Patents by Inventor Stefan Ludescher

Stefan Ludescher 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: 12000726
    Abstract: The method according to the invention provides a way to continue gravimetric weighing of bulk material during refilling of a gravimetric metered dispensing unit, and to determine the mass of the refilled bulk material using a refilling container during the filling operation material and so determine the actual mass flow discharged during refilling in real time or on average in order to adjust it to a target mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: K-TRON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Urs Helfenstein, Stefan Ludescher
  • Patent number: 11820602
    Abstract: The vibration feeder has a drive unit comprising a vibration drive, a carrier arrangement comprising a feeding element for the material to be conveyed and a control for the vibration drive, wherein an acceleration sensor is arranged on the drive unit, which when the vibration feeder is operating, detects the actual acceleration of the drive unit, and wherein the control is configured to use the actual acceleration signal of the acceleration sensor for generating a regulating variable for the vibration drive such that the carrier arrangement vibrates essentially within its resonance frequency (fres). This makes it possible, during operation, to detect the acceleration of a drive unit of the vibration feeder and to generate therefrom a regulating variable for a vibration drive such that a carrier arrangement of the vibration feeder vibrates closer to its resonance frequency (fres) or is brought back again to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: K-TRON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Ludescher, Helfenstein Urs
  • Publication number: 20230049805
    Abstract: The vibration feeder has a drive unit (4) comprising a vibration drive (10), a carrier arrangement (5) comprising a feeding element for the material to be conveyed and a control (26) for the vibration drive (10), wherein an acceleration sensor (27) is arranged on the drive unit (10), which when the vibration feeder (25) is operating, detects the actual acceleration of the drive unit (4), and wherein the control (26) is configured to use the actual acceleration signal of the acceleration sensor (26) for generating a regulating variable for the vibration drive (10) such that the carrier arrangement (5) vibrates essentially within its resonance frequency (fres). This makes it possible, during operation, to detect the acceleration of a drive unit (4) of the vibration feeder (25) and to generate therefrom a regulating variable for a vibration drive (10) such that a carrier arrangement (5) of the vibration feeder (25) vibrates closer to its resonance frequency (fres) or is brought back again to the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Ludescher, Helfenstein Urs
  • Publication number: 20210364340
    Abstract: The method according to the invention provides a way to continue gravimetric weighing of bulk material during refilling of a gravimetric metered dispensing unit, and to determine the mass of the refilled bulk material using a refilling container during the filling operation material and so determine the actual mass flow discharged during refilling in real time or on average in order to adjust it to a target mass flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Urs Helfenstein, Stefan Ludescher
  • Patent number: 6702152
    Abstract: A device for the control of dosing of a time dependent mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) for a helical dosing equipment (1) with a weighing machine (9) and a method of operation of such a device. The device includes a modulation detector (31), with which the periodic deviation of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) from a target value can be analyzed. The modulation detector (31) is connected to a speed modulator (32), with which the rotational speed f of the extraction helix (4) can be suitably phase shift modulated according to the curve shape derived by the modulation detector (31), whereby the deviations of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) are reduced to the unavoidable random deviations and the periodic deviation of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) can be eliminated. Both for the analysis of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) and also for the calculation of the modulation function analog or digital integrated electronic components can be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Ludescher
  • Patent number: 6437255
    Abstract: The continuous weighing meter [according to the invention has] having a conveyor belt [(1)] driven by a motor [(3)] and running over a guide roller (4), which is loaded with bulk material via an input funnel [(6)] from a feed arrangement [(9)]. In addition to a first weighing arrangement [(11)], which determines the gross loading of the loaded conveyor belt [(1)], the continuous weighing meter has a second weighing arrangement [(15)], which determines the tare loading of the empty, but possibly dirty and inhomogeneous conveyor belt [(1)]. The weighing distances have the lengths SB [(11)] or ST [(15)] and are separated by a distance L between homologous points. The weighing results are converted to digital form in evaluation [equipments (22, 21)] units and taken to a computer [(25)] which calculates the net loading of the conveyor belt [(1)].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Ludescher
  • Patent number: 5341307
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the actuator in a vibratory weigh feeding system, to adjust the discharge rate. The vibratory weigh feeding system has a material containers an actuator for vibrating the container, weighing apparatus for sensing the weight of the material being discharged and apparatus for estimating the material discharge rate. A plurality of drive command values are established. A respective predicted discharge rate and a respective reliability factor are associated with each respective drive command value. The current discharge rate is estimated. A setpoint value is selected. A drive command value associated with the predicted discharge rate that is substantially equal to the setpoint discharge rate is selected. The selected drive command value is reduced according to the two respective reliability factors associated with the two predicted discharge rates closest to the setpoint. This forms a reduced drive command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Myhre, Stefan Ludescher