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).

  • Patent number: 11255714
    Abstract: 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 least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Tobias Brengartner, Benjamin Mack, Peter Klofer
  • Patent number: 10768035
    Abstract: A radar fill-level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container using the travel time principle, comprising a circuit board with a sending/receiving system for sending and receiving high-frequency radar waves, wherein the circuit board has at least two openings, a hollow conductor having at least two lateral edge projections, wherein lengths of the at least two projections are greater than the thickness of the circuit board, wherein the at least two projections are led through the at least two openings, so that the at least two projections extend partially out from a second side of the circuit board, a lid, which is secured to parts of the at least two projections, which extend out from the second side of the circuit board, such that the hollow conductor is secured to the circuit board by means of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Christian Seiler, Thomas Blodt, Jorg Fuglistaller
  • Patent number: 10422683
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the fill level of a fill substance in a container, comprising at least one antenna element. The at least one antenna element has a hollow conductor, wherein there is arranged at a first end region of the hollow conductor a coupling element for the out-coupling of transmission signals and for the in-coupling of received signals, wherein there is arranged at a second end region of the hollow conductor a radiating element directed toward the fill substance, a transmitting/receiving unit having a signal generator for producing the transmission signals. The transmitting/receiving unit determines the fill level of the fill substance in the container based on the travel time of the transmission- and received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Winfried Mayer, Christian Seiler
  • Patent number: 10345350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting high-frequency signals (22), comprising method steps as follows: dividing a high-frequency signal (22) into a raw signal (3) and a reference signal (4), attenuating the raw signal (3) into an attenuated signal (9), wherein the attenuating happens as a function of frequency of the raw signal (3) in accordance with an attenuation characteristic, rectifying the attenuated signal (9), so that a first direct voltage (15) is generated, rectifying the reference signal (4), so that a second direct voltage (16) is generated, ascertaining an attenuation from the ratio of the first and second direct voltages (15, 16), wherein the ratio corresponds to an attenuation factor for the attenuation of the raw signal (3), determining the frequency of the high-frequency signal (22) from the attenuation factor and an attenuation characteristic (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Timo Schwall
  • Patent number: 10224597
    Abstract: Antenna arrangement for a fill-level measuring device for ascertaining and monitoring a fill level of a medium in a container by means of a microwave, travel-time measurement method, comprising a horn antenna having a horn shaped component for focusing microwaves and a microwave transmissive, process isolating element, which is provided in the region of the exit opening of the horn shaped component facing the medium and which isolates the interior of the horn shaped component from the interior of the container. There is provided for additional focusing of the microwaves a lengthening component, which lengthens the horn shaped component in the radiated direction of the microwaves. The process isolating element is embodied and arranged in such a manner that it isolates the horn shaped component and the lengthening component galvanically from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Patent number: 10168197
    Abstract: A fill-level measuring device working according to the pulse radar principle for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container, comprising: a transmission system a pulse producing system, which, comprises, in each case, at least two measurements, for each measurement, produces a transmission signal composed of at least one microwave pulse periodically following one another, of center frequency predetermined for the particular measurement. The center frequencies of the transmission signals of at least two of the measurement are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Publication number: 20180224318
    Abstract: 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 least
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Tobias Brentgartner, Benjamin Mack, Peter Klofer
  • Publication number: 20180216984
    Abstract: A radar fill-level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container using the travel time principle, comprising a circuit board with a sending/receiving system for sending and receiving high-frequency radar waves, wherein the circuit board has at least two openings, a hollow conductor having at least two lateral edge projections, wherein lengths of the at least two projections are greater than the thickness of the circuit board, wherein the at least two projections are led through the at least two openings, so that the at least two projections extend partially out from a second side of the circuit board, a lid, which is secured to parts of the at least two projections, which extend out from the second side of the circuit board, such that the hollow conductor is secured to the circuit board by means of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Christian Seiler, Thomas Blodt, Jorg Fuglistaller
  • Patent number: 10001398
    Abstract: A fill-level measuring device for determining the fill level of a process medium in a container by means of a travel-time method. The fill-level measuring device is distinguished by features including that the fill-level measuring device has structure for determining the dielectric constant of a second medium, which is located between the measuring device and the process medium. The structure for determining the dielectric constant comprises at least one waveguide for a high-frequency measuring signal, wherein such waveguide is filled at least sectionally with a dielectric and embodied and arrangeable in such a manner that the dielectric forms with the second medium an interface, at which a significant fraction of the measuring signal supplied to the second medium via the waveguide is reflected. Furthermore, an apparatus for determining the dielectric constant and a system of such an apparatus and a fill-level measuring device are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Peter Klofer
  • Publication number: 20180156849
    Abstract: A method for detecting high-frequency signals, comprising: dividing a high-frequency signal into a raw signal and a reference signal; attenuating the raw signal into an attenuated signal, wherein the attenuating happens as a function of frequency of the raw signal in accordance with an attenuation characteristic; rectifying the attenuated signal, so that a first direct voltage is generated; rectifying the reference signal, so that a second direct voltage is generated; ascertaining an attenuation from the ratio of the first and second direct voltages, wherein the ratio corresponds to an attenuation factor for the attenuation of the raw signal; and determining the frequency of the high-frequency signal from the attenuation factor and an attenuation characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Timo Schwall
  • Patent number: 9882545
    Abstract: A method for optimizing impedance of a connecting element between a first component and a second component of a high-frequency apparatus. The first component and the second component have at least two level states, wherein the connecting element has an input impedance and an output impedance. The first component has respective impedances in each of the at least two level states, wherein the second component has respective impedances in each of the at least two level states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Patent number: 9851235
