Patents by Inventor Robert Lalla

Robert Lalla 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).

  • Publication number: 20240027248
    Abstract: A process monitoring device includes: a measuring tube module having at least one measuring tube through which a medium can flow; a receptacle module having a receptacle, wherein the measuring tube module can be inserted into the receptacle, wherein the measuring tube module can be mechanically separably connected to the receptacle module; and a system for biotechnological applications, wherein the system has a housing, wherein the housing has a housing wall, which delimits a housing interior, wherein the housing wall has a cover, wherein the cover has an opening, wherein the receptacle module, in particular the receptacle, extends through the opening into the housing interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin Schwenter, Robert Lalla, Samuel Neeser, Martin Josef Anklin, Ennio Bitto, Ruben Kiefer, Marc Werner
  • Patent number: 11774276
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow meter comprises a vibration element, an exciter assembly, a sensor assembly, and an electronic transformer circuit electrically coupled to the exciter assembly and the sensor assembly. The vibration element is contacted by the flowing fluid. The exciter assembly is designed to convert electric power into mechanical power to produce mechanical vibrations of the vibration element. The transformer circuit generates an electric driver signal and feeds electric power to the exciter assembly. The vibration element mechanically vibrates with a vibration frequency specified by the electric driver signal. The sensor assembly has two electrodynamic vibration sensors designed to convert vibrational movements of the vibration element at a first or at a second measurement point into electric vibration measurement signals having an AC voltage component with a frequency and with an amplitude based on the frequency and on a magnetic flux flowing through the respective vibration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Robert Lalla, Alfred Rieder, Martin Josef Anklin, Reinhard Huber
  • Publication number: 20220412785
    Abstract: The measuring system comprises a vibration-type measuring sensor, a sensor housing, a magnetic-field detector, and measuring-system electronics electrically coupled both to an oscillation exciter and to oscillation-sensing devices of the measuring sensor. The measuring sensor is inside the sensor housing and the magnetic-field detector is outside the sensor housing. The magnetic-field detector is designed to convert changes in the magnetic field into a magnetic-field signal having an amplitude dependent on a magnetic flux through the magnetic-field detector and/or on an area density of said magnetic flux. The measuring-system electronics are designed to determine, on the basis of oscillation measurement signals of the measuring sensor, the mass-flow-rate measurement values representing the mass flow rate and to at least qualitatively determine, on the basis of the magnetic-field signal, whether an external magnetic field is established inside the measuring sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Robert Lalla, Marcel Braun, Ennio Bitto, Johan Pohl
  • Publication number: 20220307884
    Abstract: A method for operating a measuring device with a measuring sensor having an oscillator, the oscillator having a vibratory measuring tube for guiding a medium, comprises: Determining a current value of a resonance frequency for a vibration mode of the oscillator; exciting a vibration out of resonance with an excitation frequency that differs from the current value of the resonance frequency; and determining the amplitude of a sensor signal that represents the vibration out of resonance. The amplitude of the sensor signal of the vibration out of resonance, a sensor signal of a vibration sensor of the oscillator, is determined by a low-pass filter the time constant of which is not less than 1000 period lengths of the vibration out of resonance. Also disclosed is a measuring device for carrying out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Rémy Scherrer, Robert Lalla, Reinhard Huber, Martin Josef Anklin
  • Publication number: 20220099543
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow meter comprises a transformer circuit configured to receive and analyze vibration measurement signals to determine mass flow measurement values which represent a mass flow of a fluid and to determine characteristic number values for at least one sensor characteristic number, which characterizes and/or is based on at least one harmonic component of at least one of the vibration measurement signals, wherein each vibration measurement signal includes a useful component, having a frequency corresponding to a drive frequency with an amplitude based on a respective magnetic flux through a respective vibration sensor of the flow meter, and a harmonic component having a frequency corresponding to a whole-number multiple of the drive frequency and an amplitude based on the respective magnetic flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Robert Lalla, Rémy Scherrer
  • Patent number: 11271390
    Abstract: An intrinsically safe circuit arrangement for supply of electrical power to a consumer having a maximum power requirement, comprising: a voltage source; a voltage monitor for limiting an output voltage to a maximum value; an electrical current limiting resistor for limiting an output electrical current to a maximum value; and an actively controlled electrical current limiting circuit for limiting output electrical current to an electrical current limit value, wherein the electrical current limiting circuit is embodied such that it controls at least the output current to the electrical current limit value as a function of a voltage drop across a part of the electrical current limiting circuit, when a loading of the circuit arrangement above the nominal load is present, such that an adapting of the electrical current limit value occurs, preferably based on a predetermined characteristic curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Koch, Robert Lalla
  • Publication number: 20220065674
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow meter comprises a vibration element, an exciter assembly, a sensor assembly, and an electronic transformer circuit electrically coupled to the exciter assembly and the sensor assembly. The vibration element is contacted by the flowing fluid. The exciter assembly is designed to convert electric power into mechanical power to produce mechanical vibrations of the vibration element. The transformer circuit generates an electric driver signal and feeds electric power to the exciter assembly. The vibration element mechanically vibrates with a vibration frequency specified by the electric driver signal. The sensor assembly has two electrodynamic vibration sensors designed to convert vibrational movements of the vibration element at a first or at a second measurement point into electric vibration measurement signals having an AC voltage component with a frequency and with an amplitude based on the frequency and on a magnetic flux flowing through the respective vibration sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Lalla, Alfred Rieder, Martin Josef Anklin, Reinhard Huber
