Patents by Inventor Frank Hegner

Frank Hegner 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: 9136662
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a connection between two ceramic parts comprises: providing a first ceramic part and a second ceramic part; providing an active hard solder, or active braze, on at least one surface section of at least one of the ceramic parts; and heating the active hard solder, or active braze, in a vacuum soldering, brazing process. The entire active hard solder, or active braze, for connecting the first and second ceramic parts is provided in such a manner that at least one surface section of at least one of the ceramic parts, preferably both ceramic parts, is coated by means of gas phase deposition of the alloy of the active hard solder, or active braze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Rossberg, Michael Philipps, Frank Hegner, Ulfert Drewes, Jorg Muller, Marco Doms
  • Publication number: 20130213138
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a connection between two ceramic parts comprises: providing a first ceramic part and a second ceramic part; providing an active hard solder, or active braze, on at least one surface section of at least one of the ceramic parts; and heating the active hard solder, or active braze, in a vacuum soldering, brazing process. The entire active hard solder, or active braze, for connecting the first and second ceramic parts is provided in such a manner that at least one surface section of at least one of the ceramic parts, preferably both ceramic parts, is coated by means of gas phase deposition of the alloy of the active hard solder, or active braze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser
    Inventors: Andreas Rossberg, Michael Philipps, Frank Hegner, Ulfert Drewes, Jorg Muller, Marco Doms
  • Patent number: 8485042
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an elastic deformation body made of an Al2O3 ceramic according to which a highly pure alumina having at most 2000 ppm MgO, at most 200 ppm inorganic impurities, a specific surface of at least 10 m2/g, an average grain size of at most 0.3 ?m is applied. With the alumina and additives, there is produced via aqueous processing a homogeneous mixture, from which a pressable spray granulate is produced, which is formed by means of a uniaxial pressing method to a homogeneous, green body, which is subjected to a sinter process. The resulting elastic deformation body has a bending fracture stress ?c, whose distribution F(?c) is given by the Weibull parameters ?0?800 MPa and m?24, with an average grain size of the sintered material of no more than 2 ?m, and wherein the sintered material of the deformation body has a density of not less than 3.98 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Andreas Roβberg, Frank Kastner, Henry Ludwig, Uta Oberbach
  • Patent number: 8176791
    Abstract: An elastic ceramic body and a pressure sensor. The elastic ceramic body comprises: a base body of an elastic ceramic material; and a cover layer, which covers at least one section of a surface of the base body, wherein the cover layer is of a material other than that of the base body, and the cover layer comprises microcrystalline Al2O3 (corundum). The cover layer is preferably prepared in a sol gel process. The pressure sensor, comprises: a disk-shaped measuring membrane, which is embodied as an elastic ceramic body according to the above definition; and at least one membrane support body, on which the measuring membrane is connected at its edge region along an encircling joint to form a pressure-tight measuring chamber between the membrane support body and the measuring membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Andreas Rossberg
  • Patent number: 8104353
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a platform and an elastic measuring membrane, which is joined with a surface of the platform to form a measuring chamber sealed closed at the edge, wherein the platform and/or the measuring membrane comprise ceramic, glass or a single crystal material, the measuring membrane has at least a first electrode, which faces the surface of the platform, the surface of the platform has at least a second electrode, which faces that of the measuring membrane. The capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode is a measure for the pressure to be measured; wherein additionally at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises a conductive layer, which contains metal and glass, and wherein the metal comprises at least two noble metal elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulfert Drewes, Frank Hegner, Andreas Rossberg, Elke Schmidt, Sabine Stolle, Christel Kretschmar, Melanie Hentsche
  • Publication number: 20110132097
