Patents by Inventor Hartmut Damm

Hartmut Damm 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: 10859422
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a remaining operating period of a detector unit for a radiometric, density- or fill-level measuring device. The detector unit includes a photomultiplier. In such method, the control voltage of the photomultiplier is registered over at least one predetermined time period, a time rate of change function is ascertained based on control voltage registered during the predetermined time period, and the remaining operating period until reaching a maximum control voltage is calculated by means of the time rate of change function and a current control voltage, which is present at the current operating time. The method of the present disclosure permits approximation of the remaining operating period of the detector unit and, thus, timely learning of when required maintenance measures, especially aging related replacement of the photomultiplier, must be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Publication number: 20200056923
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a remaining operating period of a detector unit for a radiometric, density- or fill-level measuring device. The detector unit includes a photomultiplier. In such method, the control voltage of the photomultiplier is registered over at least one predetermined time period, a time rate of change function is ascertained based on control voltage registered during the predetermined time period, and the remaining operating period until reaching a maximum control voltage is calculated by means of the time rate of change function and a current control voltage, which is present at the current operating time. The method of the present disclosure permits approximation of the remaining operating period of the detector unit and, thus, timely learning of when required maintenance measures, especially aging related replacement of the photomultiplier, must be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 10533889
    Abstract: A method for limit level monitoring with a radiometric limit switch. A detector measures discrete radiation intensities. Statistical distributions of radiation intensities in a state, free of medium, and in a state, covered by medium, are given by two Poisson distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Robert Schäuble
  • Patent number: 9158007
    Abstract: A scintillation detector, especially one for a radiometric measuring device for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level of a fill substance located in a container, for covering a predeterminable measuring range as flexibly as possible in shape and length. To this end, the scintillation detector comprises two or more scintillators arranged in series relative to one another for converting thereon falling, radioactive radiation into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillator toward its ends. Arranged between the scintillators are optical coupling elements, which establish light transmitting connections between adjoining pairs of scintillators. Connected at an end of the series is a photoelectric transducer, which converts light occurring in the series into an electrical signal corresponding to a radiation intensity striking the scintillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Publication number: 20150014547
    Abstract: A scintillation detector, especially one for a radiometric measuring device for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level of a fill substance located in a container, for covering a predeterminable measuring range as flexibly as possible in shape and length. To this end, the scintillation detector comprises two or more scintillators arranged in series relative to one another for converting thereon falling, radioactive radiation into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillator toward its ends. Arranged between the scintillators are optical coupling elements, which establish light transmitting connections between adjoining pairs of scintillators. Connected at an end of the series is a photoelectric transducer, which converts light occurring in the series into an electrical signal corresponding to a radiation intensity striking the scintillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 8878136
    Abstract: A radiometric measuring device comprising: a radioactive radiator which sends radioactive radiation through a container; and a detector serving to receive a radiation intensity penetrating through the container, dependent on the physical, measured variable, and to convert such into an electrical output signal. The detector includes a carrier, on which at least one scintillation fiber is wound, which converts radiometric radiation impinging thereon into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillation fiber toward its ends. The detector further includes at least one array of avalanche photodiodes operated in a Geiger mode, which convert light impinging thereon into an electrical signal. The detector also has a measuring device electronics connected to the avalanche photodiodes for producing the electrical output signal, based on the electrical signals of the avalanche photodiodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Robert Schauble
  • Publication number: 20130204550
    Abstract: A method for limit level monitoring with a radiometric limit switch. A detector measures discrete radiation intensities. Statistical distributions of radiation intensities in a state, free of medium, and in a state, covered by medium, are given by two Poisson distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Robert Schäuble
  • Patent number: 8487262
    Abstract: A radiometric for measuring a physical, measured variable of a fill substance located in a container and for outputting a measurement signal, which corresponds to a measured value of the physical, measured variable. The measuring device has available a single line-pair, via which energy supply of the total measuring device occurs, and via which transmission of the measurement signal occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Jochen Politt, Simon Weidenbruch, Mingzehn Jiang
