Patents by Inventor Patrik Kaufmann
Patrik Kaufmann 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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Patent number: 11935717Abstract: An arrangement for electrically connecting a circuit breaker to a laminated busbar in a switch gear cabinet in which the circuit breaker has at least one terminal to be contacted by a connecting bar and in which the laminated busbar includes at least one conducting layer for conducting electric current which is covered by adjoining insulating layers attached thereto, the arrangement including: a first cylindrical connecting element and a second cylindrical connecting element which are arranged at a distance to each other at the conducting layer and project away from the conducting layer; an electrically conducting distribution bar which is mounted to free end portions of the first and second cylindrical connecting elements; and a terminal member which is mounted to the distribution bar at a center between the first and second cylindrical connecting elements. The terminal member is to be contacted by the connecting bar.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Klaus Kraft, Oleksandr Sologubenko, Patrik Kaufmann, Francoise Molitor, Maciej Mruczek, Libor Vitek, Jindrich Janos
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Publication number: 20230289951Abstract: A system for monitoring a switchgear includes: an infrared camera for acquiring at least one infrared image of the switchgear; a processing unit for determining a pixel in the at least one infrared image associated with a hottest temperature, determining e pixels in the at least one infrared image associated with a temperature that is within a threshold temperature of the hottest temperature, and determining that a hot spot exists in the switchgear as a determination, the determination being a utilization of the determined pixels in the at least one infrared image; and an output unit for outputting an indication of a fault in the switchgear based on the determined hot spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Ralf Gitzel, Stephan Wildermuth, Joerg Gebhardt, Joerg Ostrowski, Patrik Kaufmann
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Patent number: 11694320Abstract: A system for monitoring a switchgear includes: an infrared camera for acquiring at least one infrared image of the switchgear; a processing unit for determining a pixel in the at least one infrared image associated with a hottest temperature, determining e pixels in the at least one infrared image associated with a temperature that is within a threshold temperature of the hottest temperature, and determining that a hot spot exists in the switchgear as a determination, the determination being a utilization of the determined pixels in the at least one infrared image; and an output unit for outputting an indication of a fault in the switchgear based on the determined hot spot.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Ralf Gitzel, Stephan Wildermuth, Joerg Gebhardt, Joerg Ostrowski, Patrik Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20210065357Abstract: A system for monitoring a switchgear includes: an infrared camera for acquiring at least one infrared image of the switchgear; a processing unit for determining a pixel in the at least one infrared image associated with a hottest temperature, determining e pixels in the at least one infrared image associated with a temperature that is within a threshold temperature of the hottest temperature, and determining that a hot spot exists in the switchgear as a determination, the determination being a utilization of the determined pixels in the at least one infrared image; and an output unit for outputting an indication of a fault in the switchgear based on the determined hot spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Ralf Gitzel, Stephan Wildermuth, Joerg Gebhardt, Joerg Ostrowski, Patrik Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20210027966Abstract: An arrangement for electrically connecting a circuit breaker to a laminated busbar in a switch gear cabinet in which the circuit breaker has at least one terminal to be contacted by a connecting bar and in which the laminated busbar includes at least one conducting layer for conducting electric current which is covered by adjoining insulating layers attached thereto, the arrangement including: a first cylindrical connecting element and a second cylindrical connecting element which are arranged at a distance to each other at the conducting layer and project away from the conducting layer; an electrically conducting distribution bar which is mounted to free end portions of the first and second cylindrical connecting elements; and a terminal member which is mounted to the distribution bar at a center between the first and second cylindrical connecting elements. The terminal member is to be contacted by the connecting bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Klaus Kraft, Oleksandr Sologubenko, Patrik Kaufmann, Francoise Molitor, Maciej Mruczek, Libor Vitek, Jindrich Janos
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Patent number: 10855060Abstract: A cooling system includes an evaporator associated with a heat source. A condenser is located at a higher elevation than the evaporator. A heat pipe structure fluidly connects the evaporator with the condenser. A fan forces air through the condenser. A working fluid is in the evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the heat pipe structure transferring the vapor to the condenser and passively returning condensed working fluid back to the evaporator for cooling of the heat source. A plurality of thermoelectric generators is associated with the condenser and converts heat, obtained from the working fluid in the vapor state, to electrical energy to power the fan absent an external power source. The thermoelectric generators provide the electrical energy to the fan so that a rotational speed of the fan is automatically self-regulating to either increase or decrease based on a varying heat load.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Oleksandr Sologubenko, Francoise Molitor, Tilo Buehler
