Patents Assigned to Pepperl + Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9555900
    Abstract: A method for positioning an access or loading assembly against the fuselage of an aircraft during the loading or unloading process, in which at least two multichannel scanners are oriented toward the aircraft fuselage and disposed above one another at a distance from each other, each with several light emitting units and at least one detector. First, a reference position is determined by using the scanners, then a current position of the aircraft fuselage relative to the access or loading assembly is determined at determined time intervals by the multichannel scanners. The current position is compared with the reference position to determine a deviation. In case of a deviation between the two positions, a signal is transmitted to the control system of the positioning drive for realigning the access or loading assembly and reducing the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH, Hübner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lothar Scharf, Rolf Herwig, Holger Jaap, Ernst Tabel, Thorsten Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9531094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receiving socket for receiving and making contact with an electronic module (60) comprising an electronic circuit (70) which is electrically connected to a first contact tongue (80) and to a second contact tongue (90). The receiving socket comprises a first electrical contact area (22) for making contact with the first contact tongue (80) of the module, a second electrical contact area (32) for making contact with the second contact tongue (90) of the module and a contact element (40) which electrically connects the first contact area (22) to the second contact area (32) for the purpose of transferring an electrical signal when the module is removed. The first contact tongue (80) of the module can be received between the first electrical contact area (22) and the contact element (40). The second contact tongue (90) of the module can be received between the second electrical contact area (32) and the contact element (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lebkuecher, Werner Bansemir, Friedrich Fuess
  • Publication number: 20160352534
    Abstract: There is provided an interface circuit, a network switch or network device coupler incorporating the interface circuit, and a network incorporating the network switch or network device. The interface circuit has a data bus interface (7) for connecting a data bus to either a first device (6) that communicates in a first signalling protocol or a second device (6) that communicates in a second signalling protocol. The data bus has two bus conductors that provide combined power and data. A voltage source (12) powers the data bus. The voltage source (12) is connected to the data bus via a reactance (10) and then a first resistance (4) connected in series. An output of a transmitter (13) is connected via a second resistance (3) to a point between the reactance (10) and the first resistance, to modulate the data bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Ringkamp, Steffen Graber, Renato Kitchener
  • Publication number: 20160327423
    Abstract: A method for detecting a fill level in a collecting vessel using a sensor device, wherein the collecting vessel has m detection regions which are measured using ultrasound, includes the following steps: 1. a measurement cycle is performed for each of the m detection regions, where m= 1, 2, 3, . . . ; 2. n individual measurements are performed in each measurement cycle, where n= 1, 2, 3, . . . , wherein a transmission power and/or a reception gain and/or a transmission burst is varied in each of the n individual measurements, as a result of which the individual measurements are distinguished from one another in terms of the transmission power and/or in terms of the reception gain and/or in terms of the transmission burst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst LUBER, Claudia SERTL
  • Publication number: 20160064841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receiving socket for receiving and making contact with an electronic module (60) comprising an electronic circuit (70) which is electrically connected to a first contact tongue (80) and to a second contact tongue (90). The receiving socket comprises a first electrical contact area (22) for making contact with the first contact tongue (80) of the module, a second electrical contact area (32) for making contact with the second contact tongue (90) of the module and a contact element (40) which electrically connects the first contact area (22) to the second contact area (32) for the purpose of transferring an electrical signal when the module is removed. The first contact tongue (80) of the module can be received between the first electrical contact area (22) and the contact element (40). The second contact tongue (90) of the module can be received between the second electrical contact area (32) and the contact element (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas LEBKUECHER, Werner BANSEMIR, Friedrich FUESS
  • Publication number: 20160031057
    Abstract: Query unit for determining the status of moving or movable parts of a system part, particularly for determining the end positions of a clamping arm of a toggle lever clamping apparatus, has a sensor unit and an electroblock. The sensor unit has at least one sensor and a connector plug-in connection part for connecting the sensor unit with the electroblock and can be attached to the system part. The electroblock has at least one electrical connector element for connecting an outer, releasable connection cable, a connector plug-in connection part for connecting the electroblock with the sensor unit, and at least one screw passage opening for installation on an outer surface of the system part. The connector plug-in connection part of the sensor unit is connected in an opening of the system part, with shape fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas FREUND