  • Patent number: 8410462
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus for transmission of an electrical signal via, galvanically isolated by means of a one-piece, translucent, plastic body, an input current circuit. At least one optical transmission element, and an output current circuit, having at least one optical receiving element, wherein the optical transmission element has a principle transmission axis and the optical receiving element a principle receiving axis, which are oriented so as to concide with a shared optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hasuer GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brutschin, Hartmut Damm, Klaus Ruf, Alex Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20120043466
    Abstract: A radiometric measuring device for measuring a physical, measured variable, especially a fill level or a density, of a fill substance located in a container, and/or for monitoring an exceeding or subceeding of a predetermined limit value for the physical, measured variable, comprising: a radioactive radiator, which, during operation, sends radioactive radiation through the container; and a detector arranged on a side of the container lying opposite the radiator and serving to receive a radiation intensity penetrating through the container, dependent on the physical, measured variable, and to convert such into an electrical output signal. With this measuring device, in an extremely flexibly predeterminable region to be metrologically registered by the detector, a very exact measuring of the radiation intensity can be put into practice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Robert Schauble
  • Publication number: 20100252739
    Abstract: A radiometric for measuring a physical, measured variable of a fill substance located in a container and for outputting a measurement signal, which corresponds to a measured value of the physical, measured variable. The measuring device has available a single line-pair, via which energy supply of the total measuring device occurs, and via which transmission of the measurement signal occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Jochen Politt, Simon Weidenbruch, Mingzehn Jiang
  • Publication number: 20100181506
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus for transmission of an electrical signal via, galvanically isolated by means of a one-piece, translucent, plastic body, an input current circuit. At least one optical transmission element, and an output current circuit, having at least one optical receiving element, wherein the optical transmission element has a principle transmission axis and the optical receiving element a principle receiving axis, which are oriented so as to concide with a shared optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brutschin, Hartmut Damm, Klaus Ruf, Alex Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6879425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining and/or monitoring the density and/or the level (L) of a filling material in a container. A transmitting unit which emits radioactive radiation and a receiving unit which is arranged in such a way that it receives the radioactive radiation or the secondary radiation that is produced by the interaction of the radioactive radiation with the filling material are provided. A regulating/evaluating unit which determines the density and/or the level of the filling material in the container using the measuring data that is supplied by the receiving unit is also provided. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which enables the level or the density of a filling material in a container to be measured reliably. To this end, the receiving unit consists of individual detector units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Joachim Neuhaus, Wolfgang Kämereit
  • Publication number: 20040025569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining and/or monitoring the density and/or the level (L) of a filling material (8) in a container (6). A transmitting unit (2) which emits radioactive radiation and a receiving unit (3) which is arranged in such a way that it receives the radioactive radiation or the secondary radiation that is produced by the interaction of the radioactive radiation with the filling material (8) are provided. A regulating/evaluating unit (13) which determines the density and/or the level of the filling material (8) in the container (6) using the measuring data that is supplied by the receiving unit (3) is also provided. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which enables the level or the density of a filling material in a container to be measured reliably. To this end, the receiving unit (3) consists of individual detector units (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Joachim Neuhaus, Wolfgang Kamereit
  • Patent number: 5991011
    Abstract: A laser range finding apparatus 10 comprises a pulsed laser 12, a light deflecting device 14, photo-receiver arrangement 16 and a reference object 18 arranged at a defined spacing from the light deflecting device 14. In this respect the reference object 18 has at least one triple element consisting of three mirror surfaces arranged at an angle of 90.degree. to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Hartmut Damm
  • Patent number: 5748816
    Abstract: A tube (1) is shown for coupling with, in particular, optical transmitter and/or receiver elements (2), and with means for suppressing interfering radiation, in which the means for suppressing interfering radiation consist of multiply reflecting surfaces (15) which absorb interfering radiation and which are formed by a plurality of ribs (11) which respectively extend substantially along a plane extending through the optical axis of the tube (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Zeljko Jaksic, Hartmut Damm, Christof Meyer