Patents by Inventor Ralf Buchtal

Ralf Buchtal 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: 20240077189
    Abstract: An illumination device (100) includes an illumination unit (1, 2) which illuminates a surface (Ob). The position and the orientation of the illumination unit (1, 2) relative to the surface (Ob) can be changed. A distance sensor (4.1, 8.2) measures an indicator of the current distance between the illumination unit (1, 2) and the surface (Ob). A signal processing control unit (10) is configured to control an output unit (6.1, 6.2) of the illumination unit (1, 2). The controlled output unit (6.1, 6.2) outputs an indication of how much the measured distance deviates from a predetermined reference distance (Ref1, Ref2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Ralf BUCHTAL, Hanno KRETSCHMANN
  • Patent number: 11555780
    Abstract: A photoacoustic sensor (100) is capable of detecting a predefined target gas in an area (Um). A process is capable of detecting the target gas with the use of such a sensor (100). A sample chamber (3) holds a gas sample (Gp) to be tested. Electromagnetic waves (eW) from a radiation source (1) pass through the sample chamber (3) and the detection chamber (4). The waves elicit in the detection chamber (4) an acoustic effect, which is measured by an acoustic sensor (7). The acoustic effect is correlated with the concentration of the target gas in the sample chamber (3). The detection chamber (4) is fluid-tightly sealed, is free from target gas and is filled with a replacement gas (Eg). The transmission of the replacement gas (Eg) has a spectral response similar to that of the transmission of the target gas in a predefined target gas wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Ralf Buchtal, Gerd Peter, Bernd-Michael Dicks, Björn Spilker, Robert Jahns, Martin Kroh
  • Publication number: 20220026346
    Abstract: A photoacoustic sensor (100) is capable of detecting a predefined target gas in an area (Um). A process is capable of detecting the target gas with the use of such a sensor (100). A sample chamber (3) holds a gas sample (Gp) to be tested. Electromagnetic waves (eW) from a radiation source (1) pass through the sample chamber (3) and the detection chamber (4). The waves elicit in the detection chamber (4) an acoustic effect, which is measured by an acoustic sensor (7). The acoustic effect is correlated with the concentration of the target gas in the sample chamber (3). The detection chamber (4) is fluid-tightly sealed, is free from target gas and is filled with a replacement gas (Eg). The transmission of the replacement gas (Eg) has a spectral response similar to that of the transmission of the target gas in a predefined target gas wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ralf BUCHTAL, Gerd PETER, Bernd-Michael DICKS, Björn SPILKER, Robert JAHNS, Martin KROH
  • Patent number: 9939374
    Abstract: A device for recording an absorption spectrum of a fluid has a radiation source (1) that emits a radiation in a spectral range along a beam path (11), a measuring path (5), along which the radiation passes through the fluid and arranged in the beam path, a tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer (7), arranged in the beam path and transmitting radiation in the spectral range as a displaceable bandpass filter, and a detector (9, 35) measuring the intensity of the radiation in the spectral range. An etalon (3) is arranged for spectral modulation of radiation in the beam path and has a plurality of transmission maxima (17) in the spectral range. The bandpass filter, formed by the Fabry-Perot interferometer (7), is displaceable across the spectral range such that spectral modulation of the radiation by the etalon (3) is measured by the detector (9, 35) as a modulation of radiation intensity over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: DRÄGERWERK AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Ralf Buchtal, Peter Dreyer, Livio Fornasiero
  • Publication number: 20180038786
    Abstract: A device analyzes an anesthesia ventilation gas with an infrared radiation source and includes a gas cuvette, a Fabry-Perot interferometer with a band pass filter function, adjustable with respect to a central transmission wavelength as a function of a control signal, a detector providing a measured signal and a computing and control unit providing the control signal and detecting the measured signal. The computing and control unit is configured to actuate the Fabry-Perot interferometer in a first operating mode by the control signal such that the central transmission wavelength scans a predefined wavelength range, to detect a presence in the ventilation gas sample potential types of anesthetic gases based on the measured signal. In a second operating mode, the control unit controls the central transmission wavelength within a subrange of the predefined wavelength range and determines a plurality of concentration values at consecutive times for detected types of anesthetic gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ralf BUCHTAL, Livio FORNASIERO, Robert JAHNS, Heike VÖHRINGER
  • Patent number: 9885653
