Patents by Inventor Thomas Sulzer
Thomas Sulzer 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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Publication number: 20240110819Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring device including a measuring pipe for conducting a flowable medium. The measuring pipe has an inner lateral surface is designed to be, at least in portions, electrically insulating, and at least one monitoring electrode. The at least one monitoring electrode is arranged on the electrically insulating portion of the inner lateral surface in a medium-contacting manner. The measuring device also includes a measuring apparatus for determining a process property of the medium, and an abrasion detection device which is designed to determine at least one variable corresponding to an abrasion of on the at least one monitoring electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2021Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser, Werner Wohlgemuth, Lars Dreher
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Patent number: 11781891Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter includes a measuring tube for conveying a medium, a magnetic field generating coil and at least two measuring electrodes for sensing a measurement voltage inductively generated in the medium, including a conductive coating internally selectively applied in the measuring tube for forming a galvanic contacting of the medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Sulzer, Simon Mariager, Simon Triebenbacher, Michael Fuchs
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Publication number: 20230296419Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process automation field device, comprising: a container for receiving and/or conducting a medium, the container having an outer surface; a measuring apparatus for determining a process variable of the medium; electronic components for operating the measuring apparatus; and a housing including a housing body, wherein: the measuring apparatus and the electronic components are disposed in the housing; the housing body is disposed on the outer surface; the housing body comprises a composite material; the measuring apparatus and the electronic components are at least partly surrounded by the composite material; and the composite material comprises a polymer matrix and an additive, which comprises at least one chemical compound including an oxidized transition metal from the fourth group of the periodic table. The present disclosure also relates to a method for producing the field device and to use of the additive to improve adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher, Werner Wohlgemuth, Timothy-James Hug, Thomas Sulzer
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Patent number: 11747179Abstract: A magnetically inductive flow meter having a measuring tube with a wall, which includes an electrically insulating surface of a first material, and an electrode having an electrode axis, wherein the electrode has at least one electrode end surface for tapping off a measuring signal, in particular a measuring voltage, in a measuring medium, and has an electrode shank extending through the measuring tube wall, wherein the electrode has a stop projecting from the electrode shank with a stop surface to limit the displaceability of the electrode relative to the wall along the electrode axis, wherein the electrode has an electrically insulating coating in a region of the electrode shank and in a region of the stop surface, wherein the material of the electrically insulating coating has a Shore hardness which is equal to or lower than that of the first material.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser
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Publication number: 20230204396Abstract: A magneto-inductive flow measurement device, comprises a means for producing a magnetic field with a self-inductance, wherein the means for producing the magnetic field comprises a coil arrangement; a means for sensing a measurement voltage induced in the flowable medium; an operating circuit, which is adapted to apply an operating signal on the coil arrangement, wherein the operating signal has operating signal parameters; a measuring circuit, which is adapted to determine a coil electrical current of the coil arrangement; a control circuit, which is adapted so to control at least one of the operating signal parameters that a function dependent on a self-induction value of the self-induction and a coil electrical current value of the coil electrical current does not differ from a predetermined, first desired value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Thomas Sulzer, Andre Spahlinger, Thomas Bier
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Publication number: 20220381593Abstract: A measuring tube includes a support tube having a metal wall surrounding a lumen, a thermoplastic liner lining the support tube and a sensor element. The liner tube has an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the support tube, and the wall of the liner tube has a fold, such that both the lumen and a lateral surface of the liner tube have a form deviating from that of a circular cylinder. The lateral surface is curved concavely. The liner tube is positioned in the lumen and heated into a viscoelastic state and deformed such that the wall of the liner tube unfolds and presses against the wall of the support tube, such that the lateral surface is curved convexly. The liner tube is cooled and a shape is formed between the liner tube and support tube for durably securing the liner tube in the support tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher
