Patents by Inventor Simon Weidenbruch

Simon Weidenbruch 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: 11913969
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a radiometric device for determining and/or monitoring the density of a medium located in a container includes: determining the count rate of the radioactive radiation after it has passed through the empty container on the basis of the activity of the transmitting unit; determining the measured count rate of the radioactive radiation after it has passed through the container when a calibration medium of known density is located in the container; determining the mass attenuation coefficient according to the formula ?=?(ln(N/N0))/(?1D), where D is a beam path of the radioactive radiation or inner diameter of the container, and ?1 is density of the calibration medium; and calculating a calibration curve representing the dependence of the density of the medium on the count rate of the measured radiation intensity after the radiation has passed through the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Arun Shankar Venkatesh Iyer, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch, Jörn Lange, Sebastian Eumann
  • Publication number: 20240006090
    Abstract: A radiation protection container of a measuring system serves for radiometric density or fill level measurement. The radiation protection container is based on two base bodies connected to one another via a planar surface. The radiation waveguide extends for focused emission in a plane defined by the planar surface, wherein the radiation waveguide is formed by depressions in the base body surfaces. The radiation protection container comprises radiation absorption structures formed by depressions and complementary elevations in the base body surfaces lying on top of each other. An advantage is that refractory base bodies based on steel can be used and it is possible for the depressions and/or elevations to be realized using surface machining. The radiation absorption structures ensure that no radiation exits the radiation protection container laterally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Lars Stolz, Romy Gabel, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Publication number: 20220317007
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a radiometric device for determining and/or monitoring the density of a medium located in a container includes: determining the count rate of the radioactive radiation after it has passed through the empty container on the basis of the activity of the transmitting unit; determining the measured count rate of the radioactive radiation after it has passed through the container when a calibration medium of known density is located in the container; determining the mass attenuation coefficient according to the formula ?=?(ln(N/N0))/(?1D), where D is a beam path of the radioactive radiation or inner diameter of the container, and ?1 is density of the calibration medium; and calculating a calibration curve representing the dependence of the density of the medium on the count rate of the measured radiation intensity after the radiation has passed through the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Arun Shankar Venkatesh Iyer, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch, Jörn Lange, Sebastian Eumann
  • Publication number: 20200393391
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a radiometric apparatus for determining and/or monitoring density of a medium (6) located in a container (1). The method includes method steps as follows: determining the mass attenuation coefficient ?C of the empty container (1) with application of the half value thickness N/N0=0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Arun Shankar Venkatesh Iyer, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch, Jörn Lange, Sebastian Eumann
  • Patent number: 10859422
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a remaining operating period of a detector unit for a radiometric, density- or fill-level measuring device. The detector unit includes a photomultiplier. In such method, the control voltage of the photomultiplier is registered over at least one predetermined time period, a time rate of change function is ascertained based on control voltage registered during the predetermined time period, and the remaining operating period until reaching a maximum control voltage is calculated by means of the time rate of change function and a current control voltage, which is present at the current operating time. The method of the present disclosure permits approximation of the remaining operating period of the detector unit and, thus, timely learning of when required maintenance measures, especially aging related replacement of the photomultiplier, must be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 10594222
    Abstract: Described is an explosion endangered region usable, switching power supply for supplying an output voltage controlled to a desired value, comprising a supply path, which includes a switching controller controlled via a driver, a galvanically isolated transformer connected after the switching controller, and, connected after the transformer, a rectifier-containing, output circuit, and a feedback path, via which the driver is fed a signal transmitted via a light source and a light receiver and reflecting the output voltage, based on which the driver controls the output voltage to the desired value via a corresponding operation of the switching controller. The feedback path includes a voltage regulator, which regulates a supply voltage falling across the light source to a fixed value, and an electrical current regulator, which regulates an electrical current flowing through the light source to an electrical current value corresponding to the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Max Jehle
  • Publication number: 20200056923
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a remaining operating period of a detector unit for a radiometric, density- or fill-level measuring device. The detector unit includes a photomultiplier. In such method, the control voltage of the photomultiplier is registered over at least one predetermined time period, a time rate of change function is ascertained based on control voltage registered during the predetermined time period, and the remaining operating period until reaching a maximum control voltage is calculated by means of the time rate of change function and a current control voltage, which is present at the current operating time. The method of the present disclosure permits approximation of the remaining operating period of the detector unit and, thus, timely learning of when required maintenance measures, especially aging related replacement of the photomultiplier, must be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 10533889
    Abstract: A method for limit level monitoring with a radiometric limit switch. A detector measures discrete radiation intensities. Statistical distributions of radiation intensities in a state, free of medium, and in a state, covered by medium, are given by two Poisson distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Robert Schäuble
  • Publication number: 20190334443
    Abstract: Described is an explosion endangered region usable, switching power supply for supplying an output voltage controlled to a desired value, comprising a supply path, which includes a switching controller controlled via a driver, a galvanically isolated transformer connected after the switching controller, and, connected after the transformer, a rectifier-containing, output circuit, and a feedback path, via which the driver is fed a signal transmitted via a light source and a light receiver and reflecting the output voltage, based on which the driver controls the output voltage to the desired value via a corresponding operation of the switching controller. The feedback path includes a voltage regulator, which regulates a supply voltage falling across the light source to a fixed value, and an electrical current regulator, which regulates an electrical current flowing through the light source to an electrical current value corresponding to the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Narcisse Michel Nzitchieu Gadeu, Max Jehle
