Patents by Inventor Ralf Bernhard
Ralf Bernhard 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: 11906327Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sensor holder for a flow sensor, comprising a substantially cylindrical housing with a housing interior with an opening at a first front face. The opening is designed to receive the flow sensor. The housing at the second front face, which is opposite the first front face, is conical. A first flushing opens to the housing interior, where the opening opens into the end region of the cone, and a second flushing opens to the housing interior. A fastening unit is designed to fasten the flow sensor in the housing, and a first wall holder is designed to be fastened to a wall. The first wall holder comprises a joint in the region of the second front face, with the joint connecting to the housing. The housing can be moved via the joint from a measurement position into a maintenance position.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventors: Alejandro Vaca Torres, Michael Wiederkehr, Andreas Müller, Ralf Bernhard
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Publication number: 20230366808Abstract: A method for installing at least one optical element in an interior space of a housing includes: clamping a sensor assembly in an interior of the housing in at least one radial clamping direction extending perpendicularly to a centering axis using at least one elastic body, wherein the sensor assembly comprises at least one optical elements, wherein each respective elastic body is inserted into a recess, which extends parallel to the centering axis and is open towards the interior space, and is clamped there such that each of the at least one elastic bodies exerts a clamping force acting in the respective radial clamping direction on an outer edge of each of the at least one optical elements of the assembly adjacent thereto in the interior space of the housing and to be clamped in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventor: Ralf Bernhard
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Publication number: 20230273115Abstract: A sensor includes: a transmitting device which transmits radiation along a path to a medium, and a measuring device which receives measuring radiation resulting from an interaction of the transmitted radiation with the medium and determines a measurand of the medium, with which at least one property of the transmitted radiation interacting with the medium can be determined and/or monitored in a cost-effective, space-saving manner; a prism in the path, through which prism a first portion of the transmitted radiation propagates in the direction of the medium and at which a second portion of the transmitted radiation is reflected; and a reference detector which receives the second component reflected at the prism and provides an output signal representing at least one property of the second component of the transmitted radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Ralf Bernhard, Joachim Bolle, Thilo Krätschmer
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Patent number: 11733165Abstract: An optical sensor for determining the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a medium incudes a light source configured to emit transmitted light having a wavelength of less than 300 nm into the medium; a detector for receiving received light, wherein the detector is configured at least for receiving received light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 400 nm, wherein the transmitted light is converted into received light by means of fluorescence in the medium as a function of the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, wherein a detector signal is generated from the received light; and a data processing unit configured to determine the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the detector signal, wherein the data processing unit controls the light source such that the light source emits modulated transmitted light according to a duty cycle. Methods of using the optical sensor are further disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventors: Ralf Bernhard, Manfred Jagiella
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Publication number: 20230033488Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical sensor, comprising: a first circuit board having at least a data processing unit and an interface to a second circuit board, wherein the interface is connected with the data processing unit; and the second circuit board having an LED, a thermistor and a capacitor, which is connected in parallel with the thermistor, wherein the capacitor is embodied specifically for the LED, and an interface to the first circuit board, wherein LED, thermistor and capacitor are connected with the interface. The present disclosure relates also to a method for identifying an LED in an optical sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventor: Ralf Bernhard
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Publication number: 20220333960Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sensor holder for a flow sensor, comprising a substantially cylindrical housing with a housing interior with an opening at a first front face. The opening is designed to receive the flow sensor. The housing at the second front face, which is opposite the first front face, is conical. A first flushing opens to the housing interior, where the opening opens into the end region of the cone, and a second flushing opens to the housing interior. A fastening unit is designed to fasten the flow sensor in the housing, and a first wall holder is designed to be fastened to a wall. The first wall holder comprises a joint in the region of the second front face, with the joint connecting to the housing. The housing can be moved via the joint from a measurement position into a maintenance position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Alejandro Vaca Torres, Michael Wiederkehr, Andreas Müller, Ralf Bernhard
