Patents by Inventor Armin Wernet

Armin Wernet 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).

  • Publication number: 20230417591
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring a predeterminable fill level of a medium in a container using a vibronic sensor having at least one sensor unit with a mechanically vibratable unit, comprises exciting the mechanically vibratable unit with an excitation signal to produce mechanical vibrations, and receiving the mechanical vibrations in the form of a reception signal, determining an amplitude and a frequency of the reception signal, comparing the frequency and amplitude of the reception signal with a predeterminable frequency limit value and a predeterminable amplitude limit value, and determining a reaching of the predeterminable fill level on the basis of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Kaj Uppenkamp, Armin Wernet, Christian Strittmatter
  • Patent number: 11543279
    Abstract: Provided is a method for process monitoring in automation technology based at least on one capacitive and/or conductive measuring probe for determining at least one process variable of at least one medium in a container, an apparatus suitable for executing the method, as well as a computer program and a computer readable medium. The method includes method steps of ascertaining whether the measuring probe is at least partially in contact with the medium and registering as a function of time at least an electrical conductivity of the medium, a dielectric constant of the medium and/or a degree of coverage of the measuring probe by the medium. The method also includes a step of monitoring the process running within the container based on the electrical conductivity, the dielectric constant and/or the degree of coverage as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Kaj Uppenkamp, Florian Falger
  • Patent number: 11506530
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosis of a two-conductor field instrument and a corresponding two-conductor field instrument. In a normal operating mode, an input voltage is provided and an output current is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Frühauf, Armin Wernet
  • Publication number: 20220221324
    Abstract: A method for monitoring condition of a vibronic sensor for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a containment and having at least one sensor unit having a mechanically oscillatable unit includes: exciting the mechanically oscillatable unit by means of an excitation signal such that mechanical oscillations are executed, and receiving the mechanical oscillations in the form of a received signal, determining a measured value for amplitude and a measured value for frequency of the received signal, comparing the measured values for amplitude and frequency with reference values for amplitude and frequency, and ascertaining a condition indicator from the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Kaj Uppenkamp, Christian Strittmatter, Armin Wernet, Sascha D'Angelico
  • Patent number: 11320459
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring system including: an automation field device embodied for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium; a connection unit, which includes a connection plug, which is electrically connected with the field device, and a cable, which is connected to the connection plug with a cable connection and which serves for supplying the field device with electrical energy and/or for transmitting information between the field device and a superordinated unit; and a protective cover, which surrounds the connection unit and the field device connected with the connection unit in a protection section, wherein by means of the protective cover the impact resistance of the measuring system in the protection section is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro, Robert Schmidt, Armin Wernet
  • Patent number: 11233392
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a sensor unit and an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit includes a transceiver unit and a transceiver protecting unit for limiting an input voltage of the transceiver unit to a first transceiver voltage value. According to the present disclosure, the transceiver protecting unit includes a first limiting unit and a transistor unit, the transistor unit connected in series with the transceiver unit, wherein the first limiting unit is connected in parallel with transceiver unit and to a control terminal of the transistor and is configured to control an input voltage for the control terminal of the transistor to a predeterminable control value such that the input voltage of the transceiver unit is limited to the first transceiver voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+ Co. KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Michael Dötsch
  • Patent number: 11099053
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a predetermined fill level of a medium in a containment. The apparatus includes a sensor unit and an electronics unit. The electronics unit includes a limiting unit embodied to limit an electrical current or voltage in at least one portion of the electronics unit, a switching unit embodied to control a process switch, and a signal transformation unit embodied to transform a dynamic, electrical input signal into a static, electrical output signal. The static output signal flows through at least one component of the electronics unit. Furthermore, the electronics unit is embodied to supply the sensor unit with an excitation signal, to receive from the sensor unit a received signal, to determine and/or to monitor whether the predetermined fill level has been reached, and to produce a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+HauserSE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Dötsch, Max Jehle, Izabella Sandor, Armin Wernet
  • Publication number: 20210164827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosis of a two-conductor field instrument and a corresponding two-conductor field instrument. In a normal operating mode, an input voltage is provided and an output current is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Dietmar Frühauf, Armin Wernet
  • Patent number: 10982988
    Abstract: A sensor adapter for a device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container with a measuring probe, comprising: at least one adapter measuring probe with at least one adapter electrode, an adapter housing with structure for detachably fastening the sensor adapter on the device, and a contacting unit for the electrical contact of at least one electrode of the device with at least one adapter electrode of the sensor adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Kaj Uppenkamp, Robert Schmidt, Dietmar Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 10895488
    Abstract: Apparatus for capacitive determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a container, comprising at least one sensor unit with at least one sensor electrode, a housing and an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit is embodied to supply the sensor unit with a high-frequency exciter signal, to receive a response signal from the sensor unit, and to provide at least from the response signal information concerning the fill level of medium in the container. The apparatus includes, furthermore, a coupling element, which is arranged and embodied in such a manner at least at times to establish a conductive connection between at least one portion of the housing and at least one component of the electronics unit and at least at times to effect a capacitive coupling between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp
  • Publication number: 20200400717
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring system including: an automation field device embodied for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium; a connection unit, which includes a connection plug, which is electrically connected with the field device, and a cable, which is connected to the connection plug with a cable connection and which serves for supplying the field device with electrical energy and/or for transmitting information between the field device and a superordinated unit; and a protective cover, which surrounds the connection unit and the field device connected with the connection unit in a protection section, wherein by means of the protective cover the impact resistance of the measuring system in the protection section is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro, Robert Schmidt, Armin Wernet
