Patents by Inventor Peter Klofer
Peter Klofer 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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Publication number: 20180209835Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring fill level of a substance in a container. The method is based on pulse radar in which the repetition frequency of the microwave pulse is not constant but is controlled as a function of travel time. The repetition frequency increases as the travel time becomes shorter and lessens as the travel time becomes longer. The fill level is not based on the measured travel time, but is determined based on the resulting repetition frequency. The invention provides a pulse radar-based method for fill level measurement that can be implemented with reduced circuit complexity. This results from the fact that only the repetition frequency needs to be registered for fill level measurement. Neither a complex analog evaluating circuit nor a highly accurate time measurement are required. Complex digital data processing, such as the FMCW-based method required for fill level measurement, is absent.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2016Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Thomas Blödt, Peter Klöfer, Maik Weishaar
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Publication number: 20180180504Abstract: A pressure-measuring sensor having an electrically-conductive separating diaphragm closing off an interior chamber of the pressure-measuring sensor to the outside, to whose exterior surface a liquid medium under pressure can be applied, and having a device for detecting a diaphragm rupture of the separating diaphragm. At least one electrode is arranged on an interior surface of the separating diaphragm which faces the interior chamber, said electrode being electrically insulated from the separating diaphragm by an insulating layer arranged between the electrodes and the separating diaphragm and mechanically connected to the separating diaphragm, a measuring circuit is connected to a capacitor formed by the separating diaphragm and the electrode, said measuring circuit measuring and monitoring a measured variable dependent upon an electrical property of the capacitor, which is changed by a medium penetrating into the area of the capacitor when a diaphragm rupture of the separating diaphragm occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2015Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Thomas Uehlin, Peter Klöfer, Sergej Lopatin
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Patent number: 10001398Abstract: A fill-level measuring device for determining the fill level of a process medium in a container by means of a travel-time method. The fill-level measuring device is distinguished by features including that the fill-level measuring device has structure for determining the dielectric constant of a second medium, which is located between the measuring device and the process medium. The structure for determining the dielectric constant comprises at least one waveguide for a high-frequency measuring signal, wherein such waveguide is filled at least sectionally with a dielectric and embodied and arrangeable in such a manner that the dielectric forms with the second medium an interface, at which a significant fraction of the measuring signal supplied to the second medium via the waveguide is reflected. Furthermore, an apparatus for determining the dielectric constant and a system of such an apparatus and a fill-level measuring device are proposed.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Thomas Blodt, Peter Klofer
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Publication number: 20170298490Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite material, a sensor element or an active component of a sensor element. The sensor element is applied in a field device of automation technology. At least two materials with different physical and chemical properties are predetermined depending on a functionality of the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element. An outer shape, into which the at least two materials should be formed, is predetermined. The outer shape is divided into a plurality of virtual spatial regions, wherein in each virtual spatial region the material distribution of the at least two materials occurs homogeneously and periodically according to predetermined rules corresponding to a microstructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Dietmar Spanke, Peter Klofer
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Publication number: 20170234467Abstract: Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one physical or chemical process variable of a medium in a containment comprising at least one sensor element, at least one housing module and at least one flange, wherein the sensor element and the flange are connected with the housing module, wherein the flange in a first portion, which is at least partially media contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a first material, which is selected application specifically, and wherein the flange in a second portion, which is at least partially environment contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a synthetic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Peter Seedfeld, Ulrich Kaiser, Sergej Lopatin, Christof Huber, Peter Klöfer, Mike Touzin
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Patent number: 9719832Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical, process variable, comprising a sensor element (2) having at least one temperature sensitive, sensor region and/or an electronics unit (3) having at least one component (4), whose specification requires use within a predetermined temperature range, wherein a connecting component (5) is provided between the temperature sensitive, sensor region and the remaining regions of the sensor element (2) and/or between the sensor element (2) and the electronics unit (3), wherein the connecting component (5) is composed at least partially of a metal- or ceramic foam (6) having a predetermined porosity.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Peter Klofer, Klaus Feisst