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Patent number: 11249024Abstract: The present disclosure includes an optical measuring system having at least one light source that radiates excitation light into a medium to be measured. The excitation light is converted into fluorescent light by the medium. The optical measuring system also includes a first photodiode that receives a decay curve of the fluorescent light and converts it into a first signal and at least one optical component that receives the fluorescent light and converts it into a second signal. A data processing unit determines an oil-in-water content based on the first signal and the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventors: Ralf Bernhard, Manfred Jagiella
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Publication number: 20220042909Abstract: An optical sensor for determining the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a medium incudes a light source configured to emit transmitted light having a wavelength of less than 300 nm into the medium; a detector for receiving received light, wherein the detector is configured at least for receiving received light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 400 nm, wherein the transmitted light is converted into received light by means of fluorescence in the medium as a function of the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, wherein a detector signal is generated from the received light; and a data processing unit configured to determine the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the detector signal, wherein the data processing unit controls the light source such that the light source emits modulated transmitted light according to a duty cycle. Methods of using the optical sensor are further disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Ralf Bernhard, Manfred Jagiella
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Patent number: 11016021Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an optical sensor for liquid or gas analysis including a light source that emits measurement radiation and a housing, wherein the light source is arranged in the housing, and wherein the light source radiates measurement radiation out of the housing in a solid angle. The optical sensor further includes a signal light source that emits visible light from the housing in at least the same solid angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2020Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventor: Ralf Bernhard
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Publication number: 20210053047Abstract: Disclosed is a measuring arrangement for measuring the total nitrogen bound (TN) in a measuring liquid, comprising: a radiation source emitting UV radiation; a radiation receiver configured to generate a signal that depends on the intensity of radiation impinging on the radiation receiver; a vessel having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening; a first window closing the first opening; and a second window closing the second opening. The first and second windows are transparent to the measuring radiation. The measuring radiation emitted by the radiation source propagates along a measuring path which extends from the radiation source through the first window, the vessel, and the second window to the radiation receiver. The measuring arrangement also includes a heating element in thermal contact with the vessel wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Ulrich Rottensteiner, Christian Cramer, Eva-Maria Petat, Thomas Baumgartner, Thomas Schipolowski, Ralf Bernhard
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Patent number: 10801947Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a calibration insert for the adjustment, calibration, and/or implementation of a function test of an optical sensor that is designed to measure at least one measurand in a medium by means of light, the calibration insert including: an inlet cross-section through which light enters into the calibration insert; an outlet cross-section through which light exits from the calibration insert; and at least one blocking element that is arranged between the inlet cross-section and the outlet cross-section, wherein the blocking element does not entirely let through the light, independently of its wavelength, from the inlet cross-section to the outlet cross-section. Instead, the blocking element partially absorbs, reflects, or scatters the light, wherein the ratio of the intensity of the light at the outlet cross-section to the intensity of the light at the inlet cross-section corresponds to a value of the measurand.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventors: Ralf Bernhard, Matthias Grossmann
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Publication number: 20200249147Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an optical sensor for liquid or gas analysis including a light source that emits measurement radiation and a housing, wherein the light source is arranged in the housing, and wherein the light source radiates measurement radiation out of the housing in a solid angle. The optical sensor further includes a signal light source that emits visible light from the housing in at least the same solid angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventor: Ralf Bernhard
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Patent number: 10620178Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical sensor comprising at least one light source for emitting transmission light into a medium, at least one detector, wherein the transmission light is at least partially converted in the medium by fluorescence into fluorescent light and the detector receives the fluorescent light, wherein a first receiver signal can be generated from the fluorescent light, and wherein a first measured value can be determined from the first receiver signal, wherein the transmission light is at least partially scattered by means of the medium to form scattered light, and the detector receives the scattered light, wherein a second receiver signal can be generated from the scattered light, and wherein a second measured value can be determined from the second receiver signal. The present disclosure further relates to a method for determining a first and second measured value of a medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventors: Ralf Bernhard, Detlev Wittmer
