Patents by Inventor Gerd Bechtel

Gerd Bechtel 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: 20260287764
    Abstract: A detector for radiometric measuring systems, whose scintillator and photodiode are compactly dimensioned and optically coupled such that they are optically shieldingly encapsulatable by microelectronic construction and joining technologies. A corresponding, shared encapsulation for the scintillator and semiconductor component, which includes the at least one photodiode, can be provided according to any IC package-type, such as, for example, “Through Hole” or “Surface Mount”. Accordingly, the evaluation signal, which the photodiode produces as a function of the scintillator entering, radioactive radiation intensity, can be tapped, for example, via an output-pin of the encapsulation. Advantageous for the detector is thus its manageability as a conventionally populatable electronic component. This enables modular construction of radioactive measuring systems to adapt with little constructive effort individually to particular fields of application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 24, 2026
    Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Viraj Chitale, Markus Franzke
  • Publication number: 20260287413
    Abstract: A detector for radiometric measuring systems includes: a scintillator; and a photo-receiver unit optically connected to the scintillator in order to generate an electric analysis signal on the basis of a radioactive radiation intensity entering the scintillator. An analysis unit can determine the density or the fill level using the analysis signal. The detector further includes a reference photo-receiver unit which is likewise optically connected to the scintillator in order to generate an electric reference signal on the basis of the radioactive radiation intensity entering the scintillator. In this manner, the analysis unit can check whether the analysis signal and the reference signal match. If not, the detector is classified as not being functional. By virtue of the aforementioned redundant design, the detector satisfies corresponding SIL specifications and thus becomes correspondingly more reliable or maintenance-friendly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 24, 2026
    Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Viraj Chitale, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 12736385
    Abstract: An electrical assembly for an electrical fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a medium in a containment comprises an electrically conductive probe having a plastic coating in a central region and a process connection. The probe is seated by means of a rotationally symmetric, especially ring shaped or tubular, seal radially relative to the process connection. The seal is connected with the plastic coating by material bonding by means of a weld method. The probe is seated radially and/or axially in a housing near end region by a seating means rotationally fixed in at least one rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2026
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars Stolz, Robert Schmidt, Gerd Bechtel
  • Publication number: 20260153374
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric fill level measuring device (1) for measuring a fill level of a medium in a containment, comprising: an electrically conductive probe (10); an electronic measuring/operating circuit (20); a housing (30); secured to the housing, a process connection (40); wherein the probe is supported radially by the process connection by means of a conical seal (50), wherein the conical seal is compressed between a conical interior surface and the probe, wherein a spring mechanism (60) is adapted to compress the conical seal by exerting a force on the conical seal in the direction of the open end, the probe has a first probe part (11) and a second probe part (12), which probe parts are joined together, wherein the first probe part is arranged in the lumen and provides an engagement surface (11.1) for the spring mechanism, and wherein the second probe part is adapted to be immersed in the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Lars Stolz, Robert Schmidt, Gerd Bechtel
  • Patent number: 12480876
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium in a containment includes: a crystal body including at least one defect; a magnetic field system for producing a magnetic field in the region of the crystal body and in the region of the medium within the containment, wherein the crystal body and the magnetic field system are arrangeable from the outside at a wall of the containment; a detection unit for detecting a magnetic field-dependent, fluorescent signal from the crystal body, wherein the detection unit has an excitation unit for optical exciting of the defect and a detector for detecting the fluorescent signal; and an evaluation unit for ascertaining at least one piece of information concerning the process variable based on the fluorescent signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Mohammad Sadegh Ebrahimi, Gerd Bechtel, Raphael Kuhnen, Tobias Brengartner, Dietmar Frühauf, Anh Tuan Tham
  • Patent number: 12474248
    Abstract: A device for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium comprises a sensor unit with a mechanically vibrating fork having a first and a second vibrating element and having a first piezoelectric element arranged in the first vibrating element. An electronic unit of the device is designed to excite mechanical vibrations in the mechanically vibratable unit, receive the mechanical vibrations of the vibratable unit and convert same into a first reception signal, generate the excitation signal on the basis of the first reception signal such that there is a specifiable phase shift between the excitation signal and the first reception signal, and ascertain the process variable using the first reception signal. The electronic unit has an adjustable impedance element connected in series to the first piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Brengartner, Gerd Bechtel
  • Publication number: 20250216243
    Abstract: An electrical assembly for an electrical fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a medium in a containment comprises an electrically conductive probe having a plastic coating in a central region and a process connection. The probe is seated by means of a rotationally symmetric, especially ring shaped or tubular, seal radially relative to the process connection. The seal is connected with the plastic coating by material bonding by means of a weld method. The probe is seated radially and/or axially in a housing near end region by a seating means rotationally fixed in at least one rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Lars Stolz, Robert Schmidt, Gerd Bechtel
  • Patent number: 11841259
