Patents by Inventor Andreas Rohrhofer
Andreas Rohrhofer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11752626Abstract: An apparatus for automated contact tasks and a related method are described. The apparatus includes a mechanical interface for connecting the apparatus to a manipulator, a holder for receiving a tool and being movable in relation to the mechanical interface, at least one actuator for positioning the holder in relation to the mechanical interface, a sensor unit that senses the actuator force provided by the at least one actuator, and a control unit that sets the actuator force to a desired minimum force to press the holder against a stop, while there is no contact between the tool and a surface, and detects contact when the holder moves in relation to the mechanical interface in opposition to the direction of the desired minimum force. The control unit further regulates the actuator force according to a pre-programmed contact force time-characteristic, when contact between the tool and the surface has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: FerRobotics Compliant Robot Technology GmbHInventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Publication number: 20230089260Abstract: A strand-guiding section arranged downstream of a continuous casting mould of a continuous casting line. The strand-guiding section has at least one strand-guiding roller supporting a metal strand cast with the continuous casting mould, is mounted in roller bearings in the strand-guiding section, and has at least one sensor device, which has at least one vibration sensor acoustically coupled to the strand-guiding roller or its roller bearings to detect the vibrations occurring with the rotation of the strand-guiding roller in the roller bearings. The strand-guiding roller is cooled internally by a cooling water. The vibration sensor is acoustically coupled to the strand-guiding roller and/or to the roller bearings via the cooling water. The evaluation device determines the status of the at least one roller bearing by evaluating the vibration data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Franz Hartl, Eberhard Karnitsch-Einberger, Franz Kolmbauer, Anna Mayrhofer, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Patent number: 11346395Abstract: A device for capturing and transmitting data of a bearing of a steel mill or rolling mill includes a sensor with a data processing unit arranged in a bearing housing capturing and storing data of a bearing. A data transmission unit in the bearing housing wirelessly transmits data of the sensor to a remote receiver. An energy receiving unit in the bearing housing receives energy wirelessly and transmits it to the data transmission unit and the data processing unit. An energy source with an energy transmitting unit arranged outside the bearing housing supply the energy unit wirelessly. The energy transmitting unit is covered by the bearing housing and is arranged on or in a structural part which adjoins the bearing housing and is part of the supporting structure of mill and remains on the supporting structure of the mill when the bearing housing is removed for maintenance purposes.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBHInventors: Gerald Hohenbichler, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Publication number: 20210362205Abstract: A device for capturing and transmitting data of a bearing of a steel mill or rolling mill includes a sensor with a data processing unit arranged in a bearing housing capturing and storing data of a bearing. A data transmission unit in the bearing housing wirelessly transmits data of the sensor to a remote receiver. An energy receiving unit in the bearing housing receives energy wirelessly and transmits it to the data transmission unit and the data processing unit. An energy source with an energy transmitting unit arranged outside the bearing housing supply the energy unit wirelessly. The energy transmitting unit is covered by the bearing housing and is arranged on or in a structural part which adjoins the bearing housing and is part of the supporting structure of mill and remains on the supporting structure of the mill when the bearing housing is removed for maintenance purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: Primetals Technologies Austria GmbHInventors: Gerald HOHENBICHLER, Andreas ROHRHOFER
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Publication number: 20210146535Abstract: An apparatus for automated contact tasks and a related method are described. The apparatus includes a mechanical interface for connecting the apparatus to a manipulator, a holder for receiving a tool and being movable in relation to the mechanical interface, at least one actuator for positioning the holder in relation to the mechanical interface, a sensor unit that senses the actuator force provided by the at least one actuator, and a control unit that sets the actuator force to a desired minimum force to press the holder against a stop, while there is no contact between the tool and a surface, and detects contact when the holder moves in relation to the mechanical interface in opposition to the direction of the desired minimum force. The control unit further regulates the actuator force according to a pre-programmed contact force time-characteristic, when contact between the tool and the surface has been detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Patent number: 10906177Abstract: An apparatus for automated contact tasks and a related method are described. The apparatus includes a mechanical interface for connecting the apparatus to a manipulator, a holder for receiving a tool and being movable in relation to the mechanical interface, at least one actuator for positioning the holder in relation to the mechanical interface, a sensor unit that senses the actuator force provided by the at least one actuator, and a control unit that sets the actuator force to a desired minimum force to press the holder against a stop, while there is no contact between the tool and a surface, and detects contact when the holder moves in relation to the mechanical interface in opposition to the direction of the desired minimum force. The control unit further regulates the actuator force according to a pre-programmed contact force time-characteristic, when contact between the tool and the surface has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: FERROBOTICS COMPLIANT ROBOT TECHNOLOGY GMBHInventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Patent number: 10451349Abstract: A metallurgical container (1) includes an outer wall (2), at least one connection element (4) for an electrode which is to be connected and/or a support element which is to be connected, and at least one transponder (3) which is surrounded by a protective housing (6) and can be read wirelessly. The transponder (3) is at a distance from the outer wall (2) on the container (1).Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBHInventors: Franz Hartl, Jean-Pierre Klein, Martin Lehofer, Andreas Rohrhofer, Michael Weinzinger
