Patents by Inventor Ralf Forcht
Ralf Forcht 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: 10841129Abstract: A series module for a modularly configured control arrangement, with a module housing having a first series interface, a first bus interface, a second series interface and a second bus interface. A bus communication line is formed between the first bus interface and the second bus interface and at least three supply lines are formed between the first series interface and the second series interface, wherein a connecting contact is assigned to two of the supply lines in each case in order to form a consumer interface, which is configured to connect an electric consumer, and wherein at least one connecting contact coupled to the consumer interface is assigned to the third supply line and/or the bus communication line in each case.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KGInventors: Ralf Forcht, Julian Walker, Dieter Schlotz, Vitali Lainecker, Matthias Ulrich, Jochen Krinn
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Patent number: 10761493Abstract: A safety module for an automation system includes a communication interface designed for a signal-transmitting connection to a communication system, an output interface designed for a signal-transmitting connection to at least one user which can be fitted downstream and a processing device connected to the communication interface and the output interface and designed to process communication signals from the communication interface and to provide output signals to the output interface wherein the processing device is designed for a detection of an actual component behaviour, using a control command contained in a communication signal and a component measured value contained in a communication signal, and for a comparison of a presettable component behaviour to the actual component behaviour as well as for a provision of a safety-oriented output signal to the output interface at a presettable divergence between the presettable component behaviour and the actual component behaviour.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KGInventors: Martin Gehrke, Roland Kalberer, Ralf Forcht
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Patent number: 10608369Abstract: A series module for a modular designed control arrangement includes a first series interface and a first bus interface and a second series interface and a second bus interface, wherein a bus communication line is formed between the two bus interfaces and multiple connecting lines are formed between the two series interfaces and wherein the connecting lines are arranged at least partially Z-linked between the two series interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KGInventors: Ralf Forcht, Eduard Wenske, Phillippus Hartmann
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Patent number: 10503137Abstract: A safety module for an automation system including a communication interface, which is configured for a signal-transmitting connection to a communication system including an output interface, which is configured for a signal-transmitting connection to consumers, which can be attached downstream, and including a processing device which is connected to both interfaces and is configured for processing communication signals from the communication interface and for providing processing results as output signals at the output interface. The processing device is configured such that a safety-related output signal is provided at the output interface if a safety signal, which is contained in a communication signal, is present, and if at least two data records, which are respectively provided in a communication signal, are encoded differently and are directed at the processing device, conform with one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KGInventors: Martin Gehrke, Martin Maier, Roland Kalberer, Andreas Herzog, Ralf Forcht
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Publication number: 20190253273Abstract: A series module for a modularly configured control arrangement, with a module housing having a first series interface, a first bus interface, a second series interface and a second bus interface. A bus communication line is formed between the first bus interface and the second bus interface and at least three supply lines are formed between the first series interface and the second series interface, wherein a connecting contact is assigned to two of the supply lines in each case in order to form a consumer interface, which is configured to connect an electric consumer, and wherein at least one connecting contact coupled to the consumer interface is assigned to the third supply line and/or the bus communication line in each case.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2017Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Ralf Forcht, Julian Walker, Dieter Schlotz, Vitali Lainecker, Matthias Ulrich, Jochen Krinn
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Publication number: 20190245294Abstract: A series module for a modular designed control arrangement includes a first series interface and a first bus interface and a second series interface and a second bus interface, wherein a bus communication line is formed between the two bus interfaces and multiple connecting lines are formed between the two series interfaces and wherein the connecting lines are arranged at least partially Z-linked between the two series interfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Ralf FORCHT, Eduard WENSKE, Phillippus HARTMANN
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Publication number: 20180143594Abstract: A safety module for an automation system includes a communication interface designed for a signal-transmitting connection to a communication system, an output interface designed for a signal-transmitting connection to at least one user which can be fitted downstream and a processing device connected to the communication interface and the output interface and designed to process communication signals from the communication interface and to provide output signals to the output interface wherein the processing device is designed for a detection of an actual component behaviour, using a control command contained in a communication signal and a component measured value contained in a communication signal, and for a comparison of a presettable component behaviour to the actual component behaviour as well as for a provision of a safety-oriented output signal to the output interface at a presettable divergence between the presettable component behaviour and the actual component behaviour.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Martin Gehrke, Roland Kalberer, Ralf Forcht
