Patents by Inventor Franco Ferraro

Franco Ferraro 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: 11841259
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for parametering an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a predeterminable fill level, wherein the apparatus includes a sensor unit and an electronics. The method includes determining an influence interval for a received signal received by the sensor unit as a function of an environmental parameter, determining a first value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switch state, determining a second value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a second switch state, and determining a third value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switching point based on the first switch state and/or the second switch state and taking into consideration the at least one influence interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Michèle Arnold, Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 11605918
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protection device for a component of a releasable plug-in connection between a plug and a socket, which is arranged on or in a housing of an electronics unit of a field device. The protection device includes a first half shell and a second half shell at least partially complementary to the first half shell, wherein the two half shells are embodied as to define an internal volume when assembled and at least partially surround at least the plug, at least a first passageway for passage of the plug, or the plug and a cable secured to the plug, into the internal volume of the protection device, at least one securement unit for releasably securing the protection device to the housing, and at least one assembling unit for releasably assembling the two half shells with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • Publication number: 20220413067
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a coil, wherein the coil is part of a device for determining at least one process variable of a medium in a container, includes applying an electrical excitation signal to the coil and receiving an electrical reception signal from the coil, determining a first value for the reception signal at a first predefinable measurement time, comparing the first value for the reception signal at the first measurement time with a reference value, and determining a condition indicator for the coil on the basis of the comparison. Disclosed also is a device that is designed for carrying out the disclosed method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Mohammad Sadegh Ebrahimi, Franco Ferraro, Romuald Girardey, Raphael Kuhnen, Izabella Sandor, Ralf Wacker
  • Publication number: 20220373369
    Abstract: A securement arrangement for introducing a field instrument into a container includes a connection adapter and a sealing element. The field instrument includes a housing and a sensor. The sensor of the field instrument protrudes inwardly into the container, and the field instrument serves for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium in the container. The connection adapter includes a cylindrical basic body, on which a first securement element is arranged for securing the connection adapter to the field instrument. The connection adapter surrounds the field instrument when the connection adapter is secured to the field instrument. A second securement element is also arranged on the connection adapter for securing the connection adapter to a container adapter. The container adapter surrounds the connection adapter when the container adapter is secured to the connection adapter. A first support of the connection adapter accommodates the sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 11326925
    Abstract: Disclosed is a probe unit for a capacitive and/or conductive apparatus for determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a rod-shaped probe body, which is embodied in the form of a hollow body, especially with a cylindrical wall, and which has an internal volume, at least one ring-shaped electrode placeable, especially releasably, around the wall of the probe body, and at least one securement unit, which is embodied to secure the at least one electrode, especially releasably, at a predeterminable position on the probe body. Further disclosed is an apparatus for capacitive and/or conductive determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment and having a probe unit of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • Patent number: 11320459
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring system including: an automation field device embodied for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium; a connection unit, which includes a connection plug, which is electrically connected with the field device, and a cable, which is connected to the connection plug with a cable connection and which serves for supplying the field device with electrical energy and/or for transmitting information between the field device and a superordinated unit; and a protective cover, which surrounds the connection unit and the field device connected with the connection unit in a protection section, wherein by means of the protective cover the impact resistance of the measuring system in the protection section is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro, Robert Schmidt, Armin Wernet
  • Publication number: 20210270658
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for parametering an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a predeterminable fill level, wherein the apparatus includes a sensor unit and an electronics. The method includes determining an influence interval for a received signal received by the sensor unit as a function of an environmental parameter, determining a first value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switch state, determining a second value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a second switch state, and determining a third value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switching point based on the first switch state and/or the second switch state and taking into consideration the at least one influence interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Michèle Arnold, Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro
