Patents Assigned to Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
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Patent number: 8359933Abstract: For monitoring the tube arrangement, the measuring system of the invention includes, connected to the transmitter electronics, a temperature measuring arrangement having a first temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a first of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement and at least a second temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a second of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement. In the method of the invention, it is provided that, in the case of medium flowing through the tube arrangement, a temperature difference existing between the at least two measuring tubes as a result plugging is ascertained and, in case the ascertained temperature difference deviates from a predetermined limit value for the temperature difference representing a non-plugged tube arrangement, a partial plugging of the tube arrangement, especially a plugging of exactly one of the measuring tubes, is signaled.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Christof Huber, Vivek Kumar, Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu
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Patent number: 8359109Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: at least one sensor unit for registering the process variable, wherein the sensor unit produces measurement signals; at least one electronics unit for controlling the sensor unit, wherein the electronics unit has at least one microprocessor; and at least one memory unit, which is associated with the sensor unit, and in which control data are storable. The control data specifically relate to the sensor unit and can be read out by the electronics unit. The microprocessor of the electronics unit is embodied in such a manner, that the microprocessor executes in an inactive state only basic functionalities, and that the microprocessor in an active state controls the sensor unit. The microprocessor transfers from the inactive state into the active state transfers by loading control data from the memory unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Volker Dreyer, Udo Grittke, Kaj Uppenkamp, Franco Ferraro
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Publication number: 20130015864Abstract: A method for determining a fraction of an adsorbed material contained in a formed body serving as an adsorber material. For the case in which the adsorber material is present in the form of a formed body, at least two electrodes are arranged, spaced apart from one another, on a surface of the formed body and/or are firmly inserted in the formed body; that, for the case, in which the adsorber material is present in the form of a powder or granulate, a corresponding formed body made of the same material is durably inserted in the powder or granular material. The electrodes are supplied with an alternating electrical current, whereby an electrical characteristic variable is ascertained; and, based on the characteristic variable, degree of saturation of the adsorber material is ascertained. Furthermore, a corresponding apparatus is claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Sergej Lopatin, Thomas Uehlin
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Publication number: 20130008256Abstract: A method for reducing the content of foreign molecules in gaseous or liquid form dissolved in a pressure transfer liquid of a pressure measuring transducer. A pressure receiving chamber is closed by an isolating diaphragm. A pressure measuring chamber is connected to the pressure receiving chamber, and a pressure sensor arranged in the pressure measuring chamber, in which the liquid serves to fill an inner space of the pressure measuring transducer formed by the pressure receiving chamber is provided. The pressure measuring chamber is connected therewith, and transfers an external pressure acting on the isolating diaphragm to the pressure sensor in measurement operation. The liquid is brought into contact with at least one adsorptive body, and foreign molecules dissolved in the liquid are bound to the adsorptive bodies by adsorption.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Andreas Rossberg, Olaf Textor, Thomas Uehlin
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Publication number: 20120324301Abstract: A method for checking the functional ability of a memory element having a stack memory, wherein the stack memory occupies a defined region within the memory element. A stack memory pointer is defined, which displays, in the form of an address, a stack memory position, from which data are currently being removed or to which data are currently being written. In the memory element, a section of defined length arranged outside a memory region to be checked is delimited and used as an auxiliary memory; the current address of the stack memory pointer is stored before the start of a test program for checking the memory element and the stack memory pointer is then assigned an address associated with the auxiliary memory, so that during the test program the auxiliary memory is used as working memory; and after terminating the test program the stack memory pointer is reassigned the address of that position, which it displayed before the start of the test program.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Franco Ferraro
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Patent number: 8322194Abstract: An apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring of a process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: A mechanically oscillatable unit; an exciting/receiving unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations and which receives the mechanical oscillations; and an electronics unit, which supplies the exciting/receiving unit with an electrical, output signal, and which receives from the exciting/receiving unit an electrical, input signal. In the electronics unit there is provided an amplifier unit, which amplifies the electrical, input signal to an amplified signal (SA). An adjustable phase shifter is provided, which changes the phase of the amplified signal, and a control unit is also provided, which controls the phase shifter, wherein the control unit measures the frequency of the amplified signal and controls the phase shifter starting from stored data concerning the frequency-phase dependence of the amplifier unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Alexander Müller, Sascha D'Angelico, Franco Ferraro