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Publication number: 20180143604Abstract: A safety module for an automation system including a communication interface, which is configured for a signal-transmitting connection to a communication system including an output interface, which is configured for a signal-transmitting connection to consumers, which can be attached downstream, and including a processing device which is connected to both interfaces and is configured for processing communication signals from the communication interface and for providing processing results as output signals at the output interface. The processing device is configured such that a safety-related output signal is provided at the output interface if a safety signal, which is contained in a communication signal, is present, and if at least two data records, which are respectively provided in a communication signal, are encoded differently and are directed at the processing device, conform with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Martin Gehrke, Martin Maier, Roland Kalberer, Andreas Herzog, Ralf Forcht
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Patent number: 9909679Abstract: A valve device having a valve housing, through which passes a fluid channel, in which are formed a valve seat and a valve member which is accommodated such that it can be moved relative to the valve seat, having an electromechanical actuator for moving the valve member between at least two functional positions in order to influence a free cross-section of the fluid channel, and having a control device, which is designed for activating the actuator depending on a control signal and includes a delay circuit which, in the case of the valve being switched off, is designed for a time-delayed movement of the valve member into a switch-off position. The delay circuit includes an electrical energy store which, in the case of the valve being switched off, is designed for energy-independent movement of the valve member into the switch-off position.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: FESTO EG & CO. KGInventors: Wolfram Turnaus, Philippus Hartmann, Ralf Forcht
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Patent number: 9857806Abstract: A valve assembly for influencing at least one fluid flow, the valve assembly including a control unit and at least one valve device, wherein the control unit includes a bus interface for connection to a bus communication system for the reception of movement instructions, a processing device for processing the movement instructions into control commands for valve devices and at least one connecting device for the electric coupling of valve devices, and wherein the at least one valve device is electrically connected to one of the connecting devices of the control unit and includes a processing means designed for processing the control commands, wherein the processing means is assigned at least one first connecting means for the electric coupling of valves and at least one second connecting means for the electric coupling of sensor means, and wherein the processing means is designed for linking sensor signals of connected sensor means to the control commands.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KGInventors: Martin Maichl, Herbert Hufnagl, Ralf Forcht
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Patent number: 9800047Abstract: A supply module for insertion into a module chain of functional modules mounted side by side along a concatenation axis and electrically connected to one another in a Z-linkage includes a first coupling surface having a plurality of electric input terminals, and a second coupling surface having a plurality of electric output terminals, wherein a specifiable assignment of the input terminals to the output terminals is provided, and wherein at least one input terminal is designed as a supply input for feeding in a supply voltage from an upstream functional module and at least one output terminal is designed as a supply output for transferring the supply voltage to a downstream functional module. An additional input for feeding in an additional supply voltage and an output terminal are provided for transferring the additional supply voltage to at least one functional module arranged downstream along the concatenation axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2011Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KGInventor: Ralf Forcht
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Publication number: 20160305568Abstract: A valve device having a valve housing, through which passes a fluid channel, in which are formed a valve seat and a valve member which is accommodated such that it can be moved relative to the valve seat, having an electromechanical actuating means for moving the valve member between at least two functional positions in order to influence a free cross-section of the fluid channel, and having a control device, which is designed for activating the actuating means depending on a control signal and comprises a delay means which, in the case of the valve being switched off, is designed for a time-delayed movement of the valve member into a switch-off position. The control device and the delay means are designed in the form of electric circuits and include an electrical energy store which, in the case of the valve being switched off, is designed for energy-independent movement of the valve member into the switch-off position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Wolfram Turnaus, Philippus Hartmann, Ralf Forcht
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Patent number: 9241416Abstract: A module arrangement including a plurality of functional modules lined up in a stacking direction, which are connected to one another for fluidic and electric communication, wherein a functional module includes a plate-shaped base body having two parallel, opposite joining surfaces which are designed to contact joining surfaces of adjacent base bodies, wherein the base body includes a connecting device designed for transferring electric signals and/or electric supply voltages and/or fluid flows between adjacent functional modules along the stacking direction, and wherein several signal lines selectable by the control module extend along the stacking direction of the functional modules for transmitting control signals provided for the direct selection of individual functional modules wherein at least one storage device for detecting, buffering and transferring at least one electric signal of an external component is electrically looped into at least one signal line.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KGInventors: Michael Berner, Ralf Forcht
