Patents Assigned to i f m electronic GmbH
  • Patent number: 9243941
    Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter with a nonconductive measuring tube, a magnetic field generating apparatus, two measuring electrodes conductively coupled to the medium for tapping a measuring-circuit voltage induced in the flowing medium, and with a measuring device for detecting an empty tube. Detection of an empty tube is obtained by the measuring device being an admittance measuring device having a detector, a counter-electrode, an ac signal source and an evaluation unit, the detector having an electrode connected to the ac signal source so that the electrode is exposed to an ac signal in the range of roughly 50 MHz-200 MHz and then an electrical field extends from the electrode into the medium. The electrode of the detector and the counter-electrode planiform shaped and are located essentially opposite one another on the outer surface of the measuring tube above and underneath the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: i f m electronic gmbh
    Inventors: Walter Reichart, Christian Kreisel, Ralf Kriesen, Markus Körber, Sebastian Liehr, Werner Hoch
  • Publication number: 20140033826
    Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter with a nonconductive measuring tube, a magnetic field generating apparatus, two measuring electrodes conductively coupled to the medium for tapping a measuring-circuit voltage induced in the flowing medium, and with a measuring device for detecting an empty tube. Detection of an empty tube is obtained by the measuring device being an admittance measuring device having a detector, a counter-electrode, an ac signal source and an evaluation unit, the detector having an electrode connected to the ac signal source so that the electrode is exposed to an ac signal in the range of roughly 50 MHz-200 MHz and then an electrical field extends from the electrode into the medium. The electrode of the detector and the counter-electrode planiform shaped and are located essentially opposite one another on the outer surface of the measuring tube above and underneath the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: i f m electronic gmbh
    Inventors: Walter Reichart, Christian Kreisel, Ralf Kriesen, Markus Körber, Sebastian Liehr, Werner Hoch
  • Patent number: 7852141
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is described for selectively generating an analog current output value or an analog voltage output value as a function of an analog input value. Optionally, the analog current output value or the analog voltage output value may also be a function of an input base value or a signed input correction value. The circuit arrangement includes a current control unit, a voltage control unit, a current output source is triggered by the current control unit, and a voltage output source triggered by the voltage control unit. The current output source and voltage output source of the circuit arrangement may be triggered in parallel and are connected in series on the output side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Walter
  • Publication number: 20100295940
    Abstract: A method for determining the distance of at least one object in a space relative to an image capturing device. A picture generating element displays at least a part of a spatial image captured by a picture generating element at a certain setting angle and a sensor element signal is generated corresponding to a sensor element. The relative velocity of movement of the image capturing device relative to the object is determined, and by evaluating the sensor element signals of at least two sensor elements—voxel—a spatial image angular speed is determined and the object distance is determined using the relative velocity of the image capturing device, the orthogonal object angular speed attained from the spatial image angular speed of the object displayed on the sensor elements and the setting angle of the object. As a result, comprehensive detection of object distances is possible with simple technical media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: I F M ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventor: Rudolf Schwarte
  • Patent number: 7735372
    Abstract: An electronic pressure switch has only two terminals, a resistance measuring bridge pickup, an amplifier unit downstream of the resistance measuring bridge, a comparator connected to the amplifier unit and a switching stage downstream of the comparator achieves a lower residual current in the blocked state and a lower voltage drop in the switched state. The resistance measuring bridge has a high internal resistance and the amplifier unit supplies both an analog measurement signal corresponding to the analog measured value of the resistance measuring bridge and a threshold value to the comparator at low resistance. A high-resistance balancing network is assigned to the resistor network, and an in-phase regulator on the input side limits and controls the supply voltage of the resistance measuring bridge, the amplifier unit, the comparator and the balancing network and the switching stage is made as a shunt controller triggered by the output of the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Walter
  • Patent number: 7724002
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor with at least one reference impedance and at least one measuring condenser (5), with at least one electrical alternating signal source (6), with a current supply network as well as with an analysis unit (7) in which the reference impedance and the measuring condenser (5) are connected via the current supply network to the alternating signal source (6) and the analysis unit (7) in such a way that the charge and discharge currents of the reference impedance and the measuring condenser (5) can be analyzed—at least partially—by the analysis unit (7). The capacitive sensor avoids—at least partially—drawbacks in the known capacitive sensors in that the reference impedance can be tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Gundlach, Jaromir Palata
  • Patent number: 7719291