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Patent number: 8316711Abstract: An apparatus including: a mechanically oscillatable unit; an exciting/receiving unit; and an electronics unit having an input amplifier and an output amplifier. The amplification factors of the output amplifier and the input amplifier are tunable. The control unit tunes the amplification factor of the output amplifier as a function of damping of the mechanically oscillatable unit in such a manner that the amplitude of the electrical, input signal lies within an amplitude band and that the amplification factor of the output amplifier decreases in the case of lessened damping by the medium and increases in the case of greater damping by the medium, and the control unit tunes the amplification factor of the output amplifier and the amplification factor of the input amplifier in such a manner that the total amplification factor of the electronics unit equals a predeterminable value.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Alexander Müller, Sascha D'Angelico, Walter Rombach
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Publication number: 20120285239Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one process variable of a medium in a container or in a pipeline. The apparatus including: at least a first element and a second element, which are necessary components of the apparatus for determining the process variable and which contact at a contact location, which is exposed to a process temperature. The first element comprises a first material, and the second element comprises a second material. The first material and the second material are selected and matched to one another in such a manner that at the contact location between the first material and the second material a thermovoltage dependent on the difference between the process temperature and a reference temperature arises; and a temperature determining unit measures the thermovoltage and determines the process temperature therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Sascha D'Angelico, Simon Tempel
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Patent number: 8311651Abstract: A process automation system for determining, monitoring and/or influencing different process variables and/or state variables in at least one manufacturing or analytical process. Included is: at least one control station; and a plurality of field devices; wherein in each field device at least one sensor is provided for ascertaining a measured value of a process variable and/or state variable and/or an actuator is provided for influencing a process variable and/or state variable by means of an actuating value. Each field device makes available its cyclically or acyclically ascertained, measuring-device-specific, measured values and/or actuating values of the process variable and/or state variable to every other field device of the process automation system as information, and the current information of all ascertained measured values and/or actuating values of the process variables and/or state variables is available to each field device as a current process-state-vector.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Dietmar Spanke, Detlev Wittmer, Dirk Boguhn, Jörg Herwig, Matthias Römer, Andreas Gommlich
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Publication number: 20120279310Abstract: The pressure sensor of the invention includes at least one platform, at least one measuring membrane 30, and a transducer, wherein the measuring membrane comprises a semiconductor material, wherein the measuring membrane, enclosing a pressure chamber, is secured on the platform, wherein the measuring membrane is contactable with at least one pressure and is elastically deformable in a pressure-dependent manner, wherein the transducer provides an electrical signal dependent on deformation of the measuring membrane, wherein the platform has a membrane bed, on which the measuring membrane lies in the case of overload, in order to support the measuring membrane, wherein the membrane bed 21 has a glass layer 20, whose surface faces the measuring membrane and forms a wall of the pressure chamber, wherein the surface of the glass layer has a contour, which is suitable for supporting the measuring membrane 30 in the case of overload, characterized in that the contour of the membrane bed 21 is obtainable by a saggingType: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Timo Kober, Michael Philipps, Dieter Stolze, Anh Tuan Tham, Roland Werthschutzky
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Publication number: 20120283993Abstract: A measuring apparatus for producing a sequence of measured values of a measured variable, which is a function of a first auxiliary measured variable and at least a second auxiliary measured variable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Marc Schlachter, Romuald Girardey
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Publication number: 20120279283Abstract: A method for operating an apparatus which has an oscillatable unit. The oscillatable unit is excited to oscillate by means of a first frequency sweep within a predetermined frequency band with successive, discrete exciter frequencies of increasing or decreasing frequency. A first exciter frequency is ascertained, in the case of which, during the first frequency sweep, at least one predeterminable criterion is fulfilled. The oscillatable unit is excited by means of a second frequency sweep, wherein the frequency band, compared with the first frequency sweep, is run through in the opposite direction. A second exciter frequency is ascertained, in the case of which, during the second frequency sweep, the at least one predeterminable criterion is fulfilled. From the first exciter frequency and the second exciter frequency, via formation of an average, a measuring frequency for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Tobias Brengartner, Martin Urban, Michael Siegel
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Publication number: 20120284377Abstract: A method for updating device descriptions for field devices in process automation technology by loading the required descriptions from an external server (S), by means of an application programme, into a controller (for example, PC1; PC2).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Bert VON STEIN, Andrea SEGER
