Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a separation, spacing or distance of an object from an ultrasonic sensor, in which ultrasonic pulses are emitted by a transducing or sensing element and in which ultrasonic pulses reflected by the object are detected by the same transducing element. According to the invention, the method is characterized in that there is a spectral analysis of the signal detected by the transducing element, that the multiple echo frequency attributed to multiple echoes of the ultrasonic pulses is determined in the spectrum of the detection signal and that on the basis of the multiple echo frequency the separation of the object from the ultrasonic sensor is determined. The invention also relates to an ultrasonic sensor for determining the separation of an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the monitored conveying of sheet metal plates, particularly into a working or forming plant, in which a plate is taken up by a feeder from a first position and the plate and feeder are moved to a second position. According to the invention, during feeder movement to the second position a first sensor element located at the feeder, as well as a second sensor element located in the second position, are brought into a signal-based arrangement, and that on the basis of a measurement signal transmitted between the sensor elements the number of plates at the feeder and/or the second position is determined. The invention also relates to a device for the monitored conveying of plates, particularly into a forming plant.

Abstract: A device for detecting soiling, having a light source, which emits a light beam, and an opaque layer having a first boundary surface and a second boundary surface, whereby the light beam emitted by the light source first impinges on the first boundary surface, and part of a light beam fraction, which is scattered at the second boundary surface, impinges on a receiver and forms a measuring signal, and hereby the first boundary surface is set up to scatter part of the incident light beam, and the part impinging on the receiver of the light beam, scattered at the first boundary surface, forms a reference signal, and the device is set up further to determine a measure for the soiling of the second boundary surface from the comparison of the reference signal and measuring signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inductive proximity switch with an oscillator having a resonant circuit and an amplifier and with an evaluating and control device for evaluating an impedance of the resonant circuit and for outputting a switching signal. According to the invention, the proximity switch is characterized in that a frequency measuring device is provided for measuring the oscillation frequency of the oscillator and for eliminating ambiguities of the evaluation result of the evaluating and control device. The invention also relates to a method for operating an inductive proximity switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection of a predamping state of an inductive sensor. The sensor has at least one oscillator with a resonant circuit and an oscillation amplifier. According to the method the oscillatory response of the oscillator is analyzed with an operating amplification or gain. According to the invention the method is further developed in that the oscillatory behavior of the oscillator is additionally analyzed for an analysis amplification or gain, which is chosen lower than the operating amplification. The analysis amplification is also chosen in such a way that the oscillatory response of the oscillator reacts sensitively to objects or articles located in close proximity to the sensor. The invention also relates to an inductive sensor with predamping detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optoelectronic contactless distance or range measurement or finding according to the transit time principle, in which a distance of an object from a sensor unit is determined from a time difference between a starting signal and an echo signal, which is derived from an optical measurement pulse reflected by the object and where for determining the time difference the following steps are performed: a) by comparing the starting signal and echo signal with a digital clock a digital raw value is obtained, b) with the aid of at least two fine interpolators an initial time difference between the starting signal and the beginning of the digital raw value as well as a final time difference between the echo signal and the end of the digital raw value is determined, c) to the fine interpolators are in each case supplied analog signals corresponding to the initial time difference or final time difference, respectively, and converted into a digital initial time difference or digital f

Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising a power supply, a load and an incendive arc prevention means comprising a monitoring means and an isolation means, in which the monitoring means monitors the electrical circuit by means of a reactor means, in which if a short circuit with the potential to cause an incendive arc occurs in the electrical circuit the reaction of the reactor means is detected by the monitoring means and the isolation means fully or partially isolates the power supply from said short circuit, such that an incendive arc cannot occur, in which if an event with a current and/or voltage pattern which is characteristic of a propagating non-incendive arc occurs in the electrical circuit between the power supply and the load, the reaction of the reactor means is detected by the monitoring means, and the isolation means fully or partially isolates the power supply from said event, such that an incendive arc cannot occur.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable data medium and method for transferring configuration data from an external computer to a sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a transducer unit for an angular switching device, in which a transducer element is inserted and fixed in an angled bush. The inventive method is characterized in that the transducer element is brought into aligned engagement with a transducer receptacle formed in a tool, that subsequently for the precise positioning with respect to the transducer element the bush is brought into an aligned, at least partial positive engagement with a bush receptacle appropriately constructed in the tool and that for completing the transducer unit the transducer element is fixed in the bush. In further aspects the invention relates to an angular transducer unit, an angular switching device and an object detection device.

