Patents by Inventor Robert Adolph Ackermann
Robert Adolph 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).
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Patent number: 10748690Abstract: A valve is configured to control a flow of a gas disposed within a convective cooling loop. The valve can be actuated between an open position and a closed position via a magnetic field generated by at least one electrically conductive coil disposed within a cryostat.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Philip Alexander Jonas, Robert Adolph Ackermann, Philippe Abel Menteur
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Patent number: 10403423Abstract: A superconducting magnet system, including a cryostat, and a ride-through system for the superconducting magnet system include: one or more gravity-fed cooling tubes configured to have therein a cryogenic fluid; a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the one or more gravity-fed cooling tubes to a cryocooler; a storage device having an input connected to the first heat exchanger and configured to receive and store a boiled-off gas from the first heat exchanger; and a thermal regenerator having an input connected to the output of the storage device.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Robert Adolph Ackermann, Glen George Pfleiderer, Philip Alexander Jonas, Matthew Voss
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Patent number: 10107879Abstract: An apparatus including a persistent current switch of a superconducting material which is electrically superconducting at a superconducting temperature and electrically resistive at a resistive mode temperature which is greater than the superconducting temperature. The apparatus further includes a first heat exchange element; a convective heat dissipation loop thermally coupling the persistent current switch to the first heat exchange element; a second heat exchange element spaced apart from the first heat exchange element; and a thermally conductive link thermally coupling the persistent current switch to the second heat exchange element. The first heat exchange element is disposed above the persistent current switch. The thermally conductive link may have a greater thermal conductivity at the superconducting temperature than at a second temperature which is greater than the superconducting temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Philip Alexander Jonas, Alexander Akhmetov, Robert Adolph Ackermann, Philippe Abel Menteur, Glen George Pfleiderer, Matthew Voss
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Patent number: 9683759Abstract: A heat exchanger (5) includes a thermally conductive cylindrical container (40), at least one thermally conductive tube (30), a cooling column (90), and a cryogen coldhead (100). The cooling column and coldhead condense gaseous helium to liquid helium to maintain a reservoir of liquid helium in the thermally conductive cylindrical container (40). The at least one thermally conductive tube (30) coils circumferentially around the container (40), and extends to at least one superconducting magnet coil heat exchanger (20), and back. The tube forms a selected loop which holds gaseous helium at pressure up about 104 bar (1500 PSI) or room temperature to about 0.75 bar at cryogenic temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Robert Adolph Ackermann, Philippe Menteur, Manmohan Dhar
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Patent number: 9575150Abstract: A magnetic resonance magnet assembly 20 has a coil form 70 shaped as a hollow cylinder. At least two thermally conductive sheets 60 are disposed circumferentially around the coil form 70, separated by a non-electrically conductive region 90. Thermally conductive tubing 50 affixed to each thermally conductive sheeting section 60 runs circumferentially around the coil form 70. At least one layer of thermally conductive electrically insulating material 110 such as fiber glass is bonded with a thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant to the thermally conductive sheets 60. A winding of superconductive wire 80 is bond together and to the electrically insulating material 110 with the thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Robert Adolph Ackermann, Richard Lawrence Frank
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Publication number: 20160276082Abstract: A superconducting magnet system, including a cryostat, and a ride-through system for the superconducting magnet system include: one or more gravity-fed cooling tubes configured to have therein a cryogenic fluid; a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the one or more gravity-fed cooling tubes to a cryocooler; a storage device having an input connected to the first heat exchanger and configured to receive and store a boiled-off gas from the first heat exchanger; and a thermal regenerator having an input connected to the output of the storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: ROBERT ADOLPH ACKERMANN, GLEN GEORGE PFLEIDERER, PHILIP ALEXANDER JONAS, MATTHEW VOSS
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Publication number: 20160189842Abstract: A valve is configured to control a flow of a gas disposed within a convective cooling loop. The valve can be actuated between an open position and a closed position via a magnetic field generated by at least one electrically conductive coil disposed within a cryostat.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Philip Alexander Jonas, Robert Adolph Ackermann, Philippe Abel Menteur
