Patents by Inventor Nikolaus Benz

Nikolaus Benz 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: 10012415
    Abstract: An absorber tube is provided that includes a metal tube, a glass sleeve tube surrounding the metal tube, and a glass-metal transition element is disposed on at least one end. The metal tube and the transition element can be moved relative to one another in the longitudinal direction and connected to one another by an expansion compensating device. An inner end of the expansion compensating device is fastened to an attachment element, which is connected to the transition element. An outer end of the expansion compensating device is fastened to the metal tube. An annular space section of the annular space is constructed between the transition and attachment elements. The attachment element has an annular disc on which the expansion compensating device is fastened. The absorber tube has at least one shielding device that has a first annular disc-shaped section disposed on at least one end in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHOTT SOLAR AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Nikolaus Benz
  • Patent number: 9933186
    Abstract: An absorber tube is provided that has a central metal tube, a glass cladding tube, and a glass-metal transition element. The metal tube and the glass-metal transition element are connected to each other by an expansion compensation device such that they can be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The expansion compensation device is arranged at least partially in an annular space between the metal tube and the glass-metal transition element. In the annular space, at least one shielding device is arranged, which has a first annular disc-shaped segment arranged at an axial distance in front of the end face and covers at least the connection region of the attachment element and the inner end of the expansion compensation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHOTT SOLAR AG
    Inventors: Nikolaus Benz, Thomas Kuckelkorn
  • Publication number: 20160102888
    Abstract: An absorber tube is provided that includes a metal tube, a glass sleeve tube surrounding the metal tube, and a glass-metal transition element is disposed on at least one end. The metal tube and the transition element can be moved relative to one another in the longitudinal direction and connected to one another by an expansion compensating device. An inner end of the expansion compensating device is fastened to an attachment element, which is connected to the transition element. An outer end of the expansion compensating device is fastened to the metal tube. An annular space section of the annular space is constructed between the transition and attachment elements. The attachment element has an annular disc on which the expansion compensating device is fastened. The absorber tube has at least one shielding device that has a first annular disc-shaped section disposed on at least one end in the annular space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: SCHOTT SOLAR AG
    Inventors: Thomas KUCKELKORN, Nikolaus BENZ
  • Publication number: 20150168016
    Abstract: An absorber tube is provided that has a central metal tube, a glass cladding tube, and a glass-metal transition element. The metal tube and the glass-metal transition element are connected to each other by an expansion compensation device such that they can be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The expansion compensation device is arranged at least partially in an annular space between the metal tube and the glass-metal transition element. In the annular space, at least one shielding device is arranged, which has a first annular disc-shaped segment arranged at an axial distance in front of the end face and covers at least the connection region of the attachment element and the inner end of the expansion compensation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Nikolaus Benz, Thomas Kuckelkorn
  • Patent number: 7806115
    Abstract: The tubular radiation absorbing device (1) for solar thermal applications has a central tube (2) and a glass tubular jacket (3) surrounding the central tube (2) so that a ring-shaped space (4) is formed between the central tube (2) and the tubular jacket (3). The ring-shaped space (4) contains at least one inert gas with a partial pressure of 3 to 200 mbar. Alternatively in another embodiment a gas-tight closed container (10) filled with at least one inert gas is arranged in the ring-shaped space (4). The container (10) has a device for supplying inert gas to the ring-shaped space (4) in order to compensate for increased heat losses due to diffusion of hydrogen into the ring-shaped space (4) from the heat carrier medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Nikolaus Benz
  • Patent number: 7562655
    Abstract: The method of making a vacuum tube collector or X-ray tube, which includes a matching glass-metal joint, includes providing a glass tube (1) made of a glass with a composition, in percent by weight on the basis of oxide content, consisting of B2O3, 8-11.5; Al2O3, 5-9; Na2O, 5-9; K2O, 0-5; CaO, 0.4-1.5; balance, SiO2; and bonding, preferably fusing or melting, an end portion of the glass tube (1) with a metal part (2) in order to bond or attach the glass tube to the metal part, thus forming a long-lasting glass-metal joint. The method of making the glass-metal joint is performed without using intermediary glass compositions of varying thermal conductivities. In the case of the vacuum tube collector the method can provide the basis for an automated manufacture of the vacuum tube collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Guenter Bauer, Nikolaus Benz, Fritz-Dieter Doenitz, Reinhard Maennl, Matthias Mueller, Michael Siller