Abstract: A data signal generation device comprising a microprocessor and a digital potential divider, in which the microprocessor is adapted to generate a square wave output signal, and in which the digital potential divider is adapted to receive said square wave output signal, and to ramp up and down an output signal voltage and/or current according to state transitions in said square wave output signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor for use in automation technology and a method for transferring configuration data from an external computer to a sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor for use in automation technology for detecting a measurand, particularly for detecting objects or articles, and a method for configuring a sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the optical display of n switching states of a switching device or sensor, with a plurality of differently coloured lighting devices for the optical display of the information to be transmitted and each lighting device has at least one lighting element. The device is characterized in that, for receiving the lighting elements, a transparent casing part is provided that for avoiding optical cross-talk, particularly in the case of simultaneously active lighting elements, the transparent casing part is subdivided into segments by optical interfaces and in which the lighting elements are received, and that the transparent casing part with the segments and lighting devices is so constructed and positioned that the lighting devices are visible to a user from any azimuth angle within a polar angle range.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a modular fieldbus board carrying a number of fieldbuses connected to a bulk power supply. A monitoring transceiver means is adapted in use to one or more of the number of fieldbuses by means of two or more common mode and/or differential mode signal injection and/or signal detection points, which points are dispersed between the bulk power supply and the fieldbus trunk. The monitoring transceiver means can detect one or more fieldbus physical layer characteristics between two of the two or more of said points.

Abstract: A method and device for the contactless detection of flat objects, particularly in sheet form, such as paper, films, foils, plates, labels, splices, break points, tear-off threads and similar flat materials or packs. A sensor device, such as a receiver-following evaluating device, is supplied with at least one correction characteristic, by means of which a measuring signal input voltage characteristic in the receiver is simulated as a function of the gram weight or weight per unit area of the flat objects as a target characteristic in such a way that there is obtained a linear or almost linear dependence or a characteristic approximated to the ideal single sheet detection characteristic in the form of a target characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slot antenna, more particularly to a transmitting antenna for RFID, comprising an antenna contour board having a plurality of antenna slots and at least one control circuit for enabling the antenna contour board to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic radiation. The slot antenna is characterized in that in at least one antenna slot of the antenna contour board there is inserted a circuit board carrying a control circuit. The invention further relates to an RFID method involving the use of the slot antenna of the invention.

Abstract: A method and device for the contactless detection of flat objects, particularly in sheet form, such as paper, films, foils, plates, and similar flat materials or packs. At least one correction characteristic is supplied to an evaluating device downstream of a sensor device, specifically a receiver, by means of which the characteristic of an input voltage of a measuring signal in the receiver is so simulated as a function of the gram weight or weight per unit area of flat objects as a target characteristic that there is a linear or almost linear dependence or a characteristic approximated to the ideal characteristic for single sheet detection in the form of a target characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casing (i.e., housing) for receiving an electrical device, particularly a switching device or sensor, having at least one indicating apparatus for indicating different electrical states, particularly switching states, of the device. The casing is characterized in that each indicating apparatus has a plurality of indicating devices and that the indicating devices of one indicating apparatus are positioned facing one another on the casing in such a way that, from each viewing direction, at least one indicating device of each indicating apparatus can be seen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a switching device with a sensor unit located at a measurement end of a casing sleeve and connected to an electronic circuit located on a support received in the casing sleeve, and with a connection part located at a rear end of the casing sleeve. The method is characterized in that the sensor unit, support and connection part together with a shielding sleeve surrounding the support are assembled to form a dimensionally stable module and the latter is subsequently inserted in the casing sleeve, where it is received in fixing manner. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a module for a switching device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a proximity switch, particularly an inductive proximity switch, with an oscillator having an at least partly self-compensated feedback network influenceable by a target to be detected, as well as an oscillator amplifier.