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for parametering an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a predeterminable fill level, wherein the apparatus includes a sensor unit and an electronics. The method includes determining an influence interval for a received signal received by the sensor unit as a function of an environmental parameter, determining a first value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switch state, determining a second value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a second switch state, and determining a third value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switching point based on the first switch state and/or the second switch state and taking into consideration the at least one influence interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Michèle Arnold, Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro
  • Publication number: 20230341327
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium in a containment includes: a crystal body including at least one defect; a magnetic field system for producing a magnetic field in the region of the crystal body and in the region of the medium within the containment, wherein the crystal body and the magnetic field system are arrangeable from the outside at a wall of the containment; a detection unit for detecting a magnetic field-dependent, fluorescent signal from the crystal body, wherein the detection unit has an excitation unit for optical exciting of the defect and a detector for detecting the fluorescent signal; and an evaluation unit for ascertaining at least one piece of information concerning the process variable based on the fluorescent signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Mohammad Sadegh Ebrahimi, Gerd Bechtel, Raphael Kuhnen, Tobias Brengartner, Dietmar Frühauf, Anh Tuan Tham
  • Publication number: 20230236102
    Abstract: A device for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium comprises a sensor unit with a mechanically vibrating fork having a first and a second vibrating element and having a first piezoelectric element arranged in the first vibrating element. An electronic unit of the device is designed to excite mechanical vibrations in the mechanically vibratable unit, receive the mechanical vibrations of the vibratable unit and convert same into a first reception signal, generate the excitation signal on the basis of the first reception signal such that there is a specifiable phase shift between the excitation signal and the first reception signal, and ascertain the process variable using the first reception signal. The electronic unit has an adjustable impedance element connected in series to the first piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Tobias Brengartner, Gerd Bechtel
  • Patent number: 11605918
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protection device for a component of a releasable plug-in connection between a plug and a socket, which is arranged on or in a housing of an electronics unit of a field device. The protection device includes a first half shell and a second half shell at least partially complementary to the first half shell, wherein the two half shells are embodied as to define an internal volume when assembled and at least partially surround at least the plug, at least a first passageway for passage of the plug, or the plug and a cable secured to the plug, into the internal volume of the protection device, at least one securement unit for releasably securing the protection device to the housing, and at least one assembling unit for releasably assembling the two half shells with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • Patent number: 11326925
    Abstract: Disclosed is a probe unit for a capacitive and/or conductive apparatus for determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a rod-shaped probe body, which is embodied in the form of a hollow body, especially with a cylindrical wall, and which has an internal volume, at least one ring-shaped electrode placeable, especially releasably, around the wall of the probe body, and at least one securement unit, which is embodied to secure the at least one electrode, especially releasably, at a predeterminable position on the probe body. Further disclosed is an apparatus for capacitive and/or conductive determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment and having a probe unit of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20210270658
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for parametering an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a predeterminable fill level, wherein the apparatus includes a sensor unit and an electronics. The method includes determining an influence interval for a received signal received by the sensor unit as a function of an environmental parameter, determining a first value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switch state, determining a second value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a second switch state, and determining a third value for the received signal or for a variable derived from the received signal corresponding to a first switching point based on the first switch state and/or the second switch state and taking into consideration the at least one influence interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Michèle Arnold, Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro
  • Publication number: 20210123785
    Abstract: Disclosed is a probe unit for a capacitive and/or conductive apparatus for determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a rod-shaped probe body, which is embodied in the form of a hollow body, especially with a cylindrical wall, and which has an internal volume, at least one ring-shaped electrode placeable, especially releasably, around the wall of the probe body, and at least one securement unit, which is embodied to secure the at least one electrode, especially releasably, at a predeterminable position on the probe body. Further disclosed is an apparatus for capacitive and/or conductive determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a containment and having a probe unit of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • Publication number: 20210066852
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protection device for a component of a releasable plug-in connection between a plug and a socket, which is arranged on or in a housing of an electronics unit of a field device. The protection device includes a first half shell and a second half shell at least partially complementary to the first half shell, wherein the two half shells are embodied as to define an internal volume when assembled and at least partially surround at least the plug, at least a first passageway for passage of the plug, or the plug and a cable secured to the plug, into the internal volume of the protection device, at least one securement unit for releasably securing the protection device to the housing, and at least one assembling unit for releasably assembling the two half shells with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
  • 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
  • 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