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Publication number: 20150323626Abstract: An apparatus including a persistent current switch of a superconducting material which is electrically superconducting at a superconducting temperature and electrically resistive at a resistive mode temperature which is greater than the superconducting temperature. The apparatus further includes a first heat exchange element; a convective heat dissipation loop thermally coupling the persistent current switch to the first heat exchange element; a second heat exchange element spaced apart from the first heat exchange element; and a thermally conductive link thermally coupling the persistent current switch to the second heat exchange element. The first heat exchange element is disposed above the persistent current switch. The thermally conductive link may have a greater thermal conductivity at the superconducting temperature than at a second temperature which is greater than the superconducting temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2013Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: PHILIP ALEXANDER JONAS, ALEXANDER AKHMETOV, ROBERT ADOLPH ACKERMANN, PHILIPPE ABEL MENTEUR, GLEN GEORGE PFLEIDERER, MATTHEW VOSS
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Publication number: 20140243205Abstract: A heat exchanger (5) includes a thermally conductive cylindrical container (40), at least one thermally conductive tube (30), a cooling column (90), and a cryogen coldhead (100). The cooling column and coldhead condense gaseous helium to liquid helium to maintain a reservoir of liquid helium in the thermally conductive cylindrical container (40). The at least one thermally conductive tube (30) coils circumferentially around the container (40), and extends to at least one superconducting magnet coil heat exchanger (20), and back. The tube forms a selected loop which holds gaseous helium at pressure up about 104 bar (1500 PSI) or room temperature to about 0.75 bar at cryogenic temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Inventors: Robert Adolph Ackermann, Philippe Menteur, Manmohan Dhar
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Publication number: 20140159726Abstract: A magnetic resonance magnet assembly 20 has a coil form 70 shaped as a hollow cylinder. At least two thermally conductive sheets 60 are disposed circumferentially around the coil form 70, separated by a non-electrically conductive region 90. Thermally conductive tubing 50 affixed to each thermally conductive sheeting section 60 runs circumferentially around the coil form 70. At least one layer of thermally conductive electrically insulating material 110 such as fiber glass is bonded with a thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant to the thermally conductive sheets 60. A winding of superconductive wire 80 is bond together and to the electrically insulating material 110 with the thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Robert Adolph Ackermann, Richard Frank
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Patent number: 7255013Abstract: A method for calculating a mass flow rate of a cryogenic fluid within a flow tube includes positioning a sensor within a stream of cryogenic fluid flowing through the flow tube. The sensor is operatively coupled to a strain gauge. A difference between a dynamic pressure in the fluid stream and a static pressure in the fluid stream is measured and the mass flow rate of the cryogenic fluid within the flow tube is calculated.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Urbahn, Robert Adolph Ackermann
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Patent number: 7003977Abstract: A cooling system for providing cryogenic cooling fluid to an apparatus comprises a re-circulation device, a passive cold storage device having a porous matrix of material which directly contacts the cryogenic cooling fluid as the cryogenic cooling fluid passes through the passive cold storage device, a first portion of a fluid communication feed line fluidly connecting the re-circulation device to the passive cold storage device, a second portion of a fluid communication feed line fluidly connecting the passive cold storage device to the apparatus for communicating cryogenic cooling fluid to the apparatus, and a fluid communication return line fluidly connecting the apparatus to the re-circulation device. The passive cold storage device may comprise a regenerative heat exchanger including a porous matrix of metal wire mesh, metal spheres or ceramic spheres.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Albert Eugene Steinbach, Robert Adolph Ackermann, Xianrui Huang
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Patent number: 6996994Abstract: A superconducting machine includes a superconductive device and a vacuum enclosure containing and thermally insulating the superconductive device. A cold-trap is configured to condense gases generated within the vacuum enclosure, and a coolant circulation system is adapted to force flow of a cryogen to and from the superconductive device and the cold-trap. A cryogenic cooling system is configured to cool the cryogen in the coolant circulation system upstream of the superconductive device. A vacuum retention method, for a high-temperature superconductive HTS device, includes applying vacuum to the HTS device to thermally insulate the HTS device, condensing gases generated around the HTS device using a cold-trap, flowing a cryogen to and from the HTS device, and flowing the cryogen to and from the cold-trap.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yu Wang, Robert Adolph Ackermann