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Publication number: 20170138808Abstract: A pressure difference sensor, comprising a pressure difference measuring cell having a measuring membrane, two platforms, between which the measuring membrane is arranged, and a transducer, as well as an elastic clamping apparatus, which has two clamping areas, each of which acts on a respective rear side of the platform facing away from the measuring membrane. The clamping apparatus has at least one elastic element, via which the clamping areas are mechanically coupled, in order to clamp the pressure difference measuring cell with an axial clamping force. The clamping areas are rigid, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a clamp with two clamping bodies, each of which has one of the clamping areas. At least one of the clamping bodies has an elastic element, the clamping bodies are connected with one another under stress, in order to exert a clamping force on the pressure difference measuring cell, wherein the two clamping bodies have a central, form retaining section, which includes the clamping areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Anh Tuan Tham, Peter Klofer, Rafael Teipen, Benjamin Lemke
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Publication number: 20160313717Abstract: The invention relates to a field device for detecting or monitoring a physical or chemical process variable of a medium in automation technology, having a power output (6), which is arranged on the primary side (P), and having an electronics unit (3, 13) which is arranged on the secondary side (S) and is supplied with energy from the primary side (P) via two connecting lines (4), wherein the electronics unit (3) actuates the power output (6) such that the direct current flowing on the connecting lines (4) represents the value of the process variable which is detected on the secondary side (S), having at least one communications unit (7) which provides digital data (Data), and having a galvanically decoupled transmission means (9) which transmits the digital data (Data) between the primary side (P) and the secondary side (S), wherein a circuit arrangement having two switches of a primary-side switch pair (11) is provided, wherein one switch of the primary-side switch pair (11) is arranged in each connecting liType: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Klaus RUF, Romuald GIRARDEY, Peter KLÖFER, Martin HORTENBACH
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Publication number: 20160265959Abstract: An apparatus for determining or monitoring the fill level or a predetermined limit level of a medium in a container, comprising a self excited system comprising an oscillation producing unit for producing electromagnetic waves within a predetermined frequency band; at least one sensor having an electrode, wherein the sensor is arranged at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the electrode is supplied with the electromagnetic waves, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged relative to the medium in such a manner that the phase of the electromagnetic waves reflected at the interface of the medium changes under the influence of the medium; and a feedback loop, which feeds the electromagnetic waves back to the at least one sensor, whereby the frequency of the self excited system is determined, a frequency detector, which registers the frequency of the electromagnetic waves, and an evaluation unit, which based on the registered frequency ascertains the relative dielectric conType: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2014Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Peter Klofer
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Publication number: 20150346016Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical, process variable, comprising a sensor element (2) having at least one temperature sensitive, sensor region and/or an electronics unit (3) having at least one component (4), whose specification requires use within a predetermined temperature range, wherein a connecting component (5) is provided between the temperature sensitive, sensor region and the remaining regions of the sensor element (2) and/or between the sensor element (2) and the electronics unit (3), wherein the connecting component (5) is composed at least partially of a metal- or ceramic foam (6) having a predetermined porosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Peter Klofer, Klaus Feisst
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Publication number: 20150168202Abstract: A fill-level measuring device for determining the fill level of a process medium in a container by means of a travel-time method. The fill-level measuring device is distinguished by features including that the fill-level measuring device has structure for determining the dielectric constant of a second medium, which is located between the measuring device and the process medium. The structure for determining the dielectric constant comprises at least one waveguide for a high-frequency measuring signal, wherein such waveguide is filled at least sectionally with a dielectric and embodied and arrangeable in such a manner that the dielectric forms with the second medium an interface, at which a significant fraction of the measuring signal supplied to the second medium via the waveguide is reflected. Furthermore, an apparatus for determining the dielectric constant and a system of such an apparatus and a fill-level measuring device are proposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Peter Klofer
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Patent number: 8884632Abstract: A fill level measuring device. On a plurality of different signal paths, microwave signals can be transmitted into a container, and their associated echo signals recorded. The device includes: measuring device electronics having a microwave generator for the successive production of microwave signals; and, connected thereto, a frequency-selective, passive antenna arrangement, which has a number of frequency-selective elements—especially bandpass filters—in each case transmissive for one of the different wanted frequencies. Via the antennas and the frequency-selective elements, for each of the different microwave signals and its echo signal, a uniquely associated signal path is specified, via which a microwave signal is transmitted into the container and its echo signal, reflected back to the antenna arrangement, is received and fed to the measuring device electronics.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Peter Klofer, Winfried Mayer