  • Publication number: 20160025792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring and switching a load circuit, having an input part and an output part, having switching inputs to connect a controller to the input part, having switching outputs to connect at least one load circuit with at least one load to be switched to the output part, having at least one load switch to switch, in particular to switch on and off, the at least one load, having at least one fault detection circuit to detect a fault in the load circuit and to generate at least a first fault signal in the output part, and having a galvanic isolation stage for galvanically isolated transmission of this first fault signal and/or a second fault signal derived from this first fault signal from the output part to the input part. According to the invention the input part has an input circuit which converts switching commands of the controller incoming via the switching inputs into switching processes of the load switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Oestreicher
  • Publication number: 20150163123
    Abstract: Apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation, comprising a control means and connection means adapted to connect said apparatus to a subject network segment, in which said control means comprises data signal output means adapted to impart a test data signal to said subject segment via said connection means, and a data signal disruption digital output digital input attribute modifier means adapted to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said test data signal which affect its functional quality and/or to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said subject segment which are capable of affecting the functional quality of data signals carried thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Gunther Rogoll
  • Patent number: 9054519
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising a power supply, a load and a surge protection device adapted to protect said load and/or power supply from electrical fast transient events according to the requirements of IEC 61000-4-2 or 4 and which comprises a stress threshold, in which the electrical circuit further comprises a monitoring device adapted to monitor the current in said surge protection device and detect the breaching of said threshold by electrical fast transient events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Gunther Rogoll
  • Patent number: 9046879
    Abstract: A fault protection circuit for use on a spur of an IEC 61158 Fieldbus network comprising a fast acting current limiter adapted to limit the spur current to the level of a reference current when the spur current reaches said reference current, control means adapted to monitor the spur AC and/or DC current and/or voltage, and isolation means adapted to apply a shunt short circuit isolation to said spur upon receipt of an activation signal from the control means, in which the control means is adapted to control the level of the reference current, and in which when said control means detects one or more pre-determined fault conditions on said spur it activates the isolation means and lowers the level of reference current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Steffen Graber
  • Patent number: 9007069
    Abstract: A method of testing a short circuit protection system applied to a spur of an electric circuit. The short circuit protection system has a current limiting means which applies a current limit to the spur if the current thereon exceeds a trip level. The electric circuit has a power supply and an isolation means adapted to fully or partially isolate the power supply from the electric circuit if the current thereon exceeds a power supply trip level for longer than a deadband period. The method includes applying a test current demand to the short circuit protection system which has a current and duration sufficient for the spur current trip level but a current insufficient to exceed the power supply trip level and/or a duration insufficient to exceed the deadband period, and detecting if the current limiting means applies the current limit or not during the test current demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Gunther Rogoll
  • Publication number: 20150097594
    Abstract: A segment of a two wire combined power and data network system for automation comprising a trunk, a spur mounted thereon and a fault protection device, in which said fault protection device comprises a control means adapted to monitor the current of said spur, and isolation means adapted to fully or partially isolate said spur from said trunk upon receipt of an activation signal from said control means, in which said control means comprises a failure status determination algorithm comprising an intermittent fault count over time step and a fault duration step, in which said intermittent fault count over time step is satisfied if a pre-determined number of separate faults are detected over a first pre-determined time period, in which said fault duration step is satisfied if a fault is detected which persists for longer than a second pre-determined time period, and in which said control means issues said activation signal upon determination of a failure status on said spur which satisfies the intermittent fault
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Steffen Graber
  • Patent number: 8966983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the contactless detection of laminated, flat objects, particularly sheet-like recording media. There is a galvanic separation and mechanical decoupling between the transmitter and receiver to improve detection. These measures can be further improved with correction characteristic methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Dierk Schoen