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Publication number: 20150378370Abstract: A valve assembly for influencing at least one fluid flow, the valve assembly including a control unit and at least one valve device, wherein the control unit includes a bus interface for connection to a bus communication system for the reception of movement instructions, a processing device for processing the movement instructions into control commands for valve devices and at least one connecting device for the electric coupling of valve devices, and wherein the at least one valve device is electrically connected to one of the connecting devices of the control unit and includes a processing means designed for processing the control commands, wherein the processing means is assigned at least one first connecting means for the electric coupling of valves and at least one second connecting means for the electric coupling of sensor means, and wherein the processing means is designed for linking sensor signals of connected sensor means to the control commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Martin Maichl, Herbert Hufnagl, Ralf Forcht
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Publication number: 20140312703Abstract: A supply module for insertion into a module chain of functional modules mounted side by side along a concatenation axis and electrically connected to one another in a Z-linkage comprises includes a first coupling surface having a plurality of electric input terminals, and with a second coupling surface having a plurality of electric output terminals, wherein a specifiable assignment of the input terminals to the output terminals is provided, and wherein at least one input terminal is designed as a supply input for feeding in a supply voltage from an upstream functional module and at least one output terminal is designed as a supply output for transferring the supply voltage to a downstream functional module. An additional input for feeding in an additional supply voltage and an output terminal are provided for transferring the additional supply voltage to at least one functional module arranged downstream along the concatenation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2011Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventor: Ralf Forcht
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Publication number: 20130329377Abstract: A module arrangement including a plurality of functional modules lined up in a stacking direction, which are connected to one another for fluidic and electric communication, wherein a functional module includes a plate-shaped base body having two parallel, opposite joining surfaces which are designed to contact joining surfaces of adjacent base bodies, wherein the base body includes a connecting device designed for transferring electric signals and/or electric supply voltages and/or fluid flows between adjacent functional modules along the stacking direction, and wherein several signal lines selectable by the control module extend along the stacking direction of the functional modules for transmitting control signals provided for the direct selection of individual functional modules wherein at least one storage device for detecting, buffering and transferring at least one electric signal of an external component is electrically looped into at least one signal line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: FESTO AG & CO. KGInventors: Michael Berner, Ralf Forcht
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Patent number: 8074961Abstract: Proposed is a magnetic valve with manual override, through the actuating element of which a magnetic core that serves as a valve element or that is connected to a valve element can be shifted from an off position into an operating position without excitation of a magnetic coil system assigned to it. To detect the position of the magnetic core that is held in the operating position by the manual override there is provided a coil current monitoring device that monitors the rise of the coil current after the magnetic coil system has been switched on, which device has a detection device for detection of the absence of a drop in current as formed by movement of the magnetic core after being switched on and a signaling device for electrical signaling of a position of the magnetic core that is held in the operating position by the manual override if said drop in current is absent.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KGInventors: Carsten Clauss, Ralf Forcht, Thomas Lederer, Christian Waldeck
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Publication number: 20090078896Abstract: Proposed is a magnetic valve with manual override, through the actuating element of which a magnetic core that serves as a valve element or that is connected to a valve element can be shifted from an off position into an operating position without excitation of a magnetic coil system assigned to it. To detect the position of the magnetic core that is held in the operating position by the manual override there is provided a coil current monitoring device that monitors the rise of the coil current after the magnetic coil system has been switched on, which device has a detection device for detection of the absence of a drop in current as formed by movement of the magnetic core after being switched on and a signaling device for electrical signaling of a position of the magnetic core that is held in the operating position by the manual override if said drop in current is absent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Carsten Clauss, Ralf Forcht, Thomas Lederer, Christian Waldeck
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Patent number: 6761596Abstract: A contacting means for making electrical contact between a valve drive and a printed circuit board. It comprises a support housing having through ducts in which axially resiliently elastic contacting units are arranged. The contacting units are at one end acted upon by a first contact element of the valve drive and at the other end by a second contact element of the printed circuit board and accordingly rest on such components with a biasing action. Furthermore, a valve arrangement with such a contacting means is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Festo AG & Co.Inventors: Heiko Kühbauch, Stefan Paech, Achim Ziegele, Ralf Forcht, Christian Waldeck
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Publication number: 20030176084Abstract: A contacting means for making electrical contact between a valve drive and a printed circuit board. It comprises a support housing having through ducts in which axially resiliently elastic contacting units are arranged. The contacting units are at one end acted upon by a first contact element of the valve drive and at the other end by a second contact element of the printed circuit board and accordingly rest on such components with a biasing action. Furthermore, a valve arrangement with such a contacting means is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: FESTO AG & CO.Inventors: Heiko Kuhbauch, Stefan Paech, Achim Ziegele, Ralf Forcht, Christian Waldeck