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Patent number: 10366256Abstract: A metallurgical vessel (2) having an outer surface (2a) and an identification tag (1, 1?, 1?) on the outer surface (2a). The tag has a carrier matrix (11) formed of an electrically and thermally insulating material. At least two passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) are embedded in the carrier matrix (11). Within a metallurgical plant, a reading station (4) for tracking the path of the metallurgical vessel (2) is arranged at a tracking position. An antenna (5) of the reading station (4) initiates activation of the passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b), provided that the metallurgical vessel (2) is in a sensing range of the reading station (4). A reading unit (6) of the reading station (4) reads out the activated passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) and transmits the result to an evaluating unit (7) of the reading station (4). The evaluating unit (7) determines which and/or how many of the passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) were actually activated.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBHInventors: Franz Hartl, Thomas Kuehas, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Publication number: 20180354128Abstract: An apparatus for automated contact tasks and a related method are described. The apparatus includes a mechanical interface for connecting the apparatus to a manipulator, a holder for receiving a tool and being movable in relation to the mechanical interface, at least one actuator for positioning the holder in relation to the mechanical interface, a sensor unit that senses the actuator force provided by the at least one actuator, and a control unit that sets the actuator force to a desired minimum force to press the holder against a stop, while there is no contact between the tool and a surface, and detects contact when the holder moves in relation to the mechanical interface in opposition to the direction of the desired minimum force. The control unit further regulates the actuator force according to a pre-programmed contact force time-characteristic, when contact between the tool and the surface has been detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Publication number: 20180285603Abstract: A metallurgical vessel (2) having an outer surface (2a) and an identification tag (1, 1?, 1?) on the outer surface (2a). The tag has a carrier matrix (11) formed of an electrically and thermally insulating material. At least two passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) are embedded in the carrier matrix (11). Within a metallurgical plant, a reading station (4) for tracking the path of the metallurgical vessel (2) is arranged at a tracking position. An antenna (5) of the reading station (4) initiates activation of the passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b), provided that the metallurgical vessel (2) is in a sensing range of the reading station (4). A reading unit (6) of the reading station (4) reads out the activated passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) and transmits the result to an evaluating unit (7) of the reading station (4). The evaluating unit (7) determines which and/or how many of the passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) were actually activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Franz HARTL, Thomas KUEHAS, Andreas ROHRHOFER
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Patent number: 9993922Abstract: An apparatus for automated contact tasks and a related method are described. The apparatus includes a mechanical interface for connecting the apparatus to a manipulator, a holder for receiving a tool and being movable in relation to the mechanical interface, at least one actuator for positioning the holder in relation to the mechanical interface, a sensor unit that senses the actuator force provided by the at least one actuator, and a control unit that sets the actuator force to a desired minimum force to press the holder against a stop, while there is no contact between the tool and a surface, and detects contact when the holder moves in relation to the mechanical interface in opposition to the direction of the desired minimum force. The control unit further regulates the actuator force according to a pre-programmed contact force time-characteristic, when contact between the tool and the surface has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: FerRobotics Compliant Robot Technology GmbHInventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Publication number: 20170322545Abstract: Controlling a metallurgical plant, the plant has at least one plant part (1) operated with first and second operating parameters (BP 1, BP2) at a particular time, and an operating result (BE) is established on the basis of the operation of the plant part (1) according to the first and second operating parameters (BP1, BP2). The operating result (BE) is recorded. At least the operating result (BE) is transmitted from a control device (5) of the first plant part (1) to a computing unit (9). The computing unit (9) varies the second operating parameters (BP2), but not the first operating parameters (BP1), and thereby determines varied second operating parameters (BP2?) associated with the first operating parameters (BP 1). The computing unit (9) transmits the varied second operating parameters (BP2?) back to the control device (5) of the first plant part (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2015Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Paul FISCHER, Franz HARTL, Eberhard KARNITSCH-EINBERGER, Thomas KUEHAS, Andreas ROHRHOFER, Werner SCHWARZ, Klaus STOHL, Michael WEINZINGER
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Publication number: 20170102184Abstract: A metallurgical container (1) includes an outer wall (2), at least one connection element (4) for an electrode which is to be connected and/or a support element which is to be connected, and at least one transponder (3) which is surrounded by a protective housing (6) and can be read wirelessly. The transponder (3) is at a distance from the outer wall (2) on the container (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2015Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Franz HARTL, Jean-Pierre KLEIN, Martin LEHOFER, Andreas ROHRHOFER, Michael WEINZINGER