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor with at least one reference impedance (2) and at least one measuring condenser (3), at least one electrical alternating signal source (4), a current supply network (5) and an analysis unit (6) in which the reference impedance (2) and the measuring condenser (3) are connected via the current supply network (5) to the alternating signal source (4) and the analysis unit (6) in such a way that the charge and discharge currents of the reference impedance (2) and the measuring condenser (3) and/or an analysis signal from the analysis unit (6) that characterizes the charge and discharge currents of the reference impedance (2) and the measuring condenser (3) can be analyzed. As a result, the reference impedance (2) can be tuned. The capacitive sensor avoids—at least partially—drawbacks in the capacitive sensors known from the prior art in that the reference impedance can be tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Gundlach, Jaromir Palata
  • Patent number: 7693684
    Abstract: A process for detecting the operating state of a pump of a pump system, involves the steps of: detecting at least one pressure and/or flow profile P(t) in the pump system, computing of at least one characteristic value Kkal from the pressure and/or flow profile P(t), comparing the computed characteristic value Kkal with at least one defined characteristic value Kvor or with a range bordered by the characteristic value Kvor, the defined characteristic value Kvor or the characteristic value range corresponding to the operating state of the pump of interest, and outputting the operating state determined by the comparison. With the process, the operating states of pumps, pump systems and hydraulic systems is determined by the computed characteristic value Kkal characterizing the pulsation of the pressure and/or flow profile P(t) in a computation time interval ?tB, the pulsation quotient being computed as the computed characteristic value Kkal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Lorenz Halbinger, Matthias Hoffmann, Joerg Schuetze, Daniel Spinnenhirn, Alfred Wagner
  • Patent number: 7668685
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connection to a sensor has an integrated microcontroller, with a plug-and-socket connection for connection to an interface of the sensor and with an electronic circuit. With the connector, the data of a sensor, especially the parameter data, can be mirrored outside the sensor in a simple and economical manner so that the data are available at any time and as much as possible on site. The electronic circuit has a memory for storage of data, especially parameter data and characteristic data of the sensor, and a microcontroller, the microcontroller operating the interface of the sensor, and depending on the characteristic data of the sensor, either reading data, especially parameter data, out of the sensor via the interface and storing it in the memory, or reading data stored in the memory, especially parameter data, out of the memory and transmitting them via the interface into the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Benno Kathan, Alfred Wagner
  • Patent number: 7667146
    Abstract: An attachment device for attachment of an electrical or electronic device to a top-hat rail, including an attachable or integrated carrier plate, and a lockable fastener. The carrier plate has a holding device. The fastener is axially movable relative to the carrier plate and has an elongated base region, metal catch hooks, and a spring tongue punched out of the base region. The carrier plate has a projection protruding in a direction of the fastener, and arranged corresponding to the spring tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Marco Eckardt
  • Patent number: 7652487
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is described for detecting the capacitance or change of capacitance of a capacitive circuit element or of a component, specifically of a sensor capacitor (1), with a control unit (2) ,with a monostable multivibrator (3) triggered by the control unit (2), and with an evaluation unit (4), the monostable multivibrator (3) having a first input (5) which is connected to the control unit (2), a second input (6)which is connected to the sensor capacitor (1), and one output (7), of the monostable multivibrator (3) is triggered by the control unit (2) at the output (7) of the monostable multivibrator (3) an output signal or output signals appearing, with a time duration which is proportional to the capacitance of the sensor capacitor (1), the output signal or output signals of the monostable multivibrator (3)being converted into a signal voltage proportional to its or their duration, and in the evaluation unit (4) a detection value corresponding to the capacitance or change of capacitance of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Schulz, Markus von Ehr, Werner Hoch
  • Patent number: 7581982
    Abstract: An electrical plug connector for connection of an electrical cable (2) to an apparatus, such as a sensor or an actuator, includes a housing (3) having a contact mount (5) holding a variety of contacts (4), and an electronics circuit (6) having at least one light-emitting element, LED (7) and being electrically connected to the contacts (4). The status of whether the LED (7) is illuminated or not can be identified particularly well, even in the presence of strong external incident light, by the housing (3) being composed of a thermoplastic material, at least in the area of the LEDs (7), and including an additive (8) that influences transparency and color for reducing the transparency of the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mehnert, Gilbert Anzer
  • Patent number: 7561000
    Abstract: An oscillator circuit for a sensor, with a tuned circuit and an operational amplifier, the electrical oscillation of the tuned circuit is capable of being tapped between a first terminal and a second terminal of the tuned circuit, and the first terminal of the tuned circuit being connected to the noninverting input of the operational amplifier and the output of the operational amplifier is fed back to the noninverting input of the operational amplifier. The oscillator circuit is designed to improve the dynamic behavior of the oscillator circuit by the second terminal of the tuned circuit —at least in terms of AC voltage —being directly connected to the inverting input of the operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Melnrad Sauter, Jean-Luc Lamarche
  • Patent number: 7511482
