Patents Assigned to Hera Rotterdam B.V.
  • Patent number: 7066033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring sensor (1) for measuring positive and negative elongations on cylindrical or profiled bodies (6). The measuring sensor (1) consists of more than two parts and is essentially annular and has at least one tensioning element (7, 15). Two segments (2, 3) that can be tensioned are provided with a recess on the longitudinal center on the internal contour (22), the recess being disposed opposite the direction of tensioning (S) and accommodating a protruding elastic element (8) with a measuring element (10). The recesses can be pressed non-positively onto the surface of the body (6). The segments (2, 3) of the multi-part measuring sensor (1) that are diagonally opposite can be tensioned with their both ends by means of exchangeable and/or adjustable lateral guide members (4, 5, 26, 38) for the body to be measured (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hera Rotterdam, B.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Tanner
  • Patent number: 7046378
    Abstract: A method and a device for the optical distance measurement and for the optical detection of objects with an at least partially specular reflective surface (12) wherein light through the specular reflective surface (12) and a diffuse scattering at a reflector (4) is directed to light receiving means and detected there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Hera Rotterdam B.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Müller
  • Publication number: 20030227635
    Abstract: A method and a device for the optical distance measurement or for the optical detection of objects with an at least partially specular reflective surface (12) are based on the fact, that light through the specular reflective surface (12) and a diffuse scattering at a reflector (4) is directed to light receiving means and detected there.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: HERA ROTTERDAM B.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Muller
  • Patent number: 6630900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system suitable for a remote interrogation of passive transponders using chirp signals for interrogation. The transponder preferably has an encoding unit (11), a calibrating unit (12) and a measuring unit (13) each with a plurality of parallel channels (11.1 to 11.5, 12.1 and 13.1 to 13.2). The encoding unit and the calibrating unit are preferably jointly incorporated with a common delay line (14) on the same SAW chip. The interrogation signals received in the transponder via an antenna (10) are delayed characteristically and code-specifically, in particular in the encoding and calibrating unit. Decoding in the interrogation station is preformed by discrete Fourier transformation of the response signal and subsequent evaluation of the spectrum. To correct general disturbing influences on the delay of the response signal, said signal is calibrated using a single calibrating component in the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Hera Rotterdam B.V.
    Inventors: Roland Stierlin, Roland Küng
  • Patent number: 6512589
    Abstract: A position of a sensing head, which contains at least one sensor, is measured with respect to a scale embodiment which contains a linear code. The measurement is performed such that a predefined resolution is achieved. Firstly, an absolute value of an initial position is determined with at least the predefined resolution, for example by evaluating the signals from all the sensors at a standstill. During the measurement, the sensing head and the scale embodiment are moved relative to each other. Fewer sensors are used than would be needed at a standstill, for example, only a single sensor is used. The information needed to achieve the predefined resolution is obtained from sensor signals of the relative movement, which are derived from the linear code. In this way, a signal for the absolute position and the number of revolutions is determined, even at high speeds. The limits set by signal processing and signal transmission are much higher than in the case of known measurement transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: HERA Rotterdam B.V
    Inventor: Anton Rodi
  • Patent number: 6492652
    Abstract: The opto-electronic sensor (1) for the measurement of the distance (d) to an object (9), resp., for the identification of an object (9) within a monitoring zone (90) is based on triangulation measurement. A light source (21) emits light onto the object (9) or into the monitoring zone (90). The light (35) scattered by the object (9) impinges on a receiving element (31) at an angle (&agr;), which is dependent on distance (d) to the object (9). The latter has tappings (34.1-34.5) distributed over its length, in order to by means of a corresponding selection of these bring the measuring range of the sensor (1) to the value required by a control circuit (4) and as a result of this to increase the measuring resolution correspondingly. In variable amplifiers (6.1, 6.2), two or more detector signals (I1′, I2′) are multiplied with a variable factor respectively determined by the control circuit (4) and subsequently added, resp., subtracted in an adding—or subtracting stage (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Hera Rotterdam B.V.
    Inventor: Daniel Müller
  • Patent number: 6465773
    Abstract: An optical angle and/or distance measurement module for measuring its position with respect to a scale embodiment contains a device for light detection and a device for imaging part of the scale embodiment on the light detection device. In addition, the module contains a beam splitter, through the use of which firstly incident light can be guided onto the scale embodiment and secondly, light coming from the scale embodiment can be guided to the detection device. The module can contain two module elements, of which a first module element contains the light detection device and a second module element contains a device for permitting a sliding relative movement with respect to the scale embodiment. An integrated incorporated measurement transmitter can be implemented with the module. The measurement transmitter can be incorporated cost-effectively and in an integrated manner and nevertheless permits a high resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: HERA Rotterdam B.V.
    Inventor: Anton Rodi
  • Patent number: 6435034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piezo-electric stretching detector which is used for measuring the positive and negative stretching on the surfaces of rigid structures using electric signals, wherein said detector can be attached by a force connection onto said surfaces in a compressible or non-removable relation. This stretching detector has a high sensitivity in all stretching directions and is made of a piezo-ceramic material which is applied in a thin layer on at least one surface of a flexible metal sheet or which is fixedly attached to said metal sheet in the shape of a moulded body. At least one of said stretching detectors can be arranged on the free abutting end of at least one resilient pressure body which is imbedded in the reception housing of a stretching sensor. The stretching sensor further comprises members for pressing the reception housing onto the surface to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Hera Rotterdam B.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Schläpfer, Dario Mächler, Matthias Tanner
  • Patent number: 6407695
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system suitable for a remote interrogation of passive transponders using chirp signals for interrogation. The transponder preferably has an encoding unit (11), a calibrating unit (12) and a measuring unit (13) each with a plurality of parallel channels (11.1 to 11.5, 12.1 and 13.1 to 13.2). The encoding unit and the calibrating unit are preferably jointly incorporated with a common delay line (14) on the same SAW chip. The interrogation signals received in the transponder via an antenna (10) are delayed characteristically and code-specifically, in particular in the encoding and calibrating unit. Decoding in the interrogation station is preformed by discrete Fourier transformation of the response signal and subsequent evaluation of the spectrum. To correct general disturbing influences on the delay of the response signal, said signal is calibrated using a single calibrating component in the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Hera Rotterdam B.V.
    Inventors: Roland Stierlin, Roland Küng
  • Patent number: 6323954
    Abstract: For the detection of—or for the determination of the position of edges (K) of objects (G), a light source/sensor device arrangement in the manner of a light barrier is utilized, in which the light beam generated by the light source (12) is focussed to a light line (10) in an object plane (O). Foreseen furthermore are devices for the generation of a relative movement between the light beam and edges (K) to be detected or objects (G), in such a manner, that edges (K) to be detected are moved in the object plane (O) and in doing so are aligned parallel to the light line (10). In particular for the detection of edges (K) of transparent objects (G), sensor devices (11.1-11.3) in a receiving zone (B) are equipped in such a manner, that they measure not only light intensities in the area of the axis (A) of the light beam, but also intensities of light, which is deflected from the light beam by an edge (K) in the object plane (O) positioned transverse to the light line (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hera Rotterdam B.V.
    Inventor: Peter U. Halter