Patents by Inventor Rolf Schwald

Rolf Schwald 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: 12298168
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a radar-based, fill level measurement device for determining a fill level of a fill substance located in a container. The fill level measurement device includes a high frequency unit for producing high frequency signals and for determining fill level based on received high frequency signals. A hollow conductor is provided for transmitting or receiving high frequency signals. The hollow conductor is subdivided into a first portion facing the high frequency unit, and a second portion faceable toward the fill substance, wherein an insulation transparent for the high frequency signals separates the first portion fluidically from the second portion. A first hollow space is connected fluidically with the second portion and the first hollow space is arranged relative to the second portion behind the insulation. Thus condensate formation on the insulation is prevented, so that the functioning of fill level measurement device is not degraded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Pankratz, Rolf Schwald, Klaus Feisst
  • Publication number: 20230042507
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fastening device for fixing a radar-based fill level gauge to an outer grating of an intermediate bulk container tank. The device comprises a clamping retainer, which can be clamped to a grating bar of the outer grating, and an adapter having a first fastener configured such that the fill level gauge can be mounted detachably on the adapter. The adapter also includes a cut-out, through which radar signals of the fill level gauge can be sent towards the filling material when in the mounted state. In addition, the device comprises a second fastener configured such that the fill level gauge can be fastened indirectly to the clamping retainer. According to the present disclosure, the outer grating is used to fasten the fill level gauge to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Rolf Schwald, Manuel Sautermeister, Andreas Kaiser, Ronny Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20210293602
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a radar-based, fill level measurement device for determining a fill level of a fill substance located in a container. The fill level measurement device includes a high frequency unit for producing high frequency signals and for determining fill level based on received high frequency signals. A hollow conductor is provided for transmitting or receiving high frequency signals. The hollow conductor is subdivided into a first portion facing the high frequency unit, and a second portion faceable toward the fill substance, wherein an insulation transparent for the high frequency signals separates the first portion fluidically from the second portion. A first hollow space is connected fluidically with the second portion and the first hollow space is arranged relative to the second portion behind the insulation. Thus condensate formation on the insulation is prevented, so that the functioning of fill level measurement device is not degraded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Klaus Pankratz, Rolf Schwald, Klaus Feisst
  • Publication number: 20120153969
    Abstract: A measuring device working with high frequency microwaves, especially frequencies above 70 GHz, comprises a microwave module for the production of microwave transmission signals and/or for the reception and processing of received microwave signals, and an antenna unit for the transmission of the microwave transmission signals and/or for the receipt of the received microwave signals. The measuring device has a cost effective, flexibly usable connection between the microwave module and the antenna unit suitable for the transmission of high frequency microwave signals, especially frequencies of 70 GHz and more. The microwave module and the antenna unit are connected to one another via a dielectric waveguide, via which a transmission of the microwave transmission signals from the microwave module to the antenna unit and/or a transmission of the received microwave signals from the antenna unit to the microwave module occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Eckert, Winfried Mayer, Rolf Schwald
  • Patent number: 6800241
    Abstract: A description is given of a filling level measuring device operating with microwaves, having a housing and an insert composed of a dielectric, and of a process for producing the dielectric, in which the dielectric constant of the insert is adjustable and in which the insert has a high chemical resistance and a mechanical strength adequate for industrial applications. The dielectric is a composite material composed of a fluoroplastic, in particular polytetrafluoroethylene, and ceramic and is produced by mixing powdered ceramic and powdered fluoroplastic, drying the mixture, pressing the mixture and sintering the pressed mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Rolf Schwald, Alexander Hardell
  • Publication number: 20020115776
    Abstract: A description is given of a filling level measuring device operating with microwaves, having a housing and an insert composed of a dielectric, and of a process for producing the dielectric, in which the dielectric constant of the insert is adjustable and in which the insert has a high chemical resistance and a mechanical strength adequate for industrial applications. The dielectric is a composite material composed of a fluoroplastic, in particular polytetrafluoroethylene, and ceramic and is produced by mixing powdered ceramic and powdered fluoroplastic, drying the mixture, pressing the mixture and sintering the pressed mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Rolf Schwald, Alexander Hardell
  • Patent number: 6417748
    Abstract: A description is given of a filling level measuring device operating with microwaves, having a housing and an insert composed of a dielectric, and of a process for producing the dielectric, in which the dielectric constant of the insert is adjustable and in which the insert has a high chemical resistance and a mechanical strength adequate for industrial applications. The dielectric is a composite material composed of a fluoroplastic, in particular polytetrafluoroethylene, and ceramic and is produced by mixing powdered ceramic and powdered fluoroplastic, drying the mixture, pressing the mixture and sintering the pressed mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Rolf Schwald, Alexander Hardell
  • Patent number: 5866815
    Abstract: Proposed is a fill-level indicator designed to indicate the level of the contents of a container or the storage level of a material at a storage place, the indicator having an ultrasonic transducer which is operated to act alternately as a pulse emitter and as a receiver. The ultrasonic transceiver (31,33,35) is surrounded by the fill-level indicator housing (21) to form an exactly cylindrical coaxial air gap (38) and has boundary surfaces which produce acoustic impedance jumps to reflect the acoustic energy emitted by the surface of the piezoelectric crystal (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Endress +Hauser GMbH +Co.
    Inventors: Rolf Schwald, Peter Klofer, Manfred Eckert
  • Patent number: 5778726
    Abstract: For monitoring a predetermined level of a liquid in a container an ultrasonic sensor is fitted on the outer surface of the container wall at a measurement point situated at the height of the level to be monitored, said sensor containing an ultrasonic transducer having a diaphragm in contact with the container wall. The components of the ultrasonic sensor including those of the ultrasonic transducer are grouped together in a sensor block which is releasably connected to an adapter secured to the container wall, this adapter being configured so that it can be secured in any way required to containers of differing shape and/or material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Roland Muller, Winfried Maier, Rolf Schwald
  • Patent number: 5737963
    Abstract: A small, compact, easily mountable ultrasonic transducer for measuring the filling level in a container is provided, which transducer transmits virtually no oscillation energy to the container, having a can-shaped transducer housing (1), an electronics housing (2) connected to the transducer housing (1), a transducer element (4), arranged in the transducer housing (1), for the transmission and reception of ultrasonic pulses, a union ring (3) for the sound-decoupling securing of the ultrasonic transducer on the container, in which ring the transducer housing (1) is supported coaxially with respect to the union ring (3) and is fixed therein against displacement in the axial direction, and two resilient elements (7, 8) which are arranged between the transducer housing (1) and the union ring (3) and by means of which the transducer housing (1) and the union ring (3) are held spaced apart from each other in the radial direction in such a way that there is no direct mechanical coupling between them in the radial di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser GmbH +Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Eckert, Karl Flogel, Rolf Schwald
  • Patent number: 5363341
    Abstract: The invention discloses a level measuring device which can be made up from components. It comprises a sonic or ultrasonic transducer which is arranged in a first housing and forms a self-contained functional unit; the electrical circuit arranged in a further separate housing forms a second functional unit. The functional units are so constructed that they can be assembled from the various components to a complete level measuring device in accordance with the required use conditions by arrangement of a steel plate above the sonic or ultrasonic transducer, or by potting with a commercially usual potting composition, or the selection of two different similar housings for receiving the sonic or ultrasonic transducer or the arrangement of selectively different but dimensionally identical sonic or ultrasonic transducers, and the selective mounting by means of a loose flange on a container, or by means of a suspension bracket in the interior thereof or above a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Endress u. Hauser GmbH u. Co.
    Inventors: Rolf Schwald, Edwin Steinebrunner