    Abstract: A device analyzes an anesthesia ventilation gas with an infrared radiation source and includes a gas cuvette, a Fabry-Perot interferometer with a band pass filter function, adjustable with respect to a central transmission wavelength as a function of a control signal, a detector providing a measured signal and a computing and control unit providing the control signal and detecting the measured signal. The computing and control unit is configured to actuate the Fabry-Perot interferometer in a first operating mode by the control signal such that the central transmission wavelength scans a predefined wavelength range, to detect a presence in the ventilation gas sample potential types of anesthetic gases based on the measured signal. In a second operating mode, the control unit controls the central transmission wavelength within a subrange of the predefined wavelength range and determines a plurality of concentration values at consecutive times for detected types of anesthetic gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Ralf Buchtal, Livio Fornasiero, Robert Jahns, Heike Vöhringer
  • Publication number: 20150300948
    Abstract: A device for recording an absorption spectrum of a fluid has a radiation source (1) that emits a radiation in a spectral range along a beam path (11), a measuring path (5), along which the radiation passes through the fluid and arranged in the beam path, a tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer (7), arranged in the beam path and transmitting radiation in the spectral range as a displaceable bandpass filter, and a detector (9, 35) measuring the intensity of the radiation in the spectral range. An etalon (3) is arranged for spectral modulation of radiation in the beam path and has a plurality of transmission maxima (17) in the spectral range. The bandpass filter, formed by the Fabry-Perot interferometer (7), is displacable across the spectral range such that spectral modulation of the radiation by the etalon (3) is measured by the detector (9, 35) as a modulation of radiation intensity over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ralf BUCHTAL, Peter DREYER, Livio FORNASIERO
  • Patent number: 8199326
    Abstract: A gas concentration-measuring device makes it possible to measure gas components in a gas sample. An interferometer, based on a dual-band Fabry-Perot interferometer (1), is provided with a transmission spectrum that can be set by a control voltage (38). The control voltage (38) of the dual-band Fabry-Perot interferometer (1) is synchronized over the course of time with the activation and deactivation of the radiation sources (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Drägerwerk AG & Co., KGaA
    Inventors: Peter Dreyer, Günter Steinert, Alfred Kelm, Christian Jäger, Livio Fornasiero, Hartmut Stark, Ralf Buchtal, Burkhard Stock, Ralf Döring, Anja Künzel, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20100225917
    Abstract: A gas concentration-measuring device makes it possible to measure gas components in a gas sample. An interferometer, based on a dual-band Fabry-Perot interferometer (1), is provided with a transmission spectrum that can be set by a control voltage (38). The control voltage (38) of the dual-band Fabry-Perot interferometer (1) is synchronized over the course of time with the activation and deactivation of the radiation sources (11, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Peter DREYER, Günter STEINERT, Alfred KELM, Christian JÄGER, Livio Dr. FORNASIERO, Hartmut STARK, Ralf BUCHTAL, Burkhard Dr. STOCK, Ralf DÖRING, Anja Künzel
  • Patent number: 5767976
    Abstract: A laser diode gas sensor for the spectroscopic measurement of a gas sample, with a retroreflector and a concave mirror, which define between them an open measuring path with the gas to be analyzed. Laser light passes through the measuring path, is reflected at the retroreflector, and is directed toward a detector via a concave mirror in order to determine the mean concentration of the gas component to be analyzed in the optical measuring path. Optical elements, such as beam splitters, lenses, etc., which lead to losses of intensity, were used before to couple the laser light into the beam path onto the retroreflector, and to decouple the reflected light to the detector. An improved optical imaging array, which minimizes losses, is provided. The concave mirror is provided centrally with an opening transparent to the laser light, through which a weakly divergent bundle of laser light is directed onto the retroreflector, so that the retroreflector is illuminated essentially over its entire surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
    Inventors: Georg Ankerhold, Ralf Buchtal
  • Patent number: 5479919
    Abstract: A device for actuating an ignition mechanism of an oxygen-releasing mechanism in a respirator, with a striker spring fastened in a mounting support and with a striking hammer, which is located at the free end of the striker spring and actuates the ignition mechanism. The striking hammer can be released several times in succession, whereby the replacement of the cartridge is facilitated. The device is provided with a release lever, which can be pivoted from a starting position around a fixed axis and has a tensioning tongue, which extends, at least partially, below the free end of the striker spring and deflects the striker spring in the pretensioning direction. The release lever has a return member automatically restoring the starting position. The mounting support and the axis are fastened to the receiving housing of the respirator, which accommodates the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
    Inventor: Ralf Buchtal