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).
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Patent number: 11841259Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Michèle Arnold, Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro
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Publication number: 20230341327Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Mohammad Sadegh Ebrahimi, Gerd Bechtel, Raphael Kuhnen, Tobias Brengartner, Dietmar Frühauf, Anh Tuan Tham
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Publication number: 20230236102Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Tobias Brengartner, Gerd Bechtel
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Patent number: 11605918Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
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Patent number: 11326925Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KGInventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
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Patent number: 11320459Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KGInventors: Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro, Robert Schmidt, Armin Wernet
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Publication number: 20210270658Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Michèle Arnold, Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro
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Publication number: 20210123785Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2018Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
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Publication number: 20210066852Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Jeannette Liniger, Robert Schmidt, Franco Ferraro, Gerd Bechtel, Willy Huwyler
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Patent number: 10895488Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp
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Publication number: 20200400717Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro, Robert Schmidt, Armin Wernet
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Patent number: 10439337Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KGInventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Dirk Schrank
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Patent number: 10422680Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KGInventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp, Franco Ferraro
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Patent number: 10416020Abstract: Method for monitoring a predetermined fill level of a medium (3) in a container (2) with at least one measuring probe (1) and an electronics unit (7), wherein the measuring probe (1) is operated alternately in the conductive and in the capacitive operating modes, wherein the measuring probe (1) is supplied with an exciter signal, which is composed of two different, time alternatingly sequential, periodic signal components, wherein in a first time interval the first periodic signal component is generated for the conductive operating mode and in a second time interval the second periodic signal component is generated for the capacitive operating mode, wherein from the capacitive or conductive operating mode response signal obtained from the measuring probe (1) as a function of the current signal component, it is ascertained, whether the predetermined fill level has been reached, and wherein a report is generated upon the exceeding or subceeding of this fill level.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KGInventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp
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Patent number: 10281312Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a set fill level of a medium in a container using a fill level measuring probe that is designed to operate as a conductive fill level measuring probe in a conductive operating mode and as a capacitive fill level measuring probe in a capacitive operating mode, with a control/evaluation/output unit that is designed to alternately trigger conductive operating mode and capacitive operating mode, and with a control/evaluation/output unit that determines whether the set fill level of the medium in the container has been reached on the basis of the measured values from the two operating modes, and which generates a message when the set fill level is exceeded and/or undershot.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KGInventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp, Franco Ferraro
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Publication number: 20190078925Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Armin Wernet, Gerd Bechtel, Kaj Uppenkamp
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Patent number: 10078005Abstract: A method for calibration or adjustment of any oscillatable unit with a mathematical model describing the oscillatable unit, wherein the oscillatable unit interacts with a medium located in a container, comprising the steps as follows: exciting the oscillatable unit via a real input signal to execute oscillations; the real output signal of the oscillatable unit is ascertained; the real output signal is digitized and a real output sequence is produced; the real input signal is digitized and a digital input sequence is produced; the digital input sequence is fed to a function block, which provides the mathematical model of the oscillatable unit in interaction with the medium. The mathematical model is defined by at least two sensor-specific variables; a virtual output sequence is produced via the mathematical model.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Tobias Brengartner, Gerd Bechtel, Sascha D'Angelico
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Patent number: 10061344Abstract: A signal generator for producing periodic signals for a measuring apparatus of automation technology. The signals have sequential, discrete signal frequencies, which lie within a predetermined frequency range. A control- and/or computing unit, a clock signal producer are provided, wherein the clock signal producer provides a constant sampling frequency, which is greater than the maximum discrete signal frequency in the predetermined frequency range. A memory unit is provided, in which for each of the discrete signal frequencies the amplitude values of the corresponding periodic signals are stored or storable as a function of the sampling frequency. The control- and/or computing unit reads out the stored or storable amplitude values of the discrete frequencies successively with the sampling frequency of the clock from the memory unit and produces the periodic signals, or forwards for producing.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Stefan Rummele-Werner, Dietmar Fruhauf, Armin Wernet, Kaj Uppenkamp, Gerd Bechtel
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Patent number: 9971855Abstract: A method for determining and or monitoring at least one process- and/or system specific parameter in automation technology. An oscillatable system is provided, which interacts with a medium located in a container, wherein the oscillatable system is excited to oscillate via a real input signal, wherein the real output signal of the oscillatable system is ascertained, wherein the real output signal is digitized and a real output sequence yu(k) is produced. The real input signal is digitized and a digital input sequence (u(k)) is produced, wherein the digital input sequence (u(k)) is fed to a function block (model), which provides at least one mathematical model of the oscillatable system in interaction with the medium. The mathematical model is defined by a number of process- and/or system specific parameters, wherein via the mathematical model a virtual output sequence (ym(k)) is produced, wherein the virtual output sequence ym(k) is compared with the real output sequence yu(k).Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Tobias Brengartner, Gerd Bechtel, Michael Siegel
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Publication number: 20170115153Abstract: Method for monitoring a predetermined fill level of a medium (3) in a container (2) with at least one measuring probe (1) and an electronics unit (7), wherein the measuring probe (1) is operated alternately in the conductive and in the capacitive operating modes, wherein the measuring probe (1) is supplied with an exciter signal, which is composed of two different, time alternatingly sequential, periodic signal components, wherein in a first time interval the first periodic signal component is generated for the conductive operating mode and in a second time interval the second periodic signal component is generated for the capacitive operating mode, wherein from the capacitive or conductive operating mode response signal obtained from the measuring probe (1) as a function of the current signal component, it is ascertained, whether the predetermined fill level has been reached, and wherein a report is generated upon the exceeding or subceeding of this fill level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Armin WERNET, Gerd BECHTEL, Kaj UPPENKAMP