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an elastic deformation body made of an Al2O3 ceramic, according to which a highly pure alumina having at most 2000 ppm MgO, at most 200 ppm inorganic impurities, a specific surface of at least 10 m2/g, an average grain size of at most 0.3 ?m is applied. With the alumina and additives, there is produced via aqueous processing a homogeneous mixture, from which a pressable spray granulate is produced, which is formed by means of a uniaxial pressing method to a homogeneous, green body, which is subjected to a sinter process. The resulting elastic deformation body has a bending fracture stress ?c, whose distribution F(?c) is given by the Weibull parameters ?0?800 MPa and m?24, with an average grain size of the sintered material of no more than 2 ?m, and wherein the sintered material of the deformation body has a density of not less than 3.98 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Endress +Hauser Gmbh + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Andreas Roßberg, Frank Kastner, Henry Ludwig, Uta Oberbach
  • Publication number: 20110041618
    Abstract: An elastic ceramic body and a pressure sensor. The elastic ceramic body comprises: a base body of an elastic ceramic material; and a cover layer, which covers at least one section of a surface of the base body, wherein the cover layer is of a material other than that of the base body, and the cover layer comprises microcrystalline A12O3 (corundum). The cover layer is preferably prepared in a sol gel process. The pressure sensor, comprises: a disk-shaped measuring membrane, which is embodied as an elastic ceramic body according to the above definition; and at least one membrane support body, on which the measuring membrane is connected at its edge region along an encircling joint to form a pressure-tight measuring chamber between the membrane support body and the measuring membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Andreas Rossberg
  • Patent number: 7861598
    Abstract: A pressure transducer, including a housing having a housing axis and a measuring cell chamber defined in the housing. The measuring cell chamber is exposable to a pressure via an opening. The opening is surrounded by an annular, first sealing surface. A pressure measuring cell having a second sealing surface facing towards the opening, and a support surface facing away from the sealing surface sealing ring; and a clamping apparatus, which engages the housing are provided. The pressure measuring cell and the sealing ring are clamped by means of an axial clamping force in such a manner between the clamping apparatus and the first sealing surface, that the sealing ring is arranged pressure-tightly between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. The pressure transducer further includes a misalignment accommodating arrangement, which includes a first transmission body, which faces toward the opening, and a second transmission body, which is facing away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulfert Drewes, Frank Hegner
  • Publication number: 20100199778
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a platform 1 and an elastic measuring membrane 2, which is joined with a surface of the platform 1 to form a measuring chamber 3 sealed closed at the edge, wherein the platform 1 and/or the measuring membrane 2 comprise ceramic, glass or a single crystal material, the measuring membrane has at least a first electrode 6, which faces the surface of the platform 2, the surface of the platform 1 has at least a second electrode 5, which faces that of the measuring membrane 2, wherein the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode is a measure for the pressure to be measured; wherein additionally at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises a conductive layer, which contains metal and glass, and wherein the metal comprises at least two noble metal elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Andreas Rossberg, Ulfert Drewes, Elke Schmidt, Sabine Stolle, Christel Kretschmar, Melanie Hentsche
  • Publication number: 20090211363
    Abstract: A pressure transducer, including a housing having a housing axis and a measuring cell chamber defined in the housing. The measuring cell chamber is exposable to a pressure via an opening. The opening is surrounded by an annular, first sealing surface. A pressure measuring cell having a second sealing surface facing towards the opening, and a support surface facing away from the sealing surface, sealing ring; and a clamping apparatus, which engages the housing are provided. The pressure measuring cell and the sealing ring are clamped by means of an axial claimping force in such a manner between the clamping apparatus and the first sealing surface, that the sealing ring is arranged pressure-tightly between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. The pressure transducer further includes a misalignment accommodating arrangement, which includes a first transmission body, which faces toward the opening, and a second transmission body, which is facing away from the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: ENDRESS & HAUSER GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventors: Ulfert Drewes, Frank Hegner
  • Patent number: 7448274
