Patents by Inventor Benno Frank Smit

Benno Frank Smit 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