  • Publication number: 20210123785
    Abstract: Disclosed is a probe unit for a capacitive and/or conductive apparatus for determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a rod-shaped probe body, which is embodied in the form of a hollow body, especially with a cylindrical wall, and which has an internal volume, at least one ring-shaped electrode placeable, especially releasably, around the wall of the probe body, and at least one securement unit, which is embodied to secure the at least one electrode, especially releasably, at a predeterminable position on the probe body. Further disclosed is an apparatus for capacitive and/or conductive determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment and having a probe unit of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • Publication number: 20210066852
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protection device for a component of a releasable plug-in connection between a plug and a socket, which is arranged on or in a housing of an electronics unit of a field device. The protection device includes a first half shell and a second half shell at least partially complementary to the first half shell, wherein the two half shells are embodied as to define an internal volume when assembled and at least partially surround at least the plug, at least a first passageway for passage of the plug, or the plug and a cable secured to the plug, into the internal volume of the protection device, at least one securement unit for releasably securing the protection device to the housing, and at least one assembling unit for releasably assembling the two half shells with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • Publication number: 20200400717
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring system including: an automation field device embodied for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium; a connection unit, which includes a connection plug, which is electrically connected with the field device, and a cable, which is connected to the connection plug with a cable connection and which serves for supplying the field device with electrical energy and/or for transmitting information between the field device and a superordinated unit; and a protective cover, which surrounds the connection unit and the field device connected with the connection unit in a protection section, wherein by means of the protective cover the impact resistance of the measuring system in the protection section is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro, Robert Schmidt, Armin Wernet
  • Patent number: 10847331
    Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus and a method for determining and/or monitoring at least one predefined filling level of a medium in a container at least with a sensor unit and an electronic unit, wherein the electronic unit is configured to apply an excitation signal to the sensor unit and to receive a reception signal from the sensor unit, and wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one first computing unit which is configured to determine at least the predefined filling level from the reception signal in a normal operating mode, a second computing unit which is configured to make a statement relating to the state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode, at least one buffer which is configured to store the at least one statement relating to the state of the sensor unit and is electrically connected to the first computing unit and to the second computing unit, and at least one switching element which can be used to switch back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnos
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Dötsch, Franco Ferraro, Ralf Leisinger, Benjamin Monse
  • Patent number: 10422680
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring at least one media-specific property of a medium in automation technology with a measuring probe, wherein the at least one media-specific property is ascertained in a conductive operating mode and in a capacitive operating mode of the measuring probe. The conductive operating mode and the capacitive operating mode are operated alternately, wherein based on the measured values, which are ascertained in at least one of the two operating modes, it is checked, whether the at least one media-specific property to be monitored lies within a predetermined tolerance band, and wherein a report and/or a switching signal is generated, when the at least one media-specific property to be monitored lies outside of the predetermined tolerance band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 10302479
    Abstract: A system for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium in a container, comprising a sensor module with an oscillatable unit, which is arranged in such a manner in the container that the oscillatable unit extends to a defined immersion depth in the medium, or that the oscillatable unit is placed at the height of the predetermined fill level, a tubular extension and/or a temperature reduction unit of a defined length, a contacting module and an electronics module, composed of an exciter/receiving unit, which excites the oscillatable unit to execute oscillations and receives the oscillations of the oscillatable unit. Two electrical coupling paths are associated with the electronics module, and a control/evaluation unit, which based on at least one oscillation variable of the oscillations or based on a change of an oscillation variable of the oscillations, provides information concerning the process variable or the reaching of the predetermined fill level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Dotsch, Franco Ferraro, Philipp Walser, Andreas Krumbholz, Robert Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10281312
