Patents by Inventor Leo Amstutz

Leo Amstutz 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: 9411357
    Abstract: An electronic circuit that changes a charge signal into a voltage signal within a sensor suitable for direct installation in a roadway can be connected to two single-core cables that need not be highly insulating yet can realize the required power supply of the electronics. The circuit includes an integrated impedance converter (IEPE) at the output to a two-core cable and a charge amplifier with an IC1 that has two inputs. A capacitor Cc is connected in series to the signal output of the sensor at one input of the IC1. A Zener diode D is arranged between the ground output of the sensor and the second input of the IC1 and can be supplied with power by a resistor R1 in conjunction with a power supply arranged on the output side in order to adapt the potential at the second input of the IC1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventors: David Cornu, Adrian Hofmann, Leo Amstutz, Roman Strebel, Claudio Cavalloni
  • Publication number: 20150042304
    Abstract: An electronic circuit that changes a charge signal into a voltage signal within a sensor suitable for direct installation in a roadway can be connected to two single-core cables that need not be highly insulating yet can realize the required power supply of the electronics. The circuit includes an integrated impedance converter (IEPE) at the output to a two-core cable and a charge amplifier with an IC1 that has two inputs. A capacitor Cc is connected in series to the signal output of the sensor at one input of the IC1. A Zener diode D is arranged between the ground output of the sensor and the second input of the IC1 and can be supplied with power by a resistor R1 in conjunction with a power supply arranged on the output side in order to adapt the potential at the second input of the IC1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: David Cornu, Adrian Hofmann, Leo Amstutz, Roman Strebel, Claudio Cavalloni
  • Patent number: 8674761
    Abstract: A circuit for a charge amplifier for converting piezoelectric measurement signals continuously sets the output signal of the amplifier to a value close to zero, such that a reset switch becomes unnecessary. The amplifier includes a pulse generator that provides the output signal of the amplifier in the form of pulses, which are easy to transmit with low interference. The pulse frequency is proportional to the rate of change of charge. The pulses, which are added in a counter, represent a value proportional to the change in the charge since the last counter reset, which is proportional to the present measured value at the measurement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kistler Holding AG
    Inventors: Leo Amstutz, Kurt Neff, Daniel Otter
  • Publication number: 20120268202
    Abstract: A circuit for a charge amplifier for converting piezoelectric measurement signals continuously sets the output signal of the amplifier to a value close to zero, such that a reset switch becomes unnecessary. The amplifier includes a pulse generator that provides the output signal of the amplifier in the form of pulses, which are easy to transmit with low interference. The pulse frequency is proportional to the rate of change of charge. The pulses, which are added in a counter, represent a value proportional to the change in the charge since the last counter reset, which is proportional to the present measured value at the measurement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Kistler Holding AG
    Inventors: Leo Amstutz, Kurt Neff
  • Patent number: 7783446
    Abstract: A measuring system includes a piezoelectric sensor, two or more charge amplifiers that are provided with different amplification settings and one respective output, and a signal splitter which is disposed between the sensor and the amplifiers. A charge signal received by the piezoelectric sensor is subdivided into two or more partial signals on the signal splitter during a measurement, and each of two or more partial signals is fed to one of the charge amplifiers, is processed therein, and is finally fed to the outputs. The signal splitter preferably encompasses two or more capacitors. The inventive measuring system is used above all for measuring forces, pressures, extensions/expansions, moments, or accelerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Kistler Holding, AG
    Inventors: Leo Amstutz, Max P. Waser, Paul Engeler
  • Publication number: 20080300812
    Abstract: The measurement setup according to the invention comprises a piezoelectrical sensor 10 and two or more charge amplifiers 20, 21, 22 having different amplification settings and each having an output A1, A2 and Ai, as well as a signal splitter 40 arranged between the sensor 10 and the amplifiers 20, 21, 22. During a measurement a charge signal Q sensed by the piezoelectrical sensor 10 is split at the signal splitter 40 in two or more partial signals Q1, Q2 and Qi each of which is fed and processed in one of the charge amplifiers 20, 21, 22 and eventually fed to the outputs A1, A2, and Ai. The signal splitter 40 preferably comprises two or more capacitors C1, C2, and Ci. The measurement setup with the piezoelectrical sensor 10 primarily serves for measuring forces, pressures, strain, moments, or accelerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Leo Amstutz, Max P. Waser, Paul Engeler
  • Patent number: 4760345
    Abstract: A charge amplifier circuit includes an operational amplifier with an integrating capacitor between its inverting input and its output, and a resetting device with a switch that is closed during the reset phase for discharging the integrating capacitor. Provided at the output of the charge amplifier circuit is a circuit arrangement with a correction amplifier which when the switch is closed, automatically delivers a correction charge to the integrating capacitor, compensating the zero shift of the output voltage from the charge amplifier circuit during the measuring phase. This circuit arrangement is particularly suited for charge amplifiers with an extremely high ohmic input stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Kistler Instrumente Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Busser, Leo Amstutz