Patents Assigned to Contact GmbH
  • Patent number: 12381757
    Abstract: A modular switch for use in a data transmission and control system, includes: a first module, which has a first bus segment supporting Ethernet-based communication and at least one first interface, to which a two-, or four- or eight-wire cable for transmitting Ethernet data packets can preferably be connected, and a second module, which has a second bus segment supporting Ethernet-based communication and a plurality of second interfaces, to each of which an external Ethernet-capable I/O device having a 2-wire interface can be connected via a 2-wire line for transmitting Ethernet data packets. The first module and the second module are each arranged in a separate housing and each has an interface for electrically coupling the first and second bus segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Müller
  • Patent number: 12379701
    Abstract: More efficient data transmission of safety-relevant data is achieved by a method for transmitting data between the central control apparatus and a plurality of decentralized devices, which includes generating, in the central control apparatus, a data telegram for the broadcast or multicast transmission of data to a plurality of devices, unidirectionally transmitting the data telegram from the central control apparatus to at least one decentralized device, monitoring the transmission duration of the transmission of the data telegram from the central control apparatus to the at least one decentralized device, and triggering a predetermined safety reaction if the transmission duration exceeds a predefined value. Further, a control and data transmission system designed to carry out the method, and means belonging to such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Viktor Oster, Lutz Rahlves
  • Patent number: 12368289
    Abstract: A cable gland system for arrangement on a housing wall includes: a guide element with an opening for receiving a cable, a first support surface for supporting on a first side of the housing wall and a first end region, and an opposite second end region, at least one external thread being arranged at least on a periphery of the first end region; and a fastening element with a second support surface for supporting on a second side of the housing wall, and an internal thread on an inner surface, the internal thread engaging with the external thread on the guide element in a screwed-on state. At least one contact surface with a contact structure respectively arranged on the periphery of the guide element, adjacent to the external thread and to the inner surface of the fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Schlueter, Antje Skowranek
  • Patent number: 12362515
    Abstract: A holding frame for a plug connector, for receiving contact inserts, includes: a main frame, which has a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a first end wall, and a second end wall opposite the first end wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall, and the second end wall enclosing an interior of the main frame into which the contact inserts are insertable in an insertion direction; and multiple wall segments, each of which has a fastening region via which the contact inserts that are inserted into the interior of the main frame are holdable on the main frame. Each wall segment of the multiple wall segments are arranged on a receiving section formed on the first side wall or on the second side wall. Each receiving section has a slot-like cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO.KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Diessel, Manuel Tuenker, Lukas Brillo, Hartmut Schwettmann
  • Patent number: 12355230
    Abstract: A method for fault current monitoring during electrical coupling of a direct voltage load to a direct voltage source, includes detecting a magnetic field formed around positive and negative conductors; comparing the detected magnetic field to a threshold value; and disconnecting the direct voltage load if the threshold value is passed. Further, a direct voltage switching device for coupling a direct voltage load to a direct voltage source where positive and negative conductors are routed through the direct voltage switching device, includes a switching element for coupling and decoupling the direct voltage load, a sensor for detecting a magnetic field formed around the positive and negative conductors; and an evaluation device, connected to the sensor and the switching element, for comparing the detected magnetic field with a threshold value and to activate the switching element to disconnect the direct voltage load when the threshold value is passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Grote, Lutz Heuer
  • Patent number: 12326825
    Abstract: A primary communication apparatus includes: a bus interface which is adapted to connect the primary communication apparatus to a data bus; a memory device in which software is stored; and a control unit. The control unit is adapted, when executing the software, to cause the primary communication apparatus to: provide a communication telegram for a predetermined secondary communication apparatus; insert into the communication telegram a first address assigned to the predetermined secondary communication apparatus; copy the communication telegram n times, wherein n is greater than 1; insert into each of the copied communication telegrams a second address, wherein the second addresses are all different and each is assigned to a separate coupling module; and transmit each of the copied communication telegrams via the bus interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Kogelheide
  • Patent number: 12293890