    Abstract: An inductive proximity switch with a housing formed of a nonmagnetic, high-grade steel, with a transmitting coil, two receiving coils which are connected in series in opposite directions and which are located symmetrically relative to the transmitting coil, and an evaluation circuit which is connected to the receiving coils. At a given size, the inductive proximity switch has a relatively large operating distance and the operating distance is largely stable, especially is largely independent of temperature, essentially in that, on the back of the receiving coils, opposite the influence side, there is a pre-damping element and the pre-damping properties of the pre-damping element at least approximately correspond to the pre-damping properties of the housing on the influence side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Teichmann, Bernd Buck, Joerg Schuetze
  • Patent number: 7497720
    Abstract: A housing for connection to an electrical line (14), especially a bus line, with at least one first housing part (2a) and one second housing part (2b), with at least one locking system 6 for locking the first housing part (2a) with the second housing part (2b) in a common locking position, whereby a contact device (15) for making electrical contact with the line (14) is assigned to the first housing part (2a) and whereby at least one line bed (16) for guiding the line (14) is formed in the second housing part (2b). The line bed (16) is made—at least partially—in a line bed carrier (17), and the contact device (15) and the line bed carrier (17) can be turned such that the orientation of the line path can be adjusted with respect to the housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: i f m electronic gmbh
    Inventors: Hugo Kathan, Thomas Roehm, Marcus Will
  • Patent number: 7496458
    Abstract: An electrical transducer has a sensor outputting a value corresponding to the quantity to be measured, an analog end stage connected downstream of the sensor, a processor circuit, and an analog measurement signal transmission path. The end stage converts the sensor output signal into an impressed output current related to the magnitude of the quantity measured, the electronic transducer being controlled with the processor circuit. The electrical transducer can be scaled by the user, has low inherent power consumption and ensures high response speed because the processor circuit in normal operation is shifted temporarily into a sleep mode, in the analog measurement signal transmission path an analog scaling unit is inserted, the output signal of the sensor and at least one analog setting value are supplied to the analog scaling unit, and the output signal of the analog scaling unit is supplied to the analog end stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Walter, Alfred Wagner
  • Publication number: 20090023329
    Abstract: An electrical plug connector for connection of an electrical cable (2) to an apparatus, such as a sensor or an actuator, includes a housing (3) having a contact mount (5) holding a variety of contacts (4), and an electronics circuit (6) having at least one light-emitting element, LED (7) and being electrically connected to the contacts (4). The status of whether the LED (7) is illuminated or not can be identified particularly well, even in the presence of strong external incident light, by the housing (3) being composed of a thermoplastic material, at least in the area of the LEDs (7), and including an additive (8) that influences transparency and color for reducing the transparency of the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: I F M ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mehnert, Gilbert Anzer
  • Patent number: 7439638
    Abstract: An electronic switching device, which operates without contact, includes a single sensor element (1), a clock generator, which can be provided internally or which can be connected externally, an evaluation circuit (2), and an electronic or electromechanical switch (3), which is provided on an output side. The evaluation circuit (2) includes diversity processing units (4, 5), and a checking unit (6), wherein an output signal of the sensor element (1) is delivered in succession to the processing units (4, 5), and that output signals of the processing units (4, 5) are checked for consistency by the monitoring unit (6). Advantageously, with only a single sensor element (1), category 4 of EN 954-1 or safety level SIL 3 of EN 61508 requirements can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Lamarche, Manfred Strobel
  • Patent number: 7423436
    Abstract: A device for measurement and detection of the level of a medium in a container with a sensor element, with a reference element and an electrical circuit which contains at least one AC voltage source and an evaluation unit, the sensor element and the reference element being arranged such that the medium to be measured or detected influences the impedance between them. The capacitive level measurement and detection device has an AC voltage source that supplies a high-frequency voltage or a voltage with high frequency voltage portions. The circuit which has the AC voltage source, the sensor element and the reference element has an impedance which is as low as possible. The electrical circuit can have an amplifier, a timer, a pulse shaper, a first synchronous rectifier, a first I/U converter, a microcontroller, a reference impedance, a second synchronous rectifier and a second I/U converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Gundlach, Werner Hoch, Francesco Bernd
  • Publication number: 20080204051
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor with at least one reference impedance and at least one measuring condenser (5), with at least one electrical alternating signal source (6), with a current supply network as well as with an analysis unit (7) in which the reference impedance and the measuring condenser (5) are connected via the current supply network to the alternating signal source (6) and the analysis unit (7) in such a way that the charge and discharge currents of the reference impedance and the measuring condenser (5) can be analyzed—at least partially—by the analysis unit (7). The capacitive sensor avoids—at least partially—drawbacks in the known capacitive sensors in that the reference impedance can be tuned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: i f m electronic gmbh
    Inventors: Jochen GUNDLACH, Jaromir PALATA