Patents by Inventor Josef Fehrenbach

Josef Fehrenbach 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: 7804446
    Abstract: An antenna for a fill level radar includes a high-temperature process separation device and an attenuation element. The attenuation element is used to improve the measuring signal in the near zone of the antenna and is affixed to the process separation device or in the process separation device. In this way antenna ringing may be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kienzle, Josef Fehrenbach, Thomas Deck, Daniel Schultheiss, Jürgen Motzer
  • Publication number: 20100230600
    Abstract: A measuring device with a two-wire supply for radiometric filling level measuring or density measuring of a feed material with a processor which is designed to change from an active mode to a power-saving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Winfried RAUER, Josef FEHRENBACH, Thomas DECK, Holger SACK
  • Publication number: 20100223019
    Abstract: A method for filling level measuring comprises generating an echo curve and analysing the echo curve by means of an analysis method. The analysis method is at least one analysis method selected from the group of analysis methods comprising analysing the echo curve by means of at least two parallel tasks, and analysing the echo curve by comparing the echo curve with a spurious-echo curve at the IF-level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Karl Griessbaum, Josef Fehrenbach, Thomas Deck, Winfried Rauer, Martin Gaiser
  • Patent number: 7770858
    Abstract: A mounting bracket is adapted for mounting a field device, as well as to a field device that for the purpose of attachment to a mounting surface comprises such a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket comprises (a) a first bracket strap which includes a first rotary bearing, (b) a second bracket strap, spaced apart from the first bracket strap by a space, including a second rotary bearing and (c) at least one movable lock on one of the two bracket straps. The rotary bearings are designed to articulate on two opposing sides of a field device that may be arranged in the space so that the field device may be rotated, on an imaginary axis that extends through the space, from a first angle position to a second angle position. The lock is designed to engage the field device in order to in this way resist a torque of the field device in that the lock converts the torque to a pair of forces which is removable by way of one of the rotary bearings and by way of the lock itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Klaus Kienzle, Christian Sum, Juergen Motzer, Thomas Deck, Juergen Skowaisa, Holger Sack
  • Publication number: 20100175476
    Abstract: The invention is a vibration sensor with a carrying element capable of being set into vibration; a conversion device having a field coil to set and/or tap the carrying element into vibration; an anchor mounted in the field coil; and, a vibration element to transmit the vibrations from the carrying element into/from a surrounding space. The anchor is designed as two parts, having a permanent magnet and a coil core connected to the field coil, with an air gap arranged therebetween and lying in the area of the axial extension of the field coil. The permanent magnet is connected to the carrying element to transmit vibrations; and, the field coil and the permanent magnet are arranged to interact in such a way that any vibration of the permanent magnet induces current flow in the field coil and/or induces vibration of the permanent magnet in the field coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Joern Jacob, Holger Gruhler, Josef Fehrenbach, Martin Mellert, Frank Becherer
  • Patent number: 7747397
    Abstract: Described is a method for automatically initiating an update of a parasitic echo storage device in a fill level meter operating according to a runtime method. In this method individual echoes of echo curves of different ages are allocated, according to their typical echo characteristics, to global echo groups so that subsequently, after examining the behaviour over time of the echoes of the respective global echo curves, it can be judged whether the echoes of the respective global echo curves are useful echoes or parasitic echoes. Starting from this classification, the parasitic echo storage device is then updated with the oldest echoes of the corresponding global echo groups. Apart from the method for updating a parasitic echo storage device described is also an evaluation device for implementing the method as well as to a computer program and a computer program product for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum, Josef Fehrenbach, Thomas Deck, Martin Gaiser
  • Publication number: 20100140480
    Abstract: A level or density of a medium in a tank is radiometrically measured by detecting the light flashes generated by a scintillator with an array of photodiodes. Corresponding voltage pulses are summed up and analyzed with respect to their relevance before they are used for determining the level or the density of the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Winfried RAUER, Josef FEHRENBACH
  • Publication number: 20100123615
    Abstract: For safety reasons the potential of an electrical supply line of a radar sensor should be separate from the potential of the filling level container. An arrangement for potential separation for a filling level radar is provided, which arrangement comprises a separation element for insulating the waveguide from the antenna. The separation element, corresponding to the cross section of the waveguide, is ring shaped. In this way rotatability between the sensor housing and the antenna subassembly is provided without influencing the signal line between the antenna and the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Daniel Schultheiss, Karl Griessbaum
  • Publication number: 20100109963
    Abstract: An adaptation apparatus comprises a closing-off body and an enlargement. The closing-off body comprises a generated surface which is adapted to establish contact with an external conductor of a waveguide. The enlargement is arranged on the generated surface. The enlargement is adapted such that the enlargement spaces apart an electrical short circuit at a predetermined space from the generated surface of the closing-off body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Kienzle, Josef Fehrenbach, Juergen Motzer
  • Patent number: 7710328