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Publication number: 20210131843Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic-inductive flowmeter, including a measuring tube for conveying a medium, a magnetic field generating means and at least two measuring electrodes for sensing a measurement voltage inductively generated in the medium, including a conductive coating internally selectively applied in the measuring tube for forming a galvanic contacting of the medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Simon Mariager, Simon Triebenbacher, Michael Fuchs
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Patent number: 10935002Abstract: A lightning protection system of a wind turbine (10) comprises electrically grounded receptors (51, 52) on turbine blades. A corresponding electrical ground connection must be tested regularly. For such a test, an unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV (4) places an electrode (41) near a receptor (51, 52). Using a high voltage generator (42), a high voltage is created between the electrode (41) and the receptor (51, 52), causing an electrical arc (45) between the two. A corresponding current through the lightning protection system (5) indicates whether the ground connection is in order. Thanks to the high voltage used, the electrical arc (45) can bridge a gap between the electrode (41) and receptor (51, 52) of at least several millimetres. It is not necessary to establish a direct physical contact between the electrode (41) and the receptor (51, 52). This simplifies controlling the UAV and speeds up the testing procedure.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Sulzer & Schmid Laboratories AGInventors: Thomas Sulzer, Joonas Asikainen
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Patent number: 10619771Abstract: Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one physical or chemical process variable of a medium in a containment comprising at least one sensor element, at least one housing module and at least one flange, wherein the sensor element and the flange are connected with the housing module, wherein the flange in a first portion, which is at least partially media contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a first material, which is selected application specifically, and wherein the flange in a second portion, which is at least partially environment contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a synthetic material.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Thomas Sulzer, Peter Seefeld, Ulrich Kaiser, Sergej Lopatin, Christof Huber, Peter Klöfer, Mike Touzin
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Patent number: 10551228Abstract: A method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring flow of a fluid flowing through a measuring tube of metal using the magneto-inductive principle, comprising the method steps as follows: securing first and second collars of metal externally on the measuring tube with an orientation perpendicular to the tube axis of the measuring tube; lining the measuring tube internally with an electrically non-conductive, elastic liner; and altering a measuring section of the measuring tube located at least partially between the first collar and the second collar by means of cold deformation in such a manner that the cross sectional area of the measuring section is reduced compared with the cross sectional area of an inflow section of the measuring tube located upstream from the measuring section and an outflow section of the measuring tube located downstream from the measuring section.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEX AGInventors: Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher, Thomas Sulzer
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Publication number: 20200003592Abstract: A magnetically inductive flow meter having a measuring tube with a wall, which includes an electrically insulating surface of a first material, and an electrode having an electrode axis, wherein the electrode has at least one electrode end surface for tapping off a measuring signal, in particular a measuring voltage, in a measuring medium, and has an electrode shank extending through the measuring tube wall, wherein the electrode has a stop projecting from the electrode shank with a stop surface to limit the displaceability of the electrode relative to the wall along the electrode axis, wherein the electrode has an electrically insulating coating in a region of the electrode shank and in a region of the stop surface, wherein the material of the electrically insulating coating has a Shore hardness which is equal to or lower than that of the first material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser
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Patent number: 10429220Abstract: A magneto-inductive flow measuring device comprising a measuring tube on which a magnet system and two or more measuring electrodes are arranged and/or secured. The measuring tube has in- and outlet regions with a first cross section and the measuring tube has between the in- and outlet regions a middle segment, which has a second cross section. The measuring electrodes are arranged in the middle segment of the measuring tube and the middle segment at least in the region of the measuring electrodes is surrounded by a tube holder, which guards against cross-sectional deformation of the second cross section.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AGInventors: Stefan Rupp, Thomas Sulzer, Wolfgang Brobeil, Oliver Popp
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Publication number: 20190178230Abstract: A method for testing a lightning protection system of a wind turbine comprises the steps of positioning, with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (4), an electrode (41) near a receptor (51, 52) of a lightning protection system (LPS) (5) of a turbine (10); creating, with a high voltage generator (42), a high voltage between the electrode (41) and the receptor (51, 52); thereby creating an electrical arc (45) between the electrode (41) and the receptor (51, 52); detecting, with a current detection device (46), a current caused by the arc (45) flowing through the lightning protection system (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Joonas Asikainen