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Patent number: 9906001Abstract: A condenser for condensing vapor to liquid for cooling a switchgear having a heat generating component inside an enclosure and tubing structure associated with the heat generating component. A working fluid is disposed within an end portion of the tubing structure. The condenser includes a hollow tubular base defining a volume and having first and second opposing opened ends. A plurality of fins extends from a periphery of the base. The fins are in spaced relation and disposed about the entire circumference of the base. A first end cap is coupled to the base so as to close the first opened end. A second end cap is coupled to the base to close the second opened end. The second end cap has port structure constructed and arranged to fluidly communicate the tubing structure with the volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Harshavardhan M. Karandikar, Patrik Kaufmann
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Patent number: 9867316Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided for a switchgear. The switchgear has one or more primary contacts constructed and arranged to connect to a terminal of a circuit breaker. The cooling apparatus includes an evaporator constructed and arranged to be associated with each primary contact. A condenser is located at a higher elevation than the evaporator. Fluid conduit structure fluidly connects the evaporator with the condenser. A portion of the fluid conduit structure defines a busbar tube electrically connected with an associated primary contact and defining a busbar of the switchgear. Working fluid is in the evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the fluid conduit structure being constructed and arranged to transfer the vapor to the condenser and to passively return condensed working fluid back to the evaporator for cooling the at least one primary contact and the associated busbar tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Gabriel Schuler, Peter Unternaehrer
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Publication number: 20180006436Abstract: A cooling system includes an evaporator associated with a heat source. A condenser is located at a higher elevation than the evaporator. A heat pipe structure fluidly connects the evaporator with the condenser. A fan forces air through the condenser. A working fluid is in the evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the heat pipe structure transferring the vapor to the condenser and passively returning condensed working fluid back to the evaporator for cooling of the heat source. A plurality of thermoelectric generators is associated with the condenser and converts heat, obtained from the working fluid in the vapor state, to electrical energy to power the fan absent an external power source. The thermoelectric generators provide the electrical energy to the fan so that a rotational speed of the fan is automatically self-regulating to either increase or decrease based on a varying heat load.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Oleksandr Sologubenko, Francoise Molitor, Tilo Buehler
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Patent number: 9736967Abstract: Cooling apparatus cooling for an electrical or electronic device, comprising an at least partially hollow body containing a refrigerant and having a plurality of electrically conductive sections Each electrically conductive section has a respective coupling portion suitable to be operatively associated with a corresponding electrically conductive part of the electrical or electronic device, wherein the at least partially hollow body further comprises one or more electrically insulating sections. Each electrically insulating section is positioned between and electrically insulates from each other two adjacent electrically conductive sections.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: ABB S.P.A.Inventors: Francoise Molitor, Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Francesco Agostini, Thomas Gradinger, Federico Gamba
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Publication number: 20160174414Abstract: Cooling apparatus cooling for an electrical or electronic device, comprising an at least partially hollow body containing a refrigerant and having a plurality of electrically conductive sections Each electrically conductive section has a respective coupling portion suitable to be operatively associated with a corresponding electrically conductive part of the electrical or electronic device, wherein the at least partially hollow body further comprises one or more electrically insulating sections. Each electrically insulating section is positioned between and electrically insulates from each other two adjacent electrically conductive sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Francoise Molitor, Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Francesco Agostini, Thomas Gradinger, Federico Gamba
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Publication number: 20150357804Abstract: A tubular electrical insulation device for a cable is arranged for receiving a plurality of electrical conductors segments by insertion. The insulation device is flexible and includes an inner circumferential electrically conductive layer for establishing an electric contact to the electrical conductors once inserted into the tubular electrical insulation device. A high voltage power cable arrangement includes a plurality of elongated electrical conductor segments arranged to be placed alongside one another and in electrical contact to one another to form an inner electrical conductor of a high voltage power cable, and an elongated tubular electrical insulation device arranged to house and surround the inner electrical conductor. A method for providing a flexible insulated high voltage power cable includes the step of assembling a plurality of elongated electrical conductor segments and an electrical insulation device on site to form the cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Nikolaus ZANT, Jens ROCKS, Chau-Hon HO, Alexandre OUDALOV, Robin GREMAUD, Xavier KORNMANN, Patrik KAUFMANN, Lorenz HERRMANN, Emmanuel LOGAKIS, Marco SCHNEIDER
