Patents by Inventor Sorin Fericean
Sorin Fericean 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: 10598777Abstract: A proximity sensor for measuring the distance from a target contains a microwave oscillator providing a transmission wave output signal emitted toward the target as a free space transmission wave which is reflected by an electrically conductive target surface as a free space reflection wave received by the proximity sensor as a reflection wave. The distance is determined from the transmission wave and the reflection wave. The transmission wave is guided in a waveguide transmission path as a waveguide transmission wave. The transmission wave is coupled into the waveguide with a wave mode leading to the detachment of the waveguide transmission wave at the waveguide front end aperture into the free space transmission wave and to the propagation of the free space transmission wave to the target. At least one reception path is electromagnetically decoupled from the transmission path and guides the reflection wave as a waveguide reflection wave.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Mark Eberspaecher, Sorin Fericean
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Patent number: 10534077Abstract: A proximity sensor measures the distance of a target and a method operates the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor emits a transmission signal as a free-field transmission wave, which is reflected at the target and as a free-field reflection signal is received by the proximity sensor as a reflection signal, wherein the determining of the distance is provided from the phasing of the reflection signal in relation to the phasing of the transmission signal. The proximity sensor shifts the phasing of the transmission signal chronologically.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Mark Eberspaecher
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Patent number: 10132922Abstract: A proximity sensor for measuring the distance from an object contains a microwave oscillator providing, as an output signal, a transmission wave emitted toward the object as a free space transmission wave reflected by the object, the object being electrically conductive or having at least one electrically conductive surface, as a free space reflection wave and is received by the proximity sensor as a reflection wave. The reflection coefficient is determined from the transmission and reflection waves and is provided by the proximity sensor as a measure of the distance. The transmission wave is guided in a waveguide as a waveguide transmission wave and is injected into the waveguide with a wave mode which results in the waveguide transmission wave being separated at the aperture at the front end of the waveguide into the free space transmission wave and in the free space transmission wave propagating to the object.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Mark Eberspaecher
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Publication number: 20180045820Abstract: A proximity sensor measures the distance of a target and a method operates the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor emits a transmission signal as a free-field transmission wave, which is reflected at the target and as a free-field reflection signal is received by the proximity sensor as a reflection signal, wherein the determining of the distance is provided from the phasing of the reflection signal in relation to the phasing of the transmission signal. The proximity sensor shifts the phasing of the transmission signal chronologically.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2015Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin FERICEAN, Mark EBERSPAECHER
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Publication number: 20170363730Abstract: A proximity sensor for measuring the distance from a target contains a microwave oscillator providing a transmission wave output signal emitted toward the target as a free space transmission wave which is reflected by an electrically conductive target surface as a free space reflection wave received by the proximity sensor as a reflection wave. The distance is determined from the transmission wave and the reflection wave. The transmission wave is guided in a waveguide transmission path as a waveguide transmission wave. The transmission wave is coupled into the waveguide with a wave mode leading to the detachment of the waveguide transmission wave at the waveguide front end aperture into the free space transmission wave and to the propagation of the free space transmission wave to the target. At least one reception path is electromagnetically decoupled from the transmission path and guides the reflection wave as a waveguide reflection wave.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: Balluff GmbHInventors: Mark EBERSPAECHER, Sorin FERICEAN
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Patent number: 9494678Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a distance sensor (10). In the method, a transmission signal (S1) is radiated as transmission radiation (S2), reflected as reflection radiation (S3) by an object (16), the distance (D) of which is to be measured, and received as a reflection signal (S4). The reflection signal (S4) present at a receiver input (28) and a reference signal likewise occurring at the receiver input (28) are controlled to a specified ratio, the distance (D) being determined during the adjusting process. The invention further relates to devices for performing the method. The method is characterized in that microwaves are used as the transmission radiation (S2) and a cross-talk signal (S5, S6) from the transmission signal (S1) directly to the receiver input (28) with suppressed radiation of the transmission signal (S1) is used as the reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Martin Osterfeld
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Patent number: 9389310Abstract: A method for operation of a distance sensor emits a transmission signal as transmission radiation, reflected by an object, the distance of which is to be measured, as reflection radiation, and received as a reflection signal. The reflection signal and a reference signal that occur at a receiver input are regulated to a predetermined ratio. The distance is determined during the regulation process. An auxiliary transmission antenna emits an auxiliary transmission signal as auxiliary measurement radiation, directly toward a reception antenna. Microwaves are used as the transmission and auxiliary transmission signals. The reception antenna receives the reflection radiation reflected by the object and passes it on to the receiver input as a reflection signal. The reception antenna receives the auxiliary measurement radiation directly and passes it on to the receiver input as an auxiliary reception signal which is evaluated as a reference signal when measurement radiation emission is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Martin Osterfeld, Sorin Fericean
