Patents Assigned to Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
  • Patent number: 8925388
    Abstract: A pressure measuring transducer includes a pressure measuring cell; a measuring cell housing having an annular axial abutment surface, which surrounds an opening; a sealing ring; and a ring of angular cross section for positioning the pressure measuring cell and the sealing ring in the measuring cell chamber. The ring of angular cross section includes at least a first component of a form-retaining material and at least a second component of an elastic material, wherein the at least one form-retaining component forms the radial shoulder and extends in the axial direction into the annular gap, and the second component is connected with the first component and extends in the annular gap at least sectionally radially between the lateral surface of the pressure measuring cell and the wall of the measuring cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Hugel
  • Patent number: 8919192
    Abstract: A multivariable sensor for determining and/or monitoring a predetermined fill level and density and/or viscosity of a liquid in a container. The sensor comprises a measuring tube provided in the container. The measuring tube has at least a first oscillatable segment and a second oscillatable segment, wherein the oscillatable segments have a cross sectional area deviating from a circularly round shape and at least one straight side, wherein on an inner wall of the oscillatable segments, driver/receiving units are placed, which cause the oscillatable segments to execute resonant oscillations. At least one control/evaluation unit is provided, which evaluates frequency and/or phase and/or amplitude of the oscillations and determines therefrom reaching of the predetermined fill level and density and/or viscosity of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Pfeiffer, Alexander Muller, Volker Dryer, Sergej Lopatin
  • Patent number: 8915142
    Abstract: A ceramic component having at least one electrical feedthrough, comprising: a ceramic body, through which a bore extends; and a metal conductor, which is arranged at least sectionally in the bore and which is secured in the bore by means of an active hard solder, or braze, whereby the bore is sealed. The active hard solder fills an annular gap between the metal conductor and the ceramic body, characterized in that the active hard solder has a radially variable, chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulfert Drewes
  • Publication number: 20140358454
    Abstract: An application-specific integrated circuit comprises: analog inputs having analog-digital converters; at least one digital signal processor, which has input registers and output registers. The analog-digital converters sample and digitize input signals Si with sampling frequencies fSi and forward the digitized signals SDi with output frequencies fSD-out-i to the input registers of the digital signal processor. The digital signal processor processes the digitized signals SDi to m processed signals SPj and forwards such to the output registers of the digital signal processor. The digital signal processor has a clock frequency, wherein, furthermore, the signals of the output registers can be output, respectively read-out, with an output frequency. One or more of the frequencies is, respectively, variable, wherein especially one or more of the frequencies respectively, variable independently of the others of the frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars Karweck, Andreas Spitz, Yves Boulenger, Richard Wagner, Klaus Winter, Thomas Zieringer
  • Publication number: 20140353507
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the fill level of a medium in a container, comprising: an emitting unit to be monitored in the container and emits radioactive radiation into the container; a first detector unit receives radioactive radiation and forwards measurement data relative to the fill level of the medium to a control/evaluation unit; a second detector unit which receives the radioactive radiation, respectively the secondary radiation, wherein two interfaces for transmission of measurement data to the control/evaluation unit are associated with the second detector unit. Via the first interface measurement data are transmitted. Via the second interface measurement data are transmitted. The control/evaluation unit based on measurement data transmitted by the first detector unit and the second detector unit corrects the fill level of the medium in the container in such a manner that the influence of gas or vapor in the gas, or vapor, space on the measured fill level is at least approximately compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Glaser, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 8896481
    Abstract: A method using an antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement includes a switched transmission antenna array with a number of transmission antennas, which radiate a radar transmission signal one after the other corresponding to a predetermined switching sequence. A first receiving antenna and a second receiving antenna receive the transmitted radar signals and reflected by at least one radar target. A first set of received signals by the first receiving antenna during the switching sequence of the transmission antenna array; receiving a second set of received signals by the second receiving antenna simultaneously with receiving the first set of received signals by the first receiving antenna during the switching sequence of the transmission antenna array; and from these signals the angular position of the at least one radar target based on the first set and the second set of received signals using an ESPRIT method is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Feil
  • Publication number: 20140331747
