Patents by Inventor Ernst Gass

Ernst Gass 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: 6943543
    Abstract: An inductive displacement sensor having a displaceable or rotatable, magnetically permeable measuring head, at least one measuring loop whose geometric shape varies in response to the longitudinal/rotary displacement of the measuring head, and at least one excitation loop by which a magnetic flux can be generated in the measuring head. The flux penetrates the at least one measuring loop at any point of the longitudinal/rotary displacement, essentially in the region of the measuring head, and inducing an electric measuring signal (i2). A resonant circuit, which is electrically decoupled from the outside, is arranged on the measuring head and is excited in correct phase relation by a short voltage pulse after a number of, preferably, 10 to 20 free oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Gass, Såndor Pali, Årpad Melles
  • Publication number: 20030206007
    Abstract: An inductive displacement sensor having a displaceable or rotatable, magnetically permeable measuring head, at least one measuring loop whose geometric shape varies in response to the longitudinal/rotary displacement of the measuring head, and at least one excitation loop by which a magnetic flux can be generated in the measuring head. The flux penetrates the at least one measuring loop at any point of the longitudinal/rotary displacement, essentially in the region of the measuring head, and inducing an electric measuring signal (i2). A resonant circuit, which is electrically decoupled from the outside, is arranged on the measuring head and is excited in correct phase relation by a short voltage pulse after a number of, preferably, 10 to 20 free oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Gass, Sandor Pali, Arpad Melles
  • Patent number: 6591703
    Abstract: A sensor has a housing, in which there is arranged a thermosetting molding compound which is encapsulated in a linear region in the longitudinal direction of the housing by a thermoplastic molding compound. The two molding compounds meet at a conical contact surface. An electrical terminal element is electrically connected to a printed-circuit board via lines. The printed-circuit board is embedded into the two molding compounds at the level of the center line, the thermosetting molding compound enclosing all the electrically active components and conductor tracks of the printed-circuit board. Annular grooves are arranged on the outer side of the thermosetting molding compound. Due to the encapsulation, the thermoplastic molding compound engages in these annular grooves in a positively and non-positively engaging manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Gass, Michael Fritton, Josef Mayer, Walter Roth
  • Publication number: 20010038883
    Abstract: A sensor has a housing, in which there is arranged a thermosetting molding compound which is encapsulated in a linear region in the longitudinal direction of the housing by a thermoplastic molding compound. The two molding compounds meet at a conical contact surface. An electrical terminal element is electrically connected to a printed-circuit board via lines. The printed-circuit board is embedded into the two molding compounds at the level of the center line, the thermosetting molding compound enclosing all the electrically active components and conductor tracks of the printed-circuit board. Annular grooves are arranged on the outer side of the thermosetting molding compound. Due to the encapsulation, the thermoplastic molding compound engages in these annular grooves in a positively and non-positively engaging manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Gebhard Balluff GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ernst Gass, Michael Fritton, Josef Mayer, Walter Roth
  • Patent number: 6208133
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating the output signal of a linear position detector without accessing the interior of the detector housing is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, a magnet is selectively movable toward and away from the exterior of the electronics housing, and a sensor is provided within the housing for sensing the presence of the magnet. According to this embodiment, the linear position detector is calibrated by setting a movable marker at the desired position and pushing the magnet toward the housing. The sensor then detects the presence of the magnet, and a processor saves the position of the marker as a reference point. All future positions of the marker can then be scaled based upon the reference point. Thus, the linear position detector can be calibrated without the need for opening the electronics housing and potentially exposing the electronics components to moisture, contaminants, and/or static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Balluff, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernst Ehling, Ernst Gass, Andreas Ullrich, Martin Kurz
  • Patent number: 5923164
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically and periodically tuning a signal having a gain element, a variable impedance associated with the gain element, and a control device. The gain element has an input for receiving the signal and an output for providing an output signal and is preferably an operational amplifier with a feedback path extending from the output to the input. The variable impedance is preferably connected in series in the feedback path and includes a plurality of resistors connected in series and a plurality of switches, each switch being connected in parallel with one of the resistors. The control device receives the gain element output signal and generates a control signal in response to the amplitude of the gain element output signal. The control signal is transmitted to the variable impedance for regulating the setting of the impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Balluff, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernst Ehling, Ernst Gass, Joszef Geisz
  • Patent number: 5818129
    Abstract: In order to improve a non-contact proximity switch, and a method for programming it, with an resonant circuit that can be influenced by objects approaching from outside and an evaluation circuit to generate an output signal as a function of an output voltage of the resonant circuit that exceeds a predefined threshold value, and with standard terminals, in such a way that the proximity switch can be used at different temperatures and operates accurately independently of the ambient temperature and independently of other trouble influences, it is proposed that a temperature sensor be arranged in the vicinity of the resonant circuit; and that a compensation circuit comprise a circuit unit, downstream from the temperature sensor, which outputs a compensation quantity, dependent on the sensed temperature, that is delivered to a comparator to be compared with the output voltage of the oscillator circuit and, when identity exists, to enable the output signal; and that the compensation magnitude for compensating for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Gebhard Balluff GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Sorin Fericean, Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: 5818130
