Patents by Inventor Tero Viitanen
Tero Viitanen 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: 20230054916Abstract: A method for controlling a three-level brake chopper and a three-level brake chopper including, a first controllable semiconductor switch connected between a positive direct current pole and a first connection point, a second controllable semiconductor switch connected between the first connection point and a neutral direct current pole, a third controllable semiconductor switch connected between the neutral direct current pole and a second connection point, a fourth controllable semiconductor switch connected between the second connection point and a negative direct current pole, resistance means connected between the first connection point and the second connection point, and control means configured to control the second controllable semiconductor switch and the third controllable semiconductor switch into a conducting state in response to detecting a fault in the resistance means.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventor: Tero Viitanen
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Patent number: 10634434Abstract: An arrangement for cooling a closed, sealed cabinet (1), comprising a thermosiphon heat exchanger (2) disposed inside the cabinet (1) and having an evaporator (3) and a condenser (4) for circulating a working fluid between the evaporator (3) and the condenser (4) in a closed loop, wherein the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator (3) by heat flows to the condenser (4) for cooling and the condensed working fluid flows back to the evaporator (3). The evaporator (3) is exposed to hot air flow generated inside the cabinet (1), and a heat transfer element (5) is attached to the condenser (3) in a sealed manner through a cabinet wall (6) for transferring heat to the outside of the cabinet (1).Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Risto Laurila, Tero Viitanen, Bruno Agostini
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Publication number: 20170324353Abstract: A method for monitoring a change in a capacitance in an electric system, and an electric system comprising a multilevel inverter and at least two capacitances connected in series between a negative DC pole and a positive DC pole of the inverter, wherein the connection point between the capacitances is connected to one of the at least one middle DC pole of the inverter, and a controller configured to provide by the inverter an AC current component to one of the at least one middle DC pole of the inverter, which AC current component is distributed between the two capacitances connected to the middle DC pole, and monitor resulting AC voltage components in the two capacitances, and determine on the basis of a difference between the monitored AC voltage components a change in at least one of the two capacitances.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Tero Viitanen, Jarno Alahuhtala, Mikko Saarinen
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Patent number: 9627989Abstract: A three-level converter and a method for controlling a three-level converter, wherein the third (S31, S32, S33), the fourth (S41, S42, S43) and the fifth (S51, S52, S53) controllable semiconductor switch of a switching branch having, out of all the switching branches, the most positive voltage in its alternating current pole (AC1, AC2, AC3) is controlled to be non-conductive for the whole period of time when the switching branch in question has the most positive voltage in its alternating current pole, and the first (S11, S12, S13), the second (S21, S22, S23) and the sixth (S61, S62, S63) controllable semiconductor switch of a switching branch having, out of all the switching branches, the most negative voltage in its alternating current pole is controlled to be non-conductive for the whole period of time when the switching branch in question has the most negative voltage in its alternating current pole.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: ABB Technology OYInventor: Tero Viitanen
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Publication number: 20170063247Abstract: The present disclosure describes a modulation method for controlling at least two parallel-connected, multi-phase power converters. The method comprises generating synchronized switching sequences for the power converters on the basis of a common modulation reference, wherein each synchronized switching sequence comprises a first half sequence followed by a second half sequence, and wherein, for at least one of the power converters, the first half sequence is a rising-edge half sequence rising-edge half sequence and the second half sequence is a falling-edge half sequence, and, for at least one other of the power converters, the first half sequence is a falling-edge half sequence and the second half sequence is a rising-edge half sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: FREDERICK KIEFERNDORF, KI-BUM PARK, TERO VIITANEN, SAMI PETTERSSON, FRANCISCO CANALES
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Publication number: 20170059253Abstract: An arrangement for cooling a closed, sealed cabinet (1), comprising a thermosiphon heat exchanger (2) disposed inside the cabinet (1) and having an evaporator (3) and a condenser (4) for circulating a working fluid between the evaporator (3) and the condenser (4) in a closed loop, wherein the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator (3) by heat flows to the condenser (4) for cooling and the condensed working fluid flows back to the evaporator (3). The evaporator (3) is exposed to hot air flow generated inside the cabinet (1), and a heat transfer element (5) is attached to the condenser (3) in a sealed manner through a cabinet wall (6) for transferring heat to the outside of the cabinet (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Risto Laurila, Tero Viitanen, Bruno Agostini