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring the viscosity of a medium, wherein a mechanically oscillatable unit is excited to execute oscillations based on an exciter signal, and wherein oscillations are received from the mechanically oscillatable unit and transduced into a received signal. The eigenfrequency and/or resonance frequency of the mechanically oscillatable unit and/or phase relationship between the exciter signal and the received signal are/is ascertained and/or monitored, and from changes in the eigenfrequency and/or resonance frequency and/or phase relationship, a change in viscosity is deduced and/or, based on dependencies of the oscillations on the viscosity of the medium, from the eigenfrequency and/or resonance frequency and/or phase relationship, viscosity is ascertained. In a second variant of the method, decay behavior of the mechanically oscillatable unit is evaluated. An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring viscosity is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Sascha D'Angelico, Martin Urban
  • Publication number: 20140333470
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining or monitoring fill level of a fill substance in a container, comprising: at least two antennas, wherein a first antenna transmits electromagnetic waves in the direction of the surface of the fill substance and a second antenna receives reflected waves; and at least one evaluation unit, which ascertains fill level in the container based on travel-time difference of transmitted and reflected electromagnetic waves, characterized in that the antennas are helical antennas, in order to transmit, respectively to receive, circularly polarized electromagnetic waves and the evaluation unit detects a rotational direction change between the transmitted wave and the reflected wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Patent number: 8884632
    Abstract: A fill level measuring device. On a plurality of different signal paths, microwave signals can be transmitted into a container, and their associated echo signals recorded. The device includes: measuring device electronics having a microwave generator for the successive production of microwave signals; and, connected thereto, a frequency-selective, passive antenna arrangement, which has a number of frequency-selective elements—especially bandpass filters—in each case transmissive for one of the different wanted frequencies. Via the antennas and the frequency-selective elements, for each of the different microwave signals and its echo signal, a uniquely associated signal path is specified, via which a microwave signal is transmitted into the container and its echo signal, reflected back to the antenna arrangement, is received and fed to the measuring device electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Klofer, Winfried Mayer
  • Patent number: 8878136
    Abstract: A radiometric measuring device comprising: a radioactive radiator which sends radioactive radiation through a container; and a detector serving to receive a radiation intensity penetrating through the container, dependent on the physical, measured variable, and to convert such into an electrical output signal. The detector includes a carrier, on which at least one scintillation fiber is wound, which converts radiometric radiation impinging thereon into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillation fiber toward its ends. The detector further includes at least one array of avalanche photodiodes operated in a Geiger mode, which convert light impinging thereon into an electrical signal. The detector also has a measuring device electronics connected to the avalanche photodiodes for producing the electrical output signal, based on the electrical signals of the avalanche photodiodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Robert Schauble
  • Publication number: 20140320224
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, comprising: an oscillatable unit, which has a membrane and at least one oscillatable element, wherein the oscillatable element is secured to the membrane at least in a first securement region and in a second securement region. At least one driving/receiving unit, which excites the oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations and which produces a received signal dependent on the oscillations of the oscillatable unit; and a control/evaluation unit, which evaluates the received signal with reference to the process variable. The apparatus is distinguished by features including that the driving/receiving unit is embodied in such a manner and arranged on a rear face of the membrane facing away from the oscillatable element that the oscillatable element executes torsional oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Pfeiffer, Benjamin Mack
  • Patent number: 8869597
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Brengartner, Martin Urban, Michael Siegel
  • Patent number: 8868358
    Abstract: A fill level measuring device includes: a transmitting and receiving system for producing a higher frequency microwave signal and a lower frequency microwave signal. The transmitting and receiving system includes a single antenna, which has an internally funnel shaped horn and two hollow conductor segments connected with one another and connected to the horn. The antenna additionally includes, a coaxial conductor connection, via which the antenna is fed with the lower frequency microwave signal and the associated lower frequency echo signal is received. The antenna additionally includes, connected to a horn-remote end of that one of the two hollow conductor segments arranged on an end of the hollow conductor segment adjoining the horn, a hollow conductor connection, via which the antenna is fed with the higher frequency microwave signal and the associated higher frequency echo signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Winfried Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140308896
