IP Library Granted Patent US 12,555,898
Granted Patent B2
US 12,555,898 · App. 18/431,147 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Radio frequency unit, fill level measuring device, and method

Inventors: Christian Weinzierle (Wolfach, DE); Christoph Mueller (Oppenau, DE); Steffen Waelde (Niedereschach, DE)
Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG
H01Q1/40H01Q1/225H01Q1/2283H01Q1/42H01Q9/0407H01Q13/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,555,898
App. No.
18/431,147
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A radio frequency unit for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere is provided, including: a carrier element, on which a radio frequency element is arranged, the radio frequency element being configured to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency signal; a housing, which delimits the radio frequency element at least in sections; and an excitation element arranged on the radio frequency element and configured to transmit the radio frequency signal, an inside of the housing being potted with a potting compound. A fill level measuring device including the radio frequency unit, and a method of manufacturing the radio frequency unit, are also provided.

Claims (37)

1 . A radio frequency unit for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere, comprising:

a carrier element, on which a radio frequency element is arranged, the radio frequency element being configured to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency signal;

a housing, which delimits the radio frequency element at least in sections; and

an excitation element arranged on the radio frequency element and configured to transmit the radio frequency signal,

wherein an inside of the housing is potted with a potting compound, and

wherein the housing comprises at least one opening configured for insertion of the potting compound.

2 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the excitation element comprises an electrically non-conductive material.

3 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the potting compound has a lower relative permittivity than the excitation element.

4 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the excitation element is arranged on an antenna element.

5 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the excitation element is arranged on a patch element.

6 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a waveguide.

7 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 6 , wherein an antenna is arranged at the waveguide.

8 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a dielectric waveguide.

9 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier element comprises a printed circuit board and/or a semiconductor element.

10 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the excitation element has a cylindrical and/or a conical geometry.

11 . The radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency element comprises a coupling element on which the excitation element is arranged.

12 . A fill level measuring device comprising a radio frequency unit according to claim 1 .

13 . A method of manufacturing a radio frequency unit according to claim 1 , the method comprising:

providing a carrier element;

providing a radio frequency element;

arranging the radio frequency element on the carrier element and connecting the radio frequency element to the carrier element;

arranging an excitation element on the radio frequency element;

arranging a housing on the radio frequency element; and

potting an inside of the housing with a potting compound.

14 . A radio frequency unit for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere, comprising:

a carrier element, on which a radio frequency element is arranged, the radio frequency element being configured to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency signal;

a housing, which delimits the radio frequency element at least in sections; and

an excitation element arranged on the radio frequency element and configured to transmit the radio frequency signal,

wherein an inside of the housing is potted with a potting compound, and

wherein the housing comprises at least one vent opening.

15 . A radio frequency unit for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere, comprising:

a carrier element, on which a radio frequency element is arranged, the radio frequency element being configured to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency signal;

a housing, which delimits the radio frequency element at least in sections; and

an excitation element arranged on the radio frequency element and configured to transmit the radio frequency signal,

wherein an inside of the housing is potted with a potting compound,

wherein the housing comprises a waveguide, and

wherein the housing is connected to the waveguide by means of at least one web.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2024
From: WEINZIERLE, CHRISTIAN; MUELLER, CHRISTOPH; WAELDE, STEFFEN
To: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
Reel/Frame 067174/0811 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2023 200 856.4 · Feb 2, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240266724A1 · Aug 8, 2024
References Cited (10)
US 11499861B2 · Mueller et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11796375B2 · Winfried et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20200264030A1 · Mueller · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20210341568A1 · Hitzler · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20220082426A1 · Wälde · 2022 [cited by examiner]
EP 3696515A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
EP 3696516A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
EP 3971611A1 · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020120059A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
German Office Action issued in German application 10 2023 200 856.4 on Oct. 31, 2023, 9 pgs. [cited by applicant]