Patents by Inventor Martin Lustenberger

Martin Lustenberger 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: 11885696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibrating wire sensor (20, 30, 40 and 50) having a vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51), which is tensioned accordingly differently under measurement conditions of a current factor to be detected, and having an exciter arrangement for exciting the vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51) in the range of the respective natural frequency thereof, wherein the exciter arrangement has at least one exciter layer (22, 32, 42 and 52) provided on a longitudinal portion of the vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51), having a piezoelectric activation layer (33, 46 and 54), which has a different length depending on the activation state, and thus creates a correspondingly different vibration position of the vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51). A vibrating wire sensor can thus be designed to be more robust, wherein the power consumption is additionally considerably less. The invention further relates to a vibrating wire having an exciter layer (22, 32, 42 and 52), which has a piezoelectric activation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Digi Sens Holding AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 11473962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calculating the weight of a load moving on scales (1). According to the method, a load signal of the scales is determined over a period of time using the speed of the load, and several partial load signals (TL1, TL2) are used, the total thereof providing the load signal, a first partial load signal (TL1) displaying a maximum value as long as the load is fully on the weighing section of the scales (1), and a second partial load signal (TL2) displaying a minimum value as long as the load is completely removed from the weighing section of the scales (1), and the speed of the movement of the load is determined from said partial load signals (TL1 and TL2). The invention also relates to scales for carrying out said method, comprising two weighing units (10, 11) with flexible deformation elements on which deformation sensors (7, 15), which generate the partial load signals (TL1,TL2), are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Digi Sens Holding AG
    Inventors: Martin Lustenberger, Olivier Stuker
  • Publication number: 20200025633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibrating wire sensor (20, 30, 40 and 50) having a vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51), which is tensioned accordingly differently under measurement conditions of a current factor to be detected, and having an exciter arrangement for exciting the vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51) in the range of the respective natural frequency thereof, wherein the exciter arrangement has at least one exciter layer (22, 32, 42 and 52) provided on a longitudinal portion of the vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51), having a piezoelectric activation layer (33, 46 and 54), which has a different length depending on the activation state, and thus creates a correspondingly different vibration position of the vibrating wire (21, 31, 41 and 51). A vibrating wire sensor can thus be designed to be more robust, wherein the power consumption is additionally considerably less. The invention further relates to a vibrating wire having an exciter layer (22, 32, 42 and 52), which has a piezoelectric activation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: DIGI SENS Holding AG
    Inventor: Martin LUSTENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20190391003
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calculating the weight of a load moving on scales (1). According to the method, a load signal of the scales is determined over a period of time using the speed of the load, and several partial load signals (TL1, TL2) are used, the total thereof providing the load signal, a first partial load signal (TL1) displaying a maximum value as long as the load is fully on the weighing section of the scales (1), and a second partial load signal (TL2) displaying a minimum value as long as the load is completely removed from the weighing section of the scales (1), and the speed of the movement of the load is determined from said partial load signals (TL1 and TL2). The invention also relates to scales for carrying out said method, comprising two weighing units (10, 11) with flexible deformation elements on which deformation sensors (7, 15), which generate the partial load signals (TL1,TL2), are arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: DIGI SENS Holding AG
    Inventors: Martin LUSTENBERGER, Olivier Stuker
  • Patent number: 10139264
    Abstract: An elastically deformable load bearing structure includes a measuring arrangement for measuring a magnitude of a load acting on the load bearing structure in a loadable section. A mechanical transmission element extends from the loadable section to a measuring section of the load bearing structure and cooperates operatively with a sensor. The sensor is arranged in the measurement section. The mechanical transmission element is constructed as a pivotable rocker supported by a rocker bearing positioned inside a length of the transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DIGI SENS AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 9534948
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for measuring the weight of a load, which is displaced with a load lifting device over the edge of a raised loading surface and thus pulled onto the same or pushed down from the same, wherein during this operating process, in a support of the load lifting device loaded by the load, the force currently acting due to the displacement of the load is measured during the passage through a predetermined weighing window and the weight of the load is determined mathematically from the course thereof. Preferably, the load sensor is constructed as a tube which is equipped with two deformation sensors equipped essentially at right angles to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DIGI SENS AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 9468999