    Abstract: A pressure sensor including: A pressure measuring cell having an end face loadable with the medium; a housing having a media opening and a ring-shaped, axial bearing surface, which surrounds the media opening; a clamping apparatus; and a ring-shaped sealing arrangement. The pressure measuring cell is positioned in the housing and the sealing arrangement is positioned between the bearing surface and the end face, and the sealing arrangement, as well as the pressure measuring cell, are axially clamped between the bearing surface and the clamping apparatus. The sealing arrangement includes, a decoupling ring, as well as a first and a second, ring-shaped sealing element. The first sealing element lies against the end face, the second sealing element lies against the bearing surface, and the decoupling ring is axially clamped between the first and the second sealing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess- u. Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulfert Drewes, Karl Floegel, Frank Hegner, Thomas Uehlin, Rainer Martin
  • Patent number: 7360428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure measuring cell comprising a base body, a membrane that is connected to the base body, thus forming a measuring chamber. During operation, the membrane is subjected to a deflection which is dependent on a pressure that is to be measured. The cell also comprises a membrane bed, formed by a surface of the base body that faces the membrane, at least one electrode being mounted on said bed. Said electrode, together with a counter-electrode that is mounted on the membrane, forms a capacitor, whose capacitance represents a measurement for the deflection of the membrane. The measuring cell is characterized in that the electrode is electrically connected through the base body and that the measuring chamber has a smooth surface in the contact zone, said surface having a contact pin that is guided in a bore through the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Banholzer, Karl Flögel, Frank Hegner, Bernd Rosskopf
  • Patent number: 7249515
    Abstract: For minimizing the span error of a pressure sensor having an essentially cylindrical platform and a measuring membrane joined to an end face of the platform, with the pressure measuring cell being axially clamped between an elastic sealing ring, which bears against the membrane-bearing end face of the pressure measuring cell, and a support ring, which bears against the rear face of the pressure measuring cell, the dimensions of the support ring are coordinated with the dimensions of the sealing ring and pressure measuring cell such that a radial deformation of the membrane-bearing end face caused by the axial clamping of the pressure measuring cell is sufficiently small that the span error of the pressure sensor arising from a reduction of the axial clamping force by at least 10% amounts to not more than about 0.02%. Additionally, arranged between the support ring and a clamping ring is a stiff decoupling element, which minimizes the temperature hysteresis of the span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Igor Getman, Ulfert Drewes
  • Patent number: 7181974
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes: a measuring cell having a base plate and a measuring membrane connected along its edge with the base plate, and means for generating an electrical quantity dependent on deformation of the measuring membrane; a circuit for registering the electrical quantity; and a capsule having a capsule body and a sealing element, with which the capsule is hermetically sealed along a joint. The capsule encloses the circuit, in order to protect such from influences of moisture; and the joint of the capsule is mechanically decoupled from the base plate. The mechanical decoupling of the joint means, for example, that at least the axial support of the pressure measuring cell in a housing is not allowed to be transferred through the joint. Despite arranging of the capsule on the base plate, pressure-related and temperature-related distortions of the base plate are not permitted to have any effects on the joint of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Andreas Rossberg, Thomas Uehlin
  • Publication number: 20070028696
    Abstract: A pressure sensor including: A pressure measuring cell having an end face loadable with the medium; a housing having a media opening and a ring-shaped, axial bearing surface, which surrounds the media opening; a clamping apparatus; and a ring-shaped sealing arrangement. The pressure measuring cell is positioned in the housing and the sealing arrangement is positioned between the bearing surface and the end face, and the sealing arrangement, as well as the pressure measuring cell, are axially clamped between the bearing surface and the clamping apparatus. The sealing arrangement includes, a decoupling ring, as well as a first and a second, ring-shaped sealing element. The first sealing element lies against the end face, the second sealing element lies against the bearing surface, and the decoupling ring is axially clamped between the first and the second sealing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulfert Drewes, Karl Floegel, Frank Hegner, Thomas Uehlin, Rainer Martin
  • Patent number: 7150197