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Publication number: 20140242328Abstract: A measuring device having at least one corrosion resistant, process-facing surface, wherein at least one joint between a component of an electrically conductive material and a component of an electrically insulating material is sealed with a sealing structure, and wherein the process-facing surface is provided with a coating in such a manner that at least the sealing structure, a transitional region between the conductive component and the sealing structure and a transitional region between the insulating component and the sealing structure are covered by the coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Ralf Leisinger, Ralf Reimelt, Peter Klofer
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Patent number: 8511159Abstract: An arrangement for measuring fill levels of fill substances located in containers with a single fill-level measuring device operating according to the travel time principle, and arranged removed from the measuring locations at which a fill level is to be measured and having an antenna for directed sending of microwaves and for receiving microwaves.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Peter Klofer, Winfried Mayer
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Publication number: 20130176036Abstract: A field device for determining and/or monitoring a chemical or physical, process variable in automation technology, which has at least a first electronic or electrical component and a second electronic or electrical component. The first component has an energy transmitting antenna and the second component has an energy receiving antenna. Between the two components a predetermined distance is provided, which sets the first component and the second component apart from one another. The predetermined distance is filled, at least partially, with a dielectric medium. The energy transmitting antenna is so embodied and/or arranged that it supplies the second component with energy continuously or at predetermined time intervals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Roland Grozinger, Peter Klofer
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Publication number: 20120265486Abstract: A method for ascertaining and monitoring fill level of a medium in a container by means of a field device with a travel time measuring method, wherein, in a learning phase, application- and device referenced test signals and response signals expected from a fill level upper surface are determined and, therefrom, application- and device referenced comparison signals are ascertained, wherein, in an operational phase, test signals are transmitted toward the medium and application- and device referenced, response signals are received, as well as, by means of a comparison algorithm, the comparison signals are compared with the response signals and a value for an agreement probability is ascertained, and wherein, upon exceeding the ascertained value of the agreement probability above a predetermined limit value, the fill level is ascertained and outputted as a measured value and/or, in the case of subceeding, or falling beneath, the predetermined limit value, a new test signal is transmitted for renewed ascertaininType: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Peter Klofer, Winfried Mayer, Dietmar Spanke
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Publication number: 20120130509Abstract: A method and a system for adjusting a measuring device. The measuring device, determines the physical or chemical process variable based on measurement data; an analytical tool, ascertains the analytical data from the measurement data; a database, in which data sets with analytical data for different process conditions and associated parameter sets for adjusting the measuring device are stored, or in which a plurality of models with associated calculational specifications are stored, which produce the analytical data; and a calculation/control unit, which compares the ascertained analytical data with the stored analytical data, ascertains that data set of the stored analytical data, which has maximum agreement with the ascertained analytical data and adjusts the measuring device corresponding to the associated parameter set.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Matthias Altendorf, Peter Klöfer, Dietmar Spanke
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Publication number: 20110193567Abstract: A fill level measuring device working with microwaves according to the travel time principle for fill level measurement of fill substances located in containers. On a plurality of different signal paths, microwave signals can be transmitted into the container, and their associated echo signals recorded. The measurement results gained on the different signal paths can be evaluated separately from one another. The device includes: measuring device electronics having a microwave generator for the successive production of microwave signals having different wanted frequencies; and, connected thereto, a frequency-selective, passive antenna arrangement, which has a plurality of antennas, which serve to transmit successively the different microwave signals into the container, and to receive their echo signals reflected back to the antenna arrangement, and which has a number of frequency-selective elements—especially bandpass filters—in each case transmissive for one of the different wanted frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2009Publication date: August 11, 2011Inventors: Peter Klofer, Winfried Mayer
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Publication number: 20100000314Abstract: An arrangement for measuring fill levels of fill substances located in containers with a single fill-level measuring device operating according to the travel time principle, and arranged removed from the measuring locations at which a fill level is to be measured and having an antenna for directed sending of microwaves and for receiving microwaves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Peter Klofer, Winfried Mayer
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Publication number: 20080126659Abstract: In a variable field device for use in automation systems, which has a microprocessor for running a control program, and a serial fieldbus interface for communicating with a fieldbus, a parallel communication interface CI is provided as an additional interface, in the form of a standard insertion bay for different interface modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2005Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Peter Klöfer, Martin Pfandler, Bernd Strutt, Jorg Reinkensmeier