  • Patent number: 9804278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiometric measuring device for carrying out measurements in an explosion-prone area, which radiometric measuring device requires only little space at the measurement location and can be economically produced. The radiometric measuring device comprises a measuring unit (7) that can be used in the explosion-prone area. Said measuring unit comprises a scintillator (13), which converts radioactive radiation incident on the scintillator into photons, and a semiconductor detector (15), which is connected to the scintillator (13) and can be operated by means of an inherently safe energy supply and metrologically captures photons arising in the scintillator (13) and reaching the semiconductor detector (15), and converts said photons into electrical measurement signals. Explosion protection measures to be associated exclusively with the ignition protection class of the inherent safety are provided in the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Benz, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Publication number: 20160320498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiometric measuring device for carrying out measurements in an explosion-prone area, which radiometric measuring device requires only little space at the measurement location and can be economically produced. The radiometric measuring device comprises a measuring unit (7) that can be used in the explosion-prone area. Said measuring unit comprises a scintillator (13), which converts radioactive radiation incident on the scintillator into photons, and a semiconductor detector (15), which is connected to the scintillator (13) and can be operated by means of an inherently safe energy supply and metrologically captures photons arising in the scintillator (13) and reaching the semiconductor detector (15), and converts said photons into electrical measurement signals. Explosion protection measures to be associated exclusively with the ignition protection class of the inherent safety are provided in the measuring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Dieter Benz, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 9158007
    Abstract: A scintillation detector, especially one for a radiometric measuring device for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level of a fill substance located in a container, for covering a predeterminable measuring range as flexibly as possible in shape and length. To this end, the scintillation detector comprises two or more scintillators arranged in series relative to one another for converting thereon falling, radioactive radiation into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillator toward its ends. Arranged between the scintillators are optical coupling elements, which establish light transmitting connections between adjoining pairs of scintillators. Connected at an end of the series is a photoelectric transducer, which converts light occurring in the series into an electrical signal corresponding to a radiation intensity striking the scintillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Publication number: 20150014547
    Abstract: A scintillation detector, especially one for a radiometric measuring device for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level of a fill substance located in a container, for covering a predeterminable measuring range as flexibly as possible in shape and length. To this end, the scintillation detector comprises two or more scintillators arranged in series relative to one another for converting thereon falling, radioactive radiation into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillator toward its ends. Arranged between the scintillators are optical coupling elements, which establish light transmitting connections between adjoining pairs of scintillators. Connected at an end of the series is a photoelectric transducer, which converts light occurring in the series into an electrical signal corresponding to a radiation intensity striking the scintillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Publication number: 20140353507
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the fill level of a medium in a container, comprising: an emitting unit to be monitored in the container and emits radioactive radiation into the container; a first detector unit receives radioactive radiation and forwards measurement data relative to the fill level of the medium to a control/evaluation unit; a second detector unit which receives the radioactive radiation, respectively the secondary radiation, wherein two interfaces for transmission of measurement data to the control/evaluation unit are associated with the second detector unit. Via the first interface measurement data are transmitted. Via the second interface measurement data are transmitted. The control/evaluation unit based on measurement data transmitted by the first detector unit and the second detector unit corrects the fill level of the medium in the container in such a manner that the influence of gas or vapor in the gas, or vapor, space on the measured fill level is at least approximately compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Glaser, Simon Weidenbruch
  • Patent number: 8878136
    Abstract: A radiometric measuring device comprising: a radioactive radiator which sends radioactive radiation through a container; and a detector serving to receive a radiation intensity penetrating through the container, dependent on the physical, measured variable, and to convert such into an electrical output signal. The detector includes a carrier, on which at least one scintillation fiber is wound, which converts radiometric radiation impinging thereon into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillation fiber toward its ends. The detector further includes at least one array of avalanche photodiodes operated in a Geiger mode, which convert light impinging thereon into an electrical signal. The detector also has a measuring device electronics connected to the avalanche photodiodes for producing the electrical output signal, based on the electrical signals of the avalanche photodiodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Robert Schauble
  • Publication number: 20130204550
    Abstract: A method for limit level monitoring with a radiometric limit switch. A detector measures discrete radiation intensities. Statistical distributions of radiation intensities in a state, free of medium, and in a state, covered by medium, are given by two Poisson distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Robert Schäuble
  • Patent number: 8487262
    Abstract: A radiometric for measuring a physical, measured variable of a fill substance located in a container and for outputting a measurement signal, which corresponds to a measured value of the physical, measured variable. The measuring device has available a single line-pair, via which energy supply of the total measuring device occurs, and via which transmission of the measurement signal occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Jochen Politt, Simon Weidenbruch, Mingzehn Jiang
  • Publication number: 20120043466
    Abstract: A radiometric measuring device for measuring a physical, measured variable, especially a fill level or a density, of a fill substance located in a container, and/or for monitoring an exceeding or subceeding of a predetermined limit value for the physical, measured variable, comprising: a radioactive radiator, which, during operation, sends radioactive radiation through the container; and a detector arranged on a side of the container lying opposite the radiator and serving to receive a radiation intensity penetrating through the container, dependent on the physical, measured variable, and to convert such into an electrical output signal. With this measuring device, in an extremely flexibly predeterminable region to be metrologically registered by the detector, a very exact measuring of the radiation intensity can be put into practice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Robert Schauble
  • Publication number: 20100252739
    Abstract: A radiometric for measuring a physical, measured variable of a fill substance located in a container and for outputting a measurement signal, which corresponds to a measured value of the physical, measured variable. The measuring device has available a single line-pair, via which energy supply of the total measuring device occurs, and via which transmission of the measurement signal occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Damm, Jochen Politt, Simon Weidenbruch, Mingzehn Jiang