    Abstract: For minimizing the span error of a pressure sensor having an essentially cylindrical platform and a measuring membrane joined to an end face of the platform, wherein the pressure measuring cell is axially clamped between an elastic sealing ring, which bears against the membrane-containing, end face of the pressure measuring cell, and a support ring, which supports the measuring cell on the rear side thereof, the dimensions of the support ring are matched to the dimensions of the sealing ring and the pressure measuring cell in such a way that a radial deformation of the membrane-containing end face resulting from the axial clamping of the pressure measuring cell is sufficiently small that the span error of the pressure sensor because of a reduction of the axial clamping force by a least 10% amounts to not more than 0.02%. The geometry of the support ring is determined iteratively by means of the FEM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Ulfert Drewes, Igor Getman
  • Publication number: 20060254363
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes: a measuring cell having a base plate and a measuring membrane connected along its edge with the base plate, and means for generating an electrical quantity dependent on deformation of the measuring membrane; a circuit for registering the electrical quantity; and a capsule having a capsule body and a sealing element, with which the capsule is hermetically sealed along a joint. The capsule encloses the circuit, in order to protect such from influences of moisture; and the joint of the capsule is mechanically decoupled from the base plate. The mechanical decoupling of the joint means, for example, that at least the axial support of the pressure measuring cell in a housing is not allowed to be transferred through the joint. Despite arranging of the capsule on the base plate, pressure-related and temperature-related distortions of the base plate are not permitted to have any effects on the joint of the capsule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Andreas Rossberg, Thomas Uehlin
  • Publication number: 20060243053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure measuring cell comprising a base body, a membrane that is connected to the base body, thus forming a measuring chamber. During operation, the membrane is subjected to a deflection which is dependent on a pressure that is to be measured. The cell also comprises a membrane bed, formed by a surface of the base body that faces the membrane, at least one electrode being mounted on said bed. Said electrode, together with a counter-electrode that is mounted on the membrane, forms a capacitor, whose capacitance represents a measurement for the deflection of the membrane. The measuring cell is characterized in that the electrode is electrically connected through the base body and that the measuring chamber has a smooth surface in the contact zone, said surface having a contact pin that is guided in a bore through the base body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Banholzer, Karl Flogel, Frank Hegner, Bernd Rosskopf
  • Publication number: 20060185435
    Abstract: For minimizing the span error of a pressure sensor having an essentially cylindrical platform and a measuring membrane joined to an end face of the platform, with the pressure measuring cell being axially clamped between an elastic sealing ring, which bears against the membrane-bearing end face of the pressure measuring cell, and a support ring, which bears against the rear face of the pressure measuring cell, the dimensions of the support ring are coordinated with the dimensions of the sealing ring and pressure measuring cell such that a radial deformation of the membrane-bearing end face caused by the axial clamping of the pressure measuring cell is sufficiently small that the span error of the pressure sensor arising from a reduction of the axial clamping force by at least 10% amounts to not more than about 0.02%. Additionally, arranged between the support ring and a clamping ring is a stiff decoupling element, which minimizes the temperature hysteresis of the span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Igor Getman, Ulfert Drewes
  • Publication number: 20060096381
    Abstract: For minimizing the span error of a pressure sensor having an essentially cylindrical platform and a measuring membrane joined to an end face of the platform, wherein the pressure measuring cell is axially clamped between an elastic sealing ring, which bears against the membrane-containing, end face of the pressure measuring cell, and a support ring, which supports the measuring cell on the rear side thereof, the dimensions of the support ring are matched to the dimensions of the sealing ring and the pressure measuring cell in such a way that a radial deformation of the membrane-containing end face resulting from the axial clamping of the pressure measuring cell is sufficiently small that the span error of the pressure sensor because of a reduction of the axial clamping force by a least 10% amounts to not more than 0.02%. The geometry of the support ring is determined iteratively by means of the FEM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Hegner, Ulfert Drewes, Igor Getman