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load measuring element for the braces of a machine in order to determine the force transmitted by the load measuring element, comprising a carrier element which can be exposed to the force by way of a force introduction element and in turn rests on a support. The force introduction element, the carrier element, and the support interact with each other during operation such that the carrier element flexibly deforms under the weight load, wherein a measurement element is provided for determining said flexible deformation, In this way, an associated height adjustment can be specifically activated in order to adjust the machine such that it can be set up without impermissible distortion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: DIGI SENS AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Publication number: 20160103011
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elastically deformable load bearing structure comprising a measuring assembly for gauging the size of a load (12) acting on the load bearing structure (1, 15, 40, 60) in a loadable section (3). The structure also comprises a mechanical transmission element embodied as a rod (8), extending from the loadable section (3) to a measuring section (5) of the load bearing structure (1, 15, 40, 60), and operationally interacting with a sensor (6) arranged on the measuring section (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: DIGI SENS AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 9285262
    Abstract: A system for managing of bulk liquids and/or bulk solids for in-vitro diagnostics is disclosed. The system comprises a sample processing unit and a container unit for receiving a supply container supplying the sample processing unit with a bulk liquid/solid and/or a waste container receiving waste from the sample processing unit. The system further comprises a weight measuring device comprising a loading plate, a base and a force measuring cell. The force measuring cell comprises a sensor comprising a tensioned sensor wire. The loading plate is biased with respect to the base by a weight applied to the loading plate by a container and to transfer force to the force measuring cell. The transferred force causes a deformation of the force measuring cell and a change in tension of the sensor wire causing a change in vibrational frequency resulting in a signal indicative of the weight of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kneubuehl, Martin Lustenberger, Christian Marty, Emanuel Masel, André Peter, Markus Troxler
  • Publication number: 20140174837
    Abstract: A system for managing of bulk liquids and/or bulk solids for in-vitro diagnostics is disclosed. The system comprises a sample processing unit and a container unit for receiving a supply container supplying the sample processing unit with a bulk liquid/solid and/or a waste container receiving waste from the sample processing unit. The system further comprises a weight measuring device comprising a loading plate, a base and a force measuring cell. The force measuring cell comprises a sensor comprising a tensioned sensor wire. The loading plate is biased with respect to the base by a weight applied to the loading plate by a container and to transfer force to the force measuring cell. The transferred force causes a deformation of the force measuring cell and a change in tension of the sensor wire causing a change in vibrational frequency resulting in a signal indicative of the weight of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Kneubuehl, Martin Lustenberger, Christian Marty, Emanuel Masel, André Peter, Markus Troxler
  • Publication number: 20140069728
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for measuring the weight of a load, which is displaced with a load lifting device over the edge of a raised loading surface and thus pulled onto the same or pushed down from the same, wherein during this operating process, in a support of the load lifting device loaded by the load, the force currently acting due to the displacement of the load is measured during the passage through a predetermined weighing window and the weight of the load is determined mathematically from the course thereof. Preferably, the load sensor is constructed as a tube which is equipped with two deformation sensors equipped essentially at right angles to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DIGI SENS AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 8507810
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic scale for bulk material, having two swivel arms (2) and two load-lifting arms (8) mounted to the free end of said swivel arms, with one hole (7) being located in each of the swivel arms (2) and positioned transversely to the extension of the swivel arm and also transversely to the neutral fiber brought about by the flexural load. A pipe (9) is fitted into the hole (7) and is welded thereto. The pipe (9) comprises two sensors (14, 15) transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof, said sensors being located at an angle of substantially 90° to each other and each being disposed at an angle of ±45° to the direction of the shear stress component ?xy. Under the influence of the shear stress, the cross section of the tube (9) is deformed into an ellipse that is inclined at about 45°, the shorter and longer axis (11, 13) thereof being measured using the sensors (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Digi Sens AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Publication number: 20120035770