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Publication number: 20170036154Abstract: A method for monitoring a pressurized gas-based cleaning process in a hose filter installation (2): during a cleaning process, a throughflow (Q) of a pressurized-gas flow during a predefinable time period (T) is determined, a throughflow characteristic (V) is determined using the determined throughflow (Q) of the pressurized-gas flow, and the pressurized gas-based cleaning process is monitored using the throughflow characteristic (V), wherein the throughflow characteristic (V) is a pressurized-gas quantity that has flowed in the predefinable time period (T). A monitoring system (40) for a hose filter installation (2) has at least one throughflow sensor (44) for determining a throughflow (Q) of a pressurized-gas flow, and a control unit (42) for controlling a pressurized gas-based cleaning process, wherein the throughflow sensor (44) is a volume flow sensor or a mass flow sensor, and the control unit (42) is set up for carrying out the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Herbert LAUTERBRUNNER, Martin LEHOFER, Stefan MAIR, Andreas ROHRHOFER
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Publication number: 20160279646Abstract: A method for operating a filter system (1) for filtering an exhaust gas (11) of a metallurgical plant (12), which exhaust gas (11) comprises solid particles (10), wherein the filter system (1) has at least one electrode pair (2), to each of which an electrical power and/or an electrical voltage and/or an electrical current can be applied. A system for operating such a filter system includes (1) a plant for filtering an exhaust gas (11) of a metallurgical plant (12). The exhaust gas (11) includes solid particles (10). The metallurgical plant (12) includes such a filter system (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2014Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Philipp AUFREITER, Johann FLEISCHANDERL, Franz HARTL, Thomas KEUSCH, Martin LEHOFER, Andreas ROHRHOFER, Florian WACKERLE, Michael WEINZINGER
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Publication number: 20160271797Abstract: An apparatus for automated contact tasks and a related method are described. The apparatus includes a mechanical interface for connecting the apparatus to a manipulator, a holder for receiving a tool and being movable in relation to the mechanical interface, at least one actuator for positioning the holder in relation to the mechanical interface, a sensor unit that senses the actuator force provided by the at least one actuator, and a control unit that sets the actuator force to a desired minimum force to press the holder against a stop, while there is no contact between the tool and a surface, and detects contact when the holder moves in relation to the mechanical interface in opposition to the direction of the desired minimum force. The control unit further regulates the actuator force according to a pre-programmed contact force time-characteristic, when contact between the tool and the surface has been detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Patent number: 9375840Abstract: A handling apparatus for automated or robot-supported contact tasks is disclosed. The handling apparatus has the following components: a mechanical interface for releasably or fixedly connecting the handling apparatus to a manipulator; a holder, which is movable in relation to the interface, for holding a tool; at least one static-frictionless adjusting element for positioning the holder in relation to the interface to the manipulator; a sensor device for directly or indirectly measuring the force acting on the at least one adjusting element; and a closed-loop controller which is configured to regulate the contact force depending on a predefinable force profile when there is contact between the handling apparatus and a surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Ferrobotics Complaint Robot Technology GmbHInventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer
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Publication number: 20160151733Abstract: A method for detecting a cleaning process in a plant having filters (1, 31) arranged spatially offset from one another, wherein a first gas (21) having solid particles (20) is conducted in a first flow direction (10) filtered by a respective filter (1, 31). To clean the respective filter (1, 31), a second gas (22) is conducted through the filter (1, 31) opposite the first flow direction (10). Then listen to noise produced in the filtering or other physical phenomena to determine a condition of the filter including if it is being cleaned. To detect a cleaning process in a plant, a respective noise (12) is detected by acoustic sensors (2, 32, 2?, 32?, 42) arranged spatially offset from one another during the cleaning of the respective filter (1, 31). Further disclosed are a system for detecting a cleaning process in a plant having such filters, and such a plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Paul FISCHER, Franz HARTL, Thomas KEUSCH, Thomas KUEHAS, Martin LEHOFER, Axel RIESE, Andreas ROHRHOFER, Michael WEINZINGER
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Publication number: 20160044826Abstract: An electronics protection housing which reliably protects electronics (1) therein from heat or hot liquids has an inner housing part (2) at least partially enclosing the electronics (1) and at least one outer housing part (3) at least partially enclosing the inner housing part (2) and which can be fastened on the inner housing part (2) by a mechanically removable connection, wherein the at least one outer housing part (3) has at least one layer having a renewable raw material, wherein the inner housing part (2) has at least one layer having a material having a temperature resistance of at least up to 150° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Franz HARTL, Manuel HARTL, Thomas KUEHAS, Martin LEHOFER, Andreas ROHRHOFER, Michael WEINZINGER
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Publication number: 20140005831Abstract: A handling apparatus for automated or robot-supported contact tasks is disclosed. The handling apparatus has the following components: a mechanical interface for releasably or fixedly connecting the handling apparatus to a manipulator; a holder, which is movable in relation to the interface, for holding a tool; at least one static-frictionless adjusting element for positioning the holder in relation to the interface to the manipulator; a sensor device for directly or indirectly measuring the force acting on the at least one adjusting element; and a closed-loop controller which is configured to regulate the contact force depending on a predefinable force profile when there is contact between the handling apparatus and a surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Ferrobotics Compliant Robot Technology GmbHInventors: Ronald Naderer, Paolo Ferrara, Andreas Rohrhofer