Patents by Inventor Bernhard Andreaus

Bernhard Andreaus 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).

  • Patent number: 12553786
    Abstract: A method for operating a group of pressure sensors is provided. First and second pressure sensors respectively have first and second pressure measurement ranges, and are arranged to measure the pressure in a common measurement volume, and have measurement ranges that overlap in a range. The method comprises: aa) reading out first and second measurement signals respectively from the first and second pressure sensors substantially simultaneously while the pressure in the common measurement volume is in the overlapping range; bb) stipulating the first measurement signal which has been read out as the adjustment point for the second pressure sensor; cc) determining at least one calibration parameter, in particular a gas-dependent calibration parameter, for the second pressure sensor as a function of the first measurement signal, as a function of the adjustment point for the second pressure sensor, as stipulated in bb), and as a function of the second measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Christian Berg, Rolf Enderes, Martin Wüest, Bernhard Andreaus
  • Patent number: 12480831
    Abstract: Method for operating a group 1 of pressure sensors which are arranged in such a manner that they can measure the pressure in a common measurement volume 2, wherein the group of pressure sensors comprises at least a first pressure sensor 1? with a first pressure measurement range and a second pressure sensor 1? with a second pressure measurement range, wherein the first and second pressure measurement ranges overlap in an overlap pressure measurement range, wherein the first and second pressure sensors are each based on an indirect pressure measurement principle and are configured to output a measurement signal calibrated to a reference gas, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) providing calibration data specific to the type of gas for the first measurement signal and for the second measurement signal, which calibration data describe a dependence of the first and second measurement signals on the effective pressure and on a list of types of gas, respectively; b) recording a first and a second meas
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Andreaus, Rolf Enderes, Christian Berg, Martin Wüest
  • Patent number: 12406836
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for plasma generation in a wide pressure range. The device comprises a first plasma source (1) in a first discharge chamber (2) in order to generate a first plasma in a low-pressure range, a second plasma source (3) in a second discharge chamber (4) in order to generate a second plasma in a high-pressure range, a first coupling element (5) for coupling the device to a system, in order to guide gas out of the system, and a second coupling element (6) for coupling the device to an optical sensor (12). The first discharge chamber (2) has a first optical connection with at least one optical lens (7, 8) to the second coupling element (6) and the second discharge chamber (4) has a second optical connection with at least one optical lens (8) to the second coupling element (6). This invention further relates to a system for optical gas analysis or gas detection and corresponding methods for plasma generation and for operating the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Astrid Waldner, Bernhard Andreaus, Urs Wälchli, Stefan Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20250244271
    Abstract: A device (10) for determining a density of radicals (5) of a radical type in a measuring space (4) comprises a catalyst material (1) which can be brought into contact with the measuring space at least in the region of a first surface (15) of the catalyst material, wherein the catalyst material is suitable for triggering an exothermic recombination reaction of radicals of the radical type when radicals of the radical type come into contact with the first surface; a temperature actuator (2) in thermal contact with the first surface; and a temperature sensor (3) in thermal contact with the first surface. The device is designed to control the temperature actuator by means of a control signal in such a way that the measured value detected by the temperature sensor is kept at a setpoint value, and wherein the control signal can be evaluated in order to determine the density of radicals of the radical type in the measuring space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Inventors: Bernhard ANDREAUS, Oskar UNTERMARZONER, Urs WÄLCHLI, Stefan KAISER, Martin WÜEST
  • Publication number: 20250046589
    Abstract: A chamber, for bounding a plasma generation area in a vacuum pressure sensor, includes an electrically conductive casing element located radially on an outside relative to a central axis. The chamber includes electrically conductive wall elements arranged substantially perpendicular to the central axis and connected to the electrically conductive casing element. At least one of the wall elements has a first opening, through which the central axis extends. The electrically conductive casing element comprises at least a first and a second region. The first region is located closer to the central axis than the second region. The electrically conductive casing element is conical at least in part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Urs WÄLCHLI, Stefan KAISER, Bernhard ANDREAUS, Martin WÜEST, Astrid WALDNER, Michael TREFZER