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container or pipeline, including a resonator, which is in contact with an interior of the container or the pipeline, an active element for producing a high-frequency signal in the resonator and an electronics unit, which is embodied to receive from a unit formed of the resonator and the active element an electrical output signal. The electrical output signal is evaluated with reference to frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Patent number: 9812781
    Abstract: Antenna apparatus for transmitting data of a fill-level measuring device, comprising at least two coil arrangements (i=1, 2 . . . n). The coil arrangements i=1, 2 . . . n have a coil length (li) and a coil diameter (di), wherein the coil diameter (di) is less than the associated coil length (li). The coil arrangements (i=1, 2 . . . n) each intersect a straight line (e) in such a way that the straight line (e) and the longitudinal axis of the coil arrangements (i=1, 2 . . . n) form at the intersection an acute or 90° angle of intersection (g) of at least 85°, wherein the intersection of each coil arrangement (i=1, 2 . . . n) is arranged at a position between 3 7 ? l i ? ? and ? ? 4 7 ? l i , wherein the at least two coil arrangements (i=1, 2 . . . n) are arranged along this line (e) in a sequence, in the case of which the coil lengths li of the coil arrangements (i=1, 2 . . . n) monotonically decrease l1>l2> . . . ln. The at least two coil arrangements (i=1, 2 . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Patent number: 9801268
    Abstract: A circuit board comprising a circuit board ply, on which are provided a high-frequency component emitting electromagnetic interference waves during operation and at least one other component, especially another high-frequency component, wherein during operation an as low as possible degrading of the other component by interference waves is achieved. There is provided between the high-frequency component and the other component at least one dielectric barrier, which blocks propagation of high-frequency electromagnetic waves between the high-frequency component and the other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Patent number: 9752903
    Abstract: A housing for a field device of automation technology with a screwed connection, which connects a first housing part with an external thread with a second housing part with an internal thread. The screwed connection provides a transition impedance lessened for EMC disturbance signals. The reduction of the transition impedance is achieved by including in the screw thread a screw thread segment, in which a second screw thread type is designed in contrast to a first screw thread type located outside of the screw thread segment to provide a lessened transition impedance. Besides the basic provision that the screw thread is electrically conductive at least in corresponding portions, the second screw thread type can be differently embodied, in order to achieve the lessened transition impedance. This can occur, on the one hand, by providing the second screw thread type as round threads. However, other forms of embodiment of the screw thread segment are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Ingenhoven, Thomas Blodt
  • Publication number: 20170241826
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the fill level of a fill substance in a container, comprising at least one antenna element. The at least one antenna element has a hollow conductor, wherein there is arranged at a first end region of the hollow conductor a coupling element for the out-coupling of transmission signals and for the in-coupling of received signals, wherein there is arranged at a second end region of the hollow conductor a radiating element directed toward the fill substance, a transmitting/receiving unit having a signal generator for producing the transmission signals. The transmitting/receiving unit determines the fill level of the fill substance in the container based on the travel time of the transmission- and received signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Winfried Mayer, Christian Seiler
  • Publication number: 20160265959
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining or monitoring the fill level or a predetermined limit level of a medium in a container, comprising a self excited system comprising an oscillation producing unit for producing electromagnetic waves within a predetermined frequency band; at least one sensor having an electrode, wherein the sensor is arranged at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the electrode is supplied with the electromagnetic waves, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged relative to the medium in such a manner that the phase of the electromagnetic waves reflected at the interface of the medium changes under the influence of the medium; and a feedback loop, which feeds the electromagnetic waves back to the at least one sensor, whereby the frequency of the self excited system is determined, a frequency detector, which registers the frequency of the electromagnetic waves, and an evaluation unit, which based on the registered frequency ascertains the relative dielectric con
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Peter Klofer
  • Patent number: 9413053
    Abstract: A galvanically isolated, directional coupler, especially for in- and out-coupling of high-frequency measurement signals of a radar fill-level measuring device, wherein two mutually engaging, oppositely bent, conductive traces are provided, wherein the two oppositely bent, conductive traces are so arranged that that they couple with one another over a region of a quarter wavelength (?/4) of the wavelength associated with the center frequency of the measuring signals and form two groups of laterally coupled, conductive traces, and wherein curved conductive trace portions adjoin each of the two groups of laterally coupled, conductive traces, in each case, over a region, which is less than an eighth wavelength (?/8) of the wavelength associated with the center frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Publication number: 20160218692
    Abstract: A method for optimizing impedance of a connecting element between a first component and a second component of a high-frequency apparatus. The first component and the second component have at least two level states, wherein the connecting element has an input impedance and an output impedance. The first component has respective impedances in each of the at least two level states, wherein the second component has respective impedances in each of the at least two level states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Publication number: 20160183397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing for a field device of automation technology with a screwed connection, which connects a first housing part (2) with an external thread (3) with a second housing part (4) with an internal thread (5). In such case, the screwed connection provides a transition impedance lessened for EMC disturbance signals. The reduction of the transition impedance is achieved according to the invention by including in the screw thread a screw thread segment (6), in which a second screw thread type is designed in contrast to a first screw thread type located outside of the screw thread segment to provide a lessened transition impedance. Besides the basic provision that the screw thread is electrically conductive at least in corresponding portions, the second screw thread type can be differently embodied, in order to achieve the lessened transition impedance. This can occur, on the one hand, by providing the second screw thread type as round threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin Ingenhoven, Thomas Blodt