Patents by Inventor Thomas Blodt
Thomas Blodt 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: 12241853Abstract: A high-frequency-based measuring device for determining a dielectric constant of a medium comprises a signal-generating unit for coupling an electrical high-frequency signal into a transmitting electrode located in the medium, the transmitting electrode having a depth of at most one quarter of the wavelength of the high-frequency signal; a receiving electrode likewise located in the medium and located a distance from the transmitting electrode of at most one quarter of the wavelength of the high-frequency signal, for receiving the high-frequency signal after the same has passed through the medium; and an evaluation unit designed to determine the dielectric constant on the basis of the received high-frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Thomas Blödt, Pablo Ottersbach
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Patent number: 12136769Abstract: An antenna unit for transmitting and receiving high frequency signals includes a substrate that is optionally encapsulable with a potting compound having a defined dielectric value. Arranged on the substrate are two planar antennas each tuned for the high frequency signal. The planar antennas are designed such that the values of the real parts of the impedances of the planar antennas differ by the square root of the dielectric value of the potting compound. By providing two antennas, wherein one thereof is impedance-matched to a possible potting compound encapsulation, the antenna unit is able to function independently of a possible potting compound encapsulation. Electronic modules which comprise the antenna unit for wireless communication can be implemented according to the platform principle in devices that require a potting compound encapsulation and also in devices that are not encapsulated.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventor: Thomas Blödt
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Patent number: 12000786Abstract: Disclosed is a measuring device for measuring a dielectric constant of filling material in a container. The measuring device includes: a signal generating unit designed to drive a transmitter electrode with an AC voltage such that the transmitter electrode emits a radar signal in the direction of the filling material; a receiver electrode arrangeable in the container to receive the radar signal following passage through the filling material; and an evaluation unit configured to ascertain an amplitude, a phase shift, and/or a signal propagation time between transmitter electrode and receiver electrode on the basis of the received radar signal and to determine the dielectric constant on the basis of the ascertained signal propagation time, phase shift, and/or the amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Thomas Blödt, Stefan Pflüger
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Patent number: 12000787Abstract: A measuring device for determining the dielectric value of a medium in a phase-based manner comprises a measurement section which can be brought into contact with the medium, a signal generation unit for injecting a high-frequency signal at a defined frequency into the measurement section, and an evaluation unit designed to receive a corresponding reception signal after said high-frequency signal passes through the measurement section, to determine a phase shift between the high-frequency signal and the reception signal, and to determine the dielectric value of the medium on the basis of the determined phase shift. The measuring device also comprises at least one filter which transmits the frequency of the high-frequency signal and is arranged such that the received reception signal and/or the generated high-frequency signal is/are filtered. This ensures that the determined dielectric value is not distorted by noise caused by components or the environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventor: Thomas Blödt
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Patent number: 11796375Abstract: A radar-based fill-level measuring device, comprises the following parts: a semiconductor component for producing electrical high-frequency signals or for determining the fill-level value from the received high-frequency signals; a dielectric waveguide placed in contact with the semiconductor component to couple the high-frequency signals as radar signals into an antenna and/or to couple received radar signals from the antenna as electrical signals into the semiconductor component; a potting encapsulation, which encapsulates at least the waveguide radially such that a defined cavity is formed between the waveguide and the potting encapsulation.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Mayer Winfried, Klaus Feißt, Qi Chen, Ralf Reimelt, Thomas Blödt
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Patent number: 11774477Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for determining the dielectric value of a medium. The measuring device is based on two waveguides, each of which has a signal gate on one end. The waveguides are, in such case, so arranged that the signal gates lie opposite one another. Formed therebetween is a sample space for the medium, such that a high frequency signal, which is in-coupled into the first waveguide, is transmitted into the second waveguide via the second signal gate after passage through the medium. Since the transmitted fraction and the reflected fraction of the high frequency signal depend strongly on the dielectric value, such can, as a result, be measured with a high sensitivity and, depending on choice of the frequency band and dimensioning of the waveguides, over a large value range.