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Patent number: 9484837Abstract: A switching branch for a three-level inverter, comprising a first and second switch (S1, S2) in series between a positive DC pole (P) and an AC pole (AC), a first and second diode (D1, D2) parallel to the first and second switches, a third and fourth switch (S3, S4) in series between a negative DC pole (N) and the AC pole, a third and fourth diode (D3, D4) parallel to the third and fourth switches, a fifth diode (D5) between a neutral DC pole (M) and a point between the first and second switches, a sixth diode (D6) between the neutral DC pole and a point between the third and fourth switches, a fifth switch (S5) and a seventh diode (D7) in series between the neutral DC and AC poles, and a sixth switch (S6) and an eighth diode (D8) in series between the neutral DC and AC poles.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: ABB Technology OyInventors: Matti T. Jussila, Tero Viitanen
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Patent number: 9450514Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus implementing the method for minimizing a circulating current of parallel-connected inverters. The method can include, for at least one parallel-connected inverter, measuring a common-mode voltage of the inverter, and controlling a cycle length of the switching cycle on the basis of the common-mode voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: ABB Technology OYInventors: Mikko Purhonen, Tero Viitanen
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Publication number: 20160099654Abstract: A three-level converter and a method for controlling a three-level converter, wherein the third (S31, S32, S33), the fourth (S41, S42, S43) and the fifth (S51, S52, S53) controllable semiconductor switch of a switching branch having, out of all the switching branches, the most positive voltage in its alternating current pole (AC1, AC2, AC3) is controlled to be non-conductive for the whole period of time when the switching branch in question has the most positive voltage in its alternating current pole, and the first (S11, S12, S13), the second (S21, S22, S23) and the sixth (S61, S62, S63) controllable semiconductor switch of a switching branch having, out of all the switching branches, the most negative voltage in its alternating current pole is controlled to be non-conductive for the whole period of time when the switching branch in question has the most negative voltage in its alternating current pole. (FIG.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventor: Tero Viitanen
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Patent number: 9294010Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for controlling a switching branch of a three-level converter to enter a stop state. The switching branch including a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch, a first diode and a second diode, a third semiconductor switch and a fourth semiconductor switch, a third diode, and a fourth diode, a fifth semiconductor switch and a sixth semiconductor switch, a fifth diode, and a sixth diode, and a manner of controlling the semiconductor switches. When the switching branch is set to enter a stop state, current flowing in a main circuit of the switching branch is transferred in a controlled manner to diodes that conduct the current, when all the semiconductor switches of the main circuit of the converter are turned OFF.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY OYInventors: Tero Viitanen, Mikko Saarinen
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Publication number: 20160056732Abstract: A switching branch for a three-level inverter, comprising a first and second switch (S1, S2) in series between a positive DC pole (P) and an AC pole (AC), a first and second diode (D1, D2) parallel to the first and second switches, a third and fourth switch (S3, S4) in series between a negative DC pole (N) and the AC pole, a third and fourth diode (D3, D4) parallel to the third and fourth switches, a fifth diode (D5) between a neutral DC pole (M) and a point between the first and second switches, a sixth diode (D6) between the neutral DC pole and a point between the third and fourth switches, a fifth switch (S5) and a seventh diode (D7) in series between the neutral DC and AC poles, and a sixth switch (S6) and an eighth diode (D8) in series between the neutral DC and AC poles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Matti T. Jussila, Tero Viitanen
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Publication number: 20150295524Abstract: A method and an arrangement of producing a safe torque off procedure of an electrical drive including a control unit and one or more power units having controllable semiconductor switches. The method includes detecting a signal in a control unit indicating a requirement to stop the drive, generating, based on the detected signal, at least one safety-approved signal which when received in a power unit initiates shutting-down of the power unit, feeding the generated at least one safety-approved signal to one or more power units, and initiating the shutting down of the one or more power units upon the receipt of the at least one safety-approved signal, the at least one safety-approved signal initiating at least two different shut-down procedures of the one or more power units at different time instants.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: ABB Technology OyInventors: Ilpo KANGAS, Antti-Ilmari KEKKI, Olli KESKI-RAHKONEN, Tero VIITANEN
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Patent number: 9088225Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for controlling a switching branch for a three-level converter, and a switching branch are disclosed. A first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch, a first diode and a second diode, a third semiconductor switch and a fourth semiconductor switch, a third diode, and a fourth diode, a fifth semiconductor switch and a sixth semiconductor switch, a fifth diode, and a sixth diode, and a control arrangement for controlling the semiconductor switches are provided. The first semiconductor switch, the first diode, the fifth semiconductor switch and the fifth diode reside in a first switching branch-specific semiconductor module, and the fourth semiconductor switch, the fourth diode, the sixth semiconductor switch and the sixth diode reside in a second switching branch-specific semiconductor module.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY OYInventor: Tero Viitanen