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load measuring element for the braces of a machine in order to determine the force transmitted by the load measuring element, comprising a carrier element which can be exposed to the force by way of a force introduction element and in turn rests on a support. The force introduction element, the carrier element, and the support interact with each other during operation such that the carrier element flexibly deforms under the weight load, wherein a measurement element is provided for determining said flexible deformation, hi this way, an associated height adjustment can be specifically activated in order to adjust the machine such that it can be set up without impermissible distortion of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Publication number: 20100126781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic scale for bulk material, having two swivel arms (2) and two load-lifting arms (8) mounted to the free end of said swivel arms, with one hole (7) being located in each of the swivel arms (2) and positioned transversely to the extension of the swivel arm and also transversely to the neutral fiber brought about by the flexural load. A pipe (9) is fitted into the hole (7) and is welded thereto. The pipe (9) comprises two sensors (14, 15) transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof, said sensors being located at an angle of substantially 90° to each other and each being disposed at an angle of ±45° to the direction of the shear stress component ?xy. Under the influence of the shear stress, the cross section of the tube (9) is deformed into an ellipse that is inclined at about 45°, the shorter and longer axis (11, 13) thereof being measured using the sensors (14, 15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 7192185
    Abstract: A method and equipment for checking a support device such as used in an elevator installation. The method and equipment detects reductions in cross-section of the tensile supports in the support device by heating the tensile supports with electrical current flow and determining the temperature at surface of surrounding sheathing. An increase in the temperature from an original measurement is an indicator of damage to the tensile supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Publication number: 20050063449
    Abstract: A method and equipment for checking a support device such as used in an elevator installation. The method and equipment detects reductions in cross-section of the tensile supports in the support device by heating the tensile supports with electrical current flow and determining the temperature at surface of surrounding sheathing. An increase in the temperature from an original measurement is an indicator of damage to the tensile supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Publication number: 20030047603
    Abstract: The logistic balance according to the invention comprises any desired large number of racks (1), each rack (1) being set up to accommodate a specific number of containers of small parts or parts themselves. The rack (1), comprising a rack shelf (5) and two side walls (6), is borne by hooks (12) which are fixed to two frames (11). The hooks (12) engage in openings (13) in an L-shaped supporting part (7) in each case, on which in each case a frame plate (8) of a force measuring cell (9) rests. The rack shelf (5) in each case rests on a load sensing plate (10) of the two force measuring cells (9). By means of suitable algebraic linking of the measurement results from the two force measuring cells (9) obtained in evaluation electronics, the weights of the individual containers and their positions on the rack (1) can be determined. By means of suitable electronic interrogation means, in this way the stock and its changes can be monitored continuously and displayed in the current state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Martin Lustenberger, Wolfram Luithardt
  • Patent number: 6327913
    Abstract: The inventive force measuring cell consists of a plate (2) which is provided with a circular hole (2), the axis of which is perpendicular to the surface of said plate (2) and to the direction of the force that is to be measured. Said axis also lies within the neutral surface of the plate (2). The plate (2) can also be the web of a carrier. A measuring transducer (12) is inserted into the hole (3) in order to measure any modification of the size of the diameter of said hole (3) on a plane that is inclined at an angle of 45° counter to the direction of the force (F) to be measured. A lateral force is created in the direction of y in addition to a transverse stress &tgr; with a component &tgr;xy by applying force in the direction of y when at least one side of the plate (2) is clamped in the base. The originally circular hole (3) is deformed into an ellipse. The measuring transducer (12) consists of a measuring transformer with an oscillating string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Digi Sens AG
    Inventors: Martin Lustenberger, Johannes Wirth
  • Patent number: 4680976
    Abstract: The device comprises a shaft to which is applied a torque to be measured. The shaft is mounted in two ball bearings which are secured in a pair of supports coupled by a cylindrical metallic piece forming a shield against electromagnetic influences from the outside. Concentric disks facing each other and at close proximity from each other are secured by means of connecting tubes respectively to each extremity of the shaft. Each disk comprises non transparent sectors for electromagnetic waves separated by transparent sectors, the sectors being arranged in a regular angular configuration on the disks. The relative angular position of the disks is such that in the absence of a torque applied to the shaft, the non transparent sectors of one disk and the transparent sectors of the other disk overlap. The disks form a shielding element the effect of which being variable in dependence on their relative angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Vibro-Meter SA
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 4570881
    Abstract: An ice warning system comprising a diaphragm set into vibration at one of its frequencies of resonance by a piezoelectric cell. The diaphragm is coupled thermally to a metallic plate alternately cooled and heated respectively below and above the ambient temperature by Peltier elements connected to a reversible DC current generator. A microprocessor measures any variation of the resonance frequency caused by a deposit of ice on the diaphragm during the cooling or heating periods and delivers an alarm signal if this variation of frequency reaches and/or exceeds a predetermined value. The microprocessor controls the period, intensity and direction of the current delivered by the DC current generator as a function of the ambient temperature and the temperature of the diaphragm. The ice warning system is preferably utilized in the aeronautical field for indicating the likelihood of natural ice formation on the engines and the wings of aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Vibro-Meter SA
    Inventor: Martin Lustenberger