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventor: Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20230304955Abstract: A high-frequency-based measuring device for determining a temperature-compensated dielectric constant of a medium includes a measuring probe having an electrically conductive inner conductor and an outer conductor. The inner conductor is rod-like along an axis. The inner wall of the outer conductor is symmetrical about the axis of the inner conductor and expands along the axis toward the medium. The measuring device includes a temperature sensor located in a first end region of the inner conductor, toward which end region the inner wall of the outer conductor expands. One of the temperature sensor terminals is at the potential of the inner conductor. The temperature of the medium is measured directly, without impairment of the high-frequency-based measurement of the dielectric constant. A highly accurate measurement of the dielectric constant and highly accurate temperature compensation are thereby made possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2021Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Pablo Ottersbach, Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20230266262Abstract: A high-frequency-based measuring device for determining a dielectric constant of a medium comprises a signal-generating unit for coupling an electrical high-frequency signal into a transmitting electrode located in the medium, the transmitting electrode having a depth of at most one quarter of the wavelength of the high-frequency signal; a receiving electrode likewise located in the medium and located a distance from the transmitting electrode of at most one quarter of the wavelength of the high-frequency signal, for receiving the high-frequency signal after the same has passed through the medium; and an evaluation unit designed to determine the dielectric constant on the basis of the received high-frequency signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2021Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Thomas Blödt, Pablo Ottersbach
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Patent number: 11699857Abstract: A device for transferring signals using electromagnetic waves of a certain wavelength and based on a housing formed at least partially of metal for use in an explosion endangered area includes the housing; a transmitting/receiving unit for producing and/or receiving the electromagnetic waves; at least one primary antenna for out-coupling and/or in-coupling of the electromagnetic waves; at least one slot-shaped housing opening; and a formed part, which is made of a material having a dielectric number significantly greater than one and which extends to a predetermined maximum depth into the housing opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Thomas Blödt, Harald Schäuble, Dirk Lill, Andreas Kaiser, Fabian Bänninger
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Publication number: 20230003667Abstract: A measuring device for determining the dielectric value of a medium in a phase-based manner comprises a measurement section which can be brought into contact with the medium, a signal generation unit for injecting a high-frequency signal at a defined frequency into the measurement section, and an evaluation unit designed to receive a corresponding reception signal after said high-frequency signal passes through the measurement section, to determine a phase shift between the high-frequency signal and the reception signal, and to determine the dielectric value of the medium on the basis of the determined phase shift. The measuring device also comprises at least one filter which transmits the frequency of the high-frequency signal and is arranged such that the received reception signal and/or the generated high-frequency signal is/are filtered. This ensures that the determined dielectric value is not distorted by noise caused by components or the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventor: Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20220381703Abstract: A measuring device for determining the dielectric value of a medium has at least the following components: a measuring sensor with at least one first electrically conductive electrode and a high-frequency unit which is designed to couple a high-frequency signal at least into the first electrode and determine the dielectric value of the medium using a corresponding reflection signal. The measuring device is characterized in that the first electrode is wound on a measuring rod which can be brought into contact with the medium. By winding the electrode, the measuring sensor can be advantageously configured to be significantly shorter without limiting the sensitivity of the measuring device. In this manner, the measuring device can also be used in the event of constricted installation conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Thomas Blödt, Olaf Textor
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Publication number: 20220283210Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for determining the dielectric value of a medium. The measuring device is based on two waveguides, each of which has a signal gate on one end. The waveguides are, in such case, so arranged that the signal gates lie opposite one another. Formed therebetween is a sample space for the medium, such that a high frequency signal, which is in-coupled into the first waveguide, is transmitted into the second waveguide via the second signal gate after passage through the medium. Since the transmitted fraction and the reflected fraction of the high frequency signal depend strongly on the dielectric value, such can, as a result, be measured with a high sensitivity and, depending on choice of the frequency band and dimensioning of the waveguides, over a large value range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventor: Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20220278467Abstract: An antenna unit for transmitting and receiving high frequency signals includes a substrate that is optionally encapsulable with a potting compound having a defined dielectric value. Arranged on the substrate are two planar antennas each tuned for the high frequency signal. The planar antennas are designed such that the values of the real parts of the impedances of the planar antennas differ by the square root of the dielectric value of the potting compound. By providing two antennas, wherein one thereof is impedance-matched to a possible potting compound encapsulation, the antenna unit is able to function independently of a possible potting compound encapsulation. Electronic modules which comprise the antenna unit for wireless communication can be implemented according to the platform principle in devices that require a potting compound encapsulation and also in devices that are not encapsulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2020Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventor: Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20220200155Abstract: A device for transferring signals using electromagnetic waves of a certain wavelength and based on a housing formed at least partially of metal for use in an explosion endangered area includes the housing; a transmitting/receiving unit for producing and/or receiving the electromagnetic waves; at least one primary antenna for out-coupling and/or in-coupling of the electromagnetic waves; at least one slot-shaped housing opening; and a formed part, which is made of a material having a dielectric number significantly greater than one and which extends to a predetermined maximum depth into the housing opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Thomas Blödt, Harald Schäuble, Dirk Lill, Andreas Kaiser, Fabian Bänninger
