ABB Ltd

About: ABB Ltd is a company organization based out in Zurich, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Voltage & Signal. The organization has 6222 authors who have published 6852 publications receiving 83994 citations.

Assessing the firm's strategic knowledge portfolio: a framework and methodology

Abstract: It is now widely acknowledged that knowledge rather than capital assets is the source of wealth in today's global economy in which firms increasingly are competing in knowledge-intensive markets. Consequently, firms are seeking to gain a better understanding of how their organisationally-embedded knowledge can be exploited to gain and maintain competitive edge in a turbulent marketplace. To be competitive and successful, firms are creating and sustaining a dynamic portfolio of knowledge repositories and processes. The authors contend that the outcomes can be much enhanced if this is based on a systematic approach to knowledge management. A consensus in leading edge firms about the importance of knowledge has resulted in considerable investment in the analysis of technology portfolios and such processes as technology mapping. Nevertheless many firms, particularly smaller and medium enterprises, have still not translated a concern for improved knowledge management into even the most rudimentary analysis. Consequently, many firms do not have the means for really understanding the strategic impact of their knowledge capital on their competitive performance. Practical tools and methodologies which assist in this process of assessing the breadth and depth of an organisation's knowledge portfolio can assist significantly in such cases in enabling firm's to get the key issues onto the board agenda. In this paper the authors present a conceptual framework for mapping a firm's knowledge portfolio in terms of four domains - content, process, infrastructure and culture. The mapping approach is designed to help guide the thinking process in the firm with respect to ways in which its knowledge is being created, stored and applied towards competitive advantage. The methodology begins with a mapping of the firm's business processes from a knowledge perspective. Core business processes are unbundled in terms of their specific knowledge domains. They are subsequently classified according to their degree of tacitness. Next, the competitive impact and competitive positioning of each area is evaluated and compared to the principal competition. Gaps in the firm's knowledge portfolio are identified; a strategic framework is provided for a proactive approach to strategic knowledge management. The methodology provides a systematic approach to building a strategic knowledge map. It represents a strategic tool for assessing a firm's knowledge portfolio - it is a map pointing to where knowledge resides in the firm; to key knowledge processes; and to the flow of knowledge between processes and between people.

Crystal field in RBa2Cu3O7 (R rare earth) determined by neutron spectroscopy

Abstract: The crystal-field interaction of the high- T c superconductors RBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (R  Nd, Dy, Ho) was determined by neutron spectroscopy. Here we summarize our results obtained for NdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ . The observed energy spectra are strongly influenced by the oxygen vacancy concentration δ, and the quasielastic line width exhibits a sudden drop at T c .

Fibre-optical sensor

Abstract: In einem interferometrischen faseroptischen Sensor mit Homodyne-Detektion zum Messen elektrischer Felder oder Spannungen erfolgt die Kompensation des Messignals getrennt von der Arbeitspunktkontrolle. In an interferometric fiber optic sensor with Homodyne detection for measuring electric fields or voltages, the compensation of the measuring signal is carried out separately from the operating point control. Das vom elektrischen Feld herruhrende Messignal wird in einem piezoelektrischen Modulator (5) kompensiert, der aus Modulatorelementen besteht, die bezuglich Material, geometrischer Form und Kristallorientierung identisch mit dem mindestens einen Sensorelement (3) sind. The electric field emanating from the measurement signal is compensated in a piezoelectric modulator (5), consisting of modulator elements which are identical to the at least one sensor element (3) with regard to material, geometric shape and crystal orientation. Zur Arbeitspunktkontrolle sind zusatzliche, separate Mittel (4) mit einem hinreichend grossen Phasenhub vorgesehen. For operating point control additional separate means (4) are provided with a sufficiently large phase shift. Modulatorelememt und Sensorelement (3) befinden sich im wesentlichen auf gleicher Temperatur, so dass die Temperaturabhangigkeit der Materialkonstanten des Sensorelements und die Temperaturabhangigkeit des Faserinterferometers eliminiert werden. Modulatorelememt and the sensor element (3) are located at substantially the same temperature so that the temperature dependency of the material constants of the sensor element and the temperature dependence of the fiber interferometer can be eliminated. Vorzugsweise arbeitet der Sensor nach dem Prinzip eines faseroptischen Zwei-Moden-Interferometers. Preferably, the sensor operates on the principle of a double-mode fiber optic interferometer.

Method and device for protecting busbars

Abstract: In a busbar protection method and a corresponding device, the maximum values of the currents in the outgoers are determined. The maximum values Ikmax of the current characteristics are extended by a certain hold time th. Subsequently, these current characteristics are processed further vectorially. With the aid of these current characteristics Ik changed in such a way, a fault signal is calculated by means of a protection algorithm, preferably the current comparison method with current stabilization or the phase comparison algorithm. It can be uniquely determined on the basis of the extension of the maximum according to the invention whether an external fault or an internal one is concerned. The advantage of the method and of the device according to the invention resides, in particular, in that the localization of the fault is possible in a reliable fashion even in the case of strong saturation of the current transformers. Above all, false tripping can be reliably avoided even in the case of external faults.

SPT + , the Next Generation of Low-Loss HV-IGBTs

Abstract: Following the successful introduction of the high voltage Soft-Punch-Through (SPT) IGBT range, we introduce in this paper our next generation of HV-IGBTs employing the newly developed SPT + technology. The new IGBTs exhibit significant loss reduction in terms of on-state and turn-off losses while maintaining smooth switching waveforms and the extreme SOA performance characteristic of the well- established HV-SPT IGBTs.