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).

  • Publication number: 20240110819
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser, Werner Wohlgemuth, Lars Dreher
  • Patent number: 11781891
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Simon Mariager, Simon Triebenbacher, Michael Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20230296419
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher, Werner Wohlgemuth, Timothy-James Hug, Thomas Sulzer
  • Patent number: 11747179
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser
  • Publication number: 20230204396
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Thomas Sulzer, Andre Spahlinger, Thomas Bier
  • Publication number: 20220381593
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher
  • Publication number: 20210131843
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Simon Mariager, Simon Triebenbacher, Michael Fuchs
  • Patent number: 10935002
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sulzer & Schmid Laboratories AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Joonas Asikainen
  • Patent number: 10619771
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Peter Seefeld, Ulrich Kaiser, Sergej Lopatin, Christof Huber, Peter Klöfer, Mike Touzin
  • Patent number: 10551228
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEX AG
    Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher, Thomas Sulzer
  • Publication number: 20200003592
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser
  • Patent number: 10429220
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Stefan Rupp, Thomas Sulzer, Wolfgang Brobeil, Oliver Popp
  • Publication number: 20190178230
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Joonas Asikainen
  • Patent number: 10247593
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventor: Thomas Sulzer
  • Publication number: 20180017419
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan Rupp, Thomas Sulzer, Wolfgang Brobeil, Oliver Popp
  • Publication number: 20170315010
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Peter Seefeld, Sergej Lopatin, Mike Touzin, Igor Getman, Dieter Funken
  • Patent number: 9782798
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Johannes Ruchel, Alexander Stuenzi
  • Publication number: 20170261356
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher, Thomas Sulzer
  • Publication number: 20170234467
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Peter Seedfeld, Ulrich Kaiser, Sergej Lopatin, Christof Huber, Peter Klöfer, Mike Touzin
  • Patent number: 9658088
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Patrick Oudoire