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Publication number: 20040182091Abstract: A superconducting machine includes a superconductive device and a vacuum enclosure containing and thermally insulating the superconductive device. A cold-trap is configured to condense gases generated within the vacuum enclosure, and a coolant circulation system is adapted to force flow of a cryogen to and from the superconductive device and the cold-trap. A cryogenic cooling system is configured to cool the cryogen in the coolant circulation system upstream of the superconductive device. A vacuum retention method, for a high-temperature superconductive HTS device, includes applying vacuum to the HTS device to thermally insulate the HTS device, condensing gases generated around the HTS device using a cold-trap, flowing a cryogen to and from the HTS device, and flowing the cryogen to and from the cold-trap.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Yu Wang, Robert Adolph Ackermann
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Patent number: 6708503Abstract: A superconducting machine includes a superconductive device and a vacuum enclosure containing and thermally insulating the superconductive device. A cold-trap is configured to condense gases generated within the vacuum enclosure, and a coolant circulation system is adapted to force flow of a cryogen to and from the superconductive device and the cold-trap. A cryogenic cooling system is configured to cool the cryogen in the coolant circulation system upstream of the superconductive device. A vacuum retention method, for a high-temperature superconductive HTS device, includes applying vacuum to the HTS device to thermally insulate the HTS device, condensing gases generated around the HTS device using a cold-trap, flowing a cryogen to and from the HTS device, and flowing the cryogen to and from the cold-trap.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yu Wang, Robert Adolph Ackermann
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Patent number: 6442949Abstract: A cooling fluid system is disclosed for providing cryogenic cooling fluid to a high temperature super-conducting machine, wherein said system includes a main cooling system (52, 88) and a second cooling system, said second cooling system comprising a storage device having a first cryogenic fluid; at least one cooling coupling in fluid communication with the first cryogenic fluid from the storage device and a second cryogenic fluid flowing through the main cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Robert Adolph Ackermann, Yu Wang
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Patent number: 6438969Abstract: A cooling fluid system is disclosed for providing cryogenic cooling fluid to a high temperature super-conducting rotor comprising: a re-circulation compressor; a storage tank having a second cryogenic fluid; an inlet line connecting the re-circulation compressor to the storage tank and to the rotor, and forming a passage for cooling fluid to pass from the re-circulation compressor through the storage tank and to the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Robert Adolph Ackermann, Yu Wang
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Patent number: 6437568Abstract: A low noise imaging apparatus for producing Magnetic Resonance (MR) images of a subject and for substantially minimizing acoustic noise generated during imaging is provided. The imaging apparatus comprises a magnet assembly, a gradient coil assembly, and a rf coil assembly, wherein at least one of the magnet assembly, the gradient coil assembly and the rf coil assembly are configured to reduce the generation and transmission of acoustic noise.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Alan Edelstein, Richard Philip Mallozzi, Robert Arvin Hedeen, Sayed-Amr El-Hamamsy, Mark Lloyd Miller, Paul Shadforth Thompson, Robert Adolph Ackermann, Bruce Campbell Amm, John Peter Fura, Mike James Radziun, David Edward Dean, Scott Thomas Mansell, Dewain Anthony Purgill, Robert Michael Vavrek
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Patent number: 6415613Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system for use with a superconductive electric machine includes a first set of components arranged in a first circuit and adapted to force flow of a cryogen in the first circuit to and from a superconductive electric machine and being operable in a cooldown mode for cooling the cryogen and thereby the superconductive electric machine to a normal operating temperature, and a second set of components arranged in a second circuit and adapted to force flow of a cryogen in the second circuit to and from the superconductive electric machine and being operable in a normal mode for maintaining the cryogen and thereby the superconductive electric machine at the normal operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Adolph Ackermann, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Yu Wang, Brian Ernest Baxter Gott
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Patent number: 6412289Abstract: A cooling fluid coupling is disclosed for providing cooling fluid to a rotor having a super-conducting winding of a synchronous machine and a source of cryogenic cooling fluid. The fluid coupling comprises an inlet cooling tube and an outlet cooling tube in the rotor and coaxial with an axis of the rotor. The inlet cooling tube has an input port coupled to receive inlet cooling fluid from the source of cryogenic cooling fluid. The outlet cooling tube has an output port coupled to return cooling fluid from the rotor to source. A stationary motion gap seal separates the input port and output port of the coupling.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, James Pellegrino Alexander, Robert Adolph Ackermann