Patents by Inventor Robert A. Ackermann

Robert A. Ackermann 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: 5113165
    Abstract: A superconductive magnet having at least one superconductive coil is provided. A thermal radiation shield is situated inside a vacuum vessel and the thermal radiation shield encloses the superconductive coil. A thermal diode is provided for thermally linking the superconductive coil and the thermal radiation shield when the thermal radiation shield is colder than the superconductive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 5111665
    Abstract: A cryorefrigerator mount for a refrigerated superconductive magnet is disclosed. In particular, a cryorefrigerator system has two separate cryorefrigerators such that one of the cryorefrigertors contacts and cools the magnet while the other cryorefrigerator is held in a raised, standby position. If the first cryorefrigerator malfunctions and can no longer cool the magnet, the second cryorefrigerator is lowered to contact and cool the magnet. The first cryorefrigerator is then raised so it can be repaired, serviced or replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 5103647
    Abstract: A Gifford-McMahon cryorefrigerator is modified by using opposed sub-displacers which are sinusoidally reciprocated in opposite directions with respect to one another such that the force vectors of inertia created by the movement of the sub-displacers are cancelled out. The cancelling out of the force vectors should substantiallly reduce adverse affects associated with displacer banging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 4389844
    Abstract: A two-stage harmonic reciprocating Stirling engine has a primary heater and a pair of regenerators with an intermediate heat exchanger disposed in the fluid flow between the two regenerators. High temperature heat above 5000.degree. F. is supplied to the heater head of the engine while lower temperature, otherwise wasted, heat between 500.degree. F. and 1500.degree. is supplied to the intermediate heat exchanger. The lower temperature heat can be from exhaust gases of the primary burner, or can be waste heat from another process for use in a cogeneration installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Mechanical Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Ackermann, Nicholas G. Vitale