Patents by Inventor Timo Mahlanen

Timo Mahlanen 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: 11927028
    Abstract: An exemplary power plant construction is configured to accommodate an internal combustion engine and a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, and includes a front wall, a rear wall and side walls, at least the side walls being modular walls having at least two wall modules arranged one upon the other, the wall modules being self-supporting modules having a shape of a rectangular prism, wherein the wall modules arranged one upon the other form a self-supporting wall, and wherein the uppermost wall module of each side wall includes a beam that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side walls and configured to function as a runway beam of an overhead crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Timo Mahlanen, Juha Kerttula, Reijo Leikas, Botvid Lindström, Markus Sandås
  • Publication number: 20220106803
    Abstract: An exemplary power plant construction is configured to accommodate an internal combustion engine and a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, and includes a front wall, a rear wall and side walls, at least the side walls being modular walls having at least two wall modules arranged one upon the other, the wall modules being self-supporting modules having a shape of a rectangular prism, wherein the wall modules arranged one upon the other form a self-supporting wall, and wherein the uppermost wall module of each side wall includes a beam that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side walls and configured to function as a runway beam of an overhead crane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Timo MAHLANEN, Juha KERTTULA, Reijo LEIKAS, Botvid LINDSTRÖM, Markus SANDÅS
  • Patent number: 8221928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit having an anode side and a cathode side with an electrolyte therebetween, the fuel cell apparatus having at least a fuel inlet to the anode side and an oxygen-containing air inlet to the cathode side as well as a sulphur removal unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combustion the exhaust gases from the anode and/or cathode side. According to the invention, the afterburner is provided with a separate fuel inlet channel for introducing fuel to the afterburner during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a part of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed from the afterburner for heating at least the sulphur removal unit and/or the fuel modifying unit during the start-up phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Timo Kivisaari, Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20120034544
    Abstract: A fuel cell arrangement (1) comprising a number of fuel cell stacks (2) formed by planar fuel cells, the stacks being arranged one after the other, each of which being provided with a gas connection for the inlet and exhaust flows of the gas of the anode and the cathode side. The fuel cell stacks (2) are arranged together positioned over a fastening plane element (3) by means of an end piece (5) and the fastening plane element (3) and tie bars (6) connecting them. The gas connection comprises anode and cathode side conduits arranged on the first surface (2.1) of each fuel cell stack. The arrangement comprises at least two consecutive fuel cell stacks (2) the anode and cathode side conduits of which are in connection with a common inlet and collector piece (4.1, 4.2) located between the said two consecutive fuel cell stacks (2) against the said first surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20110183229
    Abstract: A fuel cell arrangement comprising a number of fuel cell stacks (17, 17?) consisting of planar fuel cells, the stacks being arranged one after the other, each of which being provided with a gas connection for the inlet and outlet flows of the gas of the anode and the cathode side. The fuel cell stacks (17, 17?) are arranged as a tower on a fastening plane element (2, 2?) acting as a load-bearing structure, the tower being supported by means of an end piece (19, 19?) arranged at the end opposite to the fastening plane element (2, 2?) of the tower and by tie bars (11, 11?) connecting the fastening plane element and the end piece. The fastening plane element (2, 2?) is provided with inlet and exhaust flow channels for both anode and cathode side gas, the channels being connected to the common anode and cathode side gas tubes (6, 6?; 7, 7?) of the tower arranged in connection with the tower for arranging the gas connection of the fuel cell stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Erkko Fontell, Timo Mahlanen, Petri Hossi, Peik Jansson
  • Patent number: 7947401
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit, the fuel cells of which include an anode side and a cathode side and an electrolyte therebetween and in which fuel cell apparatus there is at least a fuel inlet into the anode side and an oxygen-containing gas inlet into the cathode side as well as a de-sulphuring unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combusting the exhaust gases of the anode and/or cathode sides. According to the invention, a separate fuel channel has been arranged for the afterburner for introducing fuel to the afterburner at least during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a portion of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus from the afterburner for heating at least the de-sulphuring unit and/or the fuel modifying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Timo Kivisaari, Timo Mahlanen
  • Patent number: 7866161
    Abstract: A gas engine plant that includes a combustion engine adapted to combust gaseous fuel receives fuel containing hydrocarbons, reforms the fuel by cracking the heavier hydrocarbons in the fuel while minimizing cracking of methane, and feeds the reformed fuel in gaseous form to the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Timo Mahlanen, Sören Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20100239926
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit having an anode side and a cathode side with an electrolyte therebetween, the fuel cell apparatus having at least a fuel inlet to the anode side and an oxygen-containing air inlet to the cathode side as well as a sulphur removal unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combustion the exhaust gases from the anode and/or cathode side. According to the invention, the afterburner is provided with a separate fuel inlet channel for introducing fuel to the afterburner during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a part of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed from the afterburner for heating at least the sulphur removal unit and/or the fuel modifying unit during the start-up phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Timo Kivisaari, Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20090314227
    Abstract: A gas engine plant that includes a combustion engine adapted to combust gaseous fuel receives fuel containing hydrocarbons, reforms the fuel by cracking the heavier hydrocarbons in the fuel while minimizing cracking of methane, and feeds the reformed fuel in gaseous form to the combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ
    Inventors: Timo Mahlanen, Sören Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7497180
