Patents by Inventor Richard Ackner

Richard Ackner 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).

  • System and method for increasing the efficiency of a solar heating system
    Patent number: 9267711
    Abstract: A solar collector assembly comprises a plurality of heater collection tubes. A thermal enhancement manifold assembly is integrated into the solar collector assembly to enhance thermal efficiency. The enhancement manifold assembly includes a supply manifold subassembly which selectively distributes a refrigerant between at least two supply manifolds and a return manifold subassembly which distributes the refrigerant between at least two return manifolds. A thermal enhancing tube provides fluid communication between each supply manifold and respective return manifold. The thermal enhancing tubes are assembled within an interior volume of the solar heater collection tubes. Each manifold pairing is operatively governed by a respective fluid control valve. The manifold pairings alternate between an active state and an inactive state, optimizing thermal transfer between the collection tube and a refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Ackner, Howard Burke
  • System and method for increasing the efficiency of a solar heating system
    Patent number: 8640474
    Abstract: A solar collector assembly comprises a plurality of heater collection tubes. A thermal enhancement manifold assembly is integrated into the solar collector assembly to enhance thermal efficiency. The enhancement manifold assembly includes a supply manifold subassembly which selectively distributes a refrigerant between at least two supply manifolds and a return manifold subassembly which distributes the refrigerant between at least two return manifolds. A thermal enhancing tube provides fluid communication between each supply manifold and respective return manifold. The thermal enhancing tubes are assembled within an interior volume of the solar heater collection tubes. Each manifold pairing is operatively governed by a respective fluid control valve. The manifold pairings alternate between an active state and an inactive state, optimizing thermal transfer between the collection tube and a refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Ackner, Howard Burke
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF A SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120131941
    Abstract: A solar collector assembly comprises a plurality of heater collection tubes. A thermal enhancement manifold assembly is integrated into the solar collector assembly to enhance thermal efficiency. The enhancement manifold assembly includes a supply manifold subassembly which selectively distributes a refrigerant between at least two supply manifolds and a return manifold subassembly which distributes the refrigerant between at least two return manifolds. A thermal enhancing tube provides fluid communication between each supply manifold and respective return manifold. The thermal enhancing tubes are assembled within an interior volume of the solar heater collection tubes. Each manifold pairing is operatively governed by a respective fluid control valve. The manifold pairings alternate between an active state and an inactive state, optimizing thermal transfer between the collection tube and a refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Ackner, Howard Burke