGLER, Mats Alaküla
  • Publication number: 20210114473
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric propulsion system (100) for a vehicle (1), said system comprising a first electrical machine (12) and a second electrical machine (14) for providing propulsion to said vehicle, characterized in that said system further comprises an electrically isolated coupling assembly (20) configured to provide electrical isolation between said first and said second electrical machines; a first bidirectional DC/AC converter (68) disposed in a first electrical connection (82) extending from the first electrical machine; a second bidirectional DC/AC converter (69) disposed in a second electrical connection (84) extending from the second electrical machine; a switch assembly (30) connected via at least one of the bidirectional DC/AC converters to at least one of the first and second electrical machines and further connected to an onboard energy storage system (40); and wherein said switch assembly is configured to connect at least one of the first electrical machine and the second electric
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicants: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, SIBBHULTSVERKEN AB
    Inventors: Mats ALAKÜLA, Anders GÖRANSSON
  • Patent number: 9931939
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus is provided including an electrical drive system and an electrical machine. The electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding. The drive system includes a first multi phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding and which is adapted to be connected to a line voltage supply by a connection means when charging a battery. The apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery. A battery can be charged without the need of a specific charger and charging with galvanic isolation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Mats Alakula, Erik Hoevenaars
  • Patent number: 9573486
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus for powering an electrical machine with two different energy sources includes an electrical drive system having a battery and a super capacitor, and an electrical machine, wherein the electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding, wherein the drive system includes a first multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding, and wherein the apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery, where the first multi-phase bridge inverter is connected to a super capacitor, and where the drive system includes a switch adapted to connect and disconnect the DC links of the first multi-phase bridge inverter to and from the second multi-phase bridge inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Erik Hoevenaars, Mats Alakula
  • Publication number: 20150314694
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus is provided including an electrical drive system and an electrical machine. The electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding. The drive system includes a first multi phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding and which is adapted to be connected to a line voltage supply by a connection means when charging a battery. The apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery. A battery can be charged without the need of a specific charger and charging with galvanic isolation is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Mats ALAKULA, Erik HOEVENAARS
  • Publication number: 20150306972
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus for powering an electrical machine with two different energy sources includes an electrical drive system having a battery and a super capacitor, and an electrical machine, wherein the electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding, wherein the drive system includes a first multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding, and wherein the apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery, where the first multi-phase bridge inverter is connected to a super capacitor, and where the drive system includes a switch adapted to connect and disconnect the DC links of the first multi-phase bridge inverter to and from the second multi-phase bridge inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Erik Hoevenaars, Mats Alakula
  • Patent number: 8932517
    Abstract: A process for production of a packed soft magnetic component, comprises the steps of:—preparing a rotational mold, consisting of at least one mold cavity connected to a driven rotational axle, arranging a coil in the mold, filling the at least one mold cavity with a binder and a soft magnetic, metallic material in the form of a powder,—driving the axle for rotation of said at least one mold, whereby the soft magnetic, metallic material is packed by centrifugal forces to one side of said at least one mold cavity, mixed with the binder, thus forming a component comprising a soft magnetic composite with a coil embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Magnetic Components Sweden AB
    Inventor: Mats Alaküla
  • Patent number: 8110959
    Abstract: A method for producing a core and a method for producing an electrical machine. Said core has a body of soft magnetic material having a plurality of teeth and at least one magnetic flux cross section area enlarging element being made from a composite of a soft magnetic powder and a binder, said magnetic flux area enlarging element being arranged onto a tooth of said body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Höganäs AB
    Inventors: Lars Hultman, Göran Nord, Mats Alaküla
  • Publication number: 20100219928
    Abstract: A process for production of a packed soft magnetic component, comprises the steps of: —preparing a rotational mould, consisting of at least one mould cavity connected to a driven rotational axle, arranging a coil in the mould, filling the at least one mould cavity with a binder and a soft magnetic, metallic material in the form of a powder, —driving the axle for rotation of said at least one mould, whereby the soft magnetic, metallic material is packed by centrifugal forces to one side of said at least one mould cavity, mixed with the binder, thus forming a component comprising a soft magnetic composite with a coil embedded therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Mats Alaküla
  • Publication number: 20070222306
    Abstract: A core for an electrical machine, a method for producing a core, an electrical machine, and a method for producing an electrical machine. Said core comprises a body of soft magnetic material having a plurality of teeth and at least one magnetic flux cross section area enlarging element being made from a composite of a soft magnetic powder and a binder, said magnetic flux area enlarging element being arranged onto a tooth of said body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: HOGANAS AB
    Inventors: Lars Hultman, Goran Nord, Mats Alakula
  • Publication number: 20060254837
    Abstract: A hybrid drive unit comprising an internal combustion engine; a manual transmission; a manual clutch that can be engaged and disengaged, connected to the internal combustion engine and to a first input shaft of the transmission; at least one electric motor, connected to a second input shaft of the transmission and driveable from a chargeable electrical voltage source; and an electronic control unit connected to the electric motor. When manually upshifting and downshifting the transmission the electronic control unit is designed, without the use of a clutch between the electric motor and the transmission, to instantaneously make the second input shaft essentially torque-free by controlling the electric motor to brake and accelerate the second input shaft to a rotational speed suited to a higher and a lower, respectively, gear prior to active engagement of the relevant gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Roland Andersson, Mats Alakula