Patents by Inventor Nicholas A. Kramer

Nicholas A. Kramer 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: 10253286
    Abstract: A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. The solar reflector assembly has an elongated tube having an inner portion to facilitate liquid ballast, made of semi-rigid material and a flat section built into a wall of the tube or attached to the wall of the tube. A reflective material attached to said flat section of the wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid. The elongated tube may be elastically or plastically deformed by application of a torque along its length, so as to bring flat-surface normal vectors at each end of the tube largely into alignment with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: COMBINED POWER LLC
    Inventors: John D. H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer, Erik E. Tang, Kristofer J. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20160201949
    Abstract: A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. The solar reflector assembly has an elongated tube having an inner portion to facilitate liquid ballast, made of semi-rigid material and a flat section built into a wall of the tube or attached to the wall of the tube. A reflective material attached to said flat section of the wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid. The elongated tube may be elastically or plastically deformed by application of a torque along its length, so as to bring flat-surface normal vectors at each end of the tube largely into alignment with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: John D. H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer, Erik E. Tang, Kristofer J. Olsen
  • Patent number: 8991049
    Abstract: A method of installing a solar energy system comprises laying an uninflated elongated tube of flexible material in a substantially flat configuration, winding the uninflated elongated tube on a spool, transporting the spool with the elongated tube, and filling the elongated tube with a gas and/or liquid such that the elongated tube inflates with the gas and/or liquid and unrolls from the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Combined Power LLC
    Inventors: John D. H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer
  • Patent number: 8443615
    Abstract: A dry cooling assembly is provided comprising a supporting body of liquid having a temperature higher than ambient temperature, and an inflatable elongated tube at least partially submerged in the supporting body of liquid. The inflatable elongated tube has an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. The lower ballast portion defines a reservoir containing liquid facilitating ballast. The liquid facilitating ballast is warmed by heat from the supporting body of liquid such that the temperature of the support body of liquid is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Combined Power, LLC
    Inventors: John D. H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer, Thomas E. Oliver
  • Patent number: 8307820
    Abstract: A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A solar reflector assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Combined Power LLC
    Inventors: John D. H. King, Thomas E. Oliver, Nicholas A. Kramer, Keeney D. Willis
  • Publication number: 20120234668
    Abstract: A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A solar reflector assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid. The lower ballast portion may contain photocatalytic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Combined Power Cooperative
    Inventors: John D.H. King, Thomas E. Oliver, Nicholas A. Kramer, keeney D. Willis
  • Publication number: 20110113806
    Abstract: A dry cooling assembly is provided comprising a supporting body of liquid having a temperature higher than ambient temperature, and an inflatable elongated tube at least partially submerged in the supporting body of liquid. The inflatable elongated tube has an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. The lower ballast portion defines a reservoir containing liquid facilitating ballast. The liquid facilitating ballast is warmed by heat from the supporting body of liquid such that the temperature of the support body of liquid is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Advanced Lab Group Cooperative
    Inventors: John D. H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer, Thomas E. Oliver
  • Publication number: 20110070635
    Abstract: A combined solar reflector and desalination assembly is provided for generating energy and fresh water from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A combined solar reflector and desalination assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. At least one catchment device and collection assembly are coupled to the tube. The elongated tube may have an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Advanced Lab Group Cooperative
    Inventors: John D.H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20110030675
    Abstract: A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A solar reflector assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Advanced Lab Group Cooperative
    Inventors: John D.H. King, Thomas E. Oliver, Nicholas A. Kramer, Keeney D. Willis