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Publication number: 20220128486Abstract: Disclosed is a measuring device and a method for measuring a dielectric value of a fill substance. The measuring device includes a signal production unit for driving a transmitting unit to transmit a radar signal toward the fill substance; a receiving unit for receiving of the radar signal; and an evaluation unit to ascertain an amplitude of the received signal, a phase shift, and/or a signal travel time of the radar signal. Based on the signal travel time, the phase shift, and/or the ascertained amplitude, the dielectric value can be determined. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit comprise at least two radiating elements arranged relative to one another in a corresponding number of rows. Because of a per row increasing phase delay, the measuring range over which the dielectric value can be determined is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventor: Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20220082513Abstract: Disclosed is to a measuring device for determining a dielectric value of a fill substance, as well as to a method for its operation. The underpinning idea is based on transmitting a high frequency signal as radar signal in the direction of the fill substance, and receiving the radar signal after passage through the fill substance. A phase detector of the receiving unit of the measuring device produces a first evaluation signal, which changes proportionally to a phase difference between the received radar signal and the produced high frequency signal. An evaluation circuit of the receiving unit determines based on the first evaluation signal at least a real part of the dielectric value. Advantageous in the case of such dielectric value determination is that the measuring device can be applied without having first to be calibrated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventor: Thomas Blödt
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Patent number: 11255714Abstract: An Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container, comprising: a mechanically oscillatable unit a driving/receiving unit for exciting the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations by means of an electrical, exciting signal and for receiving and transducing the mechanical oscillations into an electrical, received signal a control unit, which is embodied to produce the exciter signal starting from the received signal and to set a predeterminable phase shift between the exciter signal and the received signal, an electromagnetically oscillatable unit, an active element for producing and/or maintaining electromagnetic oscillations in the electromagnetically oscillatable unit, which active element forms together with the electromagnetically oscillatable unit an oscillator, a coupling unit, which is embodied to tap an output signal from the active element, and an evaluation unit, which evaluation unit is embodied to determine the at leastType: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KGInventors: Thomas Blodt, Tobias Brengartner, Benjamin Mack, Peter Klofer
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Publication number: 20220049984Abstract: A radar-based fill-level measuring device, comprises the following parts: a semiconductor component for producing electrical high-frequency signals or for determining the fill-level value from the received high-frequency signals; a dielectric waveguide placed in contact with the semiconductor component to couple the high-frequency signals as radar signals into an antenna and/or to couple received radar signals from the antenna as electrical signals into the semiconductor component; a potting encapsulation, which encapsulates at least the waveguide radially such that a defined cavity is formed between the waveguide and the potting encapsulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Mayer Winfried, Klaus Feißt, Qi Chen, Ralf Reimelt, Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20220037760Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring signals from an at least partially metallic housing with the aid of electromagnetic waves of a particular wavelength, comprising: a transmitter/receiver unit located in the housing for generating and receiving the electromagnetic waves; at least one primary antenna located in the housing for coupling out the generated electromagnetic waves from the transmitter/receiver unit and for coupling in and transferring received electromagnetic waves to the transmitter/receiver unit; at least one slot-shaped housing opening designed such that a length of the slot-shaped housing opening is an integer multiple of a quarter of the particular wavelength, preferably an integer multiple of a half of the particular wavelength, such that the slot-shaped housing opening, in cooperation with the primary antenna, transfers the signals with the aid of the electromagnetic waves into or out of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Harald Schäuble, Thomas Blödt
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Publication number: 20220026257Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container. The method includes: transmitting a first signal toward the fill substance; receiving a first received signal after reflection of the first signal in the container; transmitting a second signal toward the fill substance, wherein the second signal has at least one defined property deviating from the first signal; receiving a second received signal after reflection of the second signal in the container; ascertaining a first fill level value based on the first received signal and a second fill level value based on the second received signal; and determining the first fill level value or the second fill level value as fill level when the first fill level value and the second fill level value agree. In this way, the fill level is determined in redundant manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2019Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Manuel Sautermeister, Daniel Müller, Eric Birgel, Thomas Blödt, Klaus Pankratz, Dirk Dohse