  • Publication number: 20220057245
    Abstract: The Coriolis mass flowmeter comprises a measuring transducer having a vibration element, an exciter arrangement, and a sensor arrangement The flowmeter further includes an electronic transmitter circuit coupled with the exciter arrangement and the sensor arrangement. The transmitter circuit supplies power to the exciter arrangement to force mechanical oscillations having a wanted frequency. The sensor arrangement includes two electrodynamic oscillation sensors to convert oscillatory movements of the vibration element into an electrical signal having an alternating voltage having an amplitude dependent on the wanted frequency and on a magnetic flux of its oscillation sensor. The sensor arrangement includes a magnetic field detector adapted to convert changes of the magnetic field into a magnetic field signal having an amplitude dependent on a magnetic flux and/or an areal density of the magnetic flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Lalla, Alfred Rieder, Ennio Bitto, Marcel Braun
  • Patent number: 11092631
    Abstract: In a driver circuit having a signal generator, end stage and amplitude control, the signal outputs an analog signal to a signal input of the end stage, with an amplitude predetermined by an amplitude control value. A load output of the end stage is connected with a voltage measurement input of the amplitude control providing a load current having an electrical current level dependent on an electrical input signal applied on signal input and a load voltage having a voltage level dependent on the electrical current level of the load current. The amplitude control ascertains an amplitude deviation between actual and desired amplitude values for ascertaining an indicator value, which signals that a magnitude of a measurement voltage input is too high, if a threshold value has been exceeded and, if so, to ascertain an amplitude control value lessening further amplitude control values outputted to the amplitude control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventor: Robert Lalla
  • Publication number: 20210223080
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining density, mass flow rate and/or viscosity of a flowable medium includes: an oscillator including at least one oscillatable measuring tube for conveying the medium, and having at least one oscillatory mode, whose eigenfrequency depends on density of the medium; an exciter for exciting the oscillatory mode; at least one oscillation sensor for registering oscillations of the oscillator; and an operating-evaluating circuit, which is adapted to supply the exciter with an excitation signal, to register signals of the oscillation sensor, based on the signals of the oscillation sensor to ascertain current values of the eigenfrequency of the oscillator as well as variations of the eigenfrequency, and to determine a value characterizing density variations of the medium, wherein the value depends on a function, which is proportional to the variation of the eigenfrequency and has an eigenfrequency dependent normalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Yaoying Lin, Robert Lalla, Reinhard Huber
  • Publication number: 20200386597
    Abstract: A driver circuit comprises a signal generator having a frequency control input, an amplitude control input and a signal output, an end stage having a signal input and a load output, as well as an amplitude control with an amplitude input, an amplitude output and a voltage measurement input. The signal generator is adapted to output on its signal output an at least at times periodic, electrical, analog signal having a signal frequency predetermined by a frequency control value applied on the frequency control input and a voltage- and/or electrical current amplitude predetermined by an amplitude control value applied on the amplitude control input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventor: Robert LALLA
  • Publication number: 20190386486
    Abstract: An intrinsically safe circuit arrangement for supply of electrical power to a consumer having a maximum power requirement, comprising: a voltage source; a voltage monitor for limiting an output voltage to a maximum value; an electrical current limiting resistor for limiting an output electrical current to a maximum value; and an actively controlled electrical current limiting circuit for limiting output electrical current to an electrical current limit value, wherein the electrical current limiting circuit is embodied such that it controls at least the output current to the electrical current limit value as a function of a voltage drop across a part of the electrical current limiting circuit, when a loading of the circuit arrangement above the nominal load is present, such that an adapting of the electrical current limit value occurs, preferably based on a predetermined characteristic curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Bernhard Koch, Robert Lalla
  • Patent number: 9897473
    Abstract: The measuring transducer comprises four measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184) as well as two oscillation exciters and (51, 52). The oscillation exciter (51) includes a coil (511) secured to the measuring tube (181) as well as a permanent magnet (512) secured to the measuring tube (182) and movable relative to the coil (511) and the oscillation exciter (52) includes a coil (521) secured to the measuring tube (183) as well as a permanent magnet (522) secured to the measuring tube (184) and movable relative to the coil (521). In the case of the measuring transducer of the invention, the coils (511, 521) are connected electrically in parallel with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Marcel Braun, Robert Lalla, Christian Matt
  • Publication number: 20170003156
    Abstract: The measuring transducer comprises four measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184) as well as two oscillation exciters and (51, 52). The oscillation exciter (51) includes a coil (511) secured to the measuring tube (181) as well as a permanent magnet (512) secured to the measuring tube (182) and movable relative to the coil (511) and the oscillation exciter (52) includes a coil (521) secured to the measuring tube (183) as well as a permanent magnet (522) secured to the measuring tube (184) and movable relative to the coil (521). In the case of the measuring transducer of the invention, the coils (511, 521) are connected electrically in parallel with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Marcel Braun, Robert Lalla, Christian Matt