  • Publication number: 20200287381
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a sensor unit and an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit includes a transceiver unit and a transceiver protecting unit for limiting an input voltage of the transceiver unit to a first transceiver voltage value. According to the present disclosure, the transceiver protecting unit includes a first limiting unit and a transistor unit, the transistor unit connected in series with the transceiver unit, wherein the first limiting unit is connected in parallel with transceiver unit and to a control terminal of the transistor and is configured to control an input voltage for the control terminal of the transistor to a predeterminable control value such that the input voltage of the transceiver unit is limited to the first transceiver voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Michael Dötsch
  • Publication number: 20200264029
    Abstract: A sensor adapter for a device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container with a measuring probe, comprising: at least one adapter measuring probe with at least one adapter electrode, an adapter housing with structure for detachably fastening the sensor adapter on the device, and a contacting unit for the electrical contact of at least one electrode of the device with at least one adapter electrode of the sensor adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Kaj Uppenkamp, Robert Schmidt, Dietmar Fruhauf
  • Publication number: 20200158554
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for process monitoring in automation technology based at least on one capacitive and/or conductive measuring probe for determining at least one process variable of at least one medium in a container, an apparatus suitable for executing the method, as well as a computer program and a computer readable medium. The method comprises method steps ascertaining whether the measuring probe is at least partially in contact with the medium and registering as a function of time at least an electrical conductivity of the medium, a dielectric constant of the medium and/or a degree of coverage of the measuring probe by the medium. The method also includes a step of monitoring at least one, or the, process running within the container based on the electrical conductivity, the dielectric constant and/or the degree of coverage as a function of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Kaj Uppenkamp, Florian Falger
  • Publication number: 20200141789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for capacitive determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium as well as to a corresponding apparatus. According to the invention, at least method steps as follows are executed: supplying a probe electrode with at least a first electrical, excitation signal having at least a first predeterminable frequency, receiving a first electrical, received signal from the probe electrode, ascertaining a measured capacitance of the probe electrode or the measured capacitance and a media/accretion resistance of the probe electrode from at least the first received signal, and determining the at least one process variable based on the value of the measured capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Anna Klara Schneider, Raphael Kuhnen, Armin Wernet
  • Publication number: 20190331519
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a predetermined fill level of a medium in a containment, comprising a sensor unit and an electronics unit. The electronics unit includes a limiting unit embodied to limit an electrical current or an electrical voltage in at least one portion of the electronics unit, a switching unit embodied to control a process switch having at least first and second switch states, and a signal transformation unit embodied to transform a dynamic, electrical input signal into a static, electrical output signal, and wherein the static output signal flows through at least one component of the electronics unit. Furthermore, the electronics unit is embodied to supply the sensor unit with an excitation signal, to receive from the sensor unit a received signal, to determine and/or to monitor whether the predetermined fill level has been reached, and to produce at least one control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Dötsch, Max Jehle, Izabella Sandor, Armin Wernet
  • Patent number: 10439337
    Abstract: In a plug connector for connecting a field device of automation technology to an energy supply and/or to an evaluation unit, the plug connector includes a connection plug (M12) for the field device, wherein the connection plug (M12) is composed, at least partially, of a transparent material, wherein at least four display elements (gn ye, ye, rd) are arranged in the connection plug (M12). A first display element (gn) signals operational readiness of the field device; second and third display elements (ye, ye) signal two antivalent switch outputs (MIN, MAX) of the field device; and a fourth display element (rd) signals a disturbance or malfunction of field device. A circuit (NOR, XNOR) is provided to detect a disturbance or malfunction of field device based on the antivalent switch outputs (MIN, MAX) of the field device, and to activate fourth display element (rd) upon detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Dirk Schrank
  • Patent number: 10422680
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring at least one media-specific property of a medium in automation technology with a measuring probe, wherein the at least one media-specific property is ascertained in a conductive operating mode and in a capacitive operating mode of the measuring probe. The conductive operating mode and the capacitive operating mode are operated alternately, wherein based on the measured values, which are ascertained in at least one of the two operating modes, it is checked, whether the at least one media-specific property to be monitored lies within a predetermined tolerance band, and wherein a report and/or a switching signal is generated, when the at least one media-specific property to be monitored lies outside of the predetermined tolerance band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 10416020
    Abstract: Method for monitoring a predetermined fill level of a medium (3) in a container (2) with at least one measuring probe (1) and an electronics unit (7), wherein the measuring probe (1) is operated alternately in the conductive and in the capacitive operating modes, wherein the measuring probe (1) is supplied with an exciter signal, which is composed of two different, time alternatingly sequential, periodic signal components, wherein in a first time interval the first periodic signal component is generated for the conductive operating mode and in a second time interval the second periodic signal component is generated for the capacitive operating mode, wherein from the capacitive or conductive operating mode response signal obtained from the measuring probe (1) as a function of the current signal component, it is ascertained, whether the predetermined fill level has been reached, and wherein a report is generated upon the exceeding or subceeding of this fill level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp
  • Patent number: 10352754
    Abstract: A probe unit having a coaxial structure and including a probe electrode, a guard electrode and a contacting module arranged on a section of the probe electrode, which contacting module including an insulating sleeve, a flexible circuit board with a first conduction path for the electrical contacting of the probe electrode and a second conduction path for the electrical contacting of the guard electrode, and a module housing, wherein a first contact plate is provided that electrically contacts the first conduction path, the module housing including a second contact plate that electrically contacts the second conduction path, wherein the module housing has a pot-shaped geometry with a cylindrical wall, which wall substantially surrounds, protects and/or electromagnetically shields at least the probe electrode in the region in which the contacting module is arranged, at least a part of the insulating sleeve, and at least sections of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Andreas Krumbholz, Armin Wernet, Kaj Uppenkamp