  • Patent number: 12154771
    Abstract: Chamber (11, 12, 13) for bounding a plasma generation area (42) in a vacuum pressure sensor (40), wherein the chamber comprises an electrically conductive casing element (1, 1?, 1?) located radially on the outside relative to a central axis, wherein the chamber comprises electrically conductive wall elements (2, 2?, 2?) arranged substantially perpendicular to the central axis and connected to the casing element, wherein at least one of the wall elements has a first opening (3), through which the central axis extends, wherein the casing element comprises at least a first (B1) and a second region (B2), wherein the first region is located closer to the central axis than the second region. The invention further relates to a vacuum pressure sensor comprising the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Urs Wälchli, Stefan Kaiser, Bernhard Andreaus, Martin Wüest, Astrid Waldner, Michael Trefzer
  • Patent number: 12096545
    Abstract: A vacuum feedthrough (10) which is constructed in radial layers comprises the following elements (from inwards to outwards): —a lens element (11), —a first ring (12) made of glass, —a first hollow cylinder (13) made of a first dielectric material, —a first electrically conductive layer (18), —a second hollow cylinder (14) made of glass, —a third hollow cylinder (15) made of ceramic, —a second ring made of glass (16), and—a frame (17) made of metal. On the basis of the vacuum feedthrough, the invention additionally relates to an electrode assembly, to a device for generating a DBD plasma discharge, to a measuring device for characterizing a pressure and/or a gas composition, and to a method for operating the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Andreaus, Astrid Waldner
  • Patent number: 12085467
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method 100 for determining a pressure in a vacuum system, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) generating 101 a plasma in a sample chamber which is fluid-dynamically connected to the vacuum system and which is in electrical contact with a first electrode and a second electrode; b) measuring 102 a current intensity of an electrical current flowing through the plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode; c) measuring 103 a first radiation intensity of electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength range which is emitted from the plasma, wherein the first wavelength range contains at least a first emission line of a first plasma species of a first chemical element; d) measuring 104 a second radiation intensity of electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength range which is emitted from the plasma, wherein the second wavelength range contains a second emission line of the first plasma species of the first chemical element or of a second plasma species of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Carsten Strietzel, Urs Wälchli, Stefan Kaiser, Christian Riesch, Bernhard Andreaus, Mario Weder
  • Publication number: 20240196508
    Abstract: A vacuum feedthrough (10) which is constructed in radial layers comprises the following elements (from inwards to outwards): —a lens element (11), —a first ring (12) made of glass, —a first hollow cylinder (13) made of a first dielectric material, —a first electrically conductive layer (18), —a second hollow cylinder (14) made of glass, —a third hollow cylinder (15) made of ceramic, —a second ring made of glass (16), and—a frame (17) made of metal. On the basis of the vacuum feedthrough, the invention additionally relates to an electrode assembly, to a device for generating a DBD plasma discharge, to a measuring device for characterizing a pressure and/or a gas composition, and to a method for operating the measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Bernhard ANDREAUS, Astrid WALDNER
  • Publication number: 20240194465
    Abstract: Chamber (11, 12, 13) for bounding a plasma generation area (42) in a vacuum pressure sensor (40), wherein the chamber comprises an electrically conductive casing element (1, 1?, 1?) located radially on the outside relative to a central axis, wherein the chamber comprises electrically conductive wall elements (2, 2?, 2?) arranged substantially perpendicular to the central axis and connected to the casing element, wherein at least one of the wall elements has a first opening (3), through which the central axis extends, wherein the casing element comprises at least a first (B1) and a second region (B2), wherein the first region is located closer to the central axis than the second region. The invention further relates to a vacuum pressure sensor comprising the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Urs WÄLCHLI, Stefan KAISER, Bernhard ANDREAUS, Martin WÜEST, Astrid WALDNER, Michael TREFZER
