Patents by Inventor James R. Braxton

James R. Braxton 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).

  • Offshore drilling rig fingerboard latch position indication
    Patent number: 9016382
    Abstract: A fingerboard latch assembly includes a latch configured for operational engagement with a fingerboard for lockingly retaining at least one tubular to the fingerboard. The latch is movable within a range of motion extending from at least a locked position to an unlocked position. A positioner operatively engaged with the latch is communicably couplable to a process control network (PCN), and is sized and shaped for receipt within a latch channel of the fingerboard. The positioner is configured to move the latch within the range of motion in response to signals received from the PCN, to capture position data for the latch, including the position of the latch at a plurality of points within the range of motion, and to communicate the captured position data to the PCN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Braxton
  • Offshore Drilling Rig Fingerboard Latch Position Indication
    Publication number: 20130032405
    Abstract: A fingerboard latch assembly includes a latch configured for operational engagement with a fingerboard for lockingly retaining at least one tubular to the fingerboard. The latch is movable within a range of motion extending from at least a locked position to an unlocked position. A positioner operatively engaged with the latch is communicably couplable to a process control network (PCN), and is sized and shaped for receipt within a latch channel of the fingerboard. The positioner is configured to move the latch within the range of motion in response to signals received from the PCN, to capture position data for the latch, including the position of the latch at a plurality of points within the range of motion, and to communicate the captured position data to the PCN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Braxton