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Publication number: 20200072751Abstract: The present disclosure includes an optical measuring system having at least one light source that radiates excitation light into a medium to be measured. The excitation light is converted into fluorescent light by the medium. The optical measuring system also includes a first photodiode that receives a decay curve of the fluorescent light and converts it into a first signal and at least one optical component that receives the fluorescent light and converts it into a second signal. A data processing unit determines an oil-in-water content based on the first signal and the second signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Ralf Bernhard, Manfred Jagiella
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Patent number: 10495572Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a measured quantity, correlated with an extinction, in a medium, including the steps: radiation of light into the medium and measurement of the extinction after a first path length; radiation of light into the medium and measurement of the extinction after a second path length, wherein the first path length differs from the second path length; and determination of the measured quantity correlated with the extinction using the extinction after first path length and extinction after second path length. Additionally disclosed is a sensor arrangement for execution of the method.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventors: Thilo Krätschmer, Ralf Bernhard, Matthias Grossmann
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Patent number: 10359365Abstract: An optical sensor for the ascertainment within a medium of a measured value of a measured parameter of process automation technology, comprising: a light source for transmitting transmission light; a prism; and a receiver for receiving reception light and generating a reception signal therefrom, wherein the measured value is ascertainable from the reception signal, wherein a first optical path from the light source to the medium is defined at least via the prism, wherein a second optical path from the medium to the receiver is defined at least via the prism, wherein the transmission light passes through the prism and is transformed within the medium into reception light, which passes through the prism to the receiver, and wherein the first optical path and the second optical path are essentially parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventor: Ralf Bernhard
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Publication number: 20190187118Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical sensor comprising at least one light source for emitting transmission light into a medium, at least one detector, wherein the transmission light is at least partially converted in the medium by fluorescence into fluorescent light and the detector receives the fluorescent light, wherein a first receiver signal can be generated from the fluorescent light, and wherein a first measured value can be determined from the first receiver signal, wherein the transmission light is at least partially scattered by means of the medium to form scattered light, and the detector receives the scattered light, wherein a second receiver signal can be generated from the scattered light, and wherein a second measured value can be determined from the second receiver signal. The present disclosure further relates to a method for determining a first and second measured value of a medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Ralf Bernhard, Detlev Wittmer
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Publication number: 20190049363Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a calibration insert for the adjustment, calibration, and/or implementation of a function test of an optical sensor that is designed to measure at least one measurand in a medium by means of light, the calibration insert including: an inlet cross-section through which light enters into the calibration insert; an outlet cross-section through which light exits from the calibration insert; and at least one blocking element that is arranged between the inlet cross-section and the outlet cross-section, wherein the blocking element does not entirely let through the light, independently of its wavelength, from the inlet cross-section to the outlet cross-section. Instead, the blocking element partially absorbs, reflects, or scatters the light, wherein the ratio of the intensity of the light at the outlet cross-section to the intensity of the light at the inlet cross-section corresponds to a value of the measurand.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Ralf Bernhard, Matthias Grossmann
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Publication number: 20190017935Abstract: An optical sensor for the ascertainment within a medium of a measured value of a measured parameter of process automation technology, comprising: a light source for transmitting transmission light; a prism; and a receiver for receiving reception light and generating a reception signal therefrom, wherein the measured value is ascertainable from the reception signal, wherein a first optical path from the light source to the medium is defined at least via the prism, wherein a second optical path from the medium to the receiver is defined at least via the prism, wherein the transmission light passes through the prism and is transformed within the medium into reception light, which passes through the prism to the receiver, and wherein the first optical path and the second optical path are essentially parallel to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventor: Ralf Bernhard
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Patent number: 10161781Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for dispensing a liquid, including a vertically arranged, translucent pipe for guiding the liquid, wherein the pipe has an upper section and a lower section, wherein an inner diameter of the upper section is greater than an inner diameter of the lower section, at least two light barriers for detecting a rise in the liquid over two defined levels in the pipe, wherein a first light barrier detects a rise in the liquid in the upper section of the pipe, and wherein a second light barrier detects a rise in the liquid in the lower section of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventors: Frank Müller, Thomas Baumgartner, Ralf Bernhard