  • Publication number: 20240177979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for plasma generation in a wide pressure range. The device comprises a first plasma source (1) in a first discharge chamber (2) in order to generate a first plasma in a low-pressure range, a second plasma source (3) in a second discharge chamber (4) in order to generate a second plasma in a high-pressure range, a first coupling element (5) for coupling the device to a system, in order to guide gas out of the system, and a second coupling element (6) for coupling the device to an optical sensor (12). The first discharge chamber (2) has a first optical connection with at least one optical lens (7, 8) to the second coupling element (6) and the second discharge chamber (4) has a second optical connection with at least one optical lens (8) to the second coupling element (6). This invention further relates to a system for optical gas analysis or gas detection and corresponding methods for plasma generation and for operating the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Astrid WALDNER, Bernhard ANDREAUS, Urs WÄLCHLI, Stefan KAISER
  • Patent number: 11976992
    Abstract: A vacuum pressure sensor includes a vacuum-tight electrical feedthrough. The feedthrough has an electrically insulating insulator element with a through-opening, having a first boundary surface adjacent to the through-opening and a second boundary surface also adjacent to the through-opening and opposite to the first boundary surface, and an electrically conductive conductor element which extends through the through-opening and which is connected to the insulator element in a vacuum-tight manner along a circumferential line of the conductor element. The insulator element is transmissive to electromagnetic radiation in an optical wavelength range and the first boundary surface and/or the second boundary surface is formed as a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: INFICON AG
    Inventors: Stefan Kaiser, Bernhard Andreaus
  • Publication number: 20230375428
    Abstract: Method for operating a group 1 of pressure sensors which are arranged in such a manner that they can measure the pressure in a common measurement volume 2, wherein the group of pressure sensors comprises at least a first pressure sensor 1? with a first pressure measurement range and a second pressure sensor 1? with a second pressure measurement range, wherein the first and second pressure measurement ranges overlap in an overlap pressure measurement range, wherein the first and second pressure sensors are each based on an indirect pressure measurement principle and are configured to output a measurement signal calibrated to a reference gas, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) providing calibration data specific to the type of gas for the first measurement signal and for the second measurement signal, which calibration data describe a dependence of the first and second measurement signals on the effective pressure and on a list of types of gas, respectively; b) recording a first and a second meas
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Bernhard ANDREAUS, Rolf ENDERES, Christian BERG, Martin WÜEST
  • Publication number: 20230366766
    Abstract: A method for operating a group of pressure sensors is provided. First and second pressure sensors respectively have first and second pressure measurement ranges, and are arranged to measure the pressure in a common measurement volume, and have measurement ranges that overlap in a range. The method comprises: aa) reading out first and second measurement signals respectively from the first and second pressure sensors substantially simultaneously while the pressure in the common measurement volume is in the overlapping range; bb) stipulating the first measurement signal which has been read out as the adjustment point for the second pressure sensor; cc) determining at least one calibration parameter, in particular a gas-dependent calibration parameter, for the second pressure sensor as a function of the first measurement signal, as a function of the adjustment point for the second pressure sensor, as stipulated in bb), and as a function of the second measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Christian BERG, Rolf ENDERES, Martin WÜEST, Bernhard ANDREAUS
  • Patent number: 11697766
    Abstract: A method 14 for the controlled removal of a protective layer 3 from a surface of a component 10, wherein the component comprises: a base body 1; an intermediate layer 2, which at least partially covers the base body; and said protective layer 3, which comprises an amorphous solid, in particular an amorphous nonmetal, in particular amorphous ceramic, and at least partially covers the intermediate layer; wherein the method comprises the following steps: bringing 11 the protective layer 3 into contact with an etching or solvent medium 4; and removing 12 the protective layer 3 under the action of the etching or solvent medium 4 until the intermediate layer 2 is exposed; and wherein the etching or solvent medium causes a first etching or dissolving speed of the protective layer and a second etching or dissolving speed of the intermediate layer and wherein the first etching or dissolving speed is greater than the second etching or dissolving speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Inficon Holding AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Andreaus, Claudio Christoffel, Philip Spring