    Abstract: Described is a planar antenna with a process separation device for a fill level radar. The planar antenna including a plate-shaped temperature-resistant process separation device that is arranged between the planar radiator element and the exterior of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Daniel Schultheiss, Juergen Motzer, Josef Fehrenbach
  • Patent number: 7710125
    Abstract: In fill-level measuring devices according to the pulse-transit-time method, a reflection that is generated internally in a microwave module is used as a reference for transit time measuring. For generating the reference pulse, the microwave module comprises its own sampling mixer or its own oscillator. Subsequently, the echo signal and the reference pulse can be further processed separately or together. No delay line is necessary on the transmission frequency of the radar sensor. Interference as a result of leakage signals is largely prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Daniel Schultheiss, Josef Fehrenbach, Christoph Mueller, Bernhard Corbe
  • Patent number: 7707881
    Abstract: Described is a component for a fill level measuring device or for a pressure measuring device. The component may include a coating with a microsmooth surface so that the microsmooth surface remains essentially free of any deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Joern Jacob, Joergen Motzer, Thomas Deck, Josef Fehrenbach
  • Publication number: 20100083751
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for measuring a fill level or limit state using an electromagnetic vibrating system, in which a transmission signal (s) is generated; a vibrating body (20) is excited into a state of vibration by the transmission signal (s); and by means of the reception signal (e) that is then produced by the vibrating body (2) the transmission signal (s) is modified for at least one subsequent excitation of the vibrating body (2), while a natural frequency (fe) of the vibrating body—or a magnitude (te) dependent on the natural frequency (fe)—is determined from the reception signal (e), and the transmission signal (s) is thereby modified. The subject matter of the invention also includes a circuit for implementing the process, as well as a corresponding measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: VEGA Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Joerg Boersig, Josef Fehrenbach, Martin Mellert
  • Publication number: 20100066594
    Abstract: A modular system is for assembling a fill-level radar antenna, a fill-level radar antenna, and o a fill level radar. The modular system comprises several modules that can be interconnected. In this way a host of different fill-level radar antennae may be produced that are optimally adapted to the corresponding conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus KIENZLE, Josef Fehrenbach, Juergen Motzer, Johannes Falk, Fritz Lenk
  • Publication number: 20100000316
    Abstract: A system for providing different versions of a modularly structured apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, wherein at least two devices to be generated from the system are based on different measuring principles, including a number sensor units (41-48), each sensor unit being designed for detecting a determined physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity into an electrical measuring signal, wherein at least two of the sensor units are distinguished from each other by their underlying measuring principles; at least one evaluation unit (10), adapted to connect to the sensor units, for evaluating and generating a process quantity signal representing the physical process quantity from the measuring signal of a sensor unit; at least one output unit (13) for outputting the process quantity signal; at least one voltage supply unit (16); and at least one housing unit (22-24) configured to accommodate at least the evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Jurgen Motzer, Karl Griessbaum
  • Patent number: 7640799
    Abstract: For safety reasons the potential of an electrical supply line of a radar sensor may be separated from the potential of the fill level container. A fill level radar with potential separation includes a separation element for insulating the aerial from a feed device. The separation element is arranged directly at the aerial, or forms part of the aerial. In this way insulation of the aerial from the exterior of the container is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Karl Griessbaum, Josef Fehrenbach, Daniel Schultheiss
  • Patent number: 7639176
    Abstract: The shape or amplitude of reference pulses in a filling level radar typically depend on the component quality of the circulator used, of a transmitting/receiving coupler, or else of the circuit temperature. In case of large echoes at close range, the quality of the measurement may deteriorate. A radar module for extracting a reference signal for a filling level radar comprises a tap extracting the reference signal and a delay line delaying the transmit signal. Delaying the transmit signal on its way to the antenna takes place after the extraction of the leakage pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Daniel Schultheiss, Christoph Mueller, Karl Griessbaum
  • Patent number: 7639177
    Abstract: In fill-level measuring devices that operate according to the FMCW principle, nonlinearity of the sensor signal depending on the time can result in measuring inaccuracies. The fill-level measuring device that operates according to the FMCW principle comprises a correction unit for the mathematical correction of the amplitude values or for calculating points in time of scanning the amplitude values on the basis of a reference correlation determined at the factory. In this way intermediate-frequency values that are identical to those of an ideal sensor can be derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum, Josef Fehrenbach
  • Publication number: 20090299662
    Abstract: A transit-time fill-level measuring device for measuring the fill level of a filling material in a container is stated, in which transit-time fill-level measuring device information about the topography of the filling material surface is determined on the basis of the shape of a single echo curve of the receiving signal. From this the fill volume can then be derived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Thomas Deck, Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum
  • Patent number: D621733
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Frank Becherer, Holger Sack, Winfried Rauer, Thomas Deck