    Abstract: A method for wireless data transmission between first and second transmission participants, wherein for wireless data transmission between the first and second participants alternately a first protocol and a second protocol are used, wherein the first protocol serves for unidirectional data transmission and the second protocol for bidirectional data transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc Baret, Eric Birgel, Julien Fischer, Martine Lefebvre, Andreas Seger, Mathieu Weibel
  • Publication number: 20140298915
    Abstract: A composite material includes a polymer matrix and silica gel, which is bound in the polymer matrix. The volume fraction of the silica gel to the volume fraction of the composite material amounts to at least 50%, especially at least 65%. An electronic device, especially measuring device, includes at least one housing having at least one inner space, which contains an electronic circuit, wherein the device has at least one gas path, via which moisture can get into the housing, wherein the device has at least one formed body of the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Uehlin, Andreas Rossberg, Sergej Lopatin
  • Patent number: 8847816
    Abstract: A method for lessening disturbances of a measurement signal in a radar unit for distance measurement by means of frequency-modulated radar in continuous wave operation. The method comprises steps of: registering, in a reference measurement, a reference signal as a function of time; deriving an error correction signal from the registered reference signal, wherein the error correction signal predominantly comprises spectral components caused or influenced by device-specific defects of the radar unit; registering a measurement signal; and correcting the measurement signal in accordance with the error correction signal by means of digital signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Feil
  • Publication number: 20140285283
    Abstract: A galvanically isolated, directional coupler, especially for in- and out-coupling of high-frequency measurement signals of a radar fill-level measuring device, wherein two mutually engaging, oppositely bent, conductive traces are provided, wherein the two oppositely bent, conductive traces are so arranged that that they couple with one another over a region of a quarter wavelength (?/4) of the wavelength associated with the center frequency of the measuring signals and form two groups of laterally coupled, conductive traces, and wherein curved conductive trace portions adjoin each of the two groups of laterally coupled, conductive traces, in each case, over a region, which is less than an eighth wavelength (?/8) of the wavelength associated with the center frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Publication number: 20140260709
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, comprising at least one sensor element sensitive for the process variable, a process connection for securing the apparatus to a container or pipeline and a housing connected with the process connection. The apparatus has at least one, first component of metal and at least one, second component of synthetic material, wherein the first component and the second component are embodied as hollow bodies. An annular, first connection region is formed on the first component, wherein on the second component an annular second connection region is formed, whose outer diameter corresponds at least sectionally to the inner diameter of the first connection region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Krumbholz, Volker Dreyer
  • Publication number: 20140253367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for converting from a differential signal path (IFoutA-IFoutB) at the output of a mixer (18) to a signal path (Ssin gle) referenced to a reference potential (GND), wherein a controllable switch element (24a, 24b) is provided in each of the two single signal paths (IFoutA-IFoutB) of the differential signal path (IFoutA-IFoutB), wherein a first memory element (25) is connected in series with the two switch elements (24a, 24b), wherein there is provided for the two switch elements (24a, 24b), at least one control (23), which during a charging phase of the first memory element (25) connects the differential signal path (IFoutA-IFoutB) at the output of the mixer (18) with the first memory element (25) and applies the output signal on the differential output of the mixer (18) for charging the first memory element (25), and which during the discharging, respectively reverse charging, phase connects the first memory element (25) with the signal path referenced to the
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Michalski
  • Patent number: 8812262
    Abstract: A field device for determining or monitoring a process variable in process automation. The field device includes: sensor, which works according to a defined measuring principle; and a control/evaluation unit, which conditions and evaluates measurement data delivered by the sensor along at least two equal valued measuring paths as a function of a safety standard required in a particular safety-critical application. The control/evaluation unit is embodied, at least partly, as a reconfigurable logic chip, with a plurality of partially dynamically reconfigurable, function modules. The control/evaluation unit so configures the function modules in the measuring paths as a function of the defined safety-critical application, that the field device is correspondingly designed to the required safety standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Udo Grittke, Dietmar Fruhauf, Axel Humpert, Romuald Girardey