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a set fill level of a medium in a container using a fill level measuring probe that is designed to operate as a conductive fill level measuring probe in a conductive operating mode and as a capacitive fill level measuring probe in a capacitive operating mode, with a control/evaluation/output unit that is designed to alternately trigger conductive operating mode and capacitive operating mode, and with a control/evaluation/output unit that determines whether the set fill level of the medium in the container has been reached on the basis of the measured values from the two operating modes, and which generates a message when the set fill level is exceeded and/or undershot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 10228717
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing the clock frequency of a microcontroller associated with a field device of automation technology. The field device as a function of application is exposed to different process conditions, wherein the clock frequency of the microcontroller is ascertained at least two different temperature values, and/or at least two different voltage values. Based on the ascertained values, the dependence of the clock frequency of the microcontroller on temperature over a predetermined temperature- and/or frequency range and/or the dependence of the clock frequency of the microcontroller on voltage over a predetermined voltage- and/or frequency range is ascertained. The ascertained values are stored, and the influence of temperature and/or voltage on the clock frequency of the microcontroller is at least approximately compensated taking into considering the ascertained temperature dependence and/or the ascertained voltage dependence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Kaj Uppenkamp, Walter Rombach, Franco Ferraro, Armin Wernet
  • Publication number: 20190013166
    Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus and a method for determining and/or monitoring at least one predefined filling level of a medium in a container at least with a sensor unit and an electronic unit, wherein the electronic unit is configured to apply an excitation signal to the sensor unit and to receive a reception signal from the sensor unit, and wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one first computing unit which is configured to determine at least the predefined filling level from the reception signal in a normal operating mode, a second computing unit which is configured to make a statement relating to the state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode, at least one buffer which is configured to store the at least one statement relating to the state of the sensor unit and is electrically connected to the first computing unit and to the second computing unit, and at least one switching element which can be used to switch back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnos
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Dötsch, Franco Ferraro, Ralf Leisinger, Benjamin Monse
  • Patent number: 10048231
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable, comprising: a primary side (I) and a secondary side (II), which are galvanically isolated from one another, wherein the secondary side (II) has a sensor element sensitive for the process variable (2) and an electronics unit (9) of the secondary side and provides a measurement signal representing the process variable, and wherein the primary side (I) has an electronics unit (8) of the primary side for evaluating the measurement signal and for producing an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Franco Ferraro, Philipp Walser
  • Patent number: 9989398
    Abstract: A device for determining a predetermined fill level of a liquid in a container, with a sensor unit, comprising a unit capable of oscillating mechanically, a transmitter unit, and a receiver unit, which is electrically and mechanically coupled to the transmitter unit, and which transduces the oscillation of the unit capable of oscillating into an electrical receiving signal. An electronic unit, comprising a regulating unit, which regulates a phase difference that exists between the electrical transmission signal and electrical receiving signal to a determined value at which the unit capable of oscillating conducts oscillations at a resonant frequency, and which forms an oscillation circuit with the transmitter unit, receiving unit and the unit capable of oscillating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha D'Angelico, Sergej Lopatin, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 9989401
    Abstract: A measuring device featuring ascertaining and monitoring optimized orientation of the measuring device. Thus, the invention provides a measuring device for determining and/or monitoring limit level or fill level of a medium in a container, comprising at least one sensor unit and a measurement transmitter unit, wherein at least one inclination sensor is integrated in the measuring device for ascertaining orientation of the measuring device and/or the sensor unit on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Franco Ferraro, Harald Faber, Steffen Markoni
  • Publication number: 20160305813
    Abstract: A system for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium in a container, comprising a sensor module with an oscillatable unit, which is arranged in such a manner in the container that the oscillatable unit extends to a defined immersion depth in the medium, or that the oscillatable unit is placed at the height of the predetermined fill level, a tubular extension and/or a temperature reduction unit of a defined length, a contacting module and an electronics module, composed of an exciter/receiving unit, which excites the oscillatable unit to execute oscillations and receives the oscillations of the oscillatable unit. Two electrical coupling paths are associated with the electronics module, and a control/evaluation unit, which based on at least one oscillation variable of the oscillations or based on a change of an oscillation variable of the oscillations, provides information concerning the process variable or the reaching of the predetermined fill level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Dotsch, Franco Ferraro, Philipp Walser, Andreas Krumbholz, Robert Schmidt