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Patent number: 10247593Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid through a measuring tube using the magneto inductive measuring principle, comprising a magnet system for producing a constant magnetic field perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid, at least two measuring electrodes coupling with the fluid and secured on a measuring tube subsection for sensing an induced voltage, at least one electronics unit for signal registration, evaluation and/or power supply, and a housing, wherein the housing bounds and protects against the environment the measuring tube subsection and at least one other component secured outwardly thereto on the side facing away from the fluid, wherein the housing is manufactured at least partially of a thermoplastic material, which encases with accurate fit the measuring tube subsection and the at least one other component secured thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AGInventor: Thomas Sulzer
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Publication number: 20180017419Abstract: A magneto-inductive flow measuring device (1) comprising a measuring tube (2) on which a magnet system and two or more measuring electrodes (3) are arranged and/or secured, wherein the measuring tube (2) has in- and outlet regions (11, 12) with a first cross section and wherein the measuring tube (2) has between the in- and outlet regions (11, 12) a middle segment (10), which has a second cross section, wherein the measuring electrodes (3) are arranged in the middle segment (10) of the measuring tube (2), wherein the middle segment (10) at least in the region of the measuring electrodes (3) is surrounded by a tube holder (15), which guards against cross-sectional deformation of the second cross section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Stefan Rupp, Thomas Sulzer, Wolfgang Brobeil, Oliver Popp
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Publication number: 20170315010Abstract: A field device used in process and/or automation engineering for monitoring at least one chemical or physical process variable of a medium in a component carrying a medium at least partially and temporarily and comprising at least an electronic unit and a sensor unit. At least one portion of at least one component of the sensor unit is in contact with the medium at least temporarily. The at least one portion of the component in contact with the medium is provided with a chemically resistant multilayered coating consisting of at least two layers, wherein a first layer is made of a material consisting of a densely packed atomic arrangement which provides a protection against corrosion by said medium, and a second layer consisting of a chemically resistant plastic material is arranged around the first layer and protects the first layer against outer damage and corrosion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Peter Seefeld, Sergej Lopatin, Mike Touzin, Igor Getman, Dieter Funken
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Patent number: 9782798Abstract: The measuring tube of the in-line measuring device is formed by means of a support tube and a liner internally lining the support tube. The liner adheres to the support tube, with interposition of a mediating primer. Both the primer and the liner are composed, at least in part, of polyurethane. Especially, both the polyurethane of the liner and also the polyurethane of the primer are suitable for drinking water applications, so that the in-line measuring device itself is also suited for measuring drinking water.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Sulzer, Johannes Ruchel, Alexander Stuenzi
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Publication number: 20170261356Abstract: A method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring flow of a fluid flowing through a measuring tube of metal using the magneto-inductive principle, comprising the method steps as follows: securing first and second collars of metal externally on the measuring tube with an orientation perpendicular to the tube axis of the measuring tube lining the measuring tube internally with an electrically non-conductive, elastic liner and altering a measuring section of the measuring tube located at least partially between the first collar and the second collar by means of cold deformation in such a manner that the cross sectional area of the measuring section is reduced compared with the cross sectional area of an inflow section of the measuring tube located upstream from the measuring section and an outflow section of the measuring tube located downstream from the measuring section.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher, Thomas Sulzer
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Publication number: 20170234467Abstract: Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one physical or chemical process variable of a medium in a containment comprising at least one sensor element, at least one housing module and at least one flange, wherein the sensor element and the flange are connected with the housing module, wherein the flange in a first portion, which is at least partially media contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a first material, which is selected application specifically, and wherein the flange in a second portion, which is at least partially environment contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a synthetic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Peter Seedfeld, Ulrich Kaiser, Sergej Lopatin, Christof Huber, Peter Klöfer, Mike Touzin
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Patent number: 9658088Abstract: A flow measuring device having a line section serving for guiding a flowable medium, wherein the line section is formed at least partially by a cavity in a circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Sulzer, Patrick Oudoire