    Abstract: For appropriately polarity recognition and corresponding switchover of a output stage of a proximity switch or the like connected to a supply voltage (VB), even while continuously activated, when a change in load polarity occurs, the proximity switch having in each case a high side driver and a low side driver, it is proposed to define on the output-side voltage axis between the positive supply voltage (+VB) and the negative pole or ground an upper and a lower detection window which sense the load configuration, each at a distance from the working points (which remain in a steady state) of each output stage driver, such that when a change in load configuration occurs, the potential of the output connection, to which the load configuration detection stage is connected, passes only briefly through these detection windows, and such that the transient signal changes which result therefrom in each window region are used for appropriately polarized switchover to the respective correct output stage circuit section b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Gebhard Balluff GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ernst Gass, Sorin Fericean, Bernd Fingerle, Heinz Kammerer
  • Patent number: 5789920
    Abstract: A sensor and process for manufacturing same having an electrical circuit arranged on a carrier which is connected to an electrical connector and a sensor element. The carrier is disposed within a housing having one opening for the connector element and another opening for the sensor element. The sensor element and a first part of the carrier with the electrical circuit are embedded in a duroplastic molding compound. A second part of the carrier with the electrical circuit and the electrical connector are enclosed by a thermoplastic molding compound. A seal is arranged adjacent an intermediate space between the duroplastic molding compound and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Gebhard Balluff GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: 5504425
    Abstract: In order to improve a sensor for detecting an electrically conductive or netizable object with an oscillator comprising a resonant circuit including an inductance and a capacitance, the resonant circuit impedance depending on a damping distance between the inductance and the object and rising steeply in the range of small damping distances, further rising less steeply in the range of medium damping distances and substantially having a constant value in the range of large damping distances, and a closed adaptive loop stage supplying a loop current for the resonant circuit and generating a course of an amplitude value dependent on the damping distance, and an evaluation circuit detecting an oscillator voltage applied to the resonant circuit, such that the oscillator also oscillates in the range of small damping distances and has a characteristic curve, with which the oscillator voltage varies with the damping distance also in the range of small damping distances, it is suggested that the course of the amplitude
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Gebhard Balluff Fabrik feinmechanischer Erzeugnisse GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Sorin Fericean, Michael Friedrich, Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: 5188856
    Abstract: After a thermal treatment the products are subjected to an overpressure treatment of at least 10 seconds. Afterwards, an expansion is effected from the state of overpressure directly to the state of vacuum, wherewith the cells are opened such that the subsequent drying in the vacuum proceeds faster and a porous structure is arrived at.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Swag Zschokke Wartmann AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hinz, Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: 4748434
    Abstract: Tap or current collector for rotary or linear potentiometers, displacement pick-ups, variable resistances, brushes/collector junctions of electric motors, etc., wherein the tapping part on which the slider elements as such are mounted and which performs a relative movement with respect to the tapped path or collector carries the slider elements having individual resilient and freely movable slider fingers, at least in the contact area proper, and which are mounted on a mounting block in such a manner, relative to the sense of displacement, that irrespective of the sense in which the tap moves at any time, one of the slider elements is always pushed, and the other one is always pulled so that even the influences on the tapped or transmitted electric signal of dynamical effects developed by high accelerations are compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Novotechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: 4237443
    Abstract: A wiper for a potentiometer or other device having a surface with which sliding electrical contact is to be made in which the wiper includes a plurality of spring fingers formed from resilient sheet material or wire are supported in cantilever fashion from ends thereof remote from the contact ends and are encased over a portion of the lengths thereof from the supported ends in a covering of an elastomer which damps vibration of the fingers to prevent resonant oscillations thereof thus increasing the possible speed of operation of the instrument as well as its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Novotechnik KG Offterdinger & Co.
    Inventor: Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: 4203074
    Abstract: A potentiometer circuit by which a continuous, sawtooth 360 degree ramp output voltage is obtained from a single turn continuous rotation potentiometer having an annularly disposed resistance element and two angularly displaced rotatable wipers providing displaced voltages from the resistance element. The circuit includes comparator means responsive to one of the wiper voltages providing a comparator output signal and switch means responsive to the comparator output signal for switching between the wiper voltage outputs to provide a continuous, sawtooth 360 degree ramp analog output voltage. An analog-digital converter may be connected to it to provide a digital output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: Waters Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: RE31431
    Abstract: A wiper for a potentiometer or other device having a surface with which sliding electrical contact is to be made in which the wiper includes a plurality of spring fingers formed from resilient sheet material or wire are supported in cantilever fashion from ends thereof remote from the contact ends and are encased over a portion of the lengths thereof from the supported ends in a covering of an elastomer which damps vibration of the fingers to prevent resonant oscillations thereof thus increasing the possible speed of operation of the instrument as well as its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Novotechnik KG Offterdinger & Co.
    Inventor: Ernst Gass