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Publication number: 20160124083Abstract: A proximity sensor for measuring the distance from an object contains a microwave oscillator which provides, as an output signal, a transmission wave which is emitted by the proximity sensor in the direction of the object as a free space transmission wave which is reflected by the object, which is electrically conductive or has at least one electrically conductive surface, as a free space reflection wave and is received by the proximity sensor as a reflection wave. The reflection coefficient is determined from the transmission wave and the reflection wave and is provided by the proximity sensor as a measure of the distance. The transmission wave is guided in a waveguide as a waveguide transmission wave, the transmission wave is injected into the waveguide with a wave mode which results in the waveguide transmission wave being separated at the aperture at the front end of the waveguide into the free space transmission wave and in the free space transmission wave propagating to the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin FERICEAN, Mark EBERSPAECHER
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Patent number: 9175700Abstract: A method for detecting the position of a piston of a piston cylinder is provided. A microwave transmit signal is emitted in the direction of the piston and microwaves reflected from the piston are detected. The transmit signal is a modulated signal with a base frequency sinusoidally modulated at a modulation frequency. An evaluation of the phase between transmit signals and receive signals is performed. A phase determination at the baseband and a simultaneous phase determination at at least one sideband are also performed. The phase determination at the baseband is used for fine determination of the piston position and the phase determination at the at least one sideband is used for coarse determination of the piston position. Bandpass filtering on receive signals and evaluation transmit signals is performed with respect to the base frequency or an intermediate frequency. Bandpass filtering is performed with respect to the modulation frequency.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: BALLUFF GmbHInventors: Josef Buechler, Sorin Fericean, Albert Dorneich, Markus Fritton
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Publication number: 20150204740Abstract: A device for detecting a twist angle (dw) and/or a torque (Md) of a shaft (10) occurring on the shaft (10) and methods for operating the device are proposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin FERICEAN, Andrea HILLER-BROD, Reinhard DROXLER, Markus FRITTON, Daniel KRAETER
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Patent number: 9026378Abstract: A device for detecting a twist angle and/or a torque of a shaft occurring on the shaft and methods for operating the device uses at least one first encoder and at least one second encoder at a predefined spacing therefrom. Each encoder influences at least one coil parameter, is associated with at least a part of the circumference of the shaft, and has at least one track having at least one period per revolution of the shaft. At least first and second inductive sensors scan the first and second encoders, respectively. Each inductive sensor provides a respective sensor signal reflecting at least one measure for the rotational angle of the shaft within the period, and a difference ascertainment unit ascertains and provides the twist angle of the shaft as an angle difference of the two rotational angles detected by the inductive sensors.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Andrea Hiller-Brod, Reinhard Droxler, Markus Fritton, Daniel Kraeter
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Publication number: 20150048969Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a distance sensor (10). In the method, a transmission signal (S1) is radiated as transmission radiation (S2), reflected as reflection radiation (S3) by an object (16), the distance (D) of which is to be measured, and received as a reflection signal (S4). The reflection signal (S4) present at a receiver input (28) and a reference signal likewise occurring at the receiver input (28) are controlled to a specified ratio, the distance (D) being determined during the adjusting process. The invention further relates to devices for performing the method. The method is characterized in that microwaves are used as the transmission radiation (S2) and a cross-talk signal (S5, S6) from the transmission signal (S1) directly to the receiver input (28) with suppressed radiation of the transmission signal (S1) is used as the reference signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: BALLUFF GMBHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Martin Osterfeld
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Publication number: 20140240168Abstract: A method for operation of a distance sensor emits a transmission signal as transmission radiation, reflected by an object, the distance of which is to be measured, as reflection radiation, and received as a reflection signal. The reflection signal and a reference signal that occur at a receiver input are regulated to a predetermined ratio. The distance is determined during the regulation process. An auxiliary transmission antenna emits an auxiliary transmission signal as auxiliary measurement radiation, directly toward a reception antenna. Microwaves are used as the transmission and auxiliary transmission signals. The reception antenna receives the reflection radiation reflected by the object and passes it on to the receiver input as a reflection signal. The reception antenna receives the auxiliary measurement radiation directly and passes it on to the receiver input as an auxiliary reception signal which is evaluated as a reference signal when measurement radiation emission is suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Balluff GmbHInventors: Martin Osterfeld, Sorin Fericean