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Publication number: 20150131345Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus implementing the method for minimising a circulating current of parallel-connected inverters. The method can include, for at least one parallel-connected inverter, measuring a common-mode voltage of the inverter, and controlling a cycle length of the switching cycle on the basis of the common-mode voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: ABB OYInventors: Mikko PURHONEN, Tero VIITANEN
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Patent number: 8872382Abstract: A system and a method for compensating harmonic components or a reactive power of an electrical network. The system comprises a measurement unit (1) configured to measure an electrical quantity to be compensated, a control unit (2) configured to determine harmonics contents or a reactive power need of the measured electrical quantity to be compensated as well as to determine, as relative values, desired values corresponding with the harmonics to be compensated or the reactive power to be compensated, one or more compensation units (5, 6) configured, responsive to the desired values provided by the control unit (2), to generate harmonic components or a reactive current according to the desired values given as relative values, and a communications connection (3) configured to communicate the desired values determined by the control unit (2) to the compensation units (5, 6).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: ABB OyInventors: Antti Tarkiainen, Tero Viitanen
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Publication number: 20140268940Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for controlling a switching branch of a three-level converter to enter a stop state. The switching branch including a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch, a first diode and a second diode, a third semiconductor switch and a fourth semiconductor switch, a third diode, and a fourth diode, a fifth semiconductor switch and a sixth semiconductor switch, a fifth diode, and a sixth diode, and a manner of controlling the semiconductor switches. When the switching branch is set to enter a stop state, current flowing in a main circuit of the switching branch is transferred in a controlled manner to diodes that conduct the current, when all the semiconductor switches of the main circuit of the converter are turned OFF.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ABB OyInventors: Tero VIITANEN, Mikko SAARINEN
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Patent number: 8644043Abstract: A switching branch for a three-level rectifier and a method for controlling a switching branch for a three-level rectifier are provided. The switching branch includes a first diode and a second diode connected in series, a third diode and a fourth diode connected in series, a first controllable switch connected between a neutral DC output pole and a connection point between the first and the second diode, and a second controllable switch connected between the neutral DC output pole and a connection point between the third and the fourth diode. The switching branch controls the first controllable switch to be in a conductive state during a reverse blocking state of the first diode and the second diode, and controls the second controllable switch to be in a conductive state during a reverse blocking state of the third diode and the fourth diode.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: ABB OyInventor: Tero Viitanen
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Patent number: 8493759Abstract: A two-level or multi-level inverter are supplied with a positive auxiliary voltage (Ug+) and a negative auxiliary voltage (Ug?). A bootstrap technique provides a first positive auxiliary voltage and a first negative auxiliary voltage from the supplied potentials. The bootstrap technique provides at least one additional negative auxiliary voltage to a switch driver of at least one semiconductor switch from the first negative auxiliary voltage. At the start up of an inverter, the inverter can perform a startup sequence to provide auxiliary voltages to the respective auxiliary voltage inputs of the switch drivers by turning the power semiconductors sequentially on and off.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: ABB OyInventors: Tero Viitanen, Jussi Suortti, Matti Jussila
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Publication number: 20120320647Abstract: An exemplary switching branch for a three-level rectifier includes a first diode and a first semiconductor switch connected in series between a positive direct voltage pole and a neutral direct voltage pole, a second diode and a second semiconductor switch connected in series between a negative direct voltage pole and the neutral direct voltage pole as well as a thyristor and a third diode connected in series between a connection point between the first diode and the first semiconductor switch and a connection point between the second diode and the second semiconductor switch in such a manner that a connection point between the thyristor and the third diode is connected to an alternating voltage pole of the switching branch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: ABB OYInventor: Tero VIITANEN
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Patent number: D836548Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: ABB OyInventors: Roman Jauhonen, Raimo Heine, Tero Viitanen