Patents by Inventor Pierre Becker

Pierre Becker 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: 10883239
    Abstract: A shark barrier that comprises an anchoring assembly having a pair of anchors (9) with a flexible connecting element (11) extending between the anchors. The shark barriers also includes multiple spaced apart buoyant resiliently flexible elongate members (15) that are secured at one end along a length of the connecting element of the anchoring assembly to operatively extend generally upwardly from the connecting element. The buoyant members comprise an elongate flexible spine (32) that extends through a series of tubular members (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Michael Rutzen, Sara Andreotti, Pierre Becker, Laurie Barwell
  • Publication number: 20190119873
    Abstract: A shark barrier that comprises an anchoring assembly having a pair of anchors (9) with a flexible connecting element (11) extending between the anchors. The shark barriers also includes multiple spaced apart buoyant resiliently flexible elongate members (15) that are secured at one end along a length of the connecting element of the anchoring assembly to operatively extend generally upwardly from the connecting element. The buoyant members comprise an elongate flexible spine (32) that extends through a series of tubular members (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Michael Rutzen, Sara Andreotti, Pierre Becker, Laurie Barwell
  • Patent number: 8224481
    Abstract: A miniaturized fluid dispensing system for dispensing customized fluids. The dispenser may include first and second reservoirs containing constituent fluids; a drive motor; at least two pump assemblies commonly driven by the drive motor and in communication with the first and second reservoirs; first and second valve assembly in communication with the first and second pump assemblies; and a control system for selectively controlling the valve assemblies to blend and discharge a composition from the constituent fluids. The system may include a dispensing header to house the valves and to define ‘discharge’ and ‘recirculation’ flow paths for each constituent fluid. The present invention also provides a method for dispensing a fluid regimen (e.g. a plurality of compositions) by periodically blending and discharging varying compositions over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Bylsma, David W. Baarman, Mark G. Marshall, Pierre Becker
  • Publication number: 20110233935
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
  • Patent number: 7956481
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
  • Publication number: 20100295311
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
  • Patent number: 7768147
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
  • Publication number: 20100185322
    Abstract: A miniaturized fluid dispensing system for dispensing customized fluids. The dispenser may include first and second reservoirs containing constituent fluids; a drive motor; at least two pump assemblies commonly driven by the drive motor and in communication with the first and second reservoirs; first and second valve assembly in communication with the first and second pump assemblies; and a control system for selectively controlling the valve assemblies to blend and discharge a composition from the constituent fluids. The system may include a dispensing header to house the valves and to define ‘discharge’ and ‘recirculation’ flow paths for each constituent fluid. The present invention also provides a method for dispensing a fluid regimen (e.g. a plurality of compositions) by periodically blending and discharging varying compositions over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Bylsma, David W. Baarman, Mark G. Marshall, Pierre Becker
  • Patent number: 7675188
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
  • Publication number: 20090278355
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
  • Patent number: 7402915
    Abstract: A pedal generator having a single foot operated pedal, and spring biased means for converting oscillatory movement of the pedal into drive for an alternator, the pedal comprises a pedal lever (2) connected to a drive shaft (3) and movable between raised position and a lowered position so that a user can impart rotation to the drive shaft (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Freeplay Market Development Limited
    Inventors: John Edward Hutchinson, Pierre Becker
  • Publication number: 20080136191
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
  • Publication number: 20070052240
    Abstract: A pedal generator having a single foot operated pedal, and spring biased means for converting oscillatory movement of the pedal into drive for an alternator, the pedal comprises a pedal lever (2) connected to a drive shaft (3) and movable between a raised position and a lowered position so that a user can impart rotation to the drive shaft (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: John Hutchinson, Pierre Becker
  • Patent number: 6914340
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handheld power generator for generating electrical power for a consumer device, the generator comprising a main casing housing an input gear for driving an alternator via at least one intermediate gear so as to provide a step-up drive ratio in the range of 10:50; the input gear, the or each intermediate gear, and the rotor of the alternator all having their rotational axes perpendicular to the base of the main casing so that the gears and rotor rotate parallel to the plane of the base; a rectifier circuit for rectifying the alternator output; means for mounting a storage device for storing the output of the alternator, a control circuit for modifying the rectifier output to a voltage/current appropriate for the consumer device, and wherein the input gear is connected to a drive member rotatable by manual action to rotate the input gear in turn, the axis of the drive member being parallel to the respective axes of the input gear, the or each intermediate gear and the rotor with all the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Freeplay Market Development
    Inventors: Pierre Becker, John Edward Hutchinson
  • Publication number: 20040090210
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handheld power generator for generating electrical power for a consumer device, the generator comprising a main casing housing an input gear for driving an alternator via at least one intermediate gear so as to provide a step-up drive ratio in the range of 10:50; the input gear, the or each intermediate gear, and the rotor of the alternator all having their rotational axes perpendicular to the base of the main casing so that the gears and rotor rotate parallel to the plane of the base; a rectifier circuit for rectifying the alternator output; means for mounting a storage device for storing the output of the alternator, a control circuit for modifying the rectifier output to a voltage/current appropriate for the consumer device, and wherein the input gear is connected to a drive member rotatable by manual action to rotate the input gear in turn, the axis of the drive member being parallel to the respective axes of the input gear, the or each intermediate gear and the rotor with all the
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Pierre Becker, John Edward Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6592299
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting and locating fresh water springs at sea essentially by taking salinity measurements and by methods and installations for collecting the fresh water. The collection installations comprise an immersed bell-shaped reservoir (10) containing and trapping the fresh water (2) in its top portion, and a pumping system for taking fresh water (2) and delivering the fresh water (2) via a delivery pipe (12), characterized in that the circumference of the bottom end (102) of the reservoir (10) and/or the circumference of the bottom end (61) of a chimney (6) inside the reservoir (10) and open at its top end and surrounding the fresh water resurgence (21) in part and preferably in full, follow(s) closely the outline of the relief of the bottom (4) of the sea so as to provide leakproofing between the circumference(s) and the bottom (4) of the sea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Nymphea Water
    Inventor: Pierre Becker
  • Patent number: 6472846
    Abstract: A power system comprises a generator for generating electrical current, a rechargeable electrical storage device connectable to a load, and a source of non-electrical energy for driving the generator, the arrangement being such that energy output by the generator in excess of the power requirement of a load when connected to the battery is used to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Freeplay Market Development Limited
    Inventors: John Edward Hutchinson, Pierre Becker
  • Patent number: D436197
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Freeplay Market Development LTD
    Inventors: Edward Hutchinson, Pierre Becker
  • Patent number: D417922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Freeplay Energy Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Roelf Mulder, Etienne Rijkheer, Byron Qually, Pierre Becker, John Hutchinson
  • Patent number: D428873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Freeplay Market Development Limited
    Inventors: John Edward Hutchinson, Pierre Becker