    Abstract: A contact monitoring means for monitoring an electrical, three-pole changeover contact includes: a signal generator, which generates a monitoring signal; a coupling means, which is connected downstream from the signal generator; a sensing circuit, which is connected downstream from the coupling means and which is coupled or can be coupled to the changeover contact. The monitoring signal generation of the signal generator and thus the monitoring signal and/or a signal derived from the monitoring signal can be changed as a function of a switching position of the changeover contact by means of the sensing circuit, which is coupled to the signal generator via the coupling means. The contact monitoring means also includes an evaluation means, which detects the monitoring signal and/or the signal derived from the monitoring signal and/or a change of the monitoring signal and/or a change of the signal derived from the monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Reinhold, Peter Scholz
  • Patent number: 12294193
    Abstract: A connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor includes: a busbar; a clamping spring, which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg, the clamping leg being transferable into a clamping position and into a release position; a conductor connection space formed between a section of the busbar and the clamping leg of the clamping spring; a displaceably arranged guide element, which is in operative connection with the clamping leg of the clamping spring, the clamping leg being holdable in the release position by the guide element; and a pivotably mounted actuating element, by which the guide element is displaceable to transfer the clamping leg of the clamping spring from the clamping position into the release position. The clamping spring is arranged between the section of the busbar and the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Hoppmann, Martin Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 12288955
    Abstract: A connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor includes: a housing; a busbar; a clamping spring including a clamping leg transferrable into a clamping position and into a release position; a conductor connection space formed between a section of the busbar and the clamping leg of the clamping spring; a displaceably arranged guide element, which is in operative connection with the clamping leg of the clamping spring, the clamping leg being holdable in the release position by the guide element; a release element, which, in the release position of the clamping leg of the clamping spring, is in engagement with the guide element, the release element during insertion of the conductor to be connected into the conductor connection space being actuatable thereby such that the release element comes out of engagement with the guide element and the guide element is displaceable by a spring force of the clamping leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Martin Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 12283810
    Abstract: The object of the invention is interference filter arrangements with surge protection having, an input for a conductive phase and a neutral phase of a three-wire alternating-current voltage system, an output for a protected conductive phase and a protected neutral phase of a three-wire alternating-current voltage system, at least one terminal for a protective earth, at least one first coil arranged as a filter element between the input of the conductive phase and the output of the protected conductive phase, at least one second coil arranged as a filter element between the input of the neutral phase and the output of the protected neutral phase, at least one first three-pole gas-filled surge arrester arranged with its two external poles parallel to the first coil, at least one second three-pole gas-filled surge arrester arranged with its two external poles parallel to the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Hannes Sagebiel
  • Patent number: 12270838
    Abstract: A current transducer for measuring the current flowing through an electrical conductor includes a current sensor for detecting a current intensity through the electrical conductor and an evaluation device for evaluating measured values detected by the current sensor and determining an energy flow direction as a determined energy flow direction. The current intensity is output in a positive or negative output range of an output unit depending on the determined energy flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Martin Jankowski
  • Patent number: 12260785
    Abstract: Identification strip for an electrical installation, —having a marking area that is designed to be printed by way of a pressing device, —having a clamping area that is designed to engage in a fastening groove, wherein the marking area and the clamping area comprise a first plastic, characterized in that—the marking area and/or the clamping area has/have at least one adhesion area that comprises a second plastic, —wherein the second plastic is more flexible than the first plastic so as to increase static friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Pölker, Joachim Jacke, Heinz Reibke
  • Patent number: 12244110
    Abstract: A current bar adapter for electrically connecting at least one plug-in module to at least one current bar and/or contact bar of an insert part which is inserted into a mounting rail, a number of current bars and/or contact bars that extend in a longitudinal direction of the mounting rail being arranged in the insert part, the current bar adapter including: a clamping device for snapping the current bar adapter onto the mounting rail; at least one interface for contacting the at least one plug-in module; and at least one contact element for contacting the at least one current bar and/or contact bar and establishing an electrical connection between the current bar and/or contact bar and the at least one plug-in module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Roland Tombers, Heinrich Kaeuper
  • Patent number: 12244123