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Patent number: 8306658Abstract: A field device for data- and parameter-processing in a decentralized automation system, wherein other connected fieldbus components of the decentralized automation system communicate with one another via a fieldbus connected to the field device, and wherein a unified automation system is formed from a plurality of encapsulated function blocks, which run decentralized in the individual fieldbus components of the fieldbus and communicate with one another. An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a function block for field devices of process automation technology, which enables a simple, controlled storage of data and/or parameters from the various function blocks of the decentralized units of the automation system and which permits an autonomous re-parametering of the function blocks of the relevant field device.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Markus Kilian
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Patent number: 8304844Abstract: A pressure measuring device having a pedestal, an intermediate piece of semiconductor arranged on the pedestal and, connected with the pedestal and arranged on the intermediate piece and connected with the intermediate piece, a semiconductor pressure sensor having a support and a measuring membrane, or diaphragm. The pressure measuring device offers reliable protection of the sensitive measuring membrane, or diaphragm, against mechanical distortions. Provided extending in the interior of the intermediate piece is an annular cavity, which surrounds a first cylindrical section and, pedestal end thereof, a second cylindrical section of the intermediate piece. The second cylindrical section has a greater outer diameter than the first cylindrical section. The cavity is open on an end of the intermediate piece toward the pedestal.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Igor Getman, Dieter Stolze, Anh Tuan Tham
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Patent number: 8300380Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable. The apparatus includes at least one relay, at least one voltage source, and at least one voltage increasing unit. The relay, the voltage source and the voltage increasing unit as embodied, are matched to one another, and are connected with one another in such a manner that, when the voltage source supplies the relay with voltage for pull-in of the relay, the voltage increasing unit causes such an increase of the voltage applied to the relay, that the applied voltage corresponds at least to the pull-in voltage of the relay.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Wolfgang Brutschin, Klaus Ruf
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Patent number: 8297112Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: at least one mechanically oscillatable unit; a driving/receiving unit, which, starting with an electric, excitation signal, excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations, and which receives the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit and converts them into an electric, received signal; and an electronics unit, which, starting with the electric, received signal, generates the electric, excitation signal and sends it to the driving/receiving unit. The electronics unit is embodied in such a way that it generates the excitation signal, such that a predeterminable phase difference exists between the excitation signal and the received signal. Present in the electronics unit is at least one all-pass filter for tuning the phase difference.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH+Co. KGInventor: Alexander Müller
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Publication number: 20120265486Abstract: A method for ascertaining and monitoring fill level of a medium in a container by means of a field device with a travel time measuring method, wherein, in a learning phase, application- and device referenced test signals and response signals expected from a fill level upper surface are determined and, therefrom, application- and device referenced comparison signals are ascertained, wherein, in an operational phase, test signals are transmitted toward the medium and application- and device referenced, response signals are received, as well as, by means of a comparison algorithm, the comparison signals are compared with the response signals and a value for an agreement probability is ascertained, and wherein, upon exceeding the ascertained value of the agreement probability above a predetermined limit value, the fill level is ascertained and outputted as a measured value and/or, in the case of subceeding, or falling beneath, the predetermined limit value, a new test signal is transmitted for renewed ascertaininType: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Peter Klofer, Winfried Mayer, Dietmar Spanke
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Publication number: 20120265455Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor body with a sensor chamber in the interior, at least a first separating membrane, forming a first separating membrane chamber connected with the sensor body. A measuring membrane divides the sensor chamber into two chamber portions. A pressure transfer liquid, with which the first separating membrane chamber, the first chamber portion and a channel therebetween are filled, in order to transfer a pressure to the measuring membrane; wherein the pressure sensor is specified for a temperature range between a minimum temperature and a maximum temperature, as well as for a pressure range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2010Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG Haupstr. 1Inventors: Anh Tuan Tham, Rafael Teipen, Michael Philipps
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Publication number: 20120258322Abstract: A ceramic product 1 includes a first ceramic part 2 and a second ceramic part 3, wherein the first ceramic part 2 is connected with the second ceramic part 3 via a joint, wherein the joint comprises an active hard solder, or braze, characterized in that the joint has an inhomogeneous distribution of the components of the active hard solder, or braze, wherein at least at an interface between the active hard solder, or braze, and the ceramic, the at least one active component of the active hard solder, or braze, is enriched. For manufacture of the product, the active hard solder, or braze, material is provided in such a manner, that at least one surface section of at least one of the ceramic parts is first coated with at least one active component of the active hard solder, or braze, and that on the coated section, an alloy is provided, which, by melting of the alloy during the heating, alloys with the coating and forms a metal joint between the two ceramic parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Andrea Berlinger, Ulfert Drewes, Andreas Rossberg, Detlef Schleiferböck, Elke Schmidt