  • Patent number: 7552726
    Abstract: A tubular radiation absorbing device (1) designed for a solar heating application is described. The tubular radiation absorbing device has a metal central tube (3) and a glass tubular jacket (2) surrounding the central tube (3). A folding bellows (11) is connected between the central tube (3) and the tubular jacket (2), so that the tubular jacket and the central tube are movable relative to each other. A connecting element (20) connects an inner end of the folding bellows (11) with the central tube (3) and extends from the inner end of the folding bellows (11) through an inner annular space (30) between the folding bellows (11) and the central tube (3). The connecting element includes at least a part of a hydrogen window (50). A getter (6) is arranged in an outer annular space (33) between the folding bellows (11) and the tubular jacket (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Nikolaus Benz
  • Publication number: 20070235024
    Abstract: The tubular radiation absorbing device (1) for solar thermal applications has a central tube (2) and a glass tubular jacket (3) surrounding the central tube (2) so that a ring-shaped space (4) is formed between the central tube (2) and the tubular jacket (3). The ring-shaped space (4) contains at least one inert gas with a partial pressure of 3 to 200 mbar. Alternatively in another embodiment a gas-tight closed container (10) filled with at least one inert gas is arranged in the ring-shaped space (4). The container (10) has a device for supplying inert gas to the ring-shaped space (4) in order to compensate for increased heat losses due to diffusion of hydrogen into the ring-shaped space (4) from the heat carrier medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Nikolaus Benz
  • Publication number: 20070235023
    Abstract: The tubular radiation absorbing device (1) for solar thermal applications includes a central tube (3) made of chromium steel, particularly stainless steel; a glass tubular jacket (2) surrounding the central tube so as to form a ring-shaped space (6); and a barrier coating (4) on at least an interior side of the central tube (3), which is substantially impermeable to hydrogen and contains chromium oxide. The barrier coating (4) is provided by a process in which the central tube (3) is treated with steam containing free hydrogen at a temperature of 500° C. to 700° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: THOMAS KUCKELKORN, Nikolaus Benz
  • Publication number: 20070034204
    Abstract: A tubular radiation absorbing device (1) designed for a solar heating application is described. The tubular radiation absorbing device has a metal central tube (3) and a glass tubular jacket (2) surrounding the central tube (3). A folding bellows (11) is connected between the central tube (3) and the tubular jacket (2), so that the tubular jacket and the central tube are movable relative to each other. A connecting element (20) connects an inner end of the folding bellows (11) with the central tube (3) and extends from the inner end of the folding bellows (11) through an inner annular space (30) between the folding bellows (11) and the central tube (3). The connecting element includes at least a part of a hydrogen window (50). A getter (6) is arranged in an outer annular space (33) between the folding bellows (11) and the tubular jacket (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Nikolaus Benz
  • Patent number: 7137413
    Abstract: An arrangement to increase the thermal fatigue resistance of glass tubes having fluid flowing therethrough and being pressure-loaded. This arrangement comprises a glass tube, into which an interior component is inserted. The interior component can be designed as thin-walled tube or tubular component. In accordance with a first example the cavity enclosed by the interior component is hydraulically connected with the interior of the glass tube. The wall thickness of the interior component is smaller than the wall thickness of the glass tube and the interior component is partially free from a direct heat connection with the glass tube. In accordance with a second example the interior component increases the wall thickness of the glass tube. In this case the interior component is touching the interior circumference of the glass tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Günter Bauer, Nikolaus Benz
  • Patent number: 7107984