  • Publication number: 20140377995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection module for field devices in the explosion-protected area, having a housing with a plurality of controller-end terminals to connect to at least one input/output module and with field-end terminals to connect to the field devices. The connection module is characterised in that different resistors are present in the housing to provide intrinsically safe pairs of field-end terminals with different characteristic values, said resistors being hardwired in the housing to different field-end terminals and/or controller-end terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Oettler
  • Patent number: 8903548
    Abstract: Position finding system having a sensor unit and a transmitter unit. The sensor unit comprises a first RFID transponder reader unit, a first inductive detector unit, and an analysis unit connected to the RFID transponder reader unit and the inductive detector unit; the transmitter unit comprises an RFID transponder and a metallic material. The sensor unit is movable relative to the transmitter unit. The RFID transponder reader unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a first position value, and the inductive detector unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a second position value. The analysis unit is configured to determine, from the data acquired from the transmitter unit, an absolute position of the sensor unit from the first and second position values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Galm, Thomas Freund
  • Patent number: 8867184
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising a power supply, a load, first and second trunks disposed therebetween and control means adapted to control the electrical status of the first and second trunks, in which the control means comprises monitoring means adapted to monitor the current and/or voltage of the first and second trunks and to detect current and/or voltage events which are indicative of faults occurring thereon, and isolation means adapted to isolate the first or second trunk when the monitoring means detects a current and/or voltage event which is indicative of a fault occurring thereon, in which the first and second trunks are electrically connected and arranged in parallel such that the power supplied to the load is distributed substantially equally between them, and in which the control means comprises compensation means adapted to prevent the isolation means from isolating one of said first or second trunks when a current and/or voltage event which is indicative of a fault occurs thereon which is caus
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Gunther Rogoll
  • Patent number: 8839567
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wall mount enclosure for mounting in a wall, including a housing with a front side, a back side and at least one side wall defining an interior accessible from an opening in the front side, where the front side has an outer perimeter extending outwardly beyond the side wall to interface with a front surface of the wall when a plurality of clamping mechanisms are engaged to mount the enclosure to the wall. The clamping mechanisms comprise a threaded fastener having a head accessible through the interior, and an at least partially threaded elongated member. A clamp body is provided and is pivotal about an axis by pivoting the threaded fastener in a first direction away from the interior of the enclosure and linearly translatable when in a second pivotal position to engage a back portion of the wall and mount the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Thut, Steve Jopek
  • Patent number: 8797050
    Abstract: An electrical circuit confirming to the IEC 61158-2 standard comprising a power supply, a device as a load thereof, and monitoring means adapted to monitor one or more physical layer attributes of the electrical circuit, in which the device comprises an enclosure, device function electronics disposed therein and two terminals connecting said device function electronics to said electrical circuit, in which water detection means is disposed inside said enclosure, and comprises water detection probes and a physical layer attribute modifier mounted across said electrical circuit in parallel with said device function electronics, and in which when said water detection probes detect water said physical layer attribute modifier makes a modification to a physical layer attribute of the electrical circuit, which modification is detectable by said monitoring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Gunther Rogoll
  • Patent number: 8782961
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wall mount enclosure for mounting in a wall, including a housing with a front side, a back side and at least one side wall defining an interior accessible from an opening in the front side, where the front side has an outer perimeter extending outwardly beyond the side wall to interface with a front surface of the wall when a plurality of clamping mechanisms are engaged to mount the enclosure to the wall. The clamping mechanisms comprise a threaded fastener having a head accessible through the interior, and an at least partially threaded elongated member. A clamp body is provided and is pivotal about an axis by pivoting the threaded fastener in a first direction away from the interior of the enclosure and linearly translatable when in a second pivotal position to engage a back portion of the wall and mount the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Thut, Steve Jopek
  • Patent number: 8723727
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Albrecht