    Abstract: A spark gap arrangement with at least three electrodes and with at least two holding frames, which are arranged flat one on top of the other, wherein each of the holding frames has an edge that surrounds a recess for accommodating at least one electrode, wherein at least one receptacle opening is made in the edge of at least one holding frame, in which opening a control element is arranged, and wherein the holding frames are arranged offset relative to one another around their central axis perpendicular to the plane of the holding frame, in such a way that the receptacle opening of a first holding frame is located above an electrode which is accommodated in a second holding frame arranged underneath, so that the control element arranged in the receptacle opening of the first holding frame makes contact with the electrode accommodated in the second holding frame arranged underneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Thomas Meyer, Viktor Okel
  • Patent number: 12241806
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a condition monitoring device for monitoring a condition of a mechanical machine component. The condition monitoring device may include a vibration sensor configured to detect mechanical vibrations on the mechanical machine component; a controller coupled to the vibration sensor and configured to determine a condition of the mechanical machine component based at least in part on measurement data generated by the vibration sensor; and a wired communication interface coupled to the controller and configured to communicate with an external control device, wherein, based at least in part on a request to provide information about the condition of the mechanical machine component, the controller is configured to transmit the requested information via the wired communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Linne
  • Patent number: 12235320
    Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for safely switching on an electrical load includes for this purpose, the functionality of two non-forcibly guided changeover switches and, in particular, their normally closed contacts, which can be monitored during a starting process without using a microcontroller. The normally closed contacts are each arranged in a separate diagnostic circuit, which are connected in parallel with respect to a test voltage. The diagnostic circuits are each monitored by a diagnostic current detection device. The excitation coils of the changeover switches can each be short-circuited via a short-circuit device if a diagnostic current continues to flow in the respective diagnostic circuit for a predetermined time period after an activated starting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Henry Peter, Felix Franke
  • Patent number: 12230911
    Abstract: A holding frame for a plug connector for installation into a metal connector housing and for the protective earthing thereof, and for accommodating similar and/or different modules, includes: a base frame; and at least one flange part. The holding frame is formed from at least two different materials, of which at least one material is electrically conductive. The base frame is a die-cast component. The at least one flange part is formed from resilient sheet metal. The at least one flange part has trapezoidal tapering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Diessel, Manuel Tuenker, Lukas Brillo, Hartmut Schwettmann
  • Patent number: 12218472
    Abstract: A connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor includes: a busbar; a clamping spring, which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg, the clamping leg being transferable into a clamping position and into a release position; a conductor connection space formed between a section of the busbar and of the clamping leg of the clamping spring; a displaceably arranged guide element, which is in operative connection with the clamping leg of the clamping spring, the clamping leg being holdable in the release position by the guide element; and an actuating element, by which the guide element is displaceable in order to transfer the clamping leg of the clamping spring from the clamping position into the release position. The clamping spring is arranged between the section of the busbar and the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
    Inventor: Martin Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 12210475
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to an assembly unit having an electronic circuit unit which is accommodated in a housing, can be electrically connected to a higher-level switching system for signal and power supply purposes and comprises a signal processing unit for controlling consumer elements which are connected to the assembly unit, are installed within the housing or being virtual consumer elements-, wherein the signal processing unit comprises a plurality of units which are interact so as to allow, during operation, electrical disconnection of the assembly unit with load current-free electronic circuit unit from the state electrically connected to a higher-level switching system. Embodiments of the present invention also relates to a switching system comprising an assembly unit of this kind, and to a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventor: Klaus Wessling
  • Patent number: 12202248
    Abstract: A device for arranging a marking around a prolate object includes: a material interface for receiving a printed product provided by a printer; a printing signal interface for acquiring a control signal indicative of the provision of the printed product; a stop for limiting a longitudinal motion of the prolate object along a longitudinal axis in an end position of the prolate object relative to the device; and at least one actuator for, depending on the control signal indicative of the provision of the printed product, arranging the marking in a circumferentially closed manner on the prolate object using the printed product provided by the printer. The prolate object is arranged in the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kilian Klages, Bianca Hanselle, Benjamin Pradel