    Abstract: A collector module (1) is described with a collector manifold (20) having two chambers. This collector module (1) has at least one collector tube (2), which has an absorber tube (4) and a tubular jacket (3). A connector (40) for each collector tube is provided which embraces the collector manifold (20) and receives the end of its tubular jacket (3). The connector (40) has a cup-shaped receiving part (41) glued on its collector tube and a U-shaped connecting part (45) formed on the cup-shaped receiving part (41), which engages the collector manifold (20). A sealing device (60) is arranged on the U-shaped connecting part (45). A torsion-stiff, self-supporting device is provided accordingly by this structure, in which each collector tube is not loaded with external forces, during to thermal expansion, transport, mounting or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Gotfried Haas, Nikolaus Benz, Klaus Quast, Michael Reinhard, Frank Schuenzel
  • Patent number: 7013887
    Abstract: The absorber pipe (1), especially for a parabolic collector for a solar heat collecting apparatus, is described. The absorber pipe (1) includes central metal pipe (3), a glass sleeve tube (2) surrounding the nine so that an annular space (4) is formed between them and an expansion compensating device connecting the central metal nine and a glass-metal transitional element (5) on a free end of the sleeve tube (2). The expansion compensation device (10) connects the metal pipe and sleeve tube, so that they can slide relative to each other, and includes folding bellows (11) for that purpose. Furthermore it also includes a connecting element (15), which has either a cylindrical or a conical section (17,18,18?) and which connects an interior end of the folding bellows with the metal pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Fritz-Dieter Doenitz, Nikolaus Benz
  • Publication number: 20050181925
    Abstract: The method of making a vacuum tube collector or X-ray tube, which includes a matching glass-metal joint, includes providing a glass tube (1) made of a glass with a composition, in percent by weight on the basis of oxide content, consisting of B2O3, 8-11.5; Al2O3, 5-9; Na2O, 5-9; K2O, 0-5; CaO, 0.4-1.5; balance, SiO2; and bonding, preferably fusing or melting, an end portion of the glass tube (1) with a metal part (2) in order to bond or attach the glass tube to the metal part, thus forming a long-lasting glass-metal joint. The method of making the glass-metal joint is performed without using intermediary glass compositions of varying thermal conductivities. In the case of the vacuum tube collector the method can provide the basis for an automated manufacture of the vacuum tube collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Guenter Bauer, Nikolaus Benz, Fritz-Dieter Doenitz, Reinhard Maennl, Matthias Mueller, Michael Siller
  • Publication number: 20040050381
    Abstract: The absorber pipe (1), especially for a parabolic collector for a solar heat collecting apparatus, is described. The absorber pipe (1) has a central metal pipe (3) and a glass sleeve tube (2). An expansion compensation device (10) is provided, which is arranged at least partially in an annular space (4) between the metal pipe (3) and a glass-metal transitional element (5), which is attached to the sleeve tube (2). The expansion compensation device (10) can have a folding bellows (11). Furthermore a connecting element (15) is provided, which has either a cylindrical or a conical section (17, 18, 18″).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Kuckelkorn, Fritz-Dieter Doenitz, Nikolaus Benz
  • Publication number: 20030221734
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (2; 2.2; 2.6; 2.7) to increase the thermal fatigue resistance of glass tubes (1; 1.2; 1.6; 1.7) flown through by fluid and pressure-loaded. This arrangement comprises a glass tube (1; 1.2; 1.6; 1.7), into which an interior component (3; 3.2; 3.6; 3.7) is inserted. The interior component (3; 3.2; 3.6; 3.7) can be designed as thin-walled tube (19; 19.2) or tubular component. In accordance with a first design example the cavity enclosed by the interior component (3; 3.2) is hydraulically connected with the interior (10) of the glass tube (1; 1.2). The wall thickness (s3) of the interior component (3; 3.2) is smaller than the wall thickness of the glass tube (1; 1.2) and the interior component (3; 3.2) is in the condition of being flown through by fluid at least partially free from a direct heat connection with the glass tube (1; 1.2). In accordance with a second design example the interior component (3.6; 3.7) increases the wall thickness of the glass tube (1.6; 1.7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Gunter Bauer, Nikolaus Benz
  • Publication number: 20030209281
    Abstract: A collector module (1) is described with a collector manifold (20) having two chambers. This collector module (1) has at least one collector tube (2), which has an absorber tube (4) and a tubular jacket (3). A connector (40) for each collector tube is provided which embraces the collector manifold (20) and receives the end of its tubular jacket (3). The connector (40) has a cup-shaped receiving part (41) glued on its collector tube and a U-shaped connecting part (45) formed on the cup-shaped receiving part (41), which engages the collector manifold (20). A sealing device (60) is arranged on the U-shaped connecting part (45). A torsion-stiff, self-supporting device is provided accordingly by this structure, in which each collector tube is not loaded with external forces, during to thermal expansion, transport, mounting or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Gottfried Haas, Nikolaus Benz, Klaus Quast, Michael Reinhard, Frank Schuenzel