  • Patent number: 9109936
    Abstract: A measuring device electronics comprises a processor and two clock signal generators. One clock signal generator serves for producing a working clock signal, and also for producing a reference clock signal which is dependant on the working clock signal. The other clock signal generator, serves for producing a second reference clock signal, which is independent of the working clock signal. Based on the two independent reference clock signals, a frequency difference, can, to the extent that such is present, be ascertained during operation of the measuring device electronics or of the measuring device formed therewith. The frequency difference, represents a difference between the instantaneous clocking frequency of the first reference clock signal and the instantaneous clocking frequency of the second reference clock signal, and, in this respect, represents a measure for a deviation of an instantaneous clocking frequency, from the nominally predetermined clocking frequency, of the working clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Gernot Engstler, Hans Pohl, Christian Matt, Robert Lalla, Matthias Brudermann
  • Patent number: 8731846
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement of the invention includes: At least one measuring device, which generates, repeatedly during operation, measured values, especially digital, measured values, representing the at least one measured variable to be registered; as well as an electronic data processing system superordinated to the at least one measuring device, especially a data processing system which is spatially distributed and/or spatially remote from the measuring device. Measuring device and data processing system are connected together by means of at least two line-pairs, through each of which an electrical current flows, at least at times, during operation. According to the invention, the measuring device transmits the internally generated, measured values to the data processing system via both line-pairs. In this way, it is then possible to transmit a plurality of measured values simultaneously, when each of the two line-pairs is embodied as part of a two-conductor current-loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Jiri Karbula, Robert Lalla, Gernot Engstler
  • Patent number: 8525560
    Abstract: A driver circuit having: a voltage controller (UCD), which delivers a direct voltage (UPD) to a controller output; a direct voltage converter (DC/DC), to which is applied on the primary side the direct voltage (UPD) delivered from the voltage controller, and which converts such into a direct voltage (U?PD) available on the secondary side; and an end stage operated by means of said direct voltage (U?PD), which converts a control signal (sinexc—A) lying on a signal input into a driver signal (iexc) for the measuring transducer. The direct voltage (U?PD) available on the secondary side of the direct voltage converter (DC/DC) has, in such case, a magnitude which is always smaller than a magnitude of the direct voltage (UPD) delivered by the voltage controller, and the driver signal (iexc) has an electrical power (Pexc), which is higher than an electrical power (Psin) of the control signal (sinexc—A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Robert Lalla
  • Patent number: 8340921
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement of the invention includes: At least one measuring device, which generates, repeatedly during operation, measured values, especially digital, measured values, representing the at least one measured variable to be registered; as well as an electronic data processing system superordinated to the at least one measuring device, especially a data processing system which is spatially distributed and/or spatially remote from the measuring device. Measuring device and data processing system are connected together by means of at least two line-pairs, through each of which an electrical current flows, at least at times, during operation. According to the invention, the measuring device transmits the internally generated, measured values to the data processing system via both line-pairs. In this way, it is then possible to transmit a plurality of measured values simultaneously, when each of the two line-pairs is embodied as part of a two-conductor current-loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Jiri Karbula, Robert Lalla, Gernot Engstler
  • Publication number: 20120310545
    Abstract: A measuring device electronics comprises a processor and two clock signal generators. One clock signal generator serves for producing a working clock signal, and also for producing a reference clock signal which is dependant on the working clock signal. The other clock signal generator, serves for producing a second reference clock signal, which is independent of the working clock signal. Based on the two independent reference clock signals, a frequency difference, can, to the extent that such is present, be ascertained during operation of the measuring device electronics or of the measuring device formed therewith. The frequency difference, represents a difference between the instantaneous clocking frequency of the first reference clock signal and the instantaneous clocking frequency of the second reference clock signal, and, in this respect, represents a measure for a deviation of an instantaneous clocking frequency, from the nominally predetermined clocking frequency, of the working clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Gernot Engstler, Hans Pohl, Christian Matt, Robert Lalla, Matthias Brudermann
  • Publication number: 20110271756
    Abstract: A driver circuit comprises: a voltage controller (UCD), which delivers a direct voltage (UPD) to a controller output; a direct voltage converter (DC/DC), to which is applied on the primary side the direct voltage (UPD) delivered from the voltage controller, and which converts such into a direct voltage (U?PD) available on the secondary side; and an end stage operated by means of said direct voltage (U?PD), which converts a control signal (sinexc—A) lying on a signal input into a driver signal (iexc) for the measuring transducer. The direct voltage (U?PD) available on the secondary side of the direct voltage converter (DC/DC) has, in such case, a magnitude which is always smaller than a magnitude of the direct voltage (UPD) delivered by the voltage controller, and the driver signal (iexc) has an electrical power (Pexc), which is higher than an electrical power (Psin) of the control signal (sinexc—A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Robert Lalla