  • Publication number: 20220341802
    Abstract: Vacuum-tight electrical feedthrough 10, comprising an electrically insulating insulator element 2 having a through-opening 23, having a first boundary surface 21 adjacent to the through-opening, and having a second boundary surface 22 also adjacent to the through-opening and opposite to the first boundary surface, and an electrically conductive conductor element 1 which extends through the through-opening 23 and which is connected to the insulator element 2 in a vacuum-tight manner along a circumferential line of the conductor element 1, wherein the insulator element 2 is transmissive to electromagnetic radiation 25 in an optical wavelength range, and wherein the first boundary surface 21 and/or the second 22 boundary surface is formed as a curved surface, in particular as a convex or concave surface. The invention further relates to a vacuum pressure sensor having the vacuum-tight electrical feedthrough and a method for measuring a radiation intensity of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan KAISER, Bernhard ANDREAUS
  • Publication number: 20220334016
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method 100 for determining a pressure in a vacuum system, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) generating 101 a plasma in a sample chamber which is fluid-dynamically connected to the vacuum system and which is in electrical contact with a first electrode and a second electrode; b) measuring 102 a current intensity of an electrical current flowing through the plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode; c) measuring 103 a first radiation intensity of electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength range which is emitted from the plasma, wherein the first wavelength range contains at least a first emission line of a first plasma species of a first chemical element; d) measuring 104 a second radiation intensity of electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength range which is emitted from the plasma, wherein the second wavelength range contains a second emission line of the first plasma species of the first chemical element or of a second plasma species of th
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Carsten STRIETZEL, Urs WÄLCHLI, Stefan KAISER, Christian RIESCH, Bernhard ANDREAUS, Mario WEDER
  • Publication number: 20200224096
    Abstract: A method 14 for the controlled removal of a protective layer 3 from a surface of a component 10, wherein the component comprises: a base body 1; an intermediate layer 2, which at least partially covers the base body; and said protective layer 3, which comprises an amorphous solid, in particular an amorphous nonmetal, in particular amorphous ceramic, and at least partially covers the intermediate layer; wherein the method comprises the following steps: bringing 11 the protective layer 3 into contact with an etching or solvent medium 4; and removing 12 the protective layer 3 under the action of the etching or solvent medium 4 until the intermediate layer 2 is exposed; and wherein the etching or solvent medium causes a first etching or dissolving speed of the protective layer and a second etching or dissolving speed of the intermediate layer and wherein the first etching or dissolving speed is greater than the second etching or dissolving speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Bernhard ANDREAUS, Claudio CHRISTOFFEL, Philip SPRING
  • Patent number: 9945749
    Abstract: An ionization vacuum measuring cell comprises an anode (3A) and a cathode (4K) in a measuring chamber (107). The measuring chamber (107) is arranged in a housing (101) which has a vacuum-tight feedthrough (103) for a connection rod (104) of the cathode (4K) towards the outside. The measuring chamber (107) holds the rod (104) in a feedthrough (109) which is electrically insulating only. The measuring chamber (107) in the housing (101) can be exchanged by a releasable plug connection (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INFICON GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Andreaus, Rolf Enderes, Martin Wuest, Oskar Untermarzoner, Rudolf Stocker
  • Publication number: 20160025587
    Abstract: An ionization vacuum measuring cell comprises an anode (3A) and a cathode (4K) in a measuring chamber (107). The measuring chamber (107) is arranged in a housing (101) which has a vacuum-tight feedthrough (103) for a connection rod (104) of the cathode (4K) towards the outside. The measuring chamber (107) holds the rod (104) in a feedthrough (109) which is electrically insulating only. The measuring chamber (107) in the housing (101) can be exchanged by a releasable plug connection (106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: INFICON GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard ANDREAUS, Rolf ENDERES, Martin WUEST, Oskar UNTERMARZONER, Rudolf STOCKER