Patents by Inventor Benno Frank

Benno Frank 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: 11913291
    Abstract: A centraliser comprises a mandrel, a first support member, a second support member, and a plurality of arm assemblies connected between the first and second support members. Each arm assembly comprises a first arm pivotally connected to the first support member at a first pivot axis and a second arm pivotally connected to the second support member at a second pivot axis, and the first and second arms pivotally connected together at a third pivot axis. The mandrel comprises a plurality of facets spaced apart around an outer surface of the mandrel to rotationally key the first and/or second support member to the mandrel, and each arm assembly is arranged so that the third pivot axis is located on a first side of a plane coincident with a central axis of the device and the first and second pivot axes are located on an opposite second side of the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PETROMAC IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Peter McCormick, Benno Frank Smit
  • Publication number: 20220298870
    Abstract: A device for centering a sensor assembly in a bore comprises a mandrel, a first support member and a second support member axially spaced apart along a central longitudinal axis of the device. A plurality of arm assemblies are spaced circumferentially apart around the central longitudinal axis of the device and connected between the first and second support members. Each arm assembly comprises a first arm pivotally connected to the first support member by a first pivot joint having a first pivot axis, a second arm pivotally connected to the second support member by a second pivot joint having a second pivot axis, and the first and second arms pivotally connected together via a third pivot joint having a third pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Peter McCormick, Benno Frank Smit
  • Patent number: 10947791
    Abstract: A device for centering a sensor assembly in a bore comprises a mandrel, a first support member and a second support member axially spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The first and second support members adapted to move axially along the mandrel. A plurality of arm assemblies are spaced circumferentially apart around the longitudinal axis of the device and connected between the first and second support members. Each arm assembly comprises a first arm pivotally connected to the first support member by a first pivot joint having a first pivot axis, a second arm pivotally connected to the second support member by a second pivot joint having a second pivot axis, and the first and second arms pivotally connected together via a third pivot joint having a third pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: PETROMAC IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Peter McCormick, Benno Frank Smit
  • Patent number: 9206802
    Abstract: A rotatable drive shaft in the swash pump or turbine for liquids is supported by one bearing at each end. An integrated motor or dynamo uses the same two bearings. The compound first bearing supports a slanted section of the drive shaft placed inside the inner swash sphere, and transfers rotational power to the attached nutatable swash plate. The second bearing confines rotation of the drive shaft in a defined axis. Either one of the bearings is made to prevent axial movement of the drive shaft, preventing swash pump misalignment. A resilient drive, and an immersed pump are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SWASHPUMP TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Lindsay Bruce Dalziel, John Layne, Benno Frank Smit
  • Patent number: 8662870
    Abstract: A swash pump for compressible fluids uses sealing contacts made between the nutatable swash plate and the fixed cone plates to center and locate the inner swash sphere which slides against two resiliently mounted ring seals only, minimizing pump friction. A slanted end of a common drive shaft supporting and turned by the rotor of an integrated, variable speed motor causes nutation of the sphere. All bearings, especially axially slidable roller bearings inside the sphere, may settle in position with respect to the common shaft for least frictional loss. This pump is also adapted for pumping explosive gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Swashpump Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Lindsay Bruce Dalziel, Benno Frank Smit
  • Publication number: 20130011287
    Abstract: A rotatable drive shaft in the swash pump or turbine for liquids is supported by one bearing at each end. An integrated motor or dynamo uses the same two bearings. The compound first bearing supports a slanted section of the drive shaft placed inside the inner swash sphere, and transfers rotational power to the attached nutatable swash plate. The second bearing confines rotation of the drive shaft in a defined axis. Either one of the bearings is made to prevent axial movement of the drive shaft, preventing swash pump misalignment. A resilient drive, and an immersed pump are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SWASHPUMP TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Lindsay Bruce Dalziel, John Layne, Benno Frank Smit
  • Publication number: 20110200474
    Abstract: A swash pump for compressible fluids uses sealing contacts made between the nutatable swash plate and the fixed cone plates to centre and locate the inner swash sphere which slides against two resiliently mounted ring seals only, minimising pump friction. A slanted end of a common drive shaft supporting and turned by the rotor of an integrated, variable speed motor causes nutation of the sphere. All bearings, especially axially slidable roller bearings inside the sphere, may settle in position with respect to the common shaft for least frictional loss. This pump is also adapted for pumping explosive gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: SWASHPUMP TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Lindsay Bruce Dalziel, Benno Frank Smit
  • Patent number: 6409885
    Abstract: A pulp forming machine includes a forming head including a platen and plurality of mould carriers. The mould carriers are connected to the platen by mould carrier support means which allow the mould carrier and the platen to transmit forces perpendicular to the general plane of the platen but allow movement and expansion of each mould carrier in the general plane of the platen. Mould carrier to mould carrier locating means locate the mould carriers of opposing platens during the forming process to align moulds carried on the mould carriers with cooperating moulds of the cooperating platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Benno Frank Smit, Brent Richard Mooney, Christopher Arthur Good, Andre Brian Aish
  • Patent number: 5760374
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating an advancing thermoplastic yarn led over heating ridges along a heated surface. An essential feature of the invention is that the heating ridges can be maintained at a temperature as high as that of the heating surface, in particular at a temperature sufficient for ensuring a self-cleaning effect, without damaging the yarn. If required, the heat flow on the yarn may also be regulated by adjusting the height of the heating ridges and/or by modifying the length of contact with the yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Heinz Schippers, Karl Bauer, Johannes Bruske, Martin Fischer, Benno Frank, Siegfried Morhenne, Ralf Dedeken, Herbert Streppel
  • Patent number: 5578231
    Abstract: A heater (1) for an advancing thermoplastic yarn which is guided along a heated surface over ring segments (2). The flow of heat to the yarn is adjustable by changing the geometric parameters of the heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Heinz Schippers, Karl Bauer, Johannes Bruske, Martin Fischer, Benno Frank, Siegfried Morhenne, Ralf Dedeken, Herbert Streppel
  • Patent number: 4402179
    Abstract: A yarn false twisting apparatus is disclosed which comprises two rotating twist imparting members, with a pressure applying member comprising a cylinder-piston assembly positioned to bias one member toward the other at the twisting zone. The apparatus includes an improved yarn thread-up capability which avoids breakage when the yarn is initially twisted, and which includes a pressurized air supply system for biasing the piston of the pressure applying member into operative contact with the adjacent twist imparting member, and control means for substantially reducing the pressure during yarn thread-up to thereby limit the nipping force applied to the yarn. In one embodiment, the air supply system includes a reservoir for cushioning the application of the pressure on the piston to thereby avoid the rapid application of a nipping force on the newly threaded yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Barmag Barmer Maschinenfabrik AG
    Inventors: Peter Dammann, Benno Frank
  • Patent number: 4236323
    Abstract: A yarn heating apparatus is provided which is adapted for use in a false twist yarn crimping machine or the like. The heating apparatus comprises an arcuately curved heater plate mounted in a generally vertical orientation within a channel in an insulated housing, and having one or more yarn receiving grooves extending along its length. A flat cover is provided which includes an insert mounted on the inside of the cover, and which is sized to fill substantially the full width of the channel. The cover is hinged to the housing by an arrangement which permits the insertion and withdrawal of the insert along a path of travel which is parallel to the side walls of the channel, to thereby avoid injurious contact between the insert and walls of the channel. The inner face of the insert may be curved in conformance with the curvature of the heater plate, such that when the door is closed, the inner face defines a yarn passage of uniform cross-sectional configuration along the length of the heater plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Barmag Barmer Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Dammann, Benno Frank