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Publication number: 20150047372Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided for a switchgear. The switchgear has one or more primary contacts constructed and arranged to connect to a terminal of a circuit breaker. The cooling apparatus includes an evaporator constructed and arranged to be associated with each primary contact. A condenser is located at a higher elevation than the evaporator. Fluid conduit structure fluidly connects the evaporator with the condenser. A portion of the fluid conduit structure defines a busbar tube electrically connected with an associated primary contact and defining a busbar of the switchgear. Working fluid is in the evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the fluid conduit structure being constructed and arranged to transfer the vapor to the condenser and to passively return condensed working fluid back to the evaporator for cooling the at least one primary contact and the associated busbar tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: ABB Technology AGInventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Gabriel Schuler, Peter Unternaehrer
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Patent number: 8717746Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided for a switchgear having at least one primary contact to connect to a terminal of a circuit breaker, with a busbar joint connected to the primary contact. The cooling apparatus includes an evaporator associated with the primary contact. A condenser is located at a higher elevation than the evaporator. Heat pipe structure fluidly connects the evaporator with the condenser. Heat transfer structure is coupled with the busbar joint for removing heat from the busbar joint. Working fluid is in the evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the heat pipe structure transferring the vapor to the condenser and passively returning condensed working fluid back to the evaporator for cooling the at least one primary contact.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Francoise Molitor
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Patent number: 8695358Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling a switchgear is provided. The switchgear has one or more primary contacts supported by a bushing and constructed and arranged to connect to a terminal of a circuit breaker. The cooling apparatus includes at least one evaporator associated with each primary contact, a condenser apparatus located at a higher elevation than the at least one evaporator, fluid conduit structure connecting the at least one evaporator with the condenser apparatus, and electrically insulating working fluid in at least one evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the fluid conduit structure being constructed and arranged to transfer the vapor to the condenser apparatus and to passively return condensed working fluid back to the at least one evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.Inventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Harshavardhan M. Karankikar, Rahul Pawar, Jerry Earl, Gabriel Schuler
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Publication number: 20140060779Abstract: A condenser for condensing vapor to liquid for cooling a switchgear having a heat generating component inside an enclosure and tubing structure associated with the heat generating component. A working fluid is disposed within an end portion of the tubing structure. The condenser includes a hollow tubular base defining a volume and having first and second opposing opened ends. A plurality of fins extends from a periphery of the base. The fins are in spaced relation and disposed about the entire circumference of the base. A first end cap is coupled to the base so as to close the first opened end. A second end cap is coupled to the base to close the second opened end. The second end cap has port structure constructed and arranged to fluidly communicate the tubing structure with the volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Harshavardhan M. Karandikar, Patrik Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20130250490Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided for a switchgear having at least one primary contact to connect to a terminal of a circuit breaker, with a busbar joint connected to the primary contact. The cooling apparatus includes an evaporator associated with the primary contact. A condenser is located at a higher elevation than the evaporator. Heat pipe structure fluidly connects the evaporator with the condenser. Heat transfer structure is coupled with the busbar joint for removing heat from the busbar joint. Working fluid is in the evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the heat pipe structure transferring the vapor to the condenser and passively returning condensed working fluid back to the evaporator for cooling the at least one primary contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AGInventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Francoise Molitor
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Publication number: 20120297798Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling a switchgear is provided. The switchgear has one or more primary contacts supported by a bushing and constructed and arranged to connect to a terminal of a circuit breaker. The cooling apparatus includes at least one evaporator associated with each primary contact, a condenser apparatus located at a higher elevation than the at least one evaporator, fluid conduit structure connecting the at least one evaporator with the condenser apparatus, and electrically insulating working fluid in at least one evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state, with the fluid conduit structure being constructed and arranged to transfer the vapor to the condenser apparatus and to passively return condensed working fluid back to the at least one evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AGInventors: Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Harshavardhan M. Karankikar, Rahul Pawar, Jerry Earl, Gabriel Schuler