Patents by Inventor Christoph Trautweiler
Christoph Trautweiler 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: 10240968Abstract: A differential measurement circuit (1) is implemented in a balance with electromagnetic force compensation. The circuit receives input from two photo currents (I1, I2) generated by photodiodes (D1, D2) and generates an output signal proportional to their difference. A switch (SW) controls the flow of current through a node (K?) to which the two photo currents are directed, by flipping between two states (zt1, zt2) within two phases (t1, t2) of a time period T. The switch is controlled so a reference current (IRef) from a voltage or current source (URef) is superimposed alternatingly within the time phases on one of the two photo currents which continuously flow into the node. The node lies at the input of an integrator (INT) whose integrator signal (sINT) can be compared in a comparator (CMP) to a cyclically recurring ramp signal (sRAMP) which conforms to the time period.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbHInventors: David Koller, Cyrill Bucher, Christoph Trautweiler
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Patent number: 10132672Abstract: A force exerted by a load is determined in a force-measuring device (1) operating under electromagnetic force compensation. The device includes a measurement transducer (18, 118) with a coil (20, 120) movably immersed in a magnet system (19, 119) and a force-transmitting mechanical connection between a load-receiving part (12, 112) and the coil or magnet system. A position sensor (21, 28), also part of the device, determines a displacement of the coil from its settling position relative to the magnet system (19, 119) which occurs when the load is placed on the load-receiving part. An electrical current (24) flowing through the coil generates an electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnet system whereby the coil and the load-receiving part are returned to, and/or held at, the settling position. The magnitude of current and the amount of displacement are used to determine the weight force exerted by the load.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbHInventors: Daniel Schrag, Daniel Rupp, Christoph Trautweiler, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard
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Patent number: 9964429Abstract: A force-measuring device (1) with a parallelogram linkage has a measurement transducer coupled to it. A coil (25) of the transducer has guided mobility in a magnet system (27) and can carry an electric current (24). A position sensor (21) detects the deflection of the coil (25) from a balanced position relative to the magnet system when a load is placed on the force-measuring device. The electric current (24) flowing through the coil (25), by way of the interaction between the coil and the magnet system, returns the coil and the movable parallel leg to the balanced position. A system-characterizing means (29) is established in a processor unit (26). The system-characterizing means and an unchangeable system reference means (30) are compared to determine the functionality of the device. The functionality is verified by the magnitudes of the electric current and the deflection of the coil from its balanced position.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbHInventors: Daniel Schrag, Daniel Rupp, Christoph Trautweiler, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard
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Publication number: 20170234720Abstract: A differential measurement circuit (1) is implemented in a balance with electromagnetic force compensation. The circuit receives input from two photo currents (I1, I2) generated by photodiodes (D1, D2) and generates an output signal proportional to their difference. A switch (SW) controls the flow of current through a node (K?) to which the two photo currents are directed, by flipping between two states (zt1, zt2) within two phases (t1, t2) of a time period T. The switch is controlled so a reference current (IRef) from a voltage or current source (URef) is superimposed alternatingly within the time phases on one of the two photo currents which continuously flow into the node. The node lies at the input of an integrator (INT) whose integrator signal (sINT) can be compared in a comparator (CMP) to a cyclically recurring ramp signal (sRAMP) which conforms to the time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: David Koller, Cyrill Bucher, Christoph Trautweiler
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Publication number: 20160370221Abstract: A force exerted by a load is determined in a force-measuring device (1) operating under electromagnetic force compensation. The device includes a measurement transducer (18, 118) with a coil (20, 120) movably immersed in a magnet system (19, 119) and a force-transmitting mechanical connection between a load-receiving part (12, 112) and the coil or magnet system. A position sensor (21, 28), also part of the device, determines a displacement of the coil from its settling position relative to the magnet system (19, 119) which occurs when the load is placed on the load-receiving part. An electrical current (24) flowing through the coil generates an electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnet system whereby the coil and the load-receiving part are returned to, and/or held at, the settling position. The magnitude of current and the amount of displacement are used to determine the weight force exerted by the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Daniel Schrag, Daniel Rupp, Christoph Trautweiler, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard
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Publication number: 20160011038Abstract: A force-measuring device (1) with a parallelogram linkage has a measurement transducer coupled to it. A coil (25) of the transducer has guided mobility in a magnet system (27) and can carry an electric current (24). A position sensor (21) detects the deflection of the coil (25) from a balanced position relative to the magnet system when a load is placed on the force-measuring device. The electric current (24) flowing through the coil (25), by way of the interaction between the coil and the magnet system, returns the coil and the movable parallel leg to the balanced position. A system-characterizing means (29) is established in a processor unit (26). The system-characterizing means and an unchangeable system reference means (30) are compared to determine the functionality of the device. The functionality is verified by the magnitudes of the electric current and the deflection of the coil from its balanced position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Daniel Schrag, Daniel Rupp, Christoph Trautweiler, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard
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Publication number: 20140291040Abstract: A force exerted by a load is determined in a force-measuring device (1) operating under electromagnetic force compensation. The device includes a measurement transducer (18, 118) with a coil (20, 120) movably immersed in a magnet system (19, 119) and a force-transmitting mechanical connection between a load-receiving part (12, 112) and the coil or magnet system. A position sensor (21, 28), also part of the device, determines a displacement of the coil from its settling position relative to the magnet system (19, 119) which occurs when the load is placed on the load-receiving part. An electrical current (24) flowing through the coil generates an electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnet system whereby the coil and the load-receiving part are returned to, and/or held at, the settling position. The magnitude of current and the amount of displacement are used to determine the weight force exerted by the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Daniel Schrag, Daniel Rupp, Christoph Trautweiler, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard
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Patent number: 8258415Abstract: A method, and a device that is operable according to the method, for monitoring the condition of a force-measuring device, particularly a weighing device having a movable force-transmitting portion through which a force that is acting on the force-measuring device is transmitted to a measurement transducer that generates a measurement signal corresponding to the applied force, whereupon the signal is brought into the form of a display indication or passed along for further processing. In the method and device of the invention, at least one parameter is determined, which parameter characterizes the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion, or a change in the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion over time. The parameter is then compared to at least one threshold value, and based on the result of the comparison an action of the force-measuring device may be triggered.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventor: Christoph Trautweiler
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Patent number: 8022316Abstract: A force measuring device, especially a weighing device, has at least one force-measuring module that includes a force-measuring cell, a communication means, a terminal and at least one communication line, through which communication signals are transmitted between the terminal and the communication means. In a method for determining the condition of such a device, at least one voltage present at the communication line or at the communication means is measured. The measured value, or a processed result therefrom, are transmitted through the communication line to the terminal. A parameter representing the condition of the force-measuring device is determined from the measurement value, or the processed result, in an accurate and simple manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Christoph Trautweiler, Douglas Bliss
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Publication number: 20110203857Abstract: A method, and a device that is operable according to the method, for monitoring the condition of a force-measuring device, particularly a weighing device having a movable force-transmitting portion through which a force that is acting on the force-measuring device is transmitted to a measurement transducer that generates a measurement signal corresponding to the applied force, whereupon the signal is brought into the form of a display indication or passed along for further processing. In the method and device of the invention, at least one parameter is determined, which parameter characterizes the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion, or a change in the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion over time. The parameter is then compared to at least one threshold value, and based on the result of the comparison an action of the force-measuring device may be triggered.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AGInventor: Christoph Trautweiler
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Publication number: 20100078228Abstract: A force measuring device, especially a weighing device, has at least one force-measuring module that includes a force-measuring cell, a communication means, a terminal and at least one communication line, through which communication signals are transmitted between the terminal and the communication means. In a method for determining the condition of such a device, at least one voltage present at the communication line or at the communication means is measured. The measured value, or a processed result therefrom, are transmitted through the communication line to the terminal. A parameter representing the condition of the force-measuring device is determined from the measurement value, or the processed result, in an accurate and simple manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Christoph Trautweiler, Douglas Bliss