Nicholas R Kramer

US Patent:

8307820, Nov 13, 2012

Filed:

Aug 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/849761

Inventors:

John D. H. King - La Jolla CA, US
Thomas E. Oliver - Sacramento CA, US
Nicholas A. Kramer - Lakeside CA, US
Keeney D. Willis - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Combined Power LLC - Santee CA

International Classification:

F24J 2/14

US Classification:

126634, 126685, 126692, 126625, 126600, 126697, 126571, 126652, 126624, 126676, 126672, 359847

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.

US Patent:

8443615, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Nov 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/950931

Inventors:

John D. H. King - La Jolla CA, US
Nicholas A. Kramer - Lakeside CA, US
Thomas E. Oliver - Sacramento CA, US

Assignee:

Combined Power, LLC - Santee CA

International Classification:

F25B 1/00

US Classification:

62115, 62260

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.

US Patent:

20110070635, Mar 24, 2011

Filed:

Sep 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/889279

Inventors:

John D.H. King - La Jolla CA, US
Nicholas A. Kramer - Lakeside CA, US

Assignee:

Advanced Lab Group Cooperative - Santee CA

International Classification:

F24J 2/36
C02F 1/14
B01D 3/00
B01D 3/04
C12M 1/24

US Classification:

4352921, 126626, 202234, 203 10, 202237

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.

US Patent:

20120234668, Sep 20, 2012

Filed:

Jan 17, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/352065

Inventors:

John D.H. King - La Jolla CA, US
Thomas E. Oliver - Sacramento CA, US
Nicholas A. Kramer - Lakeside CA, US
keeney D. Willis - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Combined Power Cooperative - Santee CA

International Classification:

B01J 19/12

US Classification:

2041575, 20415715, 422186

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.

US Patent:

20130032136, Feb 7, 2013

Filed:

Oct 10, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/648893

Inventors:

Combined Power LLC - Santee CA, US
Thomas E. Oliver - Sacramento CA, US
Nicholas A. Kramer - Lakeside CA, US
Keeney D. Willis - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Combined Power LLC - Santee CA

International Classification:

F24J 2/36

US Classification:

126625

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.

US Patent:

20130152393, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/715564

Inventors:

Combined Power LLC - Santee CA, US
Nicholas A. Kramer - Lakeside CA, US

Assignee:

Combined Power LLC - Santee CA

International Classification:

B23P 11/00

US Classification:

29890033

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.

US Patent:

20180347913, Dec 6, 2018

Filed:

May 30, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/993285

Inventors:

- Lakeside CA, US
John D. H. King - La Jolla CA, US
Nicholas Aaron Kramer - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Combined Power LLC,dba Hyperlight Energy - Lakeside CA

International Classification:

F28D 20/02

Abstract:

Thermal energy storage systems and methods are provided including a bed, a blend of aggregates packed in the bed, and a high-density heat transfer fluid flowing through the blend of aggregates. The blend of aggregates includes rock materials and may also include non-rock materials. The heat transfer fluid flows through the blend of aggregates such that heat is transferred between the heat transfer fluid and the blend of aggregates. The porosity of the aggregates increases heat transfer and the high density of the heat transfer fluid reduces the pressure gradient of the heat transfer fluid. In exemplary embodiments, the heat transfer fluid is a liquid comprised of carbon-based molecules. Methods of safely storing and releasing energy are provided in which axial thermal conductivity of the bed is minimized and inadvertent pressure release failures are mitigated.

US Patent:

20160201949, Jul 14, 2016

Filed:

Sep 3, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/915913

Inventors:

- Santee CA, US
Nicholas A. Kramer - Lakeside CA, US
Erik E. Tang - San Diego CA, US
Kristofer J. Olsen - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

F24J 2/52
F24J 2/38

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.