    Abstract: A gas supply arrangement of a marine vessel being adapted to carry liquefied gas in its cargo tank having an ullage space section and a liquid phase section, which arrangement utilizes the gas as fuel to provide power for the vessel, the arrangement comprising a first gas supply line provided for processing the natural boil-off gas formed in the cargo tank, a second gas supply line which connects the cargo tank and the gas main supply line and which is provided with at least a pump for raising the pressure of the liquid gas and for pumping it forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventors: Sören Karlsson, Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20090035610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit, the fuel cells of which include an anode side and a cathode side and an electrolyte therebetween and in which fuel cell apparatus there is at least a fuel inlet into the anode side and an oxygen-containing gas inlet into the cathode side as well as a de-sulphuring unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combusting the exhaust gases of the anode and/or cathode sides. According to the invention, a separate fuel channel has been arranged for the afterburner for introducing fuel to the afterburner at least during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a portion of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus from the afterburner for heating at least the de-sulphuring unit and/or the fuel modifying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Timo Kivisaari, Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20080166598
    Abstract: Element for compressing a fuel cell stack comprising two spring plates defining a gas-tight cavity filled with a suitable medium. Expansion of the medium upon increase of the temperature gives rise to a force compressing the stack. Additional spring rings can be placed between the spring plates, in order to increase the compressive force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20080113246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement in fuel cell apparatuses for processing the leakage gases of fuel cells, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit, the fuel cells of which include an anode side and a cathode side and an electrolyte therebetween and in which fuel cell apparatus there is at least a fuel inlet into the anode side and an oxygen-containing gas inlet into the cathode side. According to the invention the fuel cell unit is surrounded by a fire-proof casing provided with a combustion space, the combustion space of the casing being combined with an inlet for introducing oxygen-containing gas into the combustion space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Timo Kivisaari, Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20070175226
    Abstract: A gas supply arrangement of a marine vessel being adapted to carry liquefied gas in its cargo tank having an ullage space section and a liquid phase section, which arrangement utilises the gas as fuel to provide power for the vessel, the arrangement comprising a first gas supply line provided for processing the natural boil-off gas formed in the cargo tank, a second gas supply line which connects the cargo tank and the gas main supply line and which is provided with at least a pump for raising the pressure of the liquid gas and for pumping it forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Soren Karlsson, Timo Mahlanen
  • Patent number: 7225762
    Abstract: A method for spraying an aqueous liquid into the air intake duct (2) of a turbocharged piston engine (1) for humidifying the intake air to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. In a first stage in the method, the intake air is heated by a heat exchanger element (5?) before the turbocharger and water mist is injected into the air intake duct after the first heading stage through at lea one first nozzle (9, 10), and in a second stage the intake air is compressed by the turbocharger (4), causing its temperature to rise, and water mist is injected into the air intake duct through at least one second nozzle (12, 13) after the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventor: Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20070051114
    Abstract: A gas supply arrangement of a marine vessel being adapted to carry liquefied gas in its cargo tank having an ullage space section and a liquid phase section, and to utilize the cargo as fuel to provide power for the vessel, the arrangement comprising a first gas supply line which connects an ullage space section of the cargo tank and a gas main supply line and which is provided with a compressor for raising the pressure of the gas to an adequate level, a second gas supply line which connects liquid phase section of the cargo tank and the gas main supply line and which is provided with at least a pump for raising the pressure of the liquid gas and for pumping it forward. The second gas supply line is provided with a gas reservoir having an ullage space section and liquid phase section, which reservoir is connected to the liquid phase section of the cargo tank by a first duct section of the second gas supply line and to the gas main supply line by a second duct section of the second gas supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Timo Mahlanen
  • Patent number: 7096829
    Abstract: A spraying head for the humidification of intake air of a piston engine has a body and channels for supplying a spraying medium from an inlet to nozzles. A shutting/regulating mechanism respectively shuts off/regulates the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation OY
    Inventors: Timo Mahlanen, Jan Rönnberg, Aimo Honkanen, Göran Sundholm, Harry Metzger, Maarit Tuomisaari
  • Publication number: 20050252461
    Abstract: A method for spraying an aqueous liquid into the air intake duct (2) of a turbocharged piston engine (1) for humidifying the intake air to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. In a first stage in the method, the intake air is heated by a heat exchanger element (5?) before the turbocharger and water midst is injected into the air intake duct after the first heading stage through at least one first nozzle (9, 10), and in a second stage the intake air is compressed by the turbocharger (4), causing its temperature to rise, and water mist is injected into the air intake duct through at least one second nozzle (12, 13) after the second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventor: Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20050199190
    Abstract: A spraying head for the humidification of intake air, especially the intake air of a piston engine, said spraying head comprising a body and a channel for supplying a spraying medium from an inlet to at least one nozzle. The spraying head (6) is provided with at least two channels (18, 18?, 18?), each forming a separate passage to at least one nozzle (9, 10, 11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Timo Mahlanen, Jan Ronnberg, Aimo Honkanen, Goran Sundholm, Harry Metzger, Maarit Tuomisaari
  • Patent number: 5425673
    Abstract: A fire shutter comprises a plurality of substantially planar fire plate elements each having first and second opposite edges and supported so that they are adjacent to each other and turnable about respective parallel axes from a flow-through open position, in which gas-flow passages are formed between the plate elements, to a closed position, in which the first edge of one plate element of each pair of adjacent plate elements is close to the second edge of the other plate element of the pair and the fire plate elements together form a closed barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Kvaerner Masa-Yards OY
    Inventors: Timo Mahlanen, Kimmo Ritvanen, Arvo Rasanen, Outi Siivonen