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Patent number: 8660806Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic component for a sensor apparatus comprising a first terminal device for connecting a sensitive device which is influenceable by a target, a second terminal device for the external communication, and a control device and/or an evaluation device which provides output signals, wherein the component is programmable via the second terminal device, characterized by a first programming level in which parameters for the setup of the sensor apparatus are adjustable and a second programming level in which a characteristic curve of the sensor apparatus is adjustable, wherein the first programming level is hierarchically superordinate to the second programming level and adjustments and/or possibilities of adjustment in the second programming level are a function of adjustments in the first programming level.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Frank Kruepl, Markus Fritton, Thomas Reider
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Publication number: 20120316828Abstract: A method for detecting the position of a piston of a piston cylinder is provided. A microwave transmit signal is emitted in the direction of the piston and microwaves reflected from the piston are detected. The transmit signal comprises a modulated signal with a base frequency sinusoidally modulated at a modulation frequency. An evaluation of the phase between transmit signals and receive signals is performed. A phase determination at the baseband and a simultaneous phase determination at at least one sideband are also performed. The phase determination at the baseband is used for fine determination of the piston position and the phase determination at the at least one sideband is used for coarse determination of the piston position. Bandpass filtering on receive signals and evaluation transmit signals is performed with respect to the base frequency or an intermediate frequency. Bandpass filtering is performed with respect to the modulation frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: BALLUFF GmbHInventors: Josef Buechler, Sorin Fericean, Albert Dorneich, Markus Fritton
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Publication number: 20120041691Abstract: A device for detecting a twist angle and/or a torque of a shaft occurring on the shaft and methods for operating the device uses at least one first encoder and at least one second encoder at a predefined spacing therefrom. Each encoder influences at least one coil parameter, is associated with at least a part of the circumference of the shaft, and has at least one track having at least one period per revolution of the shaft. At least first and second inductive sensors scan the first and second encoders, respectively. Each inductive sensor provides a respective sensor signal reflecting at least one measure for the rotational angle of the shaft within the period, and a difference ascertainment unit ascertains and provides the twist angle of the shaft as an angle difference of the two rotational angles detected by the inductive sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: Balluff GmbHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Andrea Hiller-Brod, Reinhard Droxler, Markus Fritton, Daniel Kraeter
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Publication number: 20110238339Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic component for a sensor apparatus comprising a first terminal device for connecting a sensitive device which is influenceable by a target, a second terminal device for the external communication, and a control device and/or an evaluation device which provides output signals, wherein the component is programmable via the second terminal device, characterized by a first programming level in which parameters for the setup of the sensor apparatus are adjustable and a second programming level in which a characteristic curve of the sensor apparatus is adjustable, wherein the first programming level is hierarchically superordinate to the second programming level and adjustments and/or possibilities of adjustment in the second programming level are a function of adjustments in the first programming level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: BALLUFF GmbHInventors: Sorin Fericean, Frank Kruepl, Markus Fritton, Thomas Reider
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Patent number: 7515090Abstract: A high-frequency position/path sensor for detecting the approach of an object, with a detection range in a near field, which comprises a high-frequency transmitter and a high-frequency receiver, is proposed. The high-frequency transmitter and the high-frequency receiver are arranged and configured such that a main transmitting direction and a main receiving direction lie at an angle to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: BALLUFF GmbHInventors: Manfred Jagiella, Sorin Fericean
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Publication number: 20070227276Abstract: A sensor device for the examination of the surfaces of a work piece, in particular with regard to burrs, is provided. The device comprises a plurality of coils, a detector head having at least one sensor element in the form of a coil and an evaluating device for the sensor signals. The detector head is adapted to be coupled electromagnetically to a work piece and/or the work piece is adapted to be irradiated by an electromagnetic signal from the detector head.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: BALLUFF GmbHInventors: Manfred Jagiella, Sorin Fericean
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Patent number: 7243553Abstract: A sensor device for examining the surfaces of a work piece, in particular in regard to burrs, is provided wherein said device comprises a probe shaft having a detector head with at least one inductive element, wherein said at least one inductive element couples inductively to the work piece, and wherein the at least one inductive element is constructed and arranged in such a manner that, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the probe shaft, the detector head has a field of view surrounding the probe shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Manfred Jagiella, Sorin Fericean