Endress+hauser Conducta Gmbh+co. Kg

Endress+hauser Conducta Gesellschaft Fur Mess- Und Regeltechnik Mbh+co. Kg

Sven-Matthias Scheibe

Torsten Pechstein

Tobias Mieth

Stefan Pilz

Stefan Robl

Stephan Buschnakowski

Thomas Nagel

Christian Fanselow

Martin Lohmann

Stefan Paul

Ulrich Kaiser

Jörg Uhle

Hendrik Zeun

Ronny Michael

Hermann Günther

Alexander Serfling

Sebastian Geissler

Reinhard Weiss

Stephen Buschnakowski

Jochen Betz

Disclosed is a sensor comprising a sensor element that detects a measurand, the sensor element being in electrical contact with a sensor circuit that processes values derived from data from a secondary coil and/or from the measurand. The sensor circuit is in electrical contact with an ex-circuit. The sensor circuit is supplied a maximum input voltage and a maximum input current. The ex-circuit includes the secondary coil that receives an electrical signal from a primary coil. The electrical signal includes the data that are modulated onto the electrical signal. The sensor also includes a voltage limit that limits the voltage of the electrical signal to the maximum input voltage of the sensor circuit and a current limit that limits the current of the electrical signal to the maximum input current of the sensor circuit. Also disclosed are a sensor arrangement and a use of a sensor.

Sensor and sensor arrangement

An assembly with a secondary coil arranged on a coil carrier for a field device is described, wherein the field device comprises an electronics and an inductive interface connected to the electronics, and wherein the assembly can be used in the field device such that the field device can be connected via its interface to an inductive interface of a superordinate unit such that the secondary coil of the assembly, with a primary coil of the inductive interface of the superordinate unit, form a transformer for transmitting data and/or energy, which makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of field devices equipped with it and also contributes to increased operational safety, in that an assembly circuit formed by the secondary coil and at least one electronic component connected to the secondary coil via lines connected to it and arranged on the coil carrier is arranged on the coil carrier.

Assembly with one secondary coil for a field device with one inductive interface

The disclosure relates to a method for communication in process automation between a sensor and a connecting element connectable to the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured for acquisition of a measured variable of the process automation and for transmission of a value that is dependent upon the measured variable value to the connecting element, wherein the connecting element for transmission of the value dependent upon the measured variable to a parent unit is configured via a first protocol. The method is characterized in that communication between the sensor and the connecting element takes place without the knowledge of the parent unit using a second protocol, the second protocol being independent of the first protocol.

Method for communication between a sensor and a connecting element

The present disclosure discloses a connection element comprising an essentially cylindrical core, a primary coil for transmission and reception of data and/or for transmission of energy from or to a secondary coil, wherein the primary coil surrounds the core, and a first coupling body with a first segment and a second segment, wherein the second segment comprises the primary coil. In the connection element, the core at one end comprises a first magnetic body that is greater in diameter than the core and extends into the first segment. The present disclosure likewise discloses a sensor, as well as a sensor connection element including such a sensor and such a connection element.

Connection element, sensor, and sensor arrangement for process automation

The distributor module serves for distributing electrical power to at least two connected measuring devices (S, S) and for forwarding to at least one superordinated electronic data processing unit (NLU) information concerning at least one physical, measured variable transmitted from the connected at least two measuring devices. For this, the distributor module comprises a module housing () as well as an electronics module placed within the module housing (). Additionally present in the distributor module are two or more connection systems, one for each of the measuring devices delivering measured data, with, in each case, a transformer coil placed within the module housing and connected to the electronics module for the forming a data as well as electrical energy transmitting, inductively coupling interface, as well as at least one connection system for the at least one data processing unit, wherein each of the transformer coils is placed, in each case, within a plug connector element composed at least partially of plastic or other synthetic material and serving for forming a plug connector coupling. Moreover, it is provided that the distributor module is applied in a measuring system serving for measuring at least one physical and/or at least one chemical, measured variable.

Distributor module and measuring system formed therewith

A sensor arrangement for use in process automation, including a sensor with at least one sensor element for detecting a measurand of process automation, a first interface for transmitting a value that is a function of the measurand to a second interface, and a first coupling body having the first interface, the sensor further including a connection element for transmitting the value to a higher-level unit, the connection element including a first housing section with a second interface complementary to the first interface, wherein the first and second interfaces are designed for bi-directional communication between the sensor and the higher-level unit and to ensure the power supply to the sensor, a second housing section with a second coupling body complementary to the first coupling body and having an open and a locked condition, wherein the first housing section can be rotated in relation to the second housing section.

Sensor arrangement and connection element for use in process automation

The present disclosure includes an electronic circuit for use in process automation for transferring electrical energy from a terminal element to a sensor over an inductively coupled interface. The sensor measures the power it receives over the inductive interface and compares this value to a target power value. The difference between the actual and target values is communicated back to the terminal element. The terminal element adjusts its power output to the sensor to minimize this difference. The disclosure includes the use of the electronic circuit and a sensor arrangement comprising the electronic circuit, as well as a method for transmitting power.

Electronic circuit for transmitting power from a terminal side to a sensor side and method of use

A sensor arrangement and cable for use in process automation, including a sensor having at least one sensor element for recording a value in process automation, a first interface for transmitting a measured value depending on the measured value to a second interface, the first interface including a first mechanical, and a cable for transmitting the value to a superordinate unit, the cable including said second interface, which is complementary to the first interface, and a second mechanical coupling complementary to the first mechanical coupling, wherein the second interface and mechanical coupling are arranged in a cable housing, wherein the sensor is detachably connectible to the cable by the first mechanical coupling and the second mechanical coupling, characterized in that the second mechanical coupling is arranged at an angle less than 180&#xb0; to the longitudinal axis of the cable housing.

Sensor arrangement, sensor and cable for use in process automation

A sensor module includes a sensor element with a transducer for emitting an electric analog primary signal, which depends on a measured value; and a circuit assembly for conditioning the primary signal and for unidirectional data communication of a digital signal, which depends on the primary signal, to a superordinated unit. The circuit assembly has the following components: a signal input for receiving the primary signal, which depends on the measured value; a secondary side, inductively coupling, plug connector element for connection to a primary side, inductively coupling, plug connector element of the superordinated unit for receiving an energy signal and for transferring a measurement signal; an energy supply circuit, which rectifies the energy signal and provides at least one direct voltage for supplying the sensor module components; an analog signal conditioning circuit for conditioning the primary signal to a secondary signal; an analog-digital converter for converting the secondary signal to a digital measurement signal; a modulator for modulating the received energy signal for transferring the measurement signal to a superordinated unit by means of load modulation; and a microcontroller for controlling the components of the circuit assembly.

Modular measuring device with distributed data and algorithms

A cable circuit includes a contactless interface for signal transmission between the cable circuit and the sensor module, wherein the sensor module is galvanically isolated from the cable circuit, and wherein signal transmission between the cable circuit and the sensor module occurs on an optical, inductive or capacitive path. Additionally, the cable circuit includes a signal processing unit, as well as a cable interface for connecting a cable, which connects the cable circuit with the measurement transmitter. The signal processing unit is integrated into the signal path. The signal processing unit is embodied to receive, via the cable interface, signals from the measurement transmitter, to condition them and to transmit them via the contactless interface to the sensor module, and to receive, via the contactless interface, signals from the sensor module, to condition them and to transmit them via the cable interface to the measurement transmitter.

Cable circuit with digital signal conditioning

An apparatus for coding a signal by means of amplitude shift keying comprises a class E amplifier including a switching transistor, to whose gate is supplied a voltage having an operating frequency for operating the class E amplifier. For achieving an amplitude shift keying in the output signal of the class E amplifier, a circuit for switching the operating frequency of the voltage supplied to the gate of the switching transistor, or the resonance frequency of the class E amplifier, between a first value and a second value is provided and in order to switch a deviation degree between the operating frequency and the resonance frequency between a first value and a second value.

Apparatus and method for producing signals coded with amplitude shift keying

In a method and in an apparatus for transmission of energy and data, with a primary side, on which an amplifier is arranged, with a secondary side, on which a data source, e.g. a measuring sensor, is arranged, and with a plug-together assembly inductively coupling, galvanically completely isolated, the primary side and the secondary side, to minimize power losses and disturbing influences of fluctuating parameters, power from the plug-together assembly and from the amplifier, preferably a Class-E-amplifier, is controlled to a predeterminable, desired value. For this, a microcontroller taps the primary voltage on the primary winding and produces for the amplifier a controlled operating voltage as well as a controlled operating frequency, in order to keep the working point of the amplifier always in the optimal region.

Method and apparatus for transmission of energy and data

A measuring system for determining a value of a physical or chemical, measured variable of a medium, includes: a base unit; at least one relay unit connected with the base unit and a sensor unit connected with the relay unit. The sensor unit includes a circuit having at least one microcontroller, at least a first memory region, and a second memory region. The upload software is embodied, in interaction with the microcontroller, to perform an updating of the basic software with at least one software module provided from the base unit. The relay unit includes a circuit having at least one microcontroller, and at least a first memory region, in which a basic software of the relay unit is stored. The circuit of the relay unit further includes a second memory region, in which an upload software of the relay unit is stored.

Measuring system for determining a value of a physical or chemical, measured variable of a medium and method for operation of the measuring system

Method for operating a measuring point having a base unit and a sensor unit, wherein the latter couples via a pluggable connector coupling with the base unit; the base unit serves for energy supply of the sensor unit, for data exchange with the sensor unit and for communication with a process monitoring installation, wherein the base unit includes: A first element of the pluggable connector coupling; a first microprocessor sensor data conditioning for communication with the process monitoring installation; a first data memory for saving measuring-point-specific data; wherein the sensor unit has a primary sensor and a sensor head; the primary sensor includes a transducer, which outputs a measured variable dependent signal; wherein the sensor head includes: A circuit for conditioning the transducer signals with an A/D converter and a second microprocessor for measurement signal processing, a second data memory for sensor data; a program memory which contains a firmware; and an interface with a second element of the pluggable connector coupling; wherein a software module is transmitted from the base unit to the sensor unit and is stored in the program memory of the sensor unit, for enabling supplementary functions for primary sensor monitoring.

Method for transmitting a software module to a measuring point

A cable circuit for connecting a sensor module to a measurement transmitter. The cable circuit includes a contactless interface for signal transmission between the cable circuit and the sensor module, wherein the sensor module is galvanically isolated from the cable circuit, and wherein signal transmission between the cable circuit and the sensor module occurs on an optical, inductive or capacitive path. Additionally, the cable circuit includes a signal processing unit, as well as a cable interface for connecting a cable, which connects the cable circuit with the measurement transmitter. The signal processing unit is integrated into the signal path. The signal processing unit is embodied to receive, via the cable interface, signals from the measurement transmitter, to condition them and to transmit them via the contactless interface to the sensor module, and to receive, via the contactless interface, signals from the sensor module, to condition them and to transmit them via the cable interface to the measurement transmitter.

